Inside Dextrus’ Contrarian Bet In India’s Venture Capital-Heavy Workspace Ecosystem

The Indian workspace market is evolving rapidly, driven by the need for personalized, vibrant, and contemporary environments that cater to both startups and established enterprises. This demand has led to a surge in the flexible workspace sector, with transaction volumes growing from 2.2 million square feet in 2017 to 18.6 million square feet in 2025. This growth, however, is not limited to leasing spaces alone; management contracts are emerging as another avenue for operators to expand their reach.

Dextrus, founded in 2018 by Robin Chhabra, is a prime example of this shift. The startup offers premium coworking and managed office spaces in Mumbai, catering to startups, enterprises, and remote professionals seeking ready-to-use workspaces. Dextrus' offerings include fixed and flexible desks, membership plans, and daily and virtual plans, tailored to suit professionals and teams of varying sizes and tenures.

In a conversation with Inc42, Chhabra shared insights into how Dextrus stands out in an industry dominated by established players like Awfis, WeWork India, and Indiqube. He emphasized the importance of understanding the specific needs of clients, including their operational, branding, and employee requirements, when designing workspaces. This focus on customer-centric design enables Dextrus to offer customized and premium workspaces that enhance the overall work experience.

Chhabra also highlighted the unique opportunities in India's workspace market, where businesses are increasingly viewing office space as a cost on their profit and loss (P&L) statement rather than a balance sheet item. This shift in perspective has opened up new avenues for growth and innovation in the Indian workspace ecosystem.