The news that software juggernaut Oracle (ORCL) is buying Arlington-based cloud utility software startup Opower (OPWR) for $532 million is notable. It looks like a great exit for the company's investors, with a 30 percent premium on the stock price as of last Friday. But the announcement itself left out a lot of details and since Opower and Oracle are declining to comment at the moment, we thought it worth taking a look at what the major questions the deal leaves unanswered.
What happens to Opower's employees?
Though the announcement indicates Opower's team will stay on as part of the Oracle Utility Global Business Unit, it's not yet clear just how many of the more than 400 people working for Opower that includes. It could be everyone, but that's not certain. Opower has also been going through a bit of a hiring frenzy; what happens to the new employees or those who were about to join? And if everyone is staying on, will there be some who have to move to be closer to Oracle's headquarters out west?
What happens to the product line?
It looks like Opower's product line will remain intact for now, with additional connections to Oracle. The same products and services can be obtained from Opower and the same customer service and training system as well. But Oracle isn't clear if it will maintain Opower as a permanent subsidiary brand, or if it plans to eventually do away with the separate name.
What about the new office?
Opower had announced plans for a new, 63,000 square-foot office in Arlington, bigger than its current spot. The new office is being backed by $1 million each from the county and Commonwealth of Virginia, backed by Governor Terry McAuliffe. It's one of the first big projects for the new SVP of people Marcella Butler, who is working on cementing and improving the company's culture as it scaled. Presumably if the whole team is sticking around, they'll still need the space.
What about the dogs?
Opower is arguably one of the most dog-friendly office spaces around, something that Butler wants to maintain in the new office, but will Opower still be a canine haven under Oracle?
