Silicon Valley – meet Gainesville.
AI/software company Vobile has plans to open a research and development and operations center to the Innovation District, the Greater Gainesville Chamber recently announced.
Vobile, which specializes in digital content recognition and protection, is the world’s leading software-as-a-service platform in its industry. Working with companies like NBC, ViacomCBS, Google, Facebook and more, Vobile has carved out an impressive niche in its quest to “provide media companies and global brands the ability to control and maximize the value of their IP across the web.”
The new location boosts Gainesville’s value as well.
According to Staci Bertrand, vice president of economic development for the chamber, this new location “solidifies our AI Central Initiative to establish North Central Florida as a national and global hub for artificial intelligence.”
Job creation from this expansion is expected to be in the hundreds. Its proximity to UF offers potential for a talent pipeline. Its planned location within walking distance of UF’s engineering college clarifies this mission.
“Vobile’s decision to announce a new office in Gainesville’s Innovation District will be a win — not only for the company, but for our students, for the Gainesville community and the state,” said Joe Glover, UF provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Yangbin Wang is the CEO and founder of Vobile. A 1993 graduate of UF, he knows Gainesville’s potential. He is well aware of the university town’s possibilities and a big believer in the aptitude of its more than 75,000 college students.
“UF has made significant investments in artificial intelligence research and a commitment to students being AI-proficient before graduation,” Wang said.
Cammy R. Abernathy, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, shares this sentiment.
“There is little doubt that AI and machine learning is changing the way we conduct business today,” Abernathy said. “Today, with UF and our college fully committed to creating the most AI-enabled workforce in the world, we are delighted to welcome Vobile to Gainesville.”
With the addition of Vobile, Greater Gainesville has amassed a collection of cutting-edge technology companies. Software businesses such as InfoTech and SumTotal Systems currently call the area home, with the former being one of Gainesville largest employers.
Vobile may be the latest to recognize Gainesville’s promising opportunities in the tech field, but it certainly will not be the last.