Deskimo
Deskimo helps companies provide flexible workspace access billed by the minute.
Deskimo is a mobile app that enables on-demand office space booking billed by the minute, targeting hybrid-work companies that want to downsize office leases. Companies create enterprise accounts and allocate monthly budgets to employees, who can book nearby workspaces for meetings, focused work, or client calls. The platform consolidates usage across all employees into a single monthly invoice. Unlike traditional coworking platforms, Deskimo competes with Starbucks by serving occasional workspace needs rather than dedicated desk rentals.
Problem solved
Companies transitioning to hybrid work need a cost-effective way to provide occasional office space without committing to long-term leases or dedicated desk subscriptions.
Target customer
Mid-market to large enterprises adopting hybrid work models and looking to reduce fixed office lease costs while providing employees flexible workspace options.
Founders
C
Christian Mischler
Co-Founder
Former Global COO at Rocket Internet's Foodpanda, co-founder of GuestReady (largest short-term rental management company in Europe/Middle East) and HotelQuickly (sold to Rising Sun Merchant Services). Double master's from University of St.Gallen and RSM Rotterdam in Banking & Finance and CEMS International Management.
R
Raphael Cohen
Co-Founder
Former Head of Asia at Rocket Internet and founder of GoBee.Bike, a leading Hong Kong-based bike-sharing company. Previously worked at Foodpanda and HotelQuickly.
Funding history
Seed
$3M
November 2021
Led by Y Combinator
· Global Founders Capital, Pioneer Fund, Seed X, Starling Ventures, TSVC
Total raised:
$3M
Industries
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go model: SGD 3-10 per hour ($2-4 USD) depending on location and amenities. Enterprise accounts charged approximately $4/month per employee for workplace management system. Also trialling fixed-fee subscription options. Commission-based revenue model where Deskimo takes a cut from coworking space operators.
Notable customers
Qwerty Digital, thousands of companies across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and UAE including multinational corporations and startups
Integrations
HR Tools (specific integrations not disclosed), workplace analytics dashboards
Website
Competitors
LetsWork
Competitor in flexible workspace booking; Deskimo differentiates with stronger B2B/enterprise focus and corporate-grade analytics and HR tool integrations.
MyHQ
India-focused workspace platform acquired by Amarock; Deskimo has broader Asia-Pacific coverage and enterprise-oriented features.
Flex
US-based flexible workspace platform; Deskimo targets hybrid corporate models whereas Flex focuses more on freelancers and digital nomads.
Hubble
UK-based competitor; Deskimo emphasizes minute-based billing and B2B/corporate budgeting features over individual memberships.
Why this matters: Deskimo targets a massive post-pandemic trend: enterprise cost-cutting through hybrid work and office lease reductions. With experienced founders from Rocket Internet, GuestReady, and HotelQuickly, strong Y Combinator backing, and expansion across 6+ Asia-Pacific countries, the company is well-positioned in a large market as companies permanently reduce office footprints.
Best for: Mid-market to enterprise companies implementing hybrid work policies who want to provide occasional workspace access to employees without long-term lease commitments or high fixed costs.
Use cases
Hybrid team needing occasional meeting spaces
A company with mostly remote employees allocates a monthly Deskimo budget per employee. When team members need to attend client meetings or conduct important calls, they book nearby workspaces through the app for 1-2 hours, paying only for actual usage. The company gets one consolidated invoice tracking total spend across all locations.
Office lease downsizing
A corporation reduces its primary office footprint by 60% to cut real estate costs, then uses Deskimo to provide backup workspace for the 20-30% of employees who work in-office on rotation. Employees can book spaces as needed instead of the company maintaining excess capacity.
Digital nomad and traveling executive access
An international company provides its traveling executives and sales teams with instant access to professional workspaces in multiple cities through Deskimo, eliminating the need to book through individual coworking platforms or pay daily rates at hotels.
Alternatives
Starbucks/Local cafes
Free but unprofessional environment; lacks reliable meeting spaces and services. Deskimo offers dedicated professional office environments.
Traditional coworking (WeWork, etc.)
Requires long-term fixed commitments and higher costs; Deskimo's minute-based billing suits occasional use better than daily/monthly memberships.
LetsWork
LetsWork may have broader geographic reach in some markets, but Deskimo offers more enterprise-grade features and corporate budget management.
FAQ
What does Deskimo do? +
Deskimo is a mobile app that lets employees of companies book office workspace by the minute through their company's allocated budget. Companies create enterprise accounts, set monthly budgets per employee, and receive consolidated invoices. It serves hybrid-work companies looking to reduce fixed office lease costs while providing flexible workspace access.
How much does Deskimo cost? +
Per-hour pricing ranges from SGD 3-10 ($2-4 USD) depending on location and amenities. For enterprise accounts, there's an additional charge of approximately $4/month per employee for the workplace management system. Deskimo is also testing fixed-fee subscription plans.
What are alternatives to Deskimo? +
LetsWork and MyHQ offer flexible workspace booking; Flex and Hubble provide similar services in other geographies. Traditional coworking platforms like WeWork focus on longer commitments. Deskimo's key differentiator is minute-based billing optimized for occasional use and enterprise budget management.
Who uses Deskimo? +
Mid-market to large enterprises adopting hybrid work models, including multinational corporations and innovative startups across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and the UAE. Customers include Qwerty Digital and thousands of other companies. Target users are corporate employees, remote workers, business travelers, freelancers, digital nomads, and students.
How does Deskimo compare to traditional coworking? +
Traditional coworking (WeWork) requires long-term fixed commitments and monthly fees. Deskimo offers minute-based pay-as-you-go billing and is designed for occasional use by hybrid workers. It competes with Starbucks rather than dedicated coworking desks, targeting employees who need a professional space for a few hours, not full-time desk rentals.
Tags
coworking
flexible workspace
hybrid work
B2B SaaS
pay-as-you-go
office management
real estate tech
Asia-Pacific