With 13,000 square metres of space, 1,200 workstations and a premium experience in a prime location, Work Better can best be described as Bulgaria's largest coworking operator.
We spoke with the driving force behind the company – co-founder and CEO Tony Aleksandrov – to find out what makes Work Better different and why it has become such a success.

Unlike most coworking spaces in Bulgaria, which primarily target freelancers, start-ups and micro businesses, Work Better has expanded its focus to large international corporations. Companies such as Booking.com, Dell, Infosys, Mott MacDonald, BVNK and LivePerson have chosen Work Better's flexible office solutions as their long-term workplace. Some even maintain their own offices nearby while using Work Better as an extension of their workspace, allowing them to accommodate additional employees without relocating or expanding their existing premises.

"After COVID, the business simply took off," says Tony Aleksandrov. Before launching Work Better in Bulgaria, he gained valuable experience with German coworking operator Mindspace. According to him, the flexibility offered by coworking spaces became the key factor for companies reassessing their office strategy after the pandemic. A business with 100 employees who come to the office only once or twice a week, for example, can comfortably operate with just 30 workstations in a shared office, significantly reducing costs. For many international investors entering Bulgaria, the availability of short-term lease agreements is equally important, as it removes the need to commit to long-term office contracts. Today, such companies account for around 70% of Work Better's tenants.

A Sense of Community
Perhaps the greatest attraction is the feeling of belonging to a vibrant community of professionals, each with a fascinating story. You never know who you might end up having coffee with in the kitchen – a successful entrepreneur, a renowned photographer or an employee of one of the world's leading technology companies.

The opportunities for collaboration are equally valuable. The graphic designer you've been searching for might be sitting at the next desk. Every day, the space sparks new ideas, partnerships and business opportunities.

"These four desks," Tony Aleksandrov points out, "belong to people who met here and eventually became business partners under our roof. They launched a joint venture together, became close friends, and they're actually on holiday together right now."

An Office Designed to Inspire
"Working from home is boring." That is Work Better's motto, boldly displayed across its polished concrete ceiling.

Provocative slogans, graffiti-covered meeting rooms, vintage record players, quilted sofas and pink velvet armchairs replace conventional office furniture. Natural materials such as wood, metal and genuine leather dominate the interior, while carefully selected bold colours contrast beautifully with the neutral concrete. Throughout the space, humour is woven into the details. In the kitchen, for example, you can grab a mug that reads "Better not talk to me today"—perfectly matching those mornings when you're simply not in the mood for conversation.

"The atmosphere should make you never want to leave," Aleksandrov says. "You can always stay after work for a drink on our terrace beanbags and end up meeting someone who changes your business."

Work Better may not have been the first coworking operator in Bulgaria, but it is now the largest.

"The most important achievement is that in just three years we managed to educate the market," Aleksandrov says with a smile.

Not Every Business Is Considered Bankable
This is something Tony Aleksandrov experienced firsthand.

The success of Work Better 1.0 convinced him that securing financing for the second phase—Work Better 2.0, another impressive building located just steps away from the original site—would be straightforward. Both locations are situated in one of Sofia's most desirable districts for both living and business.

Reality, however, proved different.

Despite its success, Work Better was one of those businesses that had the right idea at the right time but failed to meet the strict requirements of conventional bank lending.

"We also met with venture capital funds, but we simply weren't the type of company they invest in," Aleksandrov recalls.

That led him to the Bulgarian Development Bank, which found a financing solution by leveraging its strong relationships with international financial institutions and using guarantee instruments to complement the collateral package.

As a result, financing for Work Better 2.0 was secured.

"We sold out the new space in just three and a half months," Aleksandrov says. "Today, my only regret is that I didn't take all seven floors that were offered to me. I decided to be cautious instead of expanding more aggressively."

That experience has shaped the advice he now gives to young entrepreneurs:

"Take action. Don't wait."

By mid-2026, less than four years after launching the company, the foundations of Work Better 3.0 had already been laid. The new development will combine premium coworking spaces with Meet Better, a state-of-the-art conference centre designed to offer clients a complete workplace ecosystem.

Once completed, Work Better will not only remain Bulgaria's largest coworking operator but is expected to become one of the leading providers of flexible workspaces across Central and Eastern Europe.