The Workspace Evolution: GoFloaters Leading The Charge In Work Flexibility

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The idea of GoFloaters :

I (Shyam Sundar Nagarajan) started GoFloaters in late 2017. The idea came to me after personally experiencing the challenges of finding suitable, affordable workspaces while working as a consultant. I often found myself hopping from one coffee shop to another, dealing with inconsistent Wi-Fi, lack of power outlets, and the general inconvenience of not having a dedicated workspace. This experience led me to ponder over the possibility of creating a solution that could benefit freelancers, remote workers, and startups who face similar challenges.

Recognizing the growing trend of gig economy and remote work, I saw an opportunity to create a platform that could offer flexible, cost-effective workspace solutions. I envisioned GoFloaters as a way to utilize underused spaces in cafes, restaurants, and hotels, turning them into productive work environments during their off-peak hours. This would not only provide workers with more options but also help these establishments generate additional revenue.

“The fundamental ethos of GoFloaters is to build an alternative version of office that will be flexible, on-demand, and accessible on the go.”

So, with a clear vision and a desire to address this gap in the market, I embarked on the journey of establishing GoFloaters. We started by partnering with a few spaces in Chennai, and gradually expanded our network. Our aim was to create a community-driven platform that not only provided spaces to work but also fostered collaboration and networking among the users.

Team & Journey :

Shyam. Gofloaters — **Shyam Sundar Nagarajan :**
**Founder and CEO (GoFloaters)**

Srivatsan.gofloters — **Srivatsan Padmanabhan :**
**Co-Founder and COO (GoFloaters)**

As the founder of GoFloaters, I, Shyam Sundar, began this journey with a clear vision of providing flexible, affordable workspace solutions for freelancers, remote workers, and startups. Along with me, my co-founder Srivatsan Padmanabhan joined the mission, bringing his expertise and shared enthusiasm for the concept. Srivatsan and I have known each other for years, and our complementary skills and shared vision for the future of work made us a strong founding team.

Our journey started in Chennai, with just a few spaces onboarded onto our platform. One of our earliest milestones was the successful expansion of our network beyond Chennai, reaching into other major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. This expansion was crucial in demonstrating the scalability and demand for our services.

Another significant milestone was the development and launch of our mobile app, which made it easier for users to discover and book spaces. This technological advancement was a game changer, allowing us to reach a wider audience and offer a more seamless user experience.

As we grew, we focused not just on expanding our space network, but also on building a community. We organized events and meetups for our users, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. This aspect of GoFloaters was particularly fulfilling, as it went beyond just providing physical spaces – it was about creating a support system for independent professionals and entrepreneurs.

A major highlight in our journey was when we secured our first round of funding. This was a testament to the faith investors had in our business model and our vision. The funding enabled us to accelerate our growth, invest in technology, and strengthen our team. Another highlight was our bounce-back approach after COVID-19, as the industry underwent a major overhaul.

Throughout our journey, our team has been the backbone of GoFloaters. We’ve grown from a small team to a larger, more diverse group of passionate individuals, each bringing their unique skills and perspectives to the table. This growth and development of our team have been instrumental in helping us adapt, innovate, and continuously improve our offerings.

Challenges :

Throughout our journey with GoFloaters, we’ve faced several challenges, each of which has been a learning opportunity and a chance to grow stronger.

One of the initial challenges was convincing space owners to partner with us. Many were skeptical about the concept and its benefits. We overcame this by demonstrating the value proposition clearly – showcasing how their underutilized spaces could become revenue-generating assets without disrupting their regular business.

Another significant challenge was building trust with our users. In the early days, freelancers and remote workers were still warming up to the idea of using shared workspaces. To address this, we focused on delivering consistent, high-quality experiences and actively sought feedback to continuously improve our services.

The COVID-19 pandemic was perhaps the most unprecedented challenge we faced. The demand for physical workspaces plummeted as lockdowns and social distancing norms were implemented. We quickly adapted by offering virtual office solutions and expanding our services to include virtual addresses and mail handling, helping businesses maintain their operations remotely.

However, something exceptional also happened.

We were able to repurpose our meeting room booking system into a hospital bed booking system.
The technology we built helped thousands of patients get access to ICU beds or oxygen cylinders.
As the demand for beds settled, we further repurposed the technology for people to book vaccination slots in partnership with Greater Chennai Corporation.

“2 lakh vaccines administered at 0% downtime! This was truly gratifying.”

Now, as we navigate the post-pandemic world, we’re focusing on the evolving needs of the workforce. We’ve launched WorqFlexi, a new solution that caters to the hybrid work model. Recognizing that businesses and individuals are looking for even more flexibility, WorqFlexi offers a range of workspace solutions that can be tailored to different needs – whether it’s for a day, a week, or longer.

“Adaptation & experimentation were instrumental in shaping our offerings. Answer questions than just providing solutions.”

WorqFlexi is designed to be a versatile solution, accommodating the varying requirements of today’s dynamic work environment. It includes options for private offices, meeting rooms, and even event spaces, all available on-demand. This flexibility is key in a time when the concept of a ‘workplace’ is being redefined.

Our focus now is on expanding WorqFlexi and continuing to innovate in line with the changing landscape of work. We’re committed to providing solutions that are not just about spaces, but about empowering businesses and individuals to work in ways that best suit their needs and aspirations. In the dilemma between return to office and remote work, GoFloaters has been tackling the challenge with the promising, one-of-its-kind solution – WorqFlexi.

Take a look at how it works:

Shaping The Future of Work

We have been used a range of marketing approaches to tap startups and offer custom solutions. On the other hand, we are also opening up partner channels to offer enterprise solution and widen the offering. However, the future of work still leans in support of flexibility. There is no dearth for opportunities in the market.

Way forward, we are looking to serve more number of businesses and also offer solutions in other countries to aid WorqFlexi clients. Another plan is to expand our presence in India thereby becoming a unified hybrid work solution across the enterprise and solving every potential issue that can arise.

In today’s dynamic work environment, flexibility is key. GoFloaters offers a variety of workspaces on-demand, catering to different needs – whether it’s a quiet corner for a day of deep work, a meeting room for client discussions, or a larger space for team collaborations. This flexibility allows individuals and businesses to choose workspaces that best fit their requirements, without the commitment and overheads of traditional office leases. Onwards and upwards to maximize flexibility in the future of work landscape!