Three tech firms plan expansions in Fishers that could add 223 jobs

A gene therapy lab, a digital marketing firm and a Salesforce compliance contractor are planning expansions in Fishers that could create as many as 223 jobs in total over the next four years.

The city of Fishers announced Wednesday morning that Genezen Labs, U.Group and Highbridge intend to grow their operations in the city.

Founded in 2008, Genezen Labs produces a material that molecular biologists use to deliver genetic material to patient cells. The company currently is headquartered at the Launch Fishers startup co-working space.

It now has three full-time and two part-time employees and plans to add 36 employees by 2024.

CEO Bill Vincent announced Wednesday that the firm plans to invest $7.8 million to grow the company by opening a new research and development facility, clean room and offices in a still-to-be-determined space in Fishers’ Crosspoint Business Park. The move could happen by late summer.

“Gene and cell therapies have shown amazing potential in treating cancer and rare genetic disorders, but manufacturing capacity has proven to be a bottleneck in advancing these therapies to help patients,” Vincent said in written remarks. “Genezen’s expansion will not only help alleviate this challenge but will provide an anchor for developing other gene therapy and biotech companies in central Indiana.”

The Fishers City Council is scheduled to consider about $300,000 in real and personal property tax abatements for Genezen at its meeting on April 20.

Highbridge, another company based at Launch Fishers, is planning to grow its workforce from zero to 57 employees over the next four years.

Douglas Karr co-founded the consulting firm in January with other veteran Salesforce and ExactTarget leaders to develop, implement and deploy strategies that integrate a customer’s operations with Salesforce’s Marketing Cloud product.

The city of Fishers said it was not offering incentives related to Highbridge’s expansion.

Arlington, Virginia-based U.Group announced plans in late January to establish its first Midwestern office in the Indianapolis area.

In January, the technology and marketing services company expected to launch with 12 employees before growing that number to 100 by the end of the year. Ultimately, U.Group is planning to create up to 130 high-wage jobs in the area by 2022.

U.Group, which also has an office in Portland, Oregon, employs nearly 300 workers total.

The company is expected to work out of Launch Fishers (which is now closed due to the pandemic) before finding a bigger home. The Fishers Redevelopment Commission is expected to consider hiring incentives at a later date.

“U.Group continues to see strong demand for our services, so we have no plans to slow down our recruiting efforts. Bringing high-skilled jobs to the community is more important now than ever, and we’re excited to be an early partner in Fishers’ tech ecosystem,” CEO Lena Trudeau said in written comments.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered U.Group up to $3.65 million in performance-based tax credits. The incentives hinge on the company’s ability to meet hiring goals.

Genezen Labs and Highbridge also have been offered yet-to-be disclosed incentives from the IEDC.

News of those companies’ expansion plans come just one day after Indianapolis-based Knowledge Services announced it would be taking up residence in the former Marsh headquarters building located at 9800 Crosspoint Boulevard.

“Our administration will ensure we are doing what is necessary to protect our community during this pandemic, but we must also turn an eye to economic recovery and resiliency,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said in a written statement. “Our intent is to lead boldly and with clarity during our economic recovery. Today is a start in that direction.”