PivotDesk launched in 2012 as a solution for startups searching for office space in the Boulder and Denver markets. A graduate of Boulder’s TechStars startup accelerator, PivotDesk has spent the past four years expanding into some of the largest cities in the country. Today, the platform has evolved into the go-to solution for finding shared office space in major metros like New York City, San Francisco, and Boston.
The Inspiration Behind PivotDesk
Founder David Mandell came up with the idea for PivotDesk after spending a decade mentoring more than 150 startups in both Boulder and New York City, where he had previously worked in corporate communications and branding. According to Mandell, there was one reoccurring problem that he constantly saw entrepreneurs struggling with – finding office space.
“Building a business is incredibly tough and requires complete focus. Consistently, I saw that 25-30% of that focus was being redirected to figuring out where to simply put that business. That was frustrating to watch,” he recalled.
Eventually, David decided he would come up with a solution. His answer? A platform which allows existing companies with excess room to lease some of that additional space to smaller businesses on a month-by-month basis. Not only would entrepreneurs benefit from being able to avoid signing a long-term lease; established businesses could also alleviate the costs of unused space during slow periods and transitions.
“Commercial real estate is an incredibly rigid and archaic industry,” explained Mandell. “As a result, business owners are forced to make costly long-term bets on their business. I’ve seen far too many companies crumble as a result of poor real estate planning.”
Meeting the Needs of Modern Businesses
As PivotDesk grew and began working with businesses all across the country, it quickly became apparent that startups were after something more than just a desk and a chair: they also needed reliable connectivity.
Speaking on the importance of connectivity to small businesses, Mandell commented, “They need the bandwidth to create the content that drives marketing, be online to serve customers 24/7, and have access to the systems they use to make their customers happy. Connectivity is completely make or break to our customers.”
He then added, “People assume that connectivity is going to be there, that it’s a given. If it’s not, it’s a massive problem,” said Mandell. “If we knew the connectivity assurances from the building owner directly ahead of time, that would make life a lot easier for both sides of our marketplace.”
Unfortunately though, this type of data isn’t always easy to come by. As a result, small business owners who need reliable connectivity are increasingly searching for buildings that are Wired Certified. The Wired Certification designates office properties that have met WiredScore’s rigorous set of connectivity standards including the presence of multiple high-speed service providers, a well-designed infrastructure, and the ability to integrate future tech innovations.
When asked about advice for building owners who want to attract tech tenants, Mandell reiterated exactly how important connectivity is in today’s economy. “Landlords that care most about flexibility and infrastructure are going to get the most attractive tenants, and are going to get them the earliest.”
What the Future Holds for PivotDesk
Despite starting with the intent to help entrepreneurs, David quickly discovered that PivotDesk plays a much more important in the commercial real estate market. “Given the unpredictability of business growth today – across the board – we’ve realized that there is a use case for PivotDesk throughout the lifecycle of a company, and not just at a single point.”
He expanded, “We’re a few years into our business, so now we’re starting to see stories of PivotDesk customers who first started using our service as two or three-person guest companies, and have now evolved into larger companies taking their own leases and returning the favor by sharing their space with smaller teams.”
Going forward, David Mandell plans keep educating established business owners on how PivotDesk can help them better manage their real estate assets – instead of letting valuable office space just sit empty. “People need to understand that we’re not a one-time solution – we will be there for the lifecycle of your business.”
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