Smashing Boxes, a Durham, North Carolina-based tech firm, is opening a New Orleans location early next year.The move is estimated to create 85 jobs with an average annual salary of $75,000, plus benefits.
Smashing Boxes was founded in 2010 and specializes in creating products and services spanning web, mobile and connected devices for brands and startups. The company, which also has an office in Montreal, will invest $500,000 in its New Orleans location.
“I was struck by a like-mindedness with the local entrepreneurs and technologists,” said CEO Nick Jordan. “There’s a community-wide spirit of commitment that’s truly inspiring. Our ambition as a company is to shape the future of technology in New Orleans. We see a real opportunity to do just that – to help build a leading tech community.”
Louisiana Economic Development projects 86 new indirect jobs will be created as a result of Smashing Boxes’ move to the city.
The state began discussing an expansion of Smashing Boxes into New Orleans in May and was able to secure the project by offering an incentive package that includes services from the FastStart workforce development program. Smashing Boxes is also expected to use the state’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive.
For the past nine months, Greater New Orleans Inc. president and CEO Michael Hecht said that his group and the New Orleans Business Alliance worked directly with Smashing Boxes to secure the expansion into New Orleans.
Smashing Boxes was recently named of the Best Entrepreneurial Companies in the country by Entrepreneur Magazine.
