Case Study: How Xplora Chose a Flexible Coworking Office in Hamburg

1. Who Is Xplora?

Xplora is a fast-growing Norwegian tech company on a mission to help children safely navigate the digital world. Their flagship product is a kid-friendly smartwatch—allowing parents to stay in touch with their children, without giving them full smartphone access. After expanding to multiple countries across Europe and the US, Xplora needed an agile workplace solution for their growing German team based in Hamburg.

“We’re around 135 employees globally, with 10 in Germany. Because we’re expanding so quickly, we needed a more sustainable office than our old space.”
— Kristinna Kristensen, General Manager, DACH

2. The Initial Challenge: Outgrowing a Quirky Office

Originally, Xplora’s Hamburg team worked in a former café/restaurant space in the Eimsbüttel area. While the neighborhood was vibrant, the layout proved awkward as headcount rose. Teams were split across separate rooms, with the coffee machine in one area and extra desks in another. As Kristinna took on the General Manager role for DACH, she quickly realized they needed one cohesive workspace—one that could also scale in case of acquisitions or shifting priorities.

“We were in a neat office, but had to walk through different entrances just to reach the coffee machine or a meeting. We wanted something more unified and sustainable.”
— Kristinna

3. Finding Flexibility (and a Bit of Spark) in Coworking

With ambitious growth plans, Xplora wasn’t sure how many people they might add—or whether certain roles might centralize in the future. Rather than locking into a long-term lease, Kristinna explored both traditional office setups and coworking options. In the end, coworking provided the flexibility to:

• Scale Up or Down: If Xplora acquires or merges with another company, it’s much simpler to add new desks—or reduce them—in a coworking environment.
• Offload Day-to-Day Admin: No more having to buy toilet paper, schedule cleaners, or fix a broken coffee machine. This freed Kristinna and her team to focus on sales and marketing rather than facilities management.
• Offer a Better “Office Experience”: Premium coffee, well-designed lounge areas, and multiple bookable meeting rooms made coming to the office appealing—especially after discussions around whether people prefer working from home or on-site.

“In many ways, we’re saving time. Coworking handles all the admin stuff so we can focus on growing the brand. And our team actually likes coming in for the good coffee and great environment.”
— Kristinna

4. Overcoming the Team’s Concerns

Some employees worried about sharing space—especially meeting rooms—and losing the autonomy of a private office. Kristinna eased their doubts by touring them through Fora, the operator they chose, highlighting:

• Private Team Room: A dedicated office for up to 12 people, giving Xplora’s Hamburg team room to breathe.
• Well-Soundproofed Meeting Areas: Easy booking for crucial client calls, plus quiet corners for focus work.
• Spacious Shared Amenities: High-quality coffee, lounge zones, and even chances to meet new people in the hallway.

“They were a bit skeptical at first about sharing coffee machines and hallways. But once they saw the space, they realized we could still close the door for privacy—and get the perks of a new ‘mini community.’”
— Kristinna

5. The Results: A Flexible, Productive Hamburg HQ

Since moving in, Xplora’s Hamburg team has enjoyed:

• A Cohesive Workspace: Everyone shares one core area, boosting team spirit and collaboration.
• Built-In Networking: Passing neighbors in the hallway can yield friendly chats or even new customers; it’s a natural extension of Xplora’s brand mission.
• Cost & Convenience Balance: While coworking isn’t necessarily the cheapest option per square meter, it’s value for money when you factor in amenities, community, and the near-elimination of office admin tasks.

“I initially thought coworking might be cheaper, but it’s more about value. We don’t have to manage any of the little things. That’s huge for a fast-moving business like ours.”
— Kristinna

6. Key Takeaways for Fast-Growing Teams

1. Flexibility Saves Headaches
   When headcount needs can change quickly, short-term commitments and adjustable spaces reduce stress.
2. Check the Team’s Must-Haves
   Whether it’s location, top-notch coffee, or easy meeting-room access, find out which features make your employees feel supported.
3. Evaluate Total Value, Not Just Sticker Price
   Coworking might look expensive at first glance, but factor in time saved on admin and the boost to company culture.
4. Make Time for the Decision
   Even in a rapid-growth environment, touring different office types (traditional vs. coworking) pays off. Involve your team in the process to secure buy-in and excitement.

7. How One Coworking Can Help You

If you’re an emerging tech brand or a business manager grappling with how to scale your workspace quickly, One Coworking is here to help. We’ll:

• Pinpoint Your Exact Needs: From team size to workshop requirements
• Curate a Shortlist of quality coworking and serviced-office options
• Streamline Tours & Negotiations, saving you man-hours and bandwidth

Ready to explore your own coworking fit?
Contact us and let’s discuss how we can connect you with a flexible space—so you can focus on what you do best: building your product and growing your team.

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