Award-winning creative technology company Pufferfish is set to create new jobs and expand its Edinburgh team two-fold as it prepares to increase its global footprint and conquer new markets in North America and the Far East.
The digital display specialist, whose patented PufferSpheres have been commissioned by the likes of NASA, the BBC and even Coldplay, has drafted in recruitment firm Talented – part of the Edgar Stewart family – in the hunt for top talent.
It has signed a deal between the Edinburgh-based SME and start-up recruitment specialist to fill several exciting new roles, which include two software developers, a creative producer, commercial project manager, new product designer, and motion graphics artist, to double its workforce.
The move follows closure of the firm’s latest funding round, in which it has netted new investment worth around £600,000 from the Scottish Investment Bank (the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise), Par Equity and Ottawa Alternative Energies in Canada.
Pufferfish will use the cash boost to facilitate its aggressive expansion and restructuring of the company as it builds its network in Canada and throughout the USA and the Far East.
The company, whose global client base has continued to grow since it started trading in 2007, is rapidly-expanding and has already delivered more than 140 jobs across 23 different countries in the last seven years, having worked with some of the world’s most prestigious brands, such as Sony, Audi, IBM, Budweiser, and Eurovision.
It has made five new appointments across its Edinburgh office since September 2015.
Already a global market leader, the company, whose PufferSpheres have become the native platform for geographical data, is keen to diversify and develop new products to meet the challenges of a constantly-changing data landscape.
Technical Director Will Cavendish, who co-founded the company in 2004, said: “A global footprint is important in our survival and being able to supply these clients from a small Edinburgh base is no mean feat.
“There are only around 50 people working in the sector worldwide, however, so there’s certainly room to grow.
“We look forward to working with Talented to expand our Edinburgh team and to setting up a series of satellite offices eventually.
“It’s all about having feet on the ground. We need to have the right people in place so we can focus on developing the business.
“The industry is booming and it’s a challenging and exciting marketplace.”
Talented launched in 2005 – becoming the latest beneficiary of Edgar Stewart’s £150k fund to support Scottish start-ups – and is based at the firm’s business incubator and start-up hub in Stockbridge.
Director Craig Jackson, who will be leading the recruitment drive for Pufferfish, said: “This is a substantial deal and substantial expansion for an Edinburgh SME.
“We can’t help but be inspired by Pufferfish’s ambition and look forward to supporting them in their quest for new talent.
“We are committed to helping them attract the best candidates to free up Will to focus on getting a foothold in North America.”
Pufferfish is looking to attract the top creative talent to help grow its operations and has an excellent track record of helping people develop their CVs to support the entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow.
Since many of its product ideas were a result of experimental ‘play’, the company encourages its team to work hard and play hard.
Hard-working individuals are remunerated well, enjoy a fresh and dynamic working environment, a relaxed policy of core working hours to fit in around other daily commitments, and the opportunity to travel and attend industry-specific events and conferences.