Yoffix CMO Shir Nissanpur Featured in Tagesspiegel Interview

At Yoffix, we believe that great ideas often come from journeys, sometimes physical, often personal. Our co-founder, Shir Nissanpur, embodies this spirit of openness, resilience, and curiosity. Recently, his story was featured in the Tagesspiegel, highlighting not only his professional achievements but also his unique journey from Israel to Berlin, and what both cities have taught him about innovation, belonging, and progress.

From Tel Aviv to Berlin: An Unexpected Second Home

When Shir Nissanpur first arrived in Berlin in 2014, the city didn’t instantly feel like home. The language, the people, and—most shockingly—the weather, were challenges he hadn’t fully anticipated after years of sunny Tel Aviv and global travels. He describes his first Berlin winter as the hardest year of his life. But, like many founders, Shir was driven by curiosity and ambition. And despite the initial cultural and climatic shock, he decided to stay, soon realizing that Berlin held opportunities that were too good to ignore.

“I love discovering new things on my own,” Shir says, a trait that’s taken him across the US, Asia, and, eventually, Europe. While his roots are Israeli, his outlook is unmistakably global—a mindset that helped him adapt to Berlin’s multicultural, ever-changing landscape. The city’s openness, diversity, and startup spirit soon won him over.

Why Berlin? Why Not Stay in Israel?

Tel Aviv is globally renowned as a startup hotspot—ranked 6th worldwide, ahead of Berlin. Yet, many Israeli founders, including Shir, choose Berlin for their next chapter. The reasons are both practical and personal. Berlin offers a better quality of life, lower living costs, and a uniquely open business environment. “In Berlin, you can afford a much better lifestyle on a comparable salary than in Tel Aviv, one of the most expensive cities in the world,” Shir explains.

For expats, Berlin is a rare mix of opportunity and acceptance. Teams are fluid, priorities shift quickly, and there’s always room for new ideas. Most importantly, English is widely spoken—crucial for international founders. Shir also found that Berlin, unlike any other city he’s lived in, offered true diversity: “As a gay, married man, I feel more acceptance here. Berlin is so cosmopolitan; you see so many different people and cultures. I wish Israel were this progressive in its thinking.”

Building Yoffix: Turning Pain Points into Solutions

Shir’s own experience as an expat and entrepreneur directly influenced the vision behind Yoffix. The pandemic changed how and where people work. Hybrid work became the norm, but it brought new logistical and cultural challenges: How do you manage office space when people come and go? How do you foster collaboration while keeping costs down? How do you make everyone feel included, no matter where they’re working from?

Yoffix was founded to answer these questions. As Shir puts it, “We help companies understand their office space. Do they need to downsize? Reconfigure? Most companies with 400 hybrid employees only need 200 desks. Our platform gives them the insights to make smarter decisions.”

Today, Shir divides his time between Berlin and Tel Aviv, symbolizing the borderless nature of modern work—and of Yoffix itself. His own flexible, international lifestyle mirrors the very trends that Yoffix enables for its customers.

Embracing Change, Fostering Belonging

Shir’s journey is more than a story of professional success; it’s a testament to the power of adaptability, openness, and belonging. At Yoffix, these values are at the heart of our platform and our culture. We celebrate diversity—in backgrounds, working styles, and perspectives—because we know this is where true innovation happens.

Berlin, with its history, its scars, and its promise, continues to attract dreamers, doers, and disruptors from all over the world. For Shir Nissanpur, it’s a place where he can build, belong, and help others do the same.

If you want to learn more about how Yoffix is shaping the future of hybrid work, guided by founders like Shir, get in touch for a demo.