Expanding business to GTB from Poland is a Great Journey
Starting a business in one county and expanding it to another can be intimidating. For Softgent, moving to Greater Tampa Bay is a great journey.
CEO Marcin Hasse started Softgent five years ago in Gdansk, Poland. The company operates in the field of technologies related to the Internet of Things. It recently launched a Florida office to help people create advanced technological solutions.
“We have only six hours difference between Tampa and Gdansk,” he said. “We also see a lot of sales potential for our services locally in Florida, especially in the health care area.”
Softgent helps clients create advanced technological solutions enabling both the connection of new things to the internet and the digitization of the environment they operate in. It also helps customers optimize their business processes and improve workplace safety. Their projects have proven successful in the health care and industrial sectors.
Local Industry Help
GTB’s leading position in the state’s IT industry also gives Softgent local access to experts, partners and customers.
Once the decision was made to open a branch in Florida, Hasse enlisted some local help from the Pasco Economic Development Council. Its SMARTstart Small Business Program is an innovative suite of programs that provides the tools growing businesses need for long-term success. It offers classes, incubator space and other resources to help people start and improve their businesses.
Hasse said as a new business in a new country, they were looking for a place where they would not be alone, where they could network and exchange experiences with other entrepreneurs and develop their business.
Pasco EDC provided all of that for them. Currently, they have their office at Pasco EDC’s Grove location at Wesley Chapel and have regular meetings with SMARTstart Program Director Dan Mitchell.
Location, location, location
Hasse said that the many industry events in GTB as well as its close proximity to other large cities in Florida also help boost Softgent’s branding and publicity.
“We are still discovering the opportunities this location offers,” he said. “There is a lot going on here in the area of trade shows, exhibitions and technological networking.”
The ease of traveling within the community and throughout the country is also an asset for Hasse and the company as they do business as well as the enjoyment from the year-round Florida sunshine.
Hasse said the relocation has slowed down because of some large international projects, but it is now back on track and moving forward.
“We are in advanced discussions with customers and with partners, including Florida,” he said.
He is also working on attaining residential permits and everything else involved with moving to a new country and having children start at new schools.
Once all that is completed, he said he plans to live permanently in Florida for two to three years to build company structure, operations and develop the business.
By Celia Goodyear.
