Developers, funds target China demand for co-working space amid startup boom

Hong Kong

REAL estate developers and financial investors are capitalising on fast-rising demand for leasing of "co-working" spaces in China, as Beijing encourages startups and small businesses in a bid to offset slowing growth at traditional industries.

Developers, including China Vanke, Soho China and Singapore's CapitaLand, are renting out property space that hordes of self-employed persons or small-sized companies then share, company executives said. The lease deals with the startups are usually short term and are done mainly through specialised operators.