Logan Soya has a lot of energy for someone who built a company around the idea of energy conservation. Aquicore provides a mix of energy data measuring hardware and analytics and management software for more than 500 hundred companies with a growing waiting list. The company has garnered close to $10 million in funding, including a $5 million investment just last month.
How do you keep yourself from falling prey to common assumptions and stay creative and original?
Those are some of the most important struggles any leader has to deal with. I try to build a culture of continuous improvement, where it's unacceptable to be satisfied with business as usual. I try to look at the root cause, and make room for discussion among everyone. We do a lot of off-site events, [sort of the] millennial form of water cooler talk that encourages [creativity].
"I try to build a culture of continuous improvement, where it's unacceptable to be satisfied with business as usual."
Where do you find inspiration that's special to you?
I get out of my own mind through athleticism. I was a collegiate rower and make sure I get out on the water. When I'm getting out of the water is when my is mind is most clear. It's really important to me personally. I also think traveling, forced exposure to new environments is important, not just business events and flying back but thinking beyond.
What job have you had that has had the greatest impact on your career?
Aquicore is really an amalgamation of all my jobs. I've also been a coach for rowing students and I draw on those experiences for leadership too.
How will your industry change the most in the next five years?
There's going to be more energy management companies. There will be multiple vendors instead of just a few. I think you'll get best of breed winners spread out. As a result you'll see a much higher quality of service and more collaboration rather than needing to buy a sort of half-baked solution that is overgrown and sort of enterprise-feeling that does a quarter of what you want it to do. I think you'll see the [Internet of Things] more integrated in the heart of cities, which will create stronger cities as a result.
How is Washington D.C. unique when it comes to innovation?
The passion and commitment of people in D.C. really wanting to solve hard problems stands out. There's an amazing talent pool of people who are young, passionate and intelligent. They're the best thing D.C. has to offer as a burgeoning tech community, no question about it.
What’s something that you do every single day, no matter what you have going on?
Rowing for sure. It's the most engaging team sport around. You really have to be thinking at same wavelength as your team to succeed. It inspires how I want my team to be.
Who in D.C. do you admire?
Tim McLaughlin (co-founder and current chairman of digital agency Siteworx and co-founder of Caboose Brewing Company). I've really admired him for a long time. Having him on the team [as an official advisor] is important to me.
What would you change about D.C. or D.C. Tech if you could snap your fingers and make it happen?
We're still lacking angel groups [for funding]. We need them to foster true innovation. That's the reason why I have to fly out to Silicon Valley, there's not a strong enough sense of funding, especially pre-revenue. Investors who work at investment banks or used to be consultants always ask about revenue before it makes sense to ask those questions. [With a better angel network], startups could focus on core business values instead of their pitch deck.
What does it mean to be 'on fire?'
It means we're killing it. We're doing what we set out to achieve. It makes me really grateful for my team.
