Software developer Wovenware expands, creates 40 jobs
From left: Christian González, CEO and co-founder of Wovenware; Jaime Yordán, business development director in the area of telecom and information technology for PRIDCO; Carlos Meléndez, COO and co-founder of Wovenware; and Antonio Medina, executive director of PRIDCO.
Wovenware, a local software development company, will invest some $250,000 to expand its local operations and create 40 new jobs over the next two years, executives announced Monday, flanked by high-ranking Puerto Rico government officials.
This investment covers new office space and supporting infrastructure, including new technologies and equipment for its headquarters in Santurce, an area were technology innovation and real estate development are rapidly growing.
The new jobs will push Wovenware’s payroll to $1.6 million a year, Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla said during a morning news conference.
“This is the entrepreneurial spirit that we want. Really edgy. In fact, during the last two years Wovenware has been included in the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in the United States,” he said.
“Puerto Rico is undergoing the biggest transformation of its recent history and we have entrepreneurs to achieve it. You have our support and your achievements fill us with pride,” the governor said.
When it began operations 11 years ago, Wovenware mostly consisted of four engineers dedicated to consulting. At present, Wovenware’s 25-person staff provides near-shore software product development and project management to clients in the Caribbean, North America, and Europe.
The proposed expansion includes a move into new office space to accommodate the company’s growing team of engineers, marketing staff, and management executives. Construction already started and the company is planning to move by the first quarter of this year.
“Wovenware was founded in San Juan in February 2003. We started giving programming and consultancy services to the telecommunications industry, including Verizon Wireless, which today is Claro,” said Carlos Meléndez, COO and co-founder of Wovenware.
“Thanks to the continued support from customers like Claro, who continue trusting us today, Wovenware has expanded to other industries such as health insurance, banking, food distribution, and government. Today we have more than 35 customers in the U.S. [mainland], Canada, the United Kingdom, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico,” he added.
The Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company is promoting this expansion with infrastructure and job incentives that will allow the company to grow its export capabilities.
“Along with aerospace, technology is one of the key emerging segments that PRIDCO is promoting in order to diversify our economy. We firmly believe that Puerto Rico has the necessary capabilities and human capital to make this industry a leading economic driver,” said Antonio Medina-Comas, executive director of PRIDCO.
Wovenware is a software development and engineering firm that began operations in 2003, focusing in IT software development consulting. As providers of software solutions and remote software development teams, Wovenware exports its expertise and services to customers around the world.
“We are pleased with the help and support provided by PRIDCO to expand our business,” said Wovenware CEO Christian González. “With this investment, we will grow our stellar team, enabling us to deliver innovative solutions to an even greater number of customers in the Caribbean and around the world. We look forward to celebrating success with PRIDCO, our customers, and our team in the months to come.”
