Avanade, the leading Microsoft solutions provider, will launch the company’s first U.S. Engineering Hub in Tampa, Florida. The company plans to hire 500 employees over the next three years.

The location is the first Avanade Hub of its kind in the United States and comes on the heels of the company opening its first hub in Atlantic Canada earlier in March 2022. To date, Avanade has successfully launched seven Engineering Hubs globally, with more locations expected to be announced throughout 2022 and beyond.

“As our clients seek solutions for adapting to the accelerated pace of change in a new, hybrid world, it’s imperative we continue to enhance our team with the best and brightest, forward-thinking talent,” said Shawn D. Simmons, Executive, Vice President of North America Engineering Hubs at Avanade. “Watching Tampa emerge as one of the nation’s hottest tech cities, we felt it made sense for us to plant our flag here and become an active part of this burgeoning community.”

Avanade chose Tampa Bay after commissioning a comprehensive assessment study that ranked the market high in a variety of categories including availability of experienced and skilled talent; an employable graduate pool in IT and engineering; top educational institutes; government support and quality of life.

“Tampa is one of the top markets in the country when it comes to tech talent growth, and major tech employers like Avanade are taking notice,” said James Nozar, chair of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. “The addition of Avanade to our community is a major win and further bolsters our reputation as a rapidly growing tech hub.”