A total of £3.6m has been invested by Chargifi in a new technology and business development hub in Northern Ireland.
Chargifi, a provider of cloud-connected wireless charging technology, has announced a £3.6m investment in a new technology and business development hub in Belfast that will create 41 jobs.
The announcement comes as part of the company’s global expansion and will focus on the development of Chargifi’s core technology. The hub will specifically support product certification, quality assurance and collaboration with technology partners, as well as a team focused on developing go-to-market strategy.
Economic development agency Invest Northern Ireland will support the expansion with £328,000 in funding. According to the agency’s CEO, Alastair Hamilton, salaries for the new jobs will contribute over £1.8m to the local economy. He added that the region’s ICT sector will also benefit from the addition of valuable skills and opportunities.
“Chargifi’s decision to set up its technology and business development hub in Northern Ireland was influenced by the availability of high-quality talent, particularly software engineers, as well as the support offered by Invest NI,” Hamilton said.
“The company is a welcomed addition to Northern Ireland’s vibrant ICT sector, which has already attracted over 100 global technology companies.”
Charging systems
Chargifi’s technology, SmartSpot, connects wireless chargers to the cloud, allowing for monitoring, management and connection with other systems. It is aimed at venues such as workplaces, hotels and stadiums, and Chargifi’s customers to date include such global brands as Amazon, Pret A Manger and MGM Resorts.
Dan Bladen, CEO at Chargifi, said: “All of the leading smartphones now have wireless charging built in, and demand is ramping for this type of convenient power when away from home. Businesses are deploying Chargifi cloud-connected SmartSpots in venues and workplaces to enhance the user experience, boosting satisfaction and loyalty, all with the peace of mind that the cloud-managed service ensures it is always working.
“We anticipate that the market for wireless charging will grow significantly over the next couple of years. Chargifi has the vision and technology to help drive fast adoption in the market and we are gearing up to meet the ever-increasing demand. The new hub in Belfast is an important part of our growth story.”
