A WEST Belfast sports technology company, which works with clubs across the UK and Ireland is set to open a new US base, creating an additional 20 local jobs.
Concept Apps, based at the Innovation Factory on the Springfield Road, has developed Team Fee Pay - a web based application that makes it easier and more efficient for sports clubs to collect payments from members.
The growing business now has over 100 clubs on its books with 16,000 users, with local success stories including Glenavon FC and Carnmoney Ladies FC, who have achieved 100 per cent payment collection, providing a budget boost for new equipment for the season.
Currently employing four people, Concept Apps was identified as a business that would reach a multi-million dollar valuation in the US during the Mass Challenge star-up accelerator event in Boston during the summer. At the event the company created many links, distribution channels and is now set for stateside expansion early next year.
Darren McArdle, operations director for Team Fee Pay, said the new US base will create 20 jobs in Belfast once operational.
“All of our customer service and back end support will continue to be based in Belfast at the Innovation Factory," he said.
"The location really suits us and the flexibility to take on more space really works for us – we’ve already been able to expand into additional offices as the business has grown. We will need to offer round the clock support as we will be working in multiple time zones so that fact that Innovation Factory is open 24 hours a day with on-site parking and security is essential for us."
Majella Barkley, innovation director at the Innovation Factory added: “Concept Apps is exactly the type of forward looking company that this facility was set up to help develop. It is very exciting that they are attracting such interest in the United States which has a multi-billion dollar sports sector.”
Innovation Factory is owned by Belfast City Council and operated on their behalf by Oxford Innovation. The £9.1m business hub was funded by Belfast City Council and Invest NI with support from the European Regional Development Fund. Customers include a range of start-ups and growing businesses in a variety of sectors including digital services, creative industries, business services, financial services and research and development.
