Case Study: How Dott Found a Flexible Office in Berlin for Hardware & R&D
Discover how micro-mobility startup Dott merged teams into one flexible workspace in Berlin—complete with an on-site R&D workshop. Learn how One Coworking can help you find the perfect solution for your expanding company
When micro-mobility startup Dott merged with another scooter brand, TIER, their Berlin-based teams found themselves scattered across multiple smaller offices. For a company focused on hardware innovation and day-to-day operations, this setup made real-time collaboration difficult. Dott needed a cost-effective, flexible office space in Berlin—complete with a ground-floor workshop for scooter and e-bike R&D.
The Challenge: Balancing Collaboration & an On-Site Workshop
Multiple Teams, One Roof After the merger, employees from two distinct company cultures needed to unify. They wanted a shared environment where they could collaborate socially, as well as a dedicated workspace for heads-down tasks.
Hardware R&D Requirements Unlike a purely software-focused startup, Dott’s team required a workshop for testing and improving scooters and e-bikes. This added complexity to the office hunt: not every coworking space in Berlin can accommodate the tools and space an R&D team needs.
Budget & Location Constraints Dott also had to keep costs in check and locate in a subsidy-eligible area of Berlin. With the city’s abundance of coworking and serviced offices, searching solo could easily turn into dozens of calls, site visits, and negotiations.
The Solution: Customized Office-Hunting with Local Expertise
Tapping One Coworking’s Local Network
Instead of going the DIY route, Dott connected with One Coworking to leverage local expertise. By sharing their size requirements (35–40 people), R&D workshop needs, and location preferences, Dott got a short list of spaces that actually fit.
“We needed a single Berlin office where we could bring together our merged teams and accommodate an on-site R&D workshop. One Coworking quickly found the perfect, budget-friendly space. Their smooth process and local know-how were invaluable.” — Sanne Koemeester, Global Workplace Manager at Dott
One Coworking focused on short-term or flexible leases, ensuring Dott had the option to scale up or down as the post-merger organization took shape. This approach is especially vital for fast-growing companies whose headcount can shift quickly.
The Result: A Thriving Single Space for 35+ People
Unified Office & Workshop The chosen coworking space features a ground-floor workshop area with an R&D-friendly layout, allowing engineers to test and maintain vehicles on-site. This integration fosters collaboration between hardware teams and office staff—no more separate locations.
Boosted Team Morale Having everyone in one place created a lively communal environment. Shared lounges, event spaces, and informal breakout areas encouraged face-to-face interaction, while private rooms offered the quiet focus needed for calls and projects.
Streamlined Operations The coworking operator handles day-to-day facilities like reception, mail-handling, and common-area maintenance. Dott’s workplace managers can now concentrate on culture building and new projects instead of wrestling with coffee machines or slow Wi-Fi.
“We’re so happy with this office. It has all the extras we need, and our teams finally feel unified post-merger.” — Sanne Koemeester
Key Takeaways for Workplace Managers
Flexibility is King Short-term or scalable office leases are crucial for companies dealing with mergers, seasonal headcount changes, or new product lines.
Match the Workspace to Your Team’s Needs A typical desk-and-chair setup won’t suffice if you have hardware testing or specialized R&D needs. Look for coworking spaces that can accommodate these.
Leverage Local Experts Especially in big cities like Berlin, local brokers or platforms (like One Coworking) can quickly identify hidden-gem offices and handle negotiations, saving you time and effort.
Prioritize Community & Culture Beyond the physical space, having access to events, community managers, and shared lounges can re-energize teams—especially after a merger or reorganization.
How One Coworking Can Help You
Dott’s story shows that office-hunting is about more than just square footage and Wi-Fi. You may need specialized setups (workshop space, on-demand meeting rooms, or breakout lounges) and the flexibility to adjust as your business evolves.
At One Coworking, we partner with top coworking and serviced office providers worldwide to match you with the spaces that “just fit”—whether you’re a startup integrating new teams, a hybrid workforce seeking local hubs, or a hardware company needing space for R&D.
Ready to transform your workplace? Get in touch and let’s explore the options, just as we did for Dott. With our local expertise and network of flexible workspaces, we make it simple to find an office that helps your people thrive.
About One Coworking
Founded by Christoph Fahle, One Coworking is on a mission to empower workplace managers with the best flexible office solutions worldwide. Whether you need a private suite, a virtual office, or on-demand meeting rooms, we’re here to streamline the process—so you can focus on what truly matters: your team and your business.
