Acquired Season 2, Episode 10: The Rover-DogVacay Merger (with Rover CEO Aaron Easterly)
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Jun 18, 2018 
Aaron Easterly, CEO of Rover.com, shares his journey in building a billion-dollar pet care marketplace. He discusses the exciting merger with DogVacay, detailing strategic challenges and the evolution of consumer behavior in the pet industry. The podcast highlights pivotal moments in Rover's growth, from skeptical investors to data-driven strategies. Easterly also reflects on the cultural shifts in pet ownership and the importance of adapting business models in a competitive market. A mix of heartfelt stories and tech insights make this conversation truly engaging.
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Rover's Startup Weekend Origin
- The idea for Rover originated at a Seattle Startup Weekend as "Airbnb for dogs" and immediately won the event. - Initial code was scrapped, but the founding team rebuilt the platform to start the real company.
Dogs Are Family Now
- Dogs transitioned from pets to beloved family members, drastically changing owner behavior. - Many owners avoided kennels, relying instead on friends or neighbors to watch their dogs.
Marketplace Success Requires Data Focus
- Rover viewed marketplace success as hinging on backend data and marketplace mechanics rather than pure scale. - Changing fundamental consumer behavior requires long-term effort; rapid growth is limited by behavior changes.