Leading Welsh tech firm seeks global domination
One of Wales’ leading technology firms, Veeqo, is creating nearly 170 new jobs over the next three years as its looks to rapidly expand its global client base.
The Swansea-based software startup business has developed a single platfom for online retailers to quickly and efficiently ship orders via multiple channels, including the likes of Amazon and eBay.
And to support its growth plans, Veeqo has received £500,000 in finance from the Welsh Government to allow it to make a trio of industryleading hires.
It comes after the company secured £1.2m in crowdfunding last December, following £2.5m raised on the Seedrs platform and from New Look founder Tom Singh.
This funding has seen more than 20 new staff come on board in the past 12 months, with a total of 168 more jobs due to be created over the next three years – which will take its headcount to more than 220.
The latest additions include new head of HR Cerys Davies, who has relocated to Swansea after spending the previous 12 years in New York leading the North America HR department for internet giant Trustpilot as well as Medidata and Thunderhead.com.
Tom Weeks has been brought in as vice-president of global sales and will be a key player in helping the business to expand into a variety of markets, including the lucrative north American market, where Veeqo has plans to open an office in New York. Mr Weeks joins Veeqo after four years at tech heavyweight Ve Interactive, where he played a major role in establishing it as one of the first British tech companies to be valued at over $1bn.
Mark Robertson is the third highprofile Veeqo hire, as its new head of channel sales and strategic partnerships. He joins Veeqo from BCSG after helping them become one of only 13 firms to be listed on the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 three years in a row. During his time there, Mr Roberston built strategic partnerships with well-known brands like Google, Xero, GoDaddy and Microsoft.
Veeqo founder and chief executive Matt Warren said: “I’m really proud that we’ve secured this world-class tech industry talent to join Veeqo in Wales. Outside the main start-up areas like Silicon Valley and London, it is more challenging to find the right talent as we scale the company, but this proves it can be done and I am really excited about the future.
“I’m delighted about being able to bring Mark, Cerys and Tom to Veeqo. Their experience and abilities are a fantastic addition to our team and will no doubt help drive us forwards flying the flag for Welsh tech startups.”
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “We are pleased to support the expansion of Swansea-based Veeqo. This innovative creative digital company is at the forefront of the e-commerce revolution, and we are proud to see its continuous growth worldwide.”
Veeqo is aiming to achieve a valuation of £100m by 2020. The business, in which Mr Warren has a 51% stake, has a strategy of further incentivising employees through share ownership.
While not commenting on future plans, a possible option for the business over the next few years could be a flotation on London’s Alternative Investment Market – providing more finance to support its growth plans.
Veeqo operates on a fee model with its clients, which have e-commerce sales of at least £1m a year. Clients include folding bike manufacturer Brompton Bikes.
Veeqo – whose platform is integrated with every major shipping service in the world – also has offices in London, Berlin, Canada and Kurdistan. Most of the new recruits over the next three years will be based at its Swansea headquarters.