Christoph Fahle, founder of Betahaus and One Coworking, shared his take on the recent news that Betahaus Hamburg has acquired a former WeWork location, demonstrating how local coworking operators can successfully compete with global networks.

The post highlights five key advantages of local operators: established community trust, deep market knowledge, operational stability, cultural authenticity, and flexible partnership approaches. This transition represents a broader industry evolution where the coworking sector is maturing beyond the hype cycle into a more locally-rooted model, suggesting a potential shift in the flexible workspace landscape.

Christoph Fahle, Founder of One Coworking, and an OG founder of Betahaus, with over 17 years in the industry, outlines the crucial differences between successful community managers and those who struggle, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing people over physical space management.

The insights focus on key attributes including hospitality-focused leadership, storytelling abilities, and the skill to foster serendipitous connections among members.

Betahaus, one of Europe’s first international coworking brands, has announced the opening of its 11th location through a management agreement with GSG Berlin at Moritzplatz, Berlin – the same district where the company first launched in 2009.

The company currently operates locations across Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, and Romania, primarily through franchise agreements. This return to Moritzplatz, a vibrant hub for creativity and startups, represents a meaningful connection to Betahaus’ roots while expanding their presence in the modern coworking landscape.

betahaus Hamburg celebrates 14 years of coworking, as well as 10 years of Eifflerstraße where they restarted in 2014.

Congrats to everyone involved with betahaus since 2009!