For some, remote work means finding an open table at Starbucks or using your living room sofa as your office. For others, it means working in a van down by the Colorado River.
The Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in the remote work revolution, changing where, how and when employees do work. Chicago startup project44 is testing the boundaries of today's work-from-anywhere culture in a new company program that gives workers access to a high-tech camper van they can take anywhere in the country.
The startup is working with van maker Roameo to provide employees with a camper that's equipped with internet, working stations, running water, kitchen, a full bed and other amenities that let you live and work on the road. Project44 began the program in October, starting with an eight-week pilot with Roameo, allowing workers to book a van for up to seven nights. All eight weeks were booked within 10 minutes, said Kendall Raymond, project44's VP of talent attraction and development.
Employees can use the van for work or as a break from work, Raymond said. Workers have taken the van to places like Colorado, Mt. Rushmore and Salem, Massachusetts for the Halloween weekend. And those that choose to work from the van are productive, Raymond said. A project44 engineer released code last month from The Badlands.
Project44 covers the cost of the van, including insurance. The company, which provides logistics tracking and communication software to shippers, raised over $200 million this year at a $1.2 billion valuation.
Giving employees access to a high-tech camper van is not only reflective of today's remote-first business culture, it also shows how fast-growing tech firms are operating in an uber-competitive market for talent. Clearcover, another high-growth Chicago startup, tested out a four-day workweek this summer. Slack launched a program this year to give each of its full-time employees a membership to WeWork. And with companies needing to hire fast, some are giving candidates “exploding offers,” which self-detonate at a certain date and time if tech workers don’t accept them soon enough.
Project44 has already extended its pilot program with Roameo, offering the van to employees through the month of December. It plans to continue offering the benefit to workers for as long as there's interest, Raymond said.
