US software firm Qualtrics to recruit for new Irish positions

Utah-based start-up has its European headquarters in Dublin

Ryan Smith: founder of Qualtrics
Ryan Smith: founder of Qualtrics

US software firm Qualtrics is set to significantly expand its Irish operations, with the announcement of new jobs on the cards.

Although exact numbers have not been officially confirmed, it is understood that the number of roles to be created over the next 18 months is notable for the online survey software firm, growing its Irish staff significantly.

Further details are expected to be provided at an event to mark the official opening of its new offices in Dublin later today.

The company is said to be planning aggressive recruitment to fill the roles quickly.

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Founded by chief executive Ryan Smith and his father Scott in 2002, the Utah-based start-up has its European headquarters in Dublin.

The company provides a platform that allows businesses to collect data quickly and use it to test brand concepts, understand market feedback, and measure customer experience and satisfaction. It also manages employee feedback for companies.

Customers of the company include Fortune 100 companies and universities, with Kelloggs, HP, Cisco and Stanford University all using the service.

It has more than 7,000 clients in 75 countries, spanning sectors from retail to healthcare.

Qualtrics has been on a major expansion programme since it raised $150 million in venture capital funding last year.

At the time the company said it would use the funding to further develop its products and also expand overseas.

That included more jobs in Ireland, where the company employed 55 people as of September 2014.

Among its backers are Insight Venture Partners, who led the recent Series B funding round, and Silicon Valley investors Accel Partners and Sequoia Capital, who also took part in the previous $70 million fundraising round.

That put Qualtrics in the same sentence as Dropbox, Google and Whatsapp, some of the VC funds’ previous investments.

The Dublin office plays an important role for Qualtrics; it was the company’s first international office, opened in September 2013 with the goal of employing 150 people within three years.

The company has also located offices in Seattle and Sydney, Australia.

Its chief executive has been named on Forbes’ list of most promising CEOs under 35.

Smith turned down half a billion dollars to sell the company in 2011; it’s now valued at more than $1 billion.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist