WeWork in talks to go public through SPAC deal

WeWork is in talks to go public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company and is also exploring raising funds from private investors, a little over a year after its botched initial public offering, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The office-sharing startup’s plans for its high-profile IPO imploded spectacularly in October 2019 due to widespread criticism over the office-sharing startup’s business model and its founder Adam Neumann’s management style.

A source directly familiar with the matter said that WeWork had held talks with at least three blank-check firms over the past two months, cautioning that current talks could fall apart.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that WeWork was in talks with a SPAC affiliated with Bow Capital Management and a deal could value WeWork at nearly $10 billion.

A spokeswoman for the office-sharing startup confirmed in a statement that the company was exploring options, including a deal with a blank-check firm.

“Over the past year, WeWork has remained focused on executing our plans for achieving profitability. Our significant progress combined with the increased market demand for flexible space, shows positive signs for our business,” the company said.

“We will continue to explore opportunities that help us move closer towards our goals,” it added.

WeWork was valued at nearly $47 billion in 2019 but saw its valuation plummet to roughly $8 billion after SoftBank Group was forced to extend a life-saving financing lifeline to WeWork.

SoftBank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.