Digital Tech Firm Smartzer Invests In Belfast

A London-based digital technology firm is to invest in Northern Ireland for the first time with a 16-strong digital team.

Smartzer, a firm that develops video-tagging technology to create an interactive online shopping experience, will establish a Belfast operation to develop and launch a new Software as a Service (SaaS) product.

This will create 16 new roles over the next two years, including software developers, designers, and staff in quality assurance and software engineering.

The company works internationally in GB, France, US, Canada, Germany and Italy with world-renowned lifestyle brands such as Swarovski, Harvey Nichols, Marks & Spencer, LVMH, Jo Malone and Estee Lauder.

Northern Ireland's prestigious talent pool was among the reasons for the investment, according to Smartzer founder and CEO Karoline Gross.

She said: "Our new office in Belfast will play a key role in contributing to the company’s success. The high standard of talent within the Northern Ireland ICT sector, along with the quality of students graduating from NI universities attracted us to establishing a Smartzer presence here.

"The new team in Belfast will see us double our overall workforce and increase our product offering. This will allow us to continue to offer our customers innovative, forward-thinking technology solutions and add value to consumers’ digital shopping experience."

The company's product allows consumers to click on items within videos to view and purchase products, while data analytics allow brands to gain insight into consumer engagement. Created in Belfast, the new bespoke SaaS technology will allow a brand's content to integrate seamlessly across social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

Invest NI offered £80,000 towards the creation of the new jobs, which will have an average salary of £33,500.

Derek Andrews, Head of International Investment at Invest NI, said: "The Northern Ireland talent pool is one of our strongest assets and is what draws many investors here. We are pleased to welcome Smartzer to Belfast and create roles within the sector, working on innovative product development.

"Our support will enable the company to generate further business and build on its renowned client base. This investment will add £535,000 in annual salaries to the NI economy."



(JG/CM)