Radious, a Portland-based startup, has expanded its marketplace where residential properties can be utilized as collaborative workspaces with a new national curation service. This service helps companies find remote work and meeting locations for distributed teams across the U.S. Previously, Radious only operated in Portland, San Francisco, and Milwaukee, but now it has extended its reach to Seattle and other cities nationwide. The platform was established during the pandemic in June 2021 to provide remote workers with the opportunity to work outside of their homes while staying in their neighborhoods and avoiding commutes to traditional office spaces.
Founded by CEO Amina Moreau, along with co-founders Brian Hendrickson and iLan Epstein, Radious has gained attention for its unique business model. The company participated in GeekWire’s “Elevator Pitch” startup competition and recently launched a curation service that matches companies with ideal workspaces for team offsites or in-person work gatherings. This service, which was piloted for eight months, helps companies understand their specific needs, such as location, technical requirements, number of people, and duration of stay, and then locates suitable spaces even if they are not listed on the Radious marketplace.
The curation service has proven to be successful, with a 20% increase in bookings and doubled revenue despite no additional fees for the personalized service. Moreau mentioned that the service has opened up access to tens of thousands of workspace options across the country, catering to teams seeking longer bookings or larger workspaces. Radious aims to offer a personalized experience for customers, especially for those making substantial commitments to utilizing their spaces for work-related activities. This approach has been well-received, as individuals appreciate feeling cared for and supported when making work-related decisions.
As the concept of flexible work solutions gains traction post-pandemic, Radious is positioning itself as a key player in providing alternative workspace solutions to companies and workers. Moreau emphasized that just because offices are reopening, companies do not need to mandate a full return to the office and can adopt a more flexible approach. This resonates with the changing dynamics of workplace preferences, as companies that embrace flexibility are likely to succeed in attracting and retaining top talent. In the Seattle region, office vacancy rates are on the rise as tech companies continue to adopt hybrid and remote-friendly work policies amid a tech downturn that has led to cost-cutting measures and layoffs.
With an increasing number of vacant office spaces in cities like Seattle, the conversation has shifted towards repurposing commercial real estate for residential use. Radious’ innovative approach to repurposing residential properties as collaborative workspaces aligns well with the evolving needs of companies and workers in a post-pandemic world. By offering a curated service that matches companies with suitable workspaces, Radious is not only meeting the demands of remote teams but also tapping into a growing trend towards flexible work arrangements that prioritize employee well-being and productivity.
