Knotel Co-Founder Amol Sarva
Amol Sarva is a serial entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Knotel, a flexible workspace provider, in 2016. The company has raised a total of $560 million in funding, with a valuation of $1 billion [3]. However, Sarva recently made headlines when he left Knotel and publicly criticized one of its investors, Newmark Knight Frank [1]. In this article, we take a closer look at Sarva’s journey and the recent controversies surrounding him.
The Early Years
Sarva was born in India and grew up in the United States. He attended Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Media Arts and Sciences [3]. After completing his studies, he co-founded several companies, including Virgin Mobile USA and Halo Neuroscience.
Co-Founding Knotel
In 2016, Sarva co-founded Knotel with Edward Shenderovich. The company provides flexible office space for businesses of all sizes, with locations in major cities around the world [2]. Knotel’s business model is based on providing customized workspaces that can be tailored to the specific needs of each client.
Knotel quickly gained popularity among startups and small businesses looking for flexible office space. The company raised $70 million in a Series B funding round in 2018, which was co-led by Newmark Knight Frank [1]. This funding round brought Knotel’s total funding to $160 million at the time.
Recent Controversies
In April 2021, Sarva announced that he was leaving Knotel and publicly criticized Newmark Knight Frank, describing them as a “stalking horse” [1]. He accused the real estate services firm of trying to take control of Knotel and forcing the company to take on debt. Sarva also claimed that Newmark Knight Frank had misled him and other investors about their intentions.
Newmark Knight Frank denied Sarva’s allegations and stated that they had acted in good faith throughout their partnership with Knotel [1]. The controversy surrounding Sarva’s departure from Knotel has raised questions about the company’s future and its ability to compete in the crowded flexible workspace market.
Sarva’s Other Ventures
In addition to co-founding Knotel, Sarva has been involved in several other ventures. He co-founded Virgin Mobile USA in 2001, which was later acquired by Sprint for $483 million [3]. Sarva also co-founded Halo Neuroscience, a company that develops wearable technology for athletes and musicians.
Sarva is also an active investor and has invested in several startups, including ZocDoc, a healthcare booking platform, and Reserve, a restaurant reservation app [3]. His experience as an entrepreneur and investor has made him a respected figure in the startup community.
Conclusion
Amol Sarva is a serial entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Knotel, a flexible workspace provider, in 2016. The company has raised a total of $560 million in funding, with a valuation of $1 billion. However, Sarva recently made headlines when he left Knotel and publicly criticized one of its investors, Newmark Knight Frank. The controversy surrounding his departure has raised questions about Knotel’s future and its ability to compete in the flexible workspace market. Despite this, Sarva’s experience as an entrepreneur and investor has made him a respected figure in the startup community.
