Malaysia’s biggest co-working operator plans more Philippine branches

MANILA, Philippines — Common Ground, Malaysia’s biggest co-working operator, plans to spend up to $15 million over the next two years to set up 10 branches in the Philippines.

Common Ground co-founder Erman Akinci, in an interview, said the firm, in partnership with private investment firm MVP Global Infrastructure Group, is committed to put up more branches in the Philippines.

He said each space would have an investment cost of roughly $1.5 to $2 million.

Common Ground’s first co-working branch covering 2,300-square meters of the newly launched Arthaland Tower in Bonifacio Global City opened earlier this month.

After the first branch, Akinci said Common Ground would open a co-working space covering 1,900 sqm in Ortigas within the year, and another one covering 2,300 sqm in Rockwell in Makati.

While the first batch of branches are located in Metro Manila, he said Common Ground is also considering locations outside the National Capital Region.

Common Ground decided to establish its presence in the Philippines as it saw an opportunity to offer its service to the growing number of businesses in the country, particularly since co-working is a thriving concept in the country with the number of co-working spaces spread out in the key business hubs.

Akinci said Common Ground is not just looking to cater to startups and small and medium enterprises, but to large multinational firms as well.