Guide · Free PDF guide

Startup Office Guide

How early-stage teams should sequence their workspace decisions — registered address, first desks, first cabins, first office — without locking capital into interiors.

Who this is for

Founders and early operations leads

What's inside

Stage 1 — 1 to 5 people

Use a virtual office for company and GST registration, not a rented floor
Buy flexible day passes or a few dedicated desks instead of a lease
Book meeting rooms by the hour for client and investor meetings
Keep the monthly workspace cost under 5% of burn

Stage 2 — 6 to 20 people

Move to dedicated desks plus one private cabin for calls and interviews
Choose a centre with expansion inventory on the same floor
Keep the commitment to 11 or 12 months, not three years
Standardise on managed IT and reception so no one becomes the office admin

Stage 3 — 20 to 60 people

Take a managed office suite with your own branding and access control
Negotiate rate protection on additional seats taken within 12 months
Plan 10% to 15% buffer seats for hiring and interns
Add a dedicated meeting room package rather than paying per hour

Mistakes that cost the most

Signing a 3 or 5 year lease before product-market fit
Spending capital on interiors instead of hiring
Choosing an address clients and candidates cannot reach easily
Ignoring power backup, internet redundancy and parking
Not updating GST and RoC records after a move

More free resources

All 10 downloads

Office Setup Checklist

Every task between signing and day one

Office Budget Calculator

A complete cost sheet, not just rent

Commercial Lease Checklist

Clauses to read before you sign