Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | June 22,2025 | At just 31 years of age, Neetish Sarda has established himself as a prominent name by transforming the landscape of India’s corporate workspaces. As the founder of Smartworks, India’s leading managed workspace platform, Sarda is among a new generation of entrepreneurs who are rewriting the rules of business, growth, and work culture. Understanding the changing needs of workplaces, he turned a bold idea into a successful business that is now defining the future of flexible office spaces in India.
Aiming to Provide Managed, Tech-Enabled Office Spaces
The journey of Smartworks didn’t begin in a big city, but with Sarda’s deep understanding of the inefficiencies in the conventional office leasing model. Coming from a business background, his father Neeraj Sarda is the Vice Chairman of the Keventer Group, Neetish inherited both legacy and vision. After studying in Singapore and working briefly in his family business, he realized that traditional office setups did not align with the work styles and aspirations of the new generation.
In 2016, he founded Smartworks with a clear goal: to provide fully-managed, tech-enabled office spaces that allow businesses to focus on their core operations without worrying about long leases, high capital expenditure, or operational burdens. His approach was to offer a plug-and-play experience with enterprise-grade infrastructure.
While most co-working brands were targeting freelancers and startups, Neetish chose to focus on a larger and more stable client base-large enterprises and corporates that demanded flexibility without losing control. His unconventional thinking paid off, resulting in remarkable success.
Operating Over 8 Million Sq. Ft. of Office Space in Major Cities
Today, Smartworks operates over 8 million square feet of office space across key Indian cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The company serves several Fortune 500 clients and continues to expand despite global economic uncertainties.
Sarda’s strategy, built on long-term leases, fully managed campuses, and strong technological integration, has ensured steady revenue and high customer retention. While other startups focused solely on aggressive scaling, Sarda emphasized stability and customization.
Smartworks is built on a strong technology backbone. From app-based facility management to AI-powered space optimization and advanced security systems, Sarda’s “smart office” concept is not just about infrastructure, it’s about delivering a complete experience. His goal is to create campuses where productivity, convenience, and comfort co-exist. With entertainment zones, wellness areas, and curated F&B options, Smartworks reflects the modern office philosophy where employee experience is as important as design and space.
Doubling Down on Technology Investment
The COVID-19 pandemic shook the global office space industry. However, Smartworks emerged stronger due to its flexible business model and enterprise clientele. As hybrid and flexible working models gained popularity, the demand for ready-to-move, tech-enabled offices surged, exactly the space Smartworks was already operating in.
Recognizing this opportunity, Sarda doubled the company’s investment in technology and strengthened partnerships with companies seeking flexible workspace solutions in the post-pandemic world. With backing from global investors like Keppel Land and a profitable business model, Smartworks is now planning international expansion and deeper penetration into India’s Tier-2 cities. Sarda is also working to enhance workspace experiences through AI, automation, and IoT.
A Representative of India’s New-Age Entrepreneurs
What truly sets Neetish Sarda apart is his clarity of purpose. He’s not just building real estate, he’s creating an ecosystem where the work environment adapts to people, not the other way around. He represents a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs, fast, adaptable, and deeply grounded.
Away from the glamour of the startup world, Sarda is building a future-ready business with discipline and foresight. As India continues to redefine how and where we work, leaders like Neetish Sarda are ensuring our workspaces not only adapt to that future, but shape it.
Written and Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
