An Unconventional Tech Startup Location
Mark Moore, a former Uber executive, made an unexpected decision when he founded Whisper Aero, an aerospace technology startup. He chose to base the company in Cumberland County, Tennessee, a retirement destination with one of the oldest labor forces in the U.S.
During the pandemic, Moore brought his early employees together, having them live at a former lakeside resort he purchased for $1.1 million. “We were sequestered kind of out in the boonies,” Moore said with affection. The property, located near the airport, became the initial hub for Whisper Aero.
Moore’s background includes running engineering at Uber Elevate, a division focused on developing flying taxis. His experience traveling for Uber Elevate led him to discover the Tennessee property. “I saw this resort on a gorgeous lake right by the airport that was in foreclosure, and I’m like, ‘Man, that would be a really cool place to start the company,'” Moore explained.
Challenges of Small-Town Living
As the company grew, it outgrew the resort and moved to downtown Crossville, the county’s largest town. However, Moore faced challenges in convincing employees to stay in Cumberland County. “Small town living is not for everyone,” he acknowledged. The dating life in Crossville was particularly challenging for the company’s young, highly educated engineers.
To address recruitment difficulties, Whisper Aero opened a satellite office in Nashville, about an hour and a half away from Crossville. This allowed employees to choose their preferred lifestyle. “It really works well to give employees the maximum choice of what their lifestyle is,” Moore said.
The story of Whisper Aero highlights the opportunities and challenges created by an aging workforce, a theme explored in “Marketplace’s” series “The Age of Work.” Cumberland County’s demographic, with about 1 in 3 residents aged 65 or older, presents a unique backdrop for a tech startup.
For more insights, listen to the full conversation between “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal and Mark Moore, featuring a tour of Whisper Aero’s Crossville facility.
