"I started Co-office in 2019, after finishing my thesis at a coworking company in Rotterdam. My conclusion was clear: there was potential to start a similar concept in Amsterdam, given the broader market opportunities and a more favorable climate for start-ups. I opened our first location at Kabelweg 22 in Amsterdam. At the time, finances were limited, so we started with traditional locks. Soon I noticed how impractical this was, especially in a dynamic environment with many staff changes, young organizations and interns. Key management was a constant challenge.

The opportunity arose to open a new Co-office location at Bos en Lommerplein, and we decided to go big this time. One important change was the integration of Bold Smart Locks. This made a world of difference: no more key problems, which was a huge relief in our daily management."

‘’Well, like many business owners, key management was a constant hassle. For me, the issue with traditional access management is that I needed to be present at the locations to handle lock related issues. Before founding Co-office, I worked as an operator in Rotterdam where a colleague dedicated 40% of her time to either replacing locks or distributing new keys whenever someone lost theirs. This was a problem I aimed to avoid, which led me to seek a smarter solution.’’

“We selected Bold Smart Lock primarily because they were the first brand we tested. Not only did they meet our requirements, but they also offered the best pricing. I now enthusiastically recommend Bold to colleagues in the co-working community.

What really impresses our customers is when, during tours with start-ups searching for office space, I effortlessly unlock the office doors with my phone. This shows not only the user-friendliness, but also the modern technology of our facilities.

Previously, using traditional keys caused many concerns and inconveniences. If you lost a key, the whole lock had to be replaced. This was an expensive issue and required new keys to be distributed to all employees. With Bold Smart Lock, this problem is in the past.”

Co-office wanted to focus more on nurturing tenant relationships, shaped by shared moments over ping pong and Friday drinks. Gijs explains: “I like Bold, and my tenants appreciate it too. For example, we have an NGO in this building, and one of their members is from a previous generation. Even for him, the app is intuitive enough, and he uses it every day. Of course, we had to provide him with a brief training.”

"As entrepreneurs, we often have to balance cost savings with smart investing. At Co-office, we consistently apply the 'penny wise, pound foolish' principle. The bottom line is that if a technology solution helps you save time, then the saved time is better spent on strengthening customer relationships. That should always be your priority.

Some examples? We use sensors throughout the building, sophisticated intercom systems, fully automatic coffee machines, and we have cleaning services that come by twice a day. Another important addition are the Bold Smart Locks on our doors. These technologies allow us, as the Co-office team, to fully focus on building customer relationships, especially important in the hospitality and co-working sector.

My advice to other business owners: invest in smart technology that promotes operational efficiency. That way you can focus on what really matters: the relationship with your customers."