BuzzFeed is opening an engineering office in Minneapolis through the acquisition of Hyper IQ, a local technology firm that started just four months ago.
BuzzFeed, an entertainment and social news company based in New York, had been one the first clients for Hyper IQ, which makes software applications for mobile phones and tablets.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. By acquiring the small Minnesota company, BuzzFeed brings all of its app development in-house. The Minneapolis office will take a lead role in the company's technical evolution and expects to grow from its current seven employees to around 30.
"We found out in short order that BuzzFeed tends to grow faster than anticipated," said Phil Wilson, co-founder and president of Hyper IQ.
BuzzFeed's website is known for clever "listicles" and viral posts and photos and claims that its website attracts 150 million monthly visits.
BuzzFeed will recruit engineers in the Twin Cities to develop programs for all of Buzzfeed's technical systems beyond just iOS and Android mobile apps. "We're excited for the team from Hyper IQ to join us to help scale our aggressive mobile development plans in news, video and more in 2015," said Ryan Johnson, BuzzFeed's VP of mobile, in a statement.
Hyper IQ formed in August through a partnership with Graham Wood's former company, Wood Apps. Wilson, Wood and IQ's lead developer, Josh Walker, are the company's three owners.
All employees will transfer to BuzzFeed, with Wilson as general manager of the Minneapolis office.
