An American company that specialises in helping other businesses engage with their customers and stakeholders digitally is to establish its European operations centre in Derry and create 100 jobs.
Metaverse Mod Squad provides services to major corporations, government and not-for-profit organisations to engage with people on a personal level across mobile, ecommerce, in game, applications and other social medial channels.
Amy Ryan Pritchard, founder and CEO of Metaverse Mod Squad, said the company believed Derry was the best location for its new European investment project.
The company currently has clients in more than 50 countries and has the ability to work in more than 50 languages and dialects.
Ms Ryan Pritchard said: “While we have been successfully operating in Europe with our distributed network of Mods since 2008, our clients and prospects want us to have an even larger and more involved presence; Derry is the first and essential step in this plan.
“With a talented and skilled workforce, a vibrant tech community and a supportive business environment, Derry is the right choice for Metaverse.”
The North’s Enterprise Minister has welcomed the latest investment boost for the city.
Jonathan Bell said the American investor will create employment opportunities for a wide range of people.
“Metaverse Mod Squad joins an emerging technology and innovation cluster of companies which have chosen to set up in the region which is 6th highest in the UK for FDI jobs per head of population.
“Invest Northern Ireland has offered the company support of £250,000, to help with initial business priorities, including creating new jobs. This support, along with the quality pool of talent available here, helped Northern Ireland secure these new jobs against competition from the Republic of Ireland,” the Minister added.
Meanwhile the mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Elisha McCallion said the investment showed “a growing confidence” in what the city could offer new investors.
“This much need investment will not only bring employment but it demonstrates the company’s confidence in the city and region as a competitive and innovative place to do business,” she said.
