Scaling with Soul: Hanto's IPO Journey Begins

Introduction

In an exclusive feature published by Commercial Design , Hanto Workspace Founder Aashit Verma shares his vision for the future of India's commercial real estate sector. As the company prepares for its upcoming IPO, Verma discusses how managed workspaces, technology integration, and evolving work culture are transforming the industry landscape.

Key Insights from the Interview

Verma addresses the evolution of traditional Central Business Districts (CBDs), noting they aren't losing relevance but adapting within a multi-nodal commercial landscape. While CBDs remain attractive to global companies due to superior infrastructure and government support, rising costs have accelerated the growth of Secondary and Peripheral Business Districts. Companies are increasingly adopting hub-and-spoke strategies, maintaining premium CBD presence for executive functions while relocating operational teams to cost-effective suburban locations.

The managed workspace sector has undergone a remarkable transformation. As of 2024, flexible workspaces account for nearly 7% of India's Grade A office supply, with leasing activity jumping 57% to reach 12 million square feet. Projections suggest this could grow to 12-14% by 2027, reflecting a fundamental shift in how businesses view office space—prioritizing agility, employee experience, and financial efficiency over traditional long-term leases.

Regarding Hanto's IPO journey, Verma emphasizes that scale remains a byproduct of customer understanding rather than the primary objective. The company is investing heavily in proprietary technology platforms for real-time occupancy management, ESG optimization, and AI-powered workspace personalization. Rather than pursuing maximum square footage, Hanto focuses on curated micro-clusters that deliver location-sensitive experiences balancing design, wellness, flexibility, and culture.

On emerging trends, Verma predicts companies will shift from ownership to strategic access, building "Core and Flex" portfolios where they own headquarters but partner for flexible spaces. He highlights micro-markets like Indiranagar and Sarjapur as significant growth areas, though emphasizing the critical need for infrastructure development to support sustainable expansion.

Addressing AI and hybrid work impacts, Verma draws parallels to other technological disruptions, noting these trends augment rather than eliminate workspace demand. The office is evolving into a destination for collaboration and culture-building rather than mere desk work. Hanto's strategy embeds AI not to reduce footprints but to enhance employee experiences through predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and personalized environmental controls.

Conclusion

Aashit Verma's insights reveal a commercial real estate sector in profound transformation, where flexibility, technology, and human-centric design converge. As Hanto prepares for its IPO, the company's focus remains on preserving quality and experience while leveraging technology for precision scaling—positioning itself as a strategic workplace partner for India's evolving business landscape.