TechConnect: VerticalApps Earns Distinctions for Growth and Workplace
May 18, 2021 | By Guest Author
This month’s TechConnect Profile will highlight Arlington-based VerticalApps. Founded in 2010, Arlington-based VerticalApps provides unique IT solutions to Federal agencies with specialties in application development, data services, and intelligent automation. In 2020, VerticalApps was named one of the "Best Places to Work" by both the Washington Business Journal and Virginia Business, where it was ranked the #3 small business in the state of Virginia. In the Annual Inc. 5000 list in 2020, VerticalApps was named as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States with a growth rate of 336%.
We interviewed VerticalApps’ CEO, Will Choi, and CTO, Michael Grace, to discuss company culture, workforce, and the advantages of an Arlington location for talent attraction and business opportunities.
How has the pandemic changed the company culture at VerticalApps? What has been the biggest lesson you and your team has learned during the pandemic?
- We learned that our core values (be proactive, create trust through transparency, think big picture, lead by service and grow through learning), really stood up to the test of this pandemic. Our team members truly believe in and demonstrate our values, so they served as pillars while we adapted to a changing world, inside and outside of work.
Our company culture was actually strengthened because the pandemic challenged us to work together and be creative to implement new ways of collaborating and communicating. We developed new social activities like virtual game nights and a book club. With vaccinations more available, team members are making time to get together outside of work using alternate locations like their homes or outdoor facilities.
What’s VerticalApps plans for future growth in the next 12-24 months?
- Given our primary focus on the federal government and robotic process automation, or RPA, we are seeing a real priority in government efficiency which means we have a lot of potential for growth over the next two years. Our federal agencies have a critical mission to support the economic recovery and enhance the nation’s infrastructure which are all things that VerticalApps is excited to help with.
What are VerticalApps plans for return to office? Is your team excited about the prospect of returning to a new “normal” and working collaboratively in-person?
- VerticalApps plans to fully reopen our offices in the fall of 2021 with an expanded footprint in our existing Ballston location. Our team members will have the flexibility to work remotely or in-person, based on their own personal preferences. Many of our team members really miss being around each other and are excited for some in-person collaboration, while others have found a great groove working remotely from home. The pandemic has proven that both models can work, and VerticalApps will continue to let our team make the best choices for themselves and their families.
As a tech company in Arlington, what would you tell other companies is a unique advantage for businesses that locate in the community?
- There is a lot of energy around tech and innovation in Arlington and that’s exactly where we want to be. Arlington has the triple benefit of (1) being close to our customers, (2) being close to where technical talent is thriving, and (3) providing a walkable, urban location where our team has options for exercise, social activities, and learning/collaboration with other professionals.
For more information on VerticalApps and its products and services, please visit https://www.verticalapps.com/. If you are a startup tech company looking to launch or grow your business in Northern Virginia, please visit AED's resource page and contact Adam Henry, Business Development Manager, for more information.
About this Profile Series
Arlington's startup ecosystem has been rapidly expanding over the past five years and is quickly becoming recognized as an established innovation hub in the United States. Since 2015, Arlington-based companies have generated 250 venture activity deals totaling over $35.7 billion covering several industries, including software, cybersecurity, fintech, big data, digital media, and more. AED launched its monthly TechConnect Profiles to highlight and profile companies in our technology startup ecosystem.