Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection and hybrid cloud solutions, will invest $20 million over the next three years to expand its R&D operations hub in Scottsdale, Arizona.

According to company officials, its Scottsdale expansion is part of Acronis’ initiative to establish a global network of R&D centers. The Scottsdale R&D facility will join Acronis’ R&D centers in Singapore, Bulgaria, and Switzerland, creating a globally-distributed network of engineering facilities sustaining the development of cyber protection, artificial intelligence, and blockchain-based technologies 24 hours a day. The R&D centers will take advantage of the follow-the-sun engineering workflow, where the work conducted in one center is handed over to another in a different time zone at the start of its working day.

Acronis opened its first office in Scottsdale in October 2017 and declared an initial investment of 10 million later that year. Acronis plans to increase that investment to 20 million over the next three years and grow the team by more than 100 people in various marketing, support, business development, R&D and sales positions, company officials said.

John Zanni, President of Acronis and President of Acronis Foundation, and Ivan Lukovnikov, Acronis Vice President of Cloud and Big Data will relocate to Scottsdale at the end of the year to oversee the expansion.

“Acronis thanks Governor Ducey, the Arizona Commerce Authority and Mayor Lane and City of Scottsdale for helping to make your community such an attractive and welcome home for its U.S.-based IT R&D operations. Scottsdale and the surrounding area have the potential to become the next Silicon Valley. Mindful of that potential, we want to be here because we have the support and availability of local talent to accelerate our global growth plans. Our first year since we opened our office in Scottsdale has been very positive and we are committed to creating more high-paying, high-skilled jobs and supporting the local community,” said Zanni.

“Arizona continues to prove that it’s the place to be for companies advancing the technologies that will shape our future,” said Governor Ducey. “This announcement by cybersecurity industry leader Acronis clearly demonstrates that Arizona provides the talent, business environment and culture of innovation that modern businesses require. Thanks to Acronis President John Zanni and his entire team for this investment in our state.”

“We’re thrilled that Acronis has decided to significantly increase its investment in Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “This operation will further strengthen Arizona’s reputation as a leader in cyber protection and emerging technologies while creating new high-value jobs for our citizens. We thank Governor Ducey for his leadership and thank Acronis for their commitment to Arizona.”