ARC raises $60M growth round to manage frontline workers' devices

What's the deal? ARC, an enterprise device management platform for retailers and supply chain organisations, has raised $60 million in a growth equity round from Acadia Investment Partners. The investment brings its total raised to date to $100 million.

What does ARC do? It helps enterprises manage the technology powering their frontline workforce — the devices that keep workers productive. As part of the deal, Acadia's Harsh Agarwal and Peter Schmitt will join ARC's board of directors.

What's the problem? "Enterprises invest billions in devices designed to amplify worker output," says chief executive officer Douglas Baldasare. "But, when those devices aren't working, aren't charged, or aren't readily available, the investment is wasted and worker output goes down."

Why now? ARC frames device management as "a decades old operational problem hiding in plain sight," per Baldasare. As frontline operations grow more technology dependent, keeping those devices running becomes increasingly critical.

What's the endgame? ARC will use the cash to accelerate product development and scale operations, extending its platform to more frontline-intensive industries. Baldasare wants ARC to "become the technology platform that powers the frontline workforce."

The signal: Acadia is betting on a category-defining play. "ARC has the characteristics we look for," says founder and managing partner Harsh Agarwal, citing "a large and persistent problem, a differentiated solution, demonstrated customer value, and significant room to scale."

Image credit: Generated with Gemini