<article>Co-working space operator JustCo plans to set up 100 centers by 2020 in Asia and is looking to acquire firms that complement its operations, Chief Executive Kong Wan Sing said on Thursday.</article>

Co-working space operator JustCo plans to set up 100 centers by 2020 in Asia and is looking to acquire firms that complement its operations, Chief Executive Kong Wan Sing said on Thursday.
“We are tapping into companies’ need for flexibility,” Kong told Reuters in an interview in Bangkok.
JustCo opened its first co-working center outside of Singapore in Thailand this year with plans to add offices in Jakarta and Shanghai by year end, towards a goal of 50 centers in Asia by 2019, each with minimum space of 3,000 square meters, he said.
Corporations make up 60-70 percent of clients, Kong said, unlike other operators who offer workspace to entrepreneurs, freelancers and companies.
Demand for co-working spaces in the world’s largest cities has surged, drawing billions of dollars in capital into the sector.
Last year, New York-based WeWork, acquired Singaporean Spacemob and planned to invest $500 million in Southeast Asia and South Korea.
Kong, who founded JustCo in 2015, said that curating a big community of members through its large spaces will help it beat competitors.
JustCo will launch an application this year with plans for an e-payment platform later, he said.
In May, Frasers Property and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund, GIC agreed on a $177 million partnership with JustCo.
Frasers Property is owned by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.
Part of the capital will be used for expansion and also to “beef up our IT and design capabilities,” Kong said.
“We are looking for ideal acquisition targets &#8230; would be more applications, tech and design that can help us,” he said.
In addition to capital, JustCo would have “immediate access” to GIC and Frasers’ properties in Asia, helping it to quickly expand, he added.
Another source of revenue is management fees. JustCo announced earlier this week it would manage half of Verizon Communication’s 20,000 square feet (1,858 square meters) head office in Singapore.
Last year, Thai developer Sansiri took a 6.09 percent stake in JustCo in Series B funding for $12 million, valuing the company at $200 million.
Kong declined to comment on the firm’s valuation after the agreement with GIC and Frasers Property.
“We will continue to do our rounds,” he said, adding that an initial public offer could happen in 3-5 years.
Reuters

Co-working space operator JustCo plans to set up 100 centres by 2020 in Asia and is looking to acquire firms that complement its operations.

SG's co-working startup JustCo eyes acquisitions for regional expansion

Bring stories like this into your inbox every day.

Sign up for our newsletter - The Daily Brief

SG's co-working startup JustCo eyes acquisitions for regional expansion

Start your deal-making journey now!

Bring stories like this into your inbox every day.

Sign up for our newsletter - The Daily Brief