In 2021, The Right Place engaged over 300 area leaders to develop a strategy that positions Greater Grand Rapids as a leading tech hub in the Midwest over the next decade. This report provides an update on the state of the technology sector across the region.
TECH REPORT 2023
INTRO
In 2021, The Right Place engaged over 300 area leaders to develop a strategy that positions Greater Grand Rapids as a leading tech hub in the Midwest over the next decade. This report provides an update on the state of the technology sector across the region.
GREATER GRAND RAPIDS TECH EMPLOYMENT
37,816 38,721
Tech employment data is based on methodology developed by CompTIA.
*Preliminary data as of 8/2023
tech jobs added since 2021
Tech Strategy Progress
GOAL: 20,000 Tech Jobs Over 10 Years
2,500
7,500
12,500
17,500
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
Source: Lightcast
01
TECH REPORT 2023
INTRO & TECH EMPLOYMENT
TECH JOB POSTINGS
Median advertised tech salary
Tech Job Postings 9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000
82% Increase between 2020 and 2022
0 1,000
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Source: Lightcast
Top Software Skills in Tech Job Postings 2023
SQL (Programming Language) JavaScript (Programming Language) Microsoft Azure C# (Programming Language) Microsoft Office Application Programming Interface (API) Java (Programming Language) Operating Systems Python (Programming Language) Microsoft Excel
Software Engineer, Software Developers and System Engineers comprise the most frequent postings
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Source: Lightcast
02
TECH REPORT 2023
TECH JOB POSTINGS
HIGH-TECH TALENT 7th 3rd 20% Emerging tech market in North America Emerging market for high-tech* job growth (2017-2022) High-tech wage growth (2017-2022)
Source: CBRE *High-tech talent refers to industries and occupations predominately in the computer science and digital fields.
All numbers represent high-tech employment in 2022. Percentages reflect growth in high tech employment over five years.
Tech Employment & Growth in Comparable Cities
Boise 12,670 (12%)
Grand Rapids 17,200 (28%)
Stamford 16,520 (24%)
Des Moines 18,970 (15%)
Louisville 19,000 (2%)
Colorado Springs 20,320 (20%)
Oklahoma City 22,590 (1%)
Huntsville 23,620 (14%)
Birmingham 15,820 (1%)
Tucson 16,970 (3%)
Source: CBRE
03
TECH REPORT 2023
HIGH-TECH TALENT
VENTURE CAPITAL
Greater Grand Rapids continues to realize relatively steady dealflow while the value of the venture capital investments has recovered following the lull of the pandemic.
Volume
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Muskegon Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
Source: Pitchbook
Value
$110M $100M $90M $80M $70M $60M $50M $40M $30M $20M $10M
$0
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Muskegon Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
Source: Pitchbook
04
TECH REPORT 2023
VENTURE CAPITAL
TECH STRATEGY PROGRESS
ECOSYSTEM
Seagull
Augusto Digital + DecentraCare
A cloud-based platform that pulls, processes, and shares technical data in an accessible manner through UX design and an interactive mapping environment. Seagull was created by SpinDance and Digital Industry Group.
These Greater Grand Rapids companies partnered to build a custom digital operations platform to manage clinician onboarding, scheduling, and create a referral network.
Flexco + Mindspring
Flexco, a manufacturer of material moving systems, leveraged MindSpring to create hands–free technology to improve warehouse operations.
6 DAYS | 30+ EVENTS | 6,000+ ATTENDEES Keynote Events Kickoff Event Feat. Malcolm Gladwell Start Garden Demo Day Confluence Festival Key Event Topics: Artificial Intelligence | Entrepreneurship | Tech Talent | Tech Business Trends
Grand Valley State University
TALENT
GVSU Historical Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM-focused Consortium
WMCAT
Cybersecurity Training Program First cohort graduated 11 students with employment; Second cohort will increase to 30 students in 2024
Ferris State University
Center for Virtual Learning opened in August 2023
Grand Rapids Community College
New Automation Lab 792 individuals upskilled
Named as Intel College for AI (1 of 15 in the nation) Faculty being trained by Intel
NSA Certified Cybersecurity Program
Source: The Right Place
05
TECH REPORT 2023
TECH STRATEGY PROGRESS
TECH STRATEGY PROGRESS
GROWTH
Payload CMS Y Combinator graduate chooses Greater Grand Rapids to open office
Gentex
TiiCKER
GGR-grown fin-tech company opens new headquarters
Advanced manufacturer expands software development division
Twisthink
FlockX
CampSpot
Digital consultancy opens new Grand Rapids headquarters
Social media and app developer opens headquarters in Grand Rapids
Digital marketplace and app developer expands in Grand Rapids
CertifID
AXIS
Prescott
Robotics and automation company expands in Grand Rapids
Cybersecurity firm secures $20M Series B round funding
Cybersecurity consultancy moves headquarters to Grand Rapids
06
TECH REPORT 2023
TECH STRATEGY PROGRESS
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