News

November 10

Firms pick W-B site

Innovation Center to be home to three new start-up tech businesses, which will bring facility to capacity.

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Andrew M. Seder on Facebook   |   @TLAndrewSeder on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE – Three start-up tech businesses are bringing jobs to the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre at 7 S. Main St. Though small now, supporters see the potential to grow and hire many more workers.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry identified the companies as: Appalachian Apps LLC, BlueView Northeast and eCoCarts.

“We are proud to have these new start-up companies take their first step towards success by enrolling in the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre,” said John L Augustine III, senior director.

They join existing tenants OPTiMO Information Technology and Pepperjam/eBay.

James Abrams, CEO of BlueView Northeast, said being in tight quarters with other start-ups is an ideal situation.

“With any new technology business, having a culture of collaboration and innovation is a vital ingredient to success. The Innovation Center provides an environment to create a dynamic culture,” Abrams said.

Augustine said the 10 jobs created by the three companies may seem trivial, but when you consider OPTiMO started with 10 and now has 40 and Pepperjam at one time saw its workforce surpass the 100 mark, the potential for growth is clear.

Appalachian Apps develops custom software for wireless devices. The company moved in with six employees and is looking to hire more. Company founder Michael Martinez said resumes are currently being accepted for iOS and Android programmers.

The company’s smartphone application “Rah Digga’s Straight Spittin” won first place and a $10,000 prize in an AT&T contest earlier this year.

BlueView Northeast is a digital marketing agency focused on helping companies find success in digital, social and mobile marketing in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. It will move in at the end of the month and currently has two employees.

eCoCarts, formed in Dallas, allows local businesses and individuals to place restaurant orders online and then provides delivery of the products using a fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles. La Tolteca, Ollie’s, Peking Chef and Dino’s Pizza already have signed up to participate in the program. The company moved in this week with four employees and plans to add to the payroll in the near future.

The latest tenants bring the incubator to capacity. To date, the incubator has hosted 14 new businesses that represent more than 100 new jobs.

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