A London tech start-up has created 16 jobs at its new operations centre in Belfast.
Plate-up is a recipe and online grocery shopping app which provides users with an all-in-one meal planning and online shopping experience. It was co-founded by Bangor, County Down, native Conor Boyle who said he was attracted back to these shores by the level of talent on hand.
“We are delighted to announce that we are establishing our new Operations Centre in Northern Ireland,” he said. “I am originally from Northern Ireland and know first-hand the quality of talent available here.
Invest NI, which has come in for widespread criticism following the release of an independent review, helped bring Plate-up to Northern Ireland, offering support for the new jobs.
“With Invest NI’s support, this is now a reality and we can begin to increase our capabilities, expand our operations and achieve our goals to grow on a global basis,” Mr Boyle said.
Invest NI said the company had considered a number of locations as potential bases for the operations centre. It will focus on bringing future technical development of the Plate-up app in house, as well as building out its sales, marketing and finance functions.
The roles will be based around hybrid working and will add £619,000 a year to the local economy in salaries.
Alan Wilson, Head of International Investment, Invest NI, welcomed the new investor.
“Northern Ireland has a strong tech sector, and it is great to see our reputation encouraging new companies like Plate-Up to invest here for the first time,” he said. “I’m particularly delighted that this project is being brought to Northern Ireland by a member of our vibrant diaspora community.
“This investment will place the company in a prime location to focus initially on growth within the UK, before expanding into new export markets in the US and Australia.
