Smashing Boxes, the digital product agency, will invest $500,000 to launch new operations in New Orleans, Louisiana. The company will create 85 new direct jobs.

Smashing Boxes specializes in the creation of innovative technology for brands and startups. The company’s strategists, designers and developers work in small collaborative teams to craft products and services spanning Web, mobile and connected devices.

“I was struck by a like-mindedness with the local entrepreneurs and technologists,” said Smashing Boxes CEO Nick Jordan. “There’s a community wide spirit of commitment that’s truly inspiring. Our ambition as a company is to shape the future of technology in New Orleans. We see a real opportunity to do just that – to help build a leading tech community.”

To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes the comprehensive solutions of LED FastStart - the nation’s No. 1 state workforce development program. In addition, the company is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive.

“This exciting software announcement comes as a result of direct work between GNO Inc., New Orleans Business Alliance, and the Smashing Boxes team over the past nine months,” said President/CEO Michael Hecht of Greater New Orleans Inc. “Smashing Boxes is an outstanding digital company that could have brought its 85 new jobs anywhere in the world, but they chose greater New Orleans because of our attractive digital media incentive, world-class culture and great overall business hospitality."

“As more and more knowledge-based companies like Smashing Boxes invest in the New Orleans economy, they validate our city as a place to build high-growth companies,” said President/CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr. of the New Orleans Business Alliance. “We’re very excited that the months of collaboration among our economic development partners have yielded a new committed addition to our business community. For more companies like Smashing Boxes, New Orleans represents the ideal intersection of quality of life and economic opportunity for digital media and software innovators.”