German tech firm Grover is officially open for business in Miami's Brickell Financial District, where it plans to hire dozens of employees to support its U.S. expansion.
The Berlin-based company enables people to subscribe to consumer tech products on a monthly basis, instead of buying them outright. Grover aims to onboard at least 100 new employees at the mid, senior and C-suite levels at its new U.S. headquarters, at 80 S.W. 8th St., within Brickell City Tower.
“We look forward to working with [Miami Mayor Francis Suarez's] office and supporting the blooming tech ecosystem and community growing within Florida," said founder and CEO Michael Cassau. "Our commitment to Miami is strong and final and we definitely want to build something new together here.”
The firm is hiring across several departments, including marketing, customer support, operations and supply chain and sales positions. It's also recruiting for executive roles, such as chief operations officer and chief people officer.
Grover has raised $1.7 billion from investors since its 2015 founding and has 450 employees globally. The firm did not disclose its valuation, but some analysts believe Grover could be a "unicorn," a term for a private company worth an estimated $1 billion or more.
The company reports its subscription service model has two benefits: It gives users access to thousands of devices (such as smartphones and virtual reality gear) at a low monthly rate, and it reduces electronic waste. Renting out products to several users over a product's lifetime ensures items are not underused and tossed aside while they are still functional.
Florida is Grover's second-highest revenue-earning state, behind California. The firm announced it will invest $100 million into the U.S. market over the next year to fuel its expansion.
“Grover’s decision to lay anchor in Miami and establish its U.S. headquarters here is an extraordinary development for this city,” Miami Mayor Suarez said in a statement. “Not only have we gained another unicorn, but a company that is committed to making technology accessible."
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