A LONDON-based digital signage software firm has chosen Belfast ahead of a number of other destinations as the European hub for its engineering teams.
The move by ScreenCloud will initially lead to 54 jobs in the city, where its new employees will be servicing blue-chip US clients such as Amazon, Uber, ExxonMobil and American Eagle.
But the software as a service (SaaS) company's founder and head Mark McDermott admitted: “I genuinely believe that number is merely the start.
“I see us also utilising the talent in Belfast and Northern Ireland across other aspects of the business such as customer support and our IT security function.
“This phase of job creation is 54, but we'll be happy to keep on adding.
"We won't be doing things too fast, because that's counter-productive.
“But there's a culture here, a uniqueness and a humour, which I spotted from my initial fact-finding trip to the city, and which we are keen to harness.”
ScreenCloud provides a software platform and apps to help customers such as businesses, schools and restaurants to easily display content on digital screens.
It is committed to supercharging the way companies display, interact with, and action on key news and information. In an era of crowded and 'always-on' communication, screens help companies simplify and broadcast their communications through a visually compelling, easy-to-use tool.
It opened in December 2018, operating from an office in Cromac Street, and at present has around 20 on its books.
But having gone public with its aspirations - and helped by £150,000 of support from Invest NI - ScreenCloud plans to ramp up its numbers to 54 reasonably quickly.
It is currently recruiting for roles in product development, engineering, customer support, marketing and sales.
Mr McDermott added: “Since our company was created in 2015, we've been able to successfully develop and commercialise our product for global markets.
“Innovation has been central to our success so far and the new Belfast hub will primarily focus on the development of our apps and ensure our continued growth.”
Invest NI chief executive Kevin Holland said: “We've worked closely with ScreenCloud to secure this investment by facilitating visits to Belfast to meet with investors, recruitment consultants and our two universities, as well as providing support towards the new jobs.
“The fact that the company has been able to get the team up and running quickly with nearly half the roles in place, reaffirms our position as Europe's leading FDI destination for new software development projects.
“These are professional roles with well-paid salaries, and when the jobs are all are in place, they'll contribute over £2 million a year in additional salaries.”
