SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rover.com, the leading online community that connects dog owners with approved and reviewed in-home dog sitters, today announced it’s been named 2014 Startup of the Year by GeekWire. The honor is awarded annually to a team that is on the brink of stardom, but more importantly, innovating, executing, and making a difference.
“We want to thank the GeekWire community for this recognition,” said Aaron Easterly, CEO of Rover.com. “This award substantiates what our team is so excited about–we are on to something huge! We’ve found a way to make having a dog easier so more people can enjoy the companionship and unconditional love of a dog. We’re just getting started, however! We have big plans for this company and are thrilled about its future.”
This award joins a series of exciting announcements for the company. Rover recently received a round of $12 million in new funding. Then last week, EY announced Easterly is an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2014 Award finalist in the Pacific Northwest.
“When people ask me why I’m in this business, I tell them to name one development in the history of humankind that has increased happiness on a sustained basis more than the domestication of dogs,” Easterly explained when accepting the GeekWire award at the ceremony. He went on to exclaim, “We are hiring!”
Rover is growing rapidly and expecting to double its team over the next year. The company is currently recruiting top talent, specifically, passionate developers, designers, product managers, and customer experience representatives, among others. People who love dogs will enjoy working at Rover, where dogs are welcome in the office.
About Rover
Rover.com connects dog owners with a nationwide network of dog lovers for hire. Rover believes all dogs deserve safe, loving homes even when their owners are away. Its services provide an alternative to traditional caged boarding facilities or imposing on family and friends who are often asked to sit in a pinch. Rover offers the largest network of reviewed and approved sitters in the United States who will provide in-home day care, dog walking and overnight dog boarding in the owners’ home or their own. More than 92 percent of the population lives within a short drive of one of Rover’s 25,000 sitters, and 95 percent of reviewed stays have received a perfect five-star rating. In addition to connecting pet owners with sitters, the Rover platform offers free premium insurance, 24/7 vet consultation, mobile apps, photo sharing, videos of stay highlights, sitter background checks, and customized tags.
