Local tech startup PetScreening has upgraded its space in a major way.
PetScreening, founded in 2016 by John Bradford, is a platform that allows property managers to outsource the process of pet risk assessment and validates service or support animals.
The startup, formerly based in Cornelius, recently moved into a new space at Merino Mill in Mooresville. Bradford said the team searched in Cornelius and considered moving closer to Charlotte but was unable to find anything that not only met the company's needs but also its wants.
"For four years, we hunkered down in an underwhelming space ... As we grew, we knew we were going to need something more permanent," he said. "Most companies would want to navigate to Charlotte. For us, it wasn't as important to try to physically move south."
Bradford said PetScreening has had no trouble recruiting talented employees from the Statesville and Mooresville areas, as well as from Charlotte, so when he found the space at Merino Mill, he knew that's the place they would soon call home.
"We have proven that, one, talent is willing to travel for a good job and a good opportunity; and two, there is a talent pool up in this area that is kind of untapped for tech," he said.
Merino Mill, a repurposed denim mill about a mile from downtown Mooresville, is now home to a host of retail shops, dining establishments and other small businesses.
David Stunja, PetScreening chief operating officer, said they were looking for a space similar to Charlotte's Camp North End. Merino Mill struck them immediately with its similarities.
"We were looking for something like Camp North End that's easy to get around and a little bit of an ecosystem and community," he said.
PetScreening's new office in Merino Mill
Bradford said the 1 million-square-foot mill, complete with 20-foot ceilings and original hardwood and brick was just the type of space he'd been looking for.
"It had that vibe we were looking for, and it was offering us so much in the way of everything I think an employee would want," he said. "There is lot of natural light and garage doors, and it aligns to being a campy or outdoor, backyard feel, and that's the motif we were going for."
PetScreening's new office is an open-concept space that is 57 feet wide by 130 feet long. Team meeting rooms were created around the perimeter and individual cubicles were built in the center. The cubes, Bradford said, are unlike any office cubicle he's ever worked in.
"We built our cubes to be like small yard spaces with wooden privacy fences," he said. "The best part is, you can put your dog in there with you and close it off with a little gate."
Additionally, Bradford said they've created a "bark park" complete with artificial turf and an authentic 1961 Shasta camper.
"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "It's our little dog park area that becomes a bar at night, so when we eventually host special events, we can throw a bartender in the camper and serve drinks out of it."
The startup currently has 30 full-time employees, with plans to hire five more, and seven developers who work remotely. He said they are working in the office Monday through Thursday with the option to work remotely on Friday.
"We worked from home for a short period of time through Covid, then had everyone come back to the office for half of the week," he said. "We moved into the new space about three weeks ago, and there's a very welcome feeling of bringing everyone back together. It's been an organic and positive experience."
Now that they're settled into a more permanent location, Bradford said the company is poised for further growth. He said they are currently working on a Series A funding round. PetScreening has raised about $3 million since 2019, according to Crunchbase.
"We've never lost sight of what we needed to do as a company, and we're hyper-focused on continuing to develop," he said. "We're remained focused on sales and marketing, and we're not starting to explore other ways to broaden our base of products without sacrificing our core competencies."
