WeWork India Gets SEBI Nod For IPO As Flexible Workspace Demand Surges
WeWork India Management Ltd has received regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to proceed with its Initial Public Offering (IPO), the company confirmed on Tuesday.
The Bengaluru-headquartered co-working firm, which submitted its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) earlier in February, was granted SEBI's observation letter on July 8, reported PTI.
This development comes at a time when demand for flexible and managed office spaces continues to scale record highs across India’s top seven cities. The proposed IPO is structured as a complete Offer for Sale (OFS) of up to 4.37 crore equity shares, with no fresh issue component.
Under the OFS, promoter entity Embassy Buildcon LLP will divest up to 3,34,58,659 shares, while 1 Ariel Way Tenant Ltd—a part of WeWork Global—plans to offload up to 1,02,95,293 shares. Consequently, the IPO proceeds will not go to WeWork India, but will instead help monetise promoter and investor stakes.
Promoter Holding, Financials, and Market Presence
WeWork India, which operates under an exclusive licensing agreement for the 'WeWork' brand in India, is promoted by Bengaluru-based real estate group Embassy, which holds a 76.21 per cent stake. WeWork Global retains a 23.45 per cent shareholding. The company was founded in 2017 and has since become one of the largest flexible workspace providers in the country.
During FY 2023–24, the firm posted a net loss of Rs 135.83 crore on total revenue of Rs 1,737.16 crore. However, the performance turned around in the first half of FY 2024–25, with the company reporting a net profit of Rs 174.13 crore and income of Rs 960.76 crore.
In recent years, the company has secured key investments to fuel its growth. WeWork Global had invested $100 million in June 2021, while a rights issue in January this year raised Rs 500 crore, primarily to pare debt and fund expansion.
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Expanding Footprint Amid Sectoral IPO Momentum
WeWork India’s operational portfolio covers 77 lakh square feet, of which 70 lakh square feet is currently active. The company operates over 1.03 lakh desks across major Indian metros, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Gurugram, and Noida. It has a workforce of over 500 employees.
In its draft filing, the company stated the objective of the offer is to enhance brand visibility, improve liquidity for existing shareholders, and create a public market for its shares in India. “Our company expects that listing of the equity shares will enhance our visibility and brand and provide liquidity to its existing shareholders,” the DRHP noted.
WeWork India’s move follows increased IPO activity in the co-working space segment. On Monday, Smartworks Coworking Spaces Ltd saw its Rs 583 crore IPO oversubscribed 13.45 times. Other operators like Awfis and EFC (I) Ltd have also entered the public markets recently, amid booming demand for hybrid and flexible office solutions.
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