Co-founder Knotel: AzevedoTechCrunch
In the world of startups, co-founders are the backbone of any successful venture. They bring in complementary skills, share the workload, and help each other navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. One such co-founder is Amol Sarva, who co-founded Knotel with Edward Shenderovich and Robert Futterman in 2016. However, in 2018, Sarva stepped down as CEO, and the reins were handed over to his co-founder, Eugene Azevedo. In this article, we will take a closer look at Azevedo’s journey and his vision for Knotel.
The Early Days
Eugene Azevedo is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. Before co-founding Knotel, he was the CEO of Paramount Group, a New York-based real estate investment trust. Azevedo’s experience in the real estate industry gave him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by businesses when it comes to finding flexible office space.
In an interview with TechCrunch, Azevedo said that he was drawn to Knotel because of its mission to provide flexible office space to businesses of all sizes. He saw an opportunity to disrupt the traditional office leasing model and create a more flexible and dynamic workspace solution.
The Knotel Difference
Knotel is a flexible office space provider that offers businesses of all sizes the ability to lease office space on a short-term basis. Unlike traditional office leasing models, Knotel offers businesses the flexibility to scale up or down as needed, without being tied down to long-term leases.
Azevedo believes that Knotel’s success lies in its ability to provide businesses with a customized workspace solution that meets their specific needs. Knotel’s team works closely with each client to understand their business requirements and create a workspace that is tailored to their needs.
The Future of Knotel
Under Azevedo’s leadership, Knotel has grown rapidly, expanding its footprint to over 4 million square feet of office space across 200 locations in 20 cities worldwide. The company has also raised over $560 million in funding from investors such as Newmark Knight Frank, Norwest Venture Partners, and Wafra.
Looking ahead, Azevedo sees Knotel continuing to grow and expand its reach. He believes that the demand for flexible office space will only continue to increase as more businesses look for cost-effective and flexible workspace solutions.
Azevedo is also focused on expanding Knotel’s technology offerings. The company has already developed a proprietary technology platform that allows businesses to manage their office space needs in real-time. Azevedo believes that technology will play a critical role in the future of the flexible office space industry, and Knotel is well-positioned to lead the way.
The Impact of COVID-19
Like many businesses, Knotel has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has had to adapt quickly to the changing needs of its clients, many of whom have had to shift to remote work due to the pandemic.
In response, Knotel has launched a new product called “Knotel Anywhere,” which allows businesses to lease office space on a short-term basis, without being tied down to a specific location. This product is designed to meet the needs of businesses that are looking for flexible workspace solutions in a post-pandemic world.
Conclusion
Eugene Azevedo’s vision for Knotel has been instrumental in the company’s success. His experience in the real estate industry and his understanding of the challenges faced by businesses when it comes to finding flexible office space have helped Knotel become a leader in the flexible office space industry.
Under Azevedo’s leadership, Knotel has grown rapidly and expanded its reach, while also developing innovative technology solutions to meet the evolving needs of its clients. Looking ahead, Azevedo is focused on continuing to grow Knotel’s footprint and expanding its technology offerings, while also adapting to the changing needs of businesses in a post-pandemic world.
