Savills offers specialized real estate and office space services for startups here in Orange County.

The firm is an important part of the Orange County tech startup ecosystem, and a Bronze Sponsor of the OC Startup Council.

Enjoy this exclusive interview with Jeff Manley, Senior Managing Director, to learn more about what Savills does and how their work is helping local founders and startup companies succeed in Orange County:

What are the specialties of your firm?

At Savills, we help organizations find the solutions that ensure employee success. Sharply skilled and fiercely dedicated, our integrated teams of consultants and brokers are experts in better real estate. With services in tenant representation, capital markets, project management, workforce/incentives and workplace strategy/occupant experience, we’ve boosted the potential of workplaces around the corner, and around the world, for 160 years and counting.

Who are the clients you can help the most?

We assist all organizations, early to late stage, that need help solving whatever real estate problem they might happen to face.

What's the most common problem you help startup founders with? 

Finding the right type of space that will allow them to execute their mission and allow them to scale. The biggest challenges is helping founders navigate the delicate balance cost and functionality. Our goal is to make sure whatever real estate a founder selects to house their team, it is functional and cost effective.

Why do you enjoy working with startups? 

I love learning about new businesses and technologies and the impact we often have on helping the business scale.

What are some specialties, differentiators, or factors that make your firm good at what it does? 

We only represent the users of commercial office space, not developers or landlords, which allows us to avoid potential conflicts of interest when negotiating on behalf of our clients. We negotiate more aggressively than brokers who represent both sides of a transaction. We think it matters. In addition, we integrate project management into our delivery of services to make sure that whatever money is offered by a landlord to build out a space is used appropriately on the improvements the client wants/needs.

And, did you know the services outlined above are free to the client? Our fees are paid by the Landlord when a transaction is completed. And did you know that we guarantee value?

What's your best advice for early stage entrepreneurs? 

Trying to find the real estate for their firm is not the best use of their valuable time. Your investors want you to focus on making your product/service the best it can be. Hire a capable real estate professional to help identify and negotiate on your behalf because they will save you money and time.

How did you get into your current job? 

I've been in this role as a tenant representative for 28 years in Orange County, a former college golf teammate of mine thought I would be good at it and gave me a chance. The rest is history.....

Can you share a little history of your firm? 

Our firm has been in existence for over 160 years. Savills is a publicly traded firm on the London stock exchange and has grown into one of the largest international commercial real estate firms in the world. We have international reach and have 38 offices in the major cities across the US.

Why have you chosen to work in Orange County? 

Lived a lot of places and this is hands down the best!!!

Favorite OC restaurant?

Without question, the best restaurant in OC is Detention, formerly The Playground.

Anything else you would like to share?

I'm an avid golfer and use the game to get to know prospects and clients. Am a board member on The First Tee of Orange County, which helps the youth of OC develop life skills through the game of golf.

Why did your company join the OC Startup Council?

Like helping early stage companies grow and help them along the way.

Thanks to Jeff Manley for sharing how Savills works with startups here in Orange County.

And, thanks again to Savills for their Bronze Sponsorship support of the OC Startup Council and our efforts to accelerate Orange County’s tech ecosystem.