As part of our Sacramento Inno coverage of the startup, technology and innovation economy, the Business Journal has compiled a list of startups to watch in the new year. These startups are poised to make big moves, either in growth, funding, technology or development. We're highlighting 15 startups, generally with fewer than 100 employees, about 5 years old or less and that have raised less than $50 million.
Aro Homes builds ultra-efficient, carbon-negative homes in a factory in Sacramento to replace old housing stock.
Factory-built, carbon-negative homebuilder Aro Homes came out of stealth mode in November and announced it has raised $21 million in funding led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s venture capital fund, Innovation Endeavors.
Aro is a 2021 startup whose factory is in Sacramento near McClellan Park. The company is based in Mountain View.
Aro developed and owns the construction process end to end, fulfilling the roles of developer, architect, engineer, general contractor and real estate agent. It builds its ultra-efficient homes inside a controlled factory setting, which reduces waste by 40%.
Aro plans to reduce completion time from 18 months for standard construction to 90 days using its platform, which uses artificial intelligence to find locations for its homes, which will typically be on the site of old housing stock in existing neighborhoods in the Bay Area.
Aro’s engineered homes feature heat pumps, all electric appliances and solar panels paired with batteries that will provide more electricity than the houses use. They will be highly insulated to reduce heating and cooling costs. The electric utility bills for the homes should be negative.
