Why Tech Firm Mercari Wants To Be In Portland
Mercari, an expanding Japanese tech firm looking for the right place to expand from its US HQ in San Francisco, has settled on Portland. The company recently inked a sublease for 20k SF at 110 SW Yamhill St, which is part of the 2&Taylor development.
“Mercari’s selection of Portland for its growth plans proves that our region remains a choice market for Japanese investment,” says Greater Portland Inc CEO Janet LaBar. The company is subleasing from Jama Software, which occupies about 35k SF in the building. The office opened with 25 customer service employees and plans to hire 100 more people in the next few months.
The company launched its app in Japan in 2013, quickly becoming the country’s largest mobile marketplace. Since launching in the US in 2014, Mercari has been downloaded more than 20 million times in this country alone and over 55 million times worldwide. Its fast-growing customer base led to the decision to expand to Portland.
“With the new Portland office, Mercari will be able to provide support to its customers and solidify its place as the biggest peer-to-peer shopping app in the US,” says Mercari co-founder and US CEO Ryo Ishizuka. The company’s recruitment was supported by Greater Portland Inc, Business Oregon, Portland Development Commission, Portland General Electric, Technology Association of Oregon and Worksystems.
Mercari VP finance and operations Robin Clark, along with E Smith Realty Partners managing director Jeff Pappas in Dallas, assisted in the site selection and lease negotiations.
