What happened: Seattle-based software firm opens new Victoria offices
Why it matters: American tech firms have been boosting expansion into B.C. throughout the year
Add NetMotion Software Inc. to the ever-growing list of American tech firms opening offices in B.C.
The Seattle-based firm announced October 24 that it’s expanding its presence in Victoria with the unveiling of a new office.
The move comes after opening its first office in the capital city in 2018.
NetMotion is known for developing software to make working remotely more efficient.
Local clients include the Victoria and Saanich police departments, Fortis BC and the B.C. Ambulance Service.
The Victoria office’s headcount sits at 12 employees but the company said the new space would allow it to double the number of workers in the coming months.
While NetMotion has an office in Toronto, the new Victoria office represents its largest international presence.
“Canada offers a lot of growth potential for NetMotion, both in established markets such as law enforcement, as well as in fields such as logistics, hospitality, manufacturing and more, where we’re seeing a rapid shift to mobile-first technology adoption,” Gregg Fleet, NetMotion’s country manager for Canada, said in a statement.
NetMotion is just the latest among the slew of American tech companies setting up shop in B.C., where pay is generally lower and immigration policies are more progressive compared with its southern neighbour.
Last month American tech firm Grammarly Inc. announced it was opening an office in downtown Vancouver.
Consumer electronics company Tile, Inc. revealed plans in May to hire 20 workers in Vancouver within two years.
The same week Tile announced its expansion plans, Seattle-based technology consulting firm Slalom LLC said it was also expanding to the city and hiring tech workers.
Seattle- and Palo Alto-based DataCloud International, Inc. — a mining tech and analytics company — and San Francisco software firm Tigera Inc. also both announced this year they were opening offices in Vancouver.
