Minneapolis-based technology firm
MentorMate continues on its robust growth track, anticipating more hiring when it moves into new headquarters soon.
Started in 2001 by entrepreneur Bjorn Stasvik, the company was founded on a signature app, iQpakk, which allows users to create education and training courses on a mobile device. Later, it rolled out SpyderMate, a web-based SEO application for marketers.
Despite a challenging economic climate in the past few years, and slow early adoption of mobile tech, MentorMate found its footing and kept on growing. The company expanded internationally, opening offices in Bulgaria and Costa Rica, and Stasvik notes that MentorMate found even more traction when the iPhone debuted.
At the start of 2011, the company had 30 employees, but began this year with 115 employees. Stansvik aimed to increase that number to 200 by the end of 2012, and the move to larger offices should help meet that goal. The company will relocate within Uptown to 3036 Hennepin Ave., occupying space once held by advertising agency mono.
"Software is permeating society as a whole," says Stansvik. "We see demand only increasing, and we're in a great position to take advantage of that."
The company's success is only partially based on innovation, he adds. Also helpful is filling customer need, and excelling at web marketing. He says, "If you have happy clients, the rest can take care of itself. "
Source: Bjorn Stasvik, MentorMate
Writer: Elizabeth Millard