Namma Office is transforming tier 2 and 3 cities in Tamil Nadu by creating premium, affordable co-working spaces. With a focus on small-town India, this startup is redefining opportunities for success.
In 2023, experienced professionals Senthil Raja and Kumaresh S. aimed to change the common belief in India that one must move to metro cities to achieve professional success. The founders from Salem, Tamil Nadu, aimed to provide metro-class office spaces in their hometown.
Early Life and Background
Senthil, an entrepreneur with a software background and several ventures under Thulir Group, joined forces with Kumaresh, who has over 20 years of experience in finance and healthcare, giving him expertise in scalability and operational efficiency.
Together they founded Namma Office, a co-working startup aimed at supporting businesses and professionals in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India.
Aim: Their goal was to provide world-class workspaces in small towns, allowing people to avoid moving to major cities like Bangalore and Chennai.
Simply speaking, the startup is not just focused on physical spaces but also on building global opportunities in small towns in India.
Identifying the Opportunity
After the pandemic, we all noticed a shift in work culture due to which the Indian co-working industry is flourishing. As per the projections, the co-working office market in India is expected to soar to $2.91 billion by 2030, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2025 to 2030.
This will be because of the hybrid work models and increasing demand for flexible workspaces. Currently, the market is dominated by metro cities; tier-2 and tier-3 cities are rapidly becoming the next frontier for growth. Moreover, there is an increasing demand for high-quality office spaces due to the rise of startups, freelancers, and remote workers in smaller towns.
Solution Offered: Transforming co-working in smaller cities through quality, affordability, and community.
The Beginning of A New Journey: Namma Office by Senthil and Kumaresh
Namma Office began in January 2024 with a modest 850 sq. ft. space in Salem, providing 35 seats.
Namma Office’s Working Models
The company owned and operated properties for quality assurance.
- COCO (Company Owned, Company Operated)
- FOFO (Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated)
A scalable approach allows rapid expansion with the startup’s monthly revenue reaching ₹45 lakhs, totaling around ₹1 crore in 2024.
Features You Can Enjoy with Namma Office Co-working Spaces
- Comfortable work areas with air conditioning and essential amenities like high-speed internet and round-the-clock power supply.
- Pricing starts at ₹3,500 per month for hot desks and goes up to ₹11,000 for luxury suites, offering good value for money.
- Collaborative environment: Chances to connect and collaborate with other business owners, professionals, and startup founders in a lively community.
Support from the Tamil Nadu Government
Through Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy 2023, Namma Office received a supportive environment for growing business in the state.
Namma Office’s partnership with TIDEL, a Tamil Nadu government-backed business development park, is a great example.
Challenges and Solutions
One of Namma Office’s biggest challenges was educating the market. Many businesses were reluctant to adopt co-working, seeing it as a trend limited to urban areas.
To address this, the founders held workshops and individual meetings to showcase the better amenities, cost savings, and productivity advantages.
Namma Office overcame challenges in tier-3 cities by training local workers and sourcing materials from nearby metropolitan areas.
Success is Just A Step Ahead
Despite initial skepticism from potential customers about co-working, the founders continued their efforts. The space was fully booked within weeks.
By 2025, Namma Office manages five properties in Salem and Hosur, achieving 90% occupancy with a total of 1,000 seats.
Future Plans
The founders plan to open 25 FOFO properties in 2025, targeting ₹10 crore in annual revenue this year and ₹100 crore within five years.
Moreover, the startup is expanding by acquiring 32,000 sq ft in TIDEL-Salem. Also, ahead a launch in TIDEL-Tiruppur in a 14,000 sq ft facility awaits. With this expansion, the company expects to win a leading innovator role in the region.
