Californian tech firm to launch in Manchester

EON Reality, a California-based 3D technology specialist, has been unveiled as the company that plans to bring 240 jobs to east Manchester.

EON has taken a 10-year lease with Manchester City Council on 10,000 sq ft at One Central Park next to the Sharp Project media centre.

It wants to create its European headquarters at the site and set up an “entrepreneurial coding school” which will aim to train 500 students over five years in 3D technology skills. The move was announced last month but the identity of the company was kept secret.

The building is seen as a Sharp Project extension and will also house start-ups and Sharp tenants keen to expand.

EON, which develops 3D software for industry and education, has pledged to take on the staff over the next three years as it develops an interactive research and development centre.

Co-founder Dan Lejerskar, pictured, said the firm had chosen Manchester due to its creativity, internet connectivity and heritage.

He said: “Manchester is the original technology city – they invented the computer and have been improving it ever since, designing, programming, creating content and sharing ideas. Manchester is the home of the UK’s international Internet Exchange and the North West has the second largest creative cluster not only in the UK but in the whole of Europe.

“No other city in Europe has invested as much in its digital media and content operations – with billions being spent on creating a global hub for creative industries – just like EON Reality’s European Centre. Manchester is perfectly placed to be the UK’s digital city and a prominent player in the technology sector in Europe so it makes total sense to be located here.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is great for Manchester. Not only will EON Reality’s new base create 240 new jobs but it will offer training for thousands of young people in the increasingly marketable skill of computer coding. 

“This is yet another example of the public and private sector working together to drive forward our ambition of Manchester becoming a global digital city by 2020.”