bNear is a virtual office app built into Microsoft Teams that creates shared digital rooms where remote and hybrid employees can see each other's availability, join spontaneous conversations, and access centralized resources via virtual furniture like bookshelves and taskboards. The platform adds social features such as a coffee‑kitchen, emoji status, and a lobby check‑in flow to replicate informal office interactions while leveraging Teams' security and compliance controls.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Remote and hybrid teams often experience isolation, reduced motivation, and fragmented communication, leading to lower engagement and productivity. Traditional collaboration tools lack a shared, informal space that mimics a physical office, making spontaneous interactions and team cohesion difficult.
Solution
bNear provides a virtual office environment built directly into Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to “sit” side‑by‑side in digital rooms. The platform visualizes who is in meetings, what topics are being discussed, and displays real‑time availability, enabling spontaneous conversations and quick question‑asking. Integrated virtual furniture such as Bookshelves, Screens, and Taskboards centralizes frequently used links, files, and tools, reducing context switching. Social features like emoji status, a coffee‑kitchen, and a lobby/check‑in flow foster informal exchanges and help maintain team spirit. Because bNear runs as a Teams app, it leverages existing Microsoft 365 security, SSO, and compliance controls, keeping data within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Target Audience
Primary customers are remote or hybrid teams within enterprises that use Microsoft Teams, including managers, HR professionals, and IT departments seeking to improve collaboration, onboarding, and employee engagement.
Features
- Meeting‑overview tables that show who is in which meeting and the meeting purpose
- Main‑tables for ad‑hoc questions and idea sharing without scheduling a formal meeting
- Virtual furniture (Bookshelf, Screen, Taskboard) that stores shared links, files and tools for instant access
- Coffee‑kitchen and emoji status to enable informal social interaction and mood sharing
- Lobby and check‑in flow with location/availability display, mirroring a real office entry experience
- Customizable floor layouts and branding to reflect each team’s identity
- Single‑sign‑on via Microsoft accounts and full GDPR compliance with data hosted in German Microsoft data centers