Tech firm to build in Valley

Photo: Contributed

More high-tech jobs are coming to Kelowna.

Cradlepoint, a U.S. tech company based in Boise, Idaho, which calls itself the global leader in software-defined 4G LTE network solutions for enterprises, announced it is building its developer operations centre in Kelowna. The company will also be hiring a team of engineers.

The company expects to bring at least 15 jobs to the city.

Cradlepoint recently acquired Pertino, a privately held Silicon Valley company that pioneered the use of software-defined networking technology, a modern approach to networking.

Cradlepoint is staying close to the Kelowna roots that Pertino planted before its acquisition.

“Our history of building a world-class development organization in Kelowna has brought us back to town,” said Craig Elliott, senior vice-president of corporate development at Cradlepoint. He is also CEO and founder of Pertino.

“We’ve already hired five developers in Kelowna and are posting 10 additional jobs to be filled as soon as possible. We’re also evaluating office space and hope to make decisions soon about that expansion as well. Cradlepoint wants to invest in Kelowna.”

Additionally, Pertino’s founders previously launched Packeteer, a networking and communications company, which acquired Kelowna-based Workfire for approximately $100 million in 2000.

Packeteer built a research and development centre in Kelowna that employed 40 people until the sale of the company in 2008.

“We’re pleased to have Cradlepoint bringing more tech jobs to Kelowna. The investment continues to highlight Kelowna as the tech hub of British Columbia,” said Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran.