Background
Business Name: Arcadia Power
Address: 555 11th Street, Washington, DC 20004
Products and services: Energy services for residential customers
Number of Employees: 115
When did business launch? June 2014
Interviewees: Kiran Bhatraji, Founder & CEO, Kate Henningsen, COO, Alexis Juneja, SVP of People & Impact, and Natalie Rizk, Director of Brand & Communications
1. Now that the spotlight is on you, tell us about the company! Take this time to brag about yourself!
Arcadia Power is doing something unique by inventing a whole new concept of business, a whole new vertical. We are a digital energy management company with the mission of expanding clean energy to everyone, everywhere. We are transforming a century old industry that was set up to give us electricity, but customers don’t have choices and options around their home energy. And that’s where we come in. In a couple of years we built a nationwide platform, got customers in all 50 states, providing customers savings, connecting them to clean energy where they’ve never had it before, and I think that’s really powerful!
A lot of our customers have an emotional connection to this product because they see the climate disasters that are happening, and this is a small step they can take to actually make a difference. - Kiran
The topic of fighting climate change can seem dark, but we are giving people options, and providing them with savings - that’s pretty exciting! Our hope is that our service will continue to expand to new customers in new markets and one by one, change the world!
Looking to 2020, we anticipate a year of high growth for Arcadia. In fact, at the end of last year we closed a $30 M Series C funding round.
2. DC has been named the Capital of Inclusive Innovation. What would you say your contribution has been regarding inclusion and innovation efforts in the District?
We are super proud of the diversity of our staff! 40% of our engineers, at one point, were members of underrepresented groups. And for a tech company, that’s phenomenal! These are high-paying, good jobs that we are making sure are inclusive of the DC population. We have a founder who is a person of color, and many leadership positions are held by women. Nearly 50% of our engineers identify as female We are statistically a very even gendered, age and ethnically diverse staff. We are also LGBTQIA friendly. Our inclusive culture and thinking are highlighted through actions such as leadership ensuring that there is no bias in payroll and strong paid parental leave.
Ultimately, we sell a product that every single American uses and we feel a responsibility to include people of all walks and backgrounds in this company. The core to who we are is taking on the responsibility to deliver a product to the 150 million people who pay a power bill. We have a long way to go, but that idea that electricity touches everybody inspires us to live to that value and hire diversely.
3. What programs, services, resources do you offer that help DC residents, businesses, entrepreneurs, etc.?
Our DC Community Solar program! We work with solar developers in DC. All of our DC-based projects are on the rooftops of commercial buildings or private residences. Arcadia Power members with the platform as well as residents and owners of these buildings receive cost savings on their power. A few locally run businesses and organizations that are benefiting from this program are a community-run boxing gym for at-risk youth in west DC, a Howard University fraternity house, and a distillery.
We also host JavaScript meetups for the community and weekly Lunch-and-Learns to amplify community leaders and engage with local businesses.
4. What is your favorite part about being a DC-based business?
DC is a smart city; there are a lot of very educated people here and most people who live here care about something. We benefit from that by drawing from the community and people who want to contribute. It’s a pleasure being surrounded by people who are passionate about change and want to make an impact! DC is a great place to be because people care about our products and solutions; they care about clean energy.
5. Can you provide any tips or advice for businesses looking to locate and or grow their business in DC?
Tip 1 - Take advantage of local and federal incentives. We took advantage of QHTC.
Tip 2 - Rates in DC are competitive to VA. Don’t assume rent is going to be higher because its DC.
Tip 3 - DC is a great HQ location for us because many of our employees live in DC and it is centralized location for those who live in MD and VA.
Tip 4 - Post jobs to all student and college websites.
Tip 5 - Hire interns as needed. Some of our early interns are excellent full-time contributing employees today.
Tip 6 - Lean on the community of people who have started/invested in community.
Tip 7 - People genuinely want to help, so let them!
Bonus!
What is your favorite activity to do in the District?
“Free museums for children – Smithsonian museums almost every weekend”- Kate Henningsen
“I have 16-month-old and love running through Rock Creek Park with a baby stroller!” – Kiran Bhatraji
“Shout out to the Department of Parks and Recreation! DC has some terrific playgrounds that I love taking my kids to!” – Alexis Juneja
What does ObviouslyDC mean to you?
DC provides all the benefits of a big city with the quarter of the hassle. And on top of that, DC has a loyal, happy and engaged workforce.
Lets keep in touch!
Website: arcadia.com
Twitter: @arcadiapower
Instagram: @arcadiapower