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Business & Money • Real Estate

WeWork

WeWork Inc.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

WeWork Inc. is an American flexible-workspace company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey, it provides coworking, private office, and related workspace services in multiple countries, and has also operated co-living and other workplace-related ventures.

History

WeWork began in New York City in 2010 and expanded rapidly from a single coworking location into a global flexible-workspace brand. Its growth included related ventures such as WeLive, a co-living project launched in 2016.

Business model

WeWork leases office buildings and then offers desks, private offices, and related services to members on shorter terms. This model is designed to appeal to freelancers, startups, and larger companies seeking flexible space.

Operations

WeWork has operated in many cities across several continents, with locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. Public sources describe it as a provider of coworking, office services, and workplace management solutions.

Financial difficulties and restructuring

WeWork faced serious financial strain in the late 2010s and entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2023. It later emerged from bankruptcy in 2024 and continued operating under a reorganized structure.

Key facts

  • WeWork provides flexible workspace, including physical and virtual shared offices.
  • The company was founded in New York City in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey.
  • Its business model is based on leasing office space and subletting it as coworking and flexible offices.
  • WeWork filed for bankruptcy protection in 2023 and emerged from bankruptcy in 2024, continuing operations afterward.
  • PitchBook reports that WeWork was acquired by Yardi Systems in 2024.
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Canadian context

WeWork has had operations in Canada as part of its North American and international footprint, making it relevant to Canadian readers seeking flexible office space options.[3][15]

Frequently asked questions

What is WeWork?
WeWork is a flexible-workspace company that provides coworking spaces, private offices, and related workplace services.
Who founded WeWork?
WeWork was founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey.
Where is WeWork headquartered?
WeWork is headquartered in New York City, New York, United States.
What is WeWork’s business model?
WeWork typically leases office space and then offers it to members as flexible, shorter-term workspace.
Does WeWork still operate?
Yes. After bankruptcy restructuring in 2024, WeWork continued operating.
What is WeWork’s relation to Canada?
WeWork has operated in Canada as part of its international network of coworking locations.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WeWork
    Supports: Founding date, founders, headquarters, and general company description.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/money/WeWork
    Supports: Business model based on leasing office space and subletting desks.
  3. World Economic Forumhttps://www.weforum.org/organizations/wework/
    Supports: Company description, founding year, headquarters, services, and international operations.
  4. GlobalDatahttps://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/wework-inc/
    Supports: Company profile, headquarters, and worldwide operations.
  5. Investing.comhttps://www.investing.com/equities/wework-company-profile
    Supports: Services offered, founding year, headquarters, and flexible workspace products.
  6. Runway Easthttps://www.runwayea.st/blogs/what-is-wework
    Supports: Post-bankruptcy continued operations after 2024 restructuring.
  7. PitchBookhttps://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/62181-28
    Supports: 2024 acquisition by Yardi Systems and company profile details.
  8. WeWorkhttps://www.wework.com/newsroom/wecompany
    Supports: Company mission statement.