The swift rise of WeWork from its founding in 2010 has amazed followers and bewildered its critics, who wonder how a company centered around leasing office space could be valued like a tech firm. WeWork investors are betting the firm will dominate a reshaping of the global office market—where they see companies giving up long-term leases and embracing WeWork’s more flexible terms. The company has expanded beyond the workplace, establishing dormitory-like housing, a fitness club and an elementary school. It also has bought a search engine optimization company and a maker of wave pools for surfers.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/wework-in-talks-with-softbank-to-double-valuation-to-as-much-as-40-billion-1528923090