Smartworks Reports 21% Revenue Growth and 109% Jump in Normalized EBITDA in Q1
Smartworks Coworking Spaces Limited reported robust Q1 FY24 results with revenue reaching INR 3,792 million, up 21% year-over-year. Normalized EBITDA surged 109% to INR 607 million, with margin expanding to 16%. The company's operational area stood at 8.3 million square feet with 83% occupancy. Smartworks added 5,900 seats, bringing total occupied seats to 158,500. The company aims to expand from 190,000 to 275,000 operational seats in the next 4-5 quarters, targeting an annual addition of 30,000-40,000 seats. Post-IPO, Smartworks is in a net debt-negative position, expecting debt levels to become negligible over the next two years.

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Smartworks Coworking Spaces Limited , India's largest managed office platform, has reported a strong start to the fiscal year, with significant growth in revenue and profitability for the first quarter ended June 30.
Financial Highlights
The company's revenue for Q1 stood at INR 3,792.00 million, marking a 21% year-over-year increase and a 5.8% sequential growth. This robust performance was driven by a combination of increased occupancy in existing centers and the addition of new operational space.
Smartworks' normalized EBITDA saw a substantial improvement, reaching INR 607.00 million, up 109% year-over-year. The normalized EBITDA margin expanded to 16%, reflecting strong operational efficiency and disciplined cost management.
The company's focus on cash flow generation was evident, with normalized operating cash flow (OCF) increasing by 71% year-over-year to INR 855.00 million in Q1.
Operational Performance
As of June 30, Smartworks' operational area stood at 8.3 million square feet, with an overall occupancy rate of 83%. The company's operational footprint translates to approximately 190,000 seats, with mature centers (over 165,000 seats) showing a committed occupancy revenue exceeding 90%.
During the quarter, Smartworks added about 5,900 occupied seats, bringing the total occupied seats to around 158,500. The company's revenue per square foot reached approximately INR 173.00, excluding ancillary revenue.
Expansion Plans and Future Outlook
Smartworks has ambitious growth plans, with a target to reach 12 million square feet of operational area in the near future. The company has already signed agreements for an additional 1.9 million square feet, which will translate to 43,000 new seats by the end of the fiscal year.
Neetish Sarda, Managing Director of Smartworks, stated, "We expect to grow from our current 190,000 operational seats to 275,000 seats within the next 4 to 5 quarters, based on our signed contracts and ongoing fitouts."
The company aims to maintain its growth trajectory, targeting an annual addition of 30,000 to 40,000 seats, which aligns with its historical CAGR of 30-35% year-on-year.
Cost Efficiency and Financial Strategy
Smartworks highlighted its industry-leading cost efficiency, with a capex of INR 60,000.00 per seat and an opex of INR 34.00 to INR 36.00 per square foot. The company attributes this efficiency to economies of scale, standardization, and its ability to take on entire buildings as campuses.
Post-IPO, Smartworks is in a net debt-negative position, with its cost of borrowing at approximately 9%. The company expects its debt levels to become negligible over the next two years, further strengthening its financial position.
Market Position and Client Base
Smartworks continues to focus on enterprise clients, with 90% of its Q1 revenue coming from this segment. The company's multi-city clients now contribute over 30% of its revenue, indicating strong client retention and expansion within the Smartworks ecosystem.
Harsh Binani, Executive Director, emphasized the company's strategic choice of taking entire buildings, stating, "Our ability to recover capex in 32 months on long-term leases creates a strong entry barrier and turns our buildings into ROCE machines as they mature."
As Smartworks continues to expand its footprint and enhance its operational efficiency, the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for flexible workspace solutions in India's commercial real estate market.
Key Financial and Operational Metrics for Q1
Metric | Value | Y-o-Y Growth |
---|---|---|
Revenue | INR 3,792.00 million | 21% |
Normalized EBITDA | INR 607.00 million | 109% |
Normalized EBITDA Margin | 16% | - |
Operating Cash Flow | INR 855.00 million | 71% |
Operational Area | 8.3 million sq ft | - |
Overall Occupancy | 83% | - |
Revenue per sq ft | INR 173.00 | - |
Occupied Seats | 158,500 | - |
Seats Added in Q1 | 5,900 | - |
With its strong financial performance and ambitious expansion plans, Smartworks is poised for continued growth in the flexible workspace market, leveraging its efficient operating model and focus on enterprise clients.
Historical Stock Returns for Smartworks Coworking Spaces
1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
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-0.09% | +4.53% | +10.49% | +6.86% | +6.86% | +6.86% |