Auckland CBD Should Become ‘Mini Silicon Valley’ – IT Expert

August 16, 2012

Auckland CBD Should Become ‘Mini Silicon Valley’ – IT Expert

An Auckland-based IT CEO is calling for technology companies to form a central hub to secure better infrastructure and boost collaboration to support the industry’s continued export growth.

The CEO of Optimizer, Manas Kumar, says bringing like-minded companies together geographically is a model which has already proved successful internationally with the establishment of California’s Silicon Valley.

Kumar says the IT industry in particular relies heavily on adopting the very latest innovations to stay competitive, and by grouping companies together there is a natural incentive for investment in infrastructure.

Ideally Kumar would like to see a ‘mini Silicon Valley’ established in Auckland’s CBD, where growing IT companies would be supported by those more established businesses around them.

“We believe a new central city location in the heart of Auckland would create a hub of technological creativity and advancement. A mini Silicon Valley where resources and ideas are shared for the betterment of all in the industry will support the development of international business opportunities,” he says.

Optimizer, which provides payment, security and cloud technology solutions for businesses, has already moved its premises into the central city to accommodate a rapid increase in staff numbers as well as seek the benefits of being closer to like-minded companies.

Optimizer has seen employee numbers rise from 8 to 40 in the past 12 months, with this number expected to grow to over 200 globally in the coming years, says Kumar.

The technology firm recently announced plans to explore the prospect of listing on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX).

On August 1, the company will move from the 4th floor of The Tasman Building to 49 Symonds Street, Level 12, where it will be known as The Optimizer Building.

For more information about Optimizer visit www.optimizerhq.com

About Optimizer
Optimizer is a fast growing technology company offering payment, security and cloud solutions to customers around the world. Head quartered in Auckland, Optimizer has offices in Philippines, Hong Kong, Canada and the United States.

ENDS

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