Dal coworking alle case: Wao scommette sugli affitti flessibili

Wao, the coworking and flexible living company, is betting on flexible rental of apartments for various durations, from a single night to a year. The business model is set to double the company's revenue. Founded in 2023, Wao currently offers coworking services, organizes events, and is involved in catering. In the first half of 2026, the company's revenue grew by 28.7% to 2.3 million euros, with a projection of more than doubling revenues to over 10 million euros next year.

This growth is expected to come from entering the residential market, with 187 apartments to be built in Milano Certosa, starting from January 2027. This move is expected to change the company's size and structure, moving residential property to become the main activity. The idea initially was for coliving, but Massimiliano Zampini, the CEO and co-founder, believes this will be the driving force behind Wao's future.

The target customer is the young professional who finds work in Milan and needs accommodation, or someone arriving for a transfer and seeks an apartment with shared services and spaces. Around 70% of the apartments will be for short-term stays, from one night to a month, while the remaining 30% will be for longer stays, up to a year.

Wao is working on agreements with companies for longer stays, which could serve as a form of welfare for newly transferred employees. The Italian living market is attracting capital, with investments in living (buildings for residential use) in Italy reaching 560 million euros in the first half of 2026, a 36% increase from the same period in 2025.

Milano is the center of this growth, with 320 million euros, representing 57% of the national total. The upcoming building, to be inaugurated in early 2027, is the result of an investment by RealStep, who provided the capital for the real estate while Wao handled the design and fittings, costing an additional two million euros. Wao currently has about 850 stations in Romolo, Isola, and Ugo Bassi, with occupancy exceeding 99%.

The last opening, operational since January 2026 in Bassi Business Park, added 196 stations. The goal is to "double the stations in the next two years". In the first half of 2026, the company generated 2.3 million euros in revenue, up 28.7%, and a net operating margin of 522,000 euros, a 27.6% increase, with a team of 16 people.

The new residential structure in Certosa is expected to lead to a revenue jump, with the company aiming to reach "twenty" in the next year. After the first residential complex, Wao plans to open two more in Milan between the end of 2027 and 2029, targeting startups in the digital and innovation sectors. The interest extends to other cities such as Turin, Padua, and Florence, with Rome being the main goal.

Wao seeks buildings that can combine apartments, coworking, catering, and event spaces, aiming to attract businesses and professionals to the structure.