A LONDON-based company which makes online videos interactive and shoppable, allowing brands to monetise video content on-site, is creating 16 jobs in Belfast as part of a tax-payer-backed investment.
Interactive technology company Smartzer says the posts - a mix of software developers, designers, and quality assurance and software engineers - will pay average salaries of £33,500.
Invest NI has offered £80,000 towards the creation of the jobs, and when they are all in place in two years, it will add £535,000 in annual salaries to the region's economy.
Smartzer develops digital video-tagging technology to create an interactive online shopping experience.
Consumers are able to click on items within a video to view and purchase products, while data analytics allow brands to gain insight into consumer engagement.
Smartzer works in Britain, France, US, Canada, Germany and Italy with world-renowned lifestyle brands such as Swarovski, Harvey Nichols, Marks & Spencer, LVMH, Jo Malone and Estee Lauder.
Its founder and chief executive Karoline Gross 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 local universities, attracted us to establishing a 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 Belfast team will focus on developing and launching the company’s new software as a service (SaaS) product. The new bespoke technology will allow a brand’s content to integrate seamlessly across social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.
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're 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.”
