Phone2Action moves to Rosslyn
Drawn by neighborhood's growth and a lower cost of doing business, tech startup relocates headquarters from D.C. to 1401 Wilson Blvd.
On July 6, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe visited Rosslyn to celebrate the recent relocation of tech startup Phone2Action's headquarters from D.C.'s Chinatown to 1401 Wilson Blvd. According to the Washington Business Journal, the 25-person Phone2Action expects to double its workforce by the close of the year, eventually creating more than 100 new tech jobs.
Co-founder and President Ximena Hartsock said several factors contributed to Phone2Action's decision to move to Rosslyn, including a lower cost of doing business and the neighborhood's central location, which is convenient for many of the team members' commutes.
"We are now paying considerably less than we would in D.C. for the same square footage," she said. "We have natural light in every room, a large patio area, ample affordable parking, and a plethora of nearby dining options."
Phone2Action, which was founded in late 2012 and recently raised $4.7 million in Series A funding,* is a civic engagement software platform that helps organizations attract and engage supporters. Their social media, calling and email advocacy tools enable people to easily contact their elected officials at the local, state and federal levels. The platform also features service delivery tools that allow advocates to learn about and sign up for programs. Major clients have included Lyft, the Consumer Technology Association, UPS, Doctors without Borders and the American Heart Association.
The company was launched in California. Although the founders had first considered opening their headquarters in Silicon Valley, a strong desire to be within close proximity of their clients in the D.C. area led them to establish themselves at the WeWork co-working space in D.C. WeWork turned out to be the perfect place for the startup, but as the team grew, they knew they needed their own office.
Hartsock added that Rosslyn was particularly attractive to them because of the tremendous development going on in the neighborhood, particularly along the Wilson Boulevard corridor, which is expected to evolve into a "smart city" in the coming years. "Rosslyn is a city where our company can shine and continue to grow," she said. "We are grateful for the opportunity to join the Rosslyn community in the beginning of its growth curve and contribute to its evolution as the technology hub of the East Coast."
“Phone2Action’s decision to relocate to Arlington is another example of how our skilled workforce and commitment to the tech sector are true assets to Arlington’s economy,” said Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey. “We are proud to welcome Phone2Action to our business community and look forward to working with them as the company continues to grow.”
Tim Helmig, president and chief operating officer of Monday Properties, which is leasing the space, called Phone2Action "an impressive addition to Rosslyn and the Monday Properties portfolio.”
“The move from D.C. to Rosslyn is emblematic of the city’s future as a tech hub and one that is attracting business of all sizes," he said. "In addition to Rosslyn’s vibrant social scene and close proximity, Phone2Action will benefit from Virginia’s business friendly environment.”