Dodds announces investment by US tech-enabled commercial real estate company SquareFoot

Date published: 09 March 2020

Economy Minister Diane Dodds joined New York-based commercial real estate company, SquareFoot, to announce the setting up of its new software development centre in Belfast.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds is pictured in New York with Invest NI CEO Kevin Holland and CEO of SquareFoot Jonathan Wasserstrum.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds is pictured in New York with Invest NI CEO Kevin Holland and CEO of SquareFoot Jonathan Wasserstrum.

The Minister met the company in New York at the start of a week-long visit to the USA. The visit programme includes meetings with potential investors in New York, as well as engagements with US politicians in Washington DC as part of the annual St Patrick’s programme.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds said:

“The USA is an important market for Northern Ireland, both for trade and investment. It generates 60 per cent of all foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs into Northern Ireland, and over £2billion of exports.

“It is therefore fitting to start my week-long visit to the US by announcing a new investor – SquareFoot. The company is creating 25 new jobs with a new software development team in Belfast which will develop new products and application features.”

The Minister added:

“The company is offering very attractive, high-end salaries which will see the new roles contribute over £1.6million in additional salaries to the local economy.

Kevin Holland, Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland, said: “Squarefoot’s primary market has been New York but it is now branching into other cities, with plans to expand into the 25 largest North American real estate markets. This announcement is a real testament to the quality and skills our workforce has to offer potential employers.

“Along with advising the company and showcasing everything that Northern Ireland has to offer as an investment location, we have also been able to secure the project for Northern Ireland with an offer of £100,000 towards the new roles. Attracting new investors is vital to the growth of our economy and we are delighted to welcome SquareFoot to Belfast.”

SquareFoot works with companies to help them find suitable office space, from initial search right through to lease negotiation. The company provides a technology-based solution ‘TourBook’ which schedules property visits, records photos and notes, and guides a property searcher through the whole process.

Jonathan Wasserstrum, founder and CEO of SquareFoot, said: “We are growing our team now to match the expansion of the services we offer to our clients. Last year, we launched FLEX by SquareFoot, which allows our clients to move into office space without committing to long-term leases. Lease flexibility is the future of commercial real estate, and our team in Belfast will guide us on building the technology to keep delivering on our vision.”

Mr Wasserstrum continued: “This new operation is central to our growth, and Invest NI’s support has helped us get the new team in Belfast up and running quickly. As a result, we will be able to scale our product and technology developments at a faster rate.”

 

Notes to editors: 

  1. Photograph caption: Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced New York-based commercial real estate company, SquareFoot, is to set up a new software development centre in Belfast with the creation of 25 new jobs. Economy Minister Diane Dodds is pictured in New York with Invest NI CEO Kevin Holland and CEO of SquareFoot Jonathan Wasserstrum.
  2. Eight of the 25 jobs are already in place. The company plans to have recruited all jobs by 2021.
  3. In the last five years Invest NI has offered support to 102 US-owned businesses securing £526m investment into the Northern Ireland economy and nearly 4,000 new jobs
  4. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office on 028 9052 9604 or email: pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.
  5. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_ni

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