Although Minneapolis-based
KeyedIn Solutions is technically a startup, it probably won't be for long.
Fired up in late 2011, the company provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) and consulting for small to midsize businesses (SMBs), with specialization in areas like project management and enterprise resource planning. Clients can gain control over their resource capabilities, operational efficiency, business performance, and workflow processes, according to CEO Lauri Klaus.
Part of the reason that KeyedIn has been able to ramp up quickly is that it's in acquisition mode. The company took majority ownership in Datacom International in January, and also recently acquired a UK-based software publisher, Atlantic Global.
"Our strategy is to look for small technology companies with hot technology that can be deployed in an SaaS model," says Klaus. "We look for best-in-breed products and bring those into our portfolio."
Catering to the SMB market also distinguishes the company from potential competitors, she adds: "We believe the SMB market is underserved. That gives us many opportunities for really establishing ourselves in the marketplace."
The combination of acquisition and hiring has meant an employee surge: just a few months ago, only four people worked at KeyedIn, and now, there are 50 employees. Klaus notes that her goal was to have 100 by the end of the year, but she believes she'll reach that number within just a few more months.
"Recruiting isn't an issue for us," Klaus says. "Many people know that we're creating a good, solid company that's creating and deploying business applications in a new way. We're going to be very successful, and people want to be part of that."
Source: Lauri Klaus, CEO
Writer: Elizabeth Millard