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The past five years have fundamentally reshaped how enterprise teams collaborate. From the rapid shift to remote work during the pandemic to enterprises navigating the complex landscape of hybrid work, managing workplace flexibility has become a permanent strategic priority.
I first met Dan Bladen, CEO and co-founder of Kadence, a few years ago at a Bay Area event hosted by Praxis. We were reintroduced earlier this year, and I was blown away by the progress Dan and his team had made since we had last spoken. I was also struck by how values-aligned we were, especially when it came to our approach to prioritizing and honoring relationships. Over numerous conversations, it became clear to me that Kadence was tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing businesses today — hybrid work — and that Dan and the team were uniquely positioned to usher in a new era of workplace engagement.
Here’s why High Alpha enthusiastically led Kadence’s $20 million Series A investment.
Hybrid Work Is Now the Default for Enterprises
The pandemic forced a rapid adoption of remote work, but what began out of necessity has become the new standard. By 2023, just 20% of remote-capable employees were back fully in the office — down dramatically from 60% in 2019. Today, hybrid work is not a luxury; it's the default way of doing business. In fact, 81% of employees now favor hybrid or fully remote models. Companies that embrace this flexibility are better positioned to attract and retain talent and win in the marketplace.
This shift creates a booming market opportunity. The global digital workplace market, focused on hybrid office management and remote collaboration solutions, is projected to grow from approximately $49 billion in 2024 to achieve a staggering 22.8% CAGR through 2030. This rapid expansion offers immense potential for Kadence to continue its market leadership.
The Emergence of Strategic Workplace Leadership
The rise of hybrid work has also created a powerful new buyer persona: the VP of Workplace. While previously an uncommon position, this role has quickly become pivotal within mid-market and enterprise organizations globally. According to JLL, dedicated workplace experience roles grew from 25% in 2023 to 33% in 2024, with no sign of slowing down.
Today's Head of Workplace isn't just managing facilities — they're transforming workplaces into strategic assets that drive collaboration, enhance employee experiences, and optimize real estate investments. Kadence directly addresses their critical needs by offering comprehensive tools to manage hybrid policies, optimize workspace utilization, and facilitate real estate strategy transformation.
Backing an Extraordinary, Resilient Founder
At the heart of Kadence is Dan Bladen, a remarkable entrepreneur whose journey I've had the opportunity to observe over the past few years.
From his early days leading technology initiatives at a London church to founding Chargifi (the precursor to Kadence), Dan has consistently demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an exceptional ability to anticipate market shifts.
Dan's entrepreneurial journey has not been linear — he has navigated significant pivots with grace, humility, and growth at each step.
His unique perspective, combined with a relentless focus on product innovation and customer success, positions him perfectly to lead Kadence through this exciting phase of growth.
Dan’s dedication to building strong relationships and genuine partnerships is reflected in the exceptional team he has assembled. With deep product expertise, robust enterprise sales capabilities, and experienced advisors and advocates, Kadence is primed for success.
Looking Ahead
We firmly believe Kadence is positioned to define and lead the hybrid workplace category. Their remarkable market traction, deep alignment with evolving enterprise needs, and exceptional leadership team align perfectly with High Alpha’s talent and workplace thesis.
I'm incredibly excited to continue supporting Dan and the entire Kadence team as they empower organizations worldwide to unlock the true potential of their people and spaces.
