Asia Startup Pulse

Entering the Realm of Co-working Space in China with Yintao Feng, Founder and CEO of MIXPACE

Episode Summary

Random seating at the hot desk area, flexible working style in a diverse environment and open interactions in a borderless office – these are just the tip of the iceberg as to what a co-working space actually entails! In this episode, Yintao Feng, Founder of MIXPACE, a Chinese co-working space brand, will give us a detailed breakdown of the co-working landscape and people’s working experience in China. To curate a well-connected community is not something you can do with a snap of your fingers. In China, the situation is very different from the west. You need an active community manager to orchestrate these activities and break down several layers of ice before people are comfortable with one another. This interaction is vital as most of the guys there are street-smart and resourceful when it comes to dealing with the challenges in today’s market. Currently, MIXPACE has more than 20 sites in Shanghai and Beijing with more in the pipeline. MIXPACE received A round investment in 2017 and B round investment of 400 million RMB in 2018.

Episode Notes

Random seating at the hot desk area, flexible working style in a diverse environment and open interactions in a borderless office – these are just the tip of the iceberg as to what a co-working space actually entails! In this episode, Yintao Feng, Founder of MIXPACE, a Chinese co-working space brand, will give us a detailed breakdown of the co-working landscape and people’s working experience in China.

To curate a well-connected community is not something you can do with a snap of your fingers. In China, the situation is very different from the west. You need an active community manager to orchestrate these activities and break down several layers of ice before people are comfortable with one another. This interaction is vital as most of the guys there are street-smart and resourceful when it comes to dealing with the challenges in today’s market.

Currently, MIXPACE has more than 20 sites in Shanghai and Beijing with more in the pipeline. MIXPACE received A round investment in 2017 and B round investment of 400 million RMB in 2018.

Show notes:

[01:53] Introducing Yintao Feng

[04:28] His perspectives on starting a company in China

[05:18] Rising trend of urbanization

[06:57] Connecting to Chinese customers with new technology

[08:32] Biggest mental shift from corporate to startup

[09:55] Comparing rules and regulations inside and outside of China

[10:57] His unusual transition from banking to co-working space

[13:05] Catching a glimpse of the co-working scene in China

[16:14] What are the benefits for small companies?

[18:53] Bringing attention to the “996” phenomenon

[20:35] Switching of working style from corporate to startup

[22:15] Having more interactions: helpful or harmful?

[25:05] Lets talk about the second tier cities

[26:28] Improving user’s experience through technology

Many thanks to our host Ryan Shuken and Oscar Ramos, guest Yintao Feng, editor David and Geep, producer Eva Shi, organizer Chinaccelerator and sponsor People Squared. Be sure to check out our website www.chinaccelerator.com

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