A company new to the United States is taking sprout in Gainesville. Mindtree Limited, an Internet technology and software services provider, held its grand opening today at the Ayers Building at Innovation Square.
The company is based in India. Forty-seven employees have been hired and $1.6 million has been invested in the Gainesville location.
Co-founders Krishnakumar “KK” Natarajan and Scott Staples attended the grand opening. Natarajan talked about the larger strategy of localizing a global company.
“We really ingrain ourselves into the local economy,” Natarajan said. “…see what is relevant for the local economy and more than anything else, create local jobs.”
Staples cited the support of the university, the local and state levels, and most importantly, the people for why Gainesville was chosen. He also discussed possible plans for opening up three to four more U.S. locations in the future.
“We could not have found a better home for our first U.S. development center,” Staples said. “Gainesville will always be our crown jewel.”
Gov. Rick Scott also attended the grand opening. Scott talked about how proud he was of the University of Florida and President Machen for focusing on getting jobs for graduates.
“This is an example of what happens when you have so many students focus on these areas,” Scott said. “I hope to have more graduates in those areas, and I know there will be more jobs.”
Tara Parkins, a recent UF graduate, is looking forward to working at Mindtree. Perkins talked about the extensive training program that has helped prepare her for her new position.
“I was so nervous that I was not going to have an opportunity to work after graduation,” Parkins said. “To find something so soon, so fast with such a great company was just very relieving.”
Innovation Square works to attract companies to Gainesville that will provide jobs for UF graduates, while also fitting with the research goals of the university.
Mindtree plans to add 400 new jobs and $3 million in capital investment over the next five years.
Cassandra Vangellow wrote this story for online.
