Starbucks stores were once the hub for entrepreneurs and startups to work out. Now, with the gig economy on rise, WeWork is attempting to challenge Starbucks with its new pay-as-you-go feature.
WeWork Go will offer free beverages while charging for space that includes common areas and WiFi in China. Starbucks is already being challenged by Luckin Coffee, a Chinese startup that claims to be larger than the coffee retailer.
WeWork Go uses the WeChat mini program, a sub-application within the WeChat ecosystem that is also China’s largest social network.
The app monitors traffic flow to ensure there is not congestion in the space and gives users real-time updates on office occupancy.
WeWork Go essentially gives users a taste of what a full WeWork membership could look like.
“If you started as a WeWork Go member, and if you use our service quite a lot, you will realize it’s much more economical to purchase monthly subscriptions,” said Dominic Penaloza, WeWork China Head of Innovation & Technology. “WeWork Go enables WeWork to reach an entirely new market segment.”
With bigger enterprises entering in the shared space market, companies are beginning to perfect their model in order to succeed in the industry.
