How Saroj Mittal Is Redefining Coworking with Ofis Square

The coworking and flexible workspace industry in India is witnessing rapid growth as companies adopt hybrid work models and technology-driven office environments. The Indian coworking office space market is estimated at USD 4.53 billion in 2026, growing from USD 3.98 billion in 2025, with the sector expected to surpass 100 million square feet of total stock by 2026. At the same time, women are increasingly shaping India’s real estate sector, now accounting for nearly 20–25% of the workforce and gradually taking on more leadership roles.

As part of our International Women’s Day special interview series, we spoke with Saroj Mittal, founder of Ofis Square, who is redefining the coworking landscape with ultra-premium, IoT-enabled smart workspaces. In this conversation, Mittal shares her journey as a woman entrepreneur in a traditionally male-dominated industry, her design philosophy, and her vision for the future of flexible workspaces and women’s leadership in real estate.

How Saroj Mittal’s Leadership Shapes Design and User Experience at Ofis Square

StartupTalky: Saroj Mittal, as the founder of Ofis Square, you have been redefining India's coworking landscape with ultra-premium, IoT-enabled smart workspaces. What inspired you as a woman entrepreneur to enter the commercial real estate and coworking industry, and how has your journey been in this traditionally male-dominated sector?

Saroj Mittal: My inspiration to develop Ofis Square was fueled by the pace at which work culture was changing in India. Businesses were becoming more agile, and people were becoming more dynamic, yet traditional workplaces remained static and boring. I saw a great opportunity to bridge this gap and create workplaces that were agile and could support a dynamic workforce.

As a woman entrepreneur, entering the commercial real estate business was not without its challenges. This is a male-dominated industry, and a woman’s credibility is always put to a greater test. But I saw this as a challenge, not a problem. I have always believed that if I focus on my performance and my ability to deliver, then my credibility will not be a problem. My journey has been about perseverance, vision, and proving that leadership is not about gender but about capability and commitment.

Scaling a Premium Coworking Brand in a Competitive Industry

StartupTalky: Ofis Square stands out for its design-first approach and technology integration, including IoT-enabled environments that adapt to user preferences. On International Women's Day 2026, how has your unique perspective as a woman leader influenced the design philosophy and user experience at Ofis Square's workspaces?

Saroj Mittal: As a woman leader, I always look at the design of the workspace with a lot of empathy and attention to detail. At Ofis Square, we don’t just look at the aesthetics of the space, but we also look at how the space makes people feel. That’s why we design spaces that are user-friendly, secure, and inclusive.

Technology, including IoT, is used to create a comfortable environment. Lighting, temperature, and meeting room access are all optimized to create a comfortable environment. I strongly believe that people are more productive when they feel valued and comfortable in their environment. This is something that has helped us to design a space that is not just sophisticated but also warm and welcoming, especially for women.

Beyond Ofis: Building Community-Driven Workspaces for Women Professionals

StartupTalky: The coworking industry in India has seen rapid growth and intense competition in recent years. As a woman founder building a premium brand in this space, what challenges have you faced in scaling Ofis Square across Gurugram and beyond, and what strategies have helped you differentiate your offering?

Saroj Mittal: One of the biggest challenges that we faced was the challenge of finding the right balance in terms of growth and the premium quality that is associated with the Ofis Square experience. As part of the coworking industry, which is one of the fastest-growing industries, there is always the challenge of finding the right balance in terms of growth, but there is also the challenge of finding the right balance in terms of the service standards that could be compromised in the event of rapid growth.

Therefore, instead of focusing on rapid growth, we decided to focus on a more sustainable growth strategy for the company that could deliver the right value to our members in terms of the quality of the locations that we offer. We believe that the key differentiators for us are design, smart technology, and building communities, not necessarily the number of members we have, but the experiences that we create, which ultimately provide the right value delivery for our members, allowing us to stand out in the crowded space.

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs Entering Commercial Real Estate

StartupTalky: Ofis Square recently launched Beyond Ofis, a community-centric extension redefining work culture. How do you see women professionals benefiting from community-driven workspace models, and what role does Ofis Square play in creating inclusive environments for women in the workforce?

Saroj Mittal: With Beyond Ofis, we are dreaming of a world that extends beyond the realm of the infrastructure itself, where communities can be developed that are relevant to the professional lives of individuals.

The women professional segment of the population can greatly benefit from such a setting because it provides the opportunity for networking, which is an important aspect of confidence-building in professional lives. Inclusivity is part of the Ofis Square culture, and we are working hard to ensure that we not only provide a safe and comfortable environment but also one that extends beyond the realm of the physical space to create a dialogue that can facilitate the building of confidence among women in their professional lives.

Adapting to Hybrid Work and the Future of Smart Workspaces

StartupTalky: From startups to large conglomerates, Ofis Square caters to diverse business needs with flexible workspace formats. What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs who want to build businesses in commercial real estate or the workspace solutions industry?

Saroj Mittal: My advice would be to build strong domain knowledge and to understand the financial fundamentals very well. Commercial real estate is a business that needs strategic thinking, risk analysis, and vision. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the industry.

Focus on building credibility, and that can only be done through consistency and quality. Surround yourself with a good team, and invest in relationships. Most importantly, believe in yourself. Women can bring a lot of differentiating factors to the table, as they can offer a different perspective on how to approach design, how to approach client engagement, and how to approach the business.

The Future of Women Leadership in India’s Real Estate and Coworking Industry

StartupTalky: The future of work is evolving with hybrid models becoming the norm post-pandemic. How is Ofis Square adapting to these changing workplace dynamics, and do you believe women leaders bring a distinct advantage in understanding and designing workspaces that prioritize wellbeing and productivity?

Saroj Mittal: The hybrid workplace is a new paradigm in how we perceive our office spaces. At Ofis Square, we have adapted to the changes in the market by creating flexible leasing options, collaboration spaces, individual cabin spaces, and meeting rooms that are technology-enabled for in-person and virtual meetings.

As a woman leader in a male-dominated world, I believe women can offer a different leadership perspective in terms of leadership characteristics. Women are naturally empathetic and emotionally intelligent. We understand the nuances of work-life balance and comfort in the workplace. We can design spaces that are not only functionally effective but also holistic. That is the future of work.

StartupTalky: As we celebrate International Women's Day 2026, what is your vision for women's leadership in India's real estate and coworking industry over the next five years, and how is Ofis Square contributing to empowering women professionals through its workspace solutions?

Saroj Mittal: I envision a significant increase in the number of women leaders in the Indian real estate and coworking industries over the next five years. This, of course, will translate into a more progressive and enabling environment for women.

I hope that through Ofis Square, we can be a part of this change and create a place that is empowering for women entrepreneurs, freelancers, and corporate women alike. By providing flexible and innovative workspaces for women to work out of, we are not only revolutionizing the conventional office space but also helping women grow and become leaders in their lives. Real change will come when leadership is not defined by gender but by vision and potential, and I know that the future promises a lot for women.

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