WeWork Global’s Bankruptcy Will Have No Impact On Indian Unit

Earlier this week, concerns about the future of WeWork India arose following New York-based WeWork Global’s announcement of its intention to file for bankruptcy.

However, WeWork India’s CEO, Karan Virwani, clarified in a statement that WeWork India operates as a distinct entity from WeWork Global. The Embassy Group, which holds a majority stake and has operational control over the business in India, backs WeWork India.

Karan Virwani emphasised that the news of potential bankruptcy and Chapter 11 filing in the United States would not affect members and stakeholders in India.

He stated, “Any developments on a global scale will not impact our day-to-day operations in India. We will continue to serve our members, landlords, and partners without disruption.”

WeWork Global: The Key Issues

Established in 2010, with the backing of SoftBank, WeWork rapidly ascended to prominence as a global coworking hub, amassing a staggering valuation of $47 Bn through significant funding.

Nevertheless, the company encountered a series of challenges after its stock market debut in October 2021. These hurdles stemmed from substantial financial losses, corporate governance issues, and the leadership approach of its then-founder and CEO, Adam Neumann, according to several media reports.

Moreover, the coworking industry bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the real estate sector, resulting in a substantial drain on financial resources.

While the company managed to reduce its net loss to $349 Mn in Q2 2023, compared to $577 Mn the previous year, it still consumed $646 Mn in cash during the first half of the year. By the end of June 2023, WeWork’s available cash amounted to a mere $205 Mn.

To address mounting financial challenges exacerbated by rising inflation affecting office workspace spending, WeWork disclosed plans in January 2023 to reduce its workforce by 300 employees across various countries.

Why WeWork India Will Not Be Impacted?

WeWork India, where WeWork Inc. holds approximately 27% ownership, has been one of the company’s fastest-growing international affiliates outside the United States. The remaining 73% ownership belongs to the Embassy Group, a prominent office development company in India.

Since its entry into the Indian market in 2017, WeWork India has been at the forefront of promoting flexible workspaces and driving the future of work. It has signed agreements for over 6.5 Mn square feet of workspace across 50 locations in New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad.

In addition, WeWork India has launched new initiatives and made significant executive hires. In October of this year, it introduced WeWork Labs’ investments, aligning with its goal to become a hub for business creation across India.

This initiative aims to provide opportunities for India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and support the next generation of founders and early-stage startups. Selected startups will have the opportunity to apply for pre-seed/seed capital of up to $200,000, provided by WeWork India.

Furthermore, in May 2022, WeWork India announced the appointment of Manoj Kohli, former Country Head of SoftBank India and Softbank Group International, as an independent Director on its Board. Anthony Yazbeck, President & Chief Operating Officer of WeWork Inc., also joined the Board during the same period.

WeWork India closed the fiscal year 2022-23 with a revenue of $168.99 Mn and earnings of $30.18 Mn.