Wyoming may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of tech hubs in the United States. However, the state has quietly been building an impressive tech sector over the past decade. Several major tech giants have opened facilities in Wyoming, attracted by cheap real estate, tax incentives, and the state‘s natural beauty. At the same time, a number of promising startups have emerged, particularly in cities like Cheyenne and Casper.
In this article, we‘ll take a closer look at some of the largest and most influential tech companies in Wyoming. From longtime giants like Microsoft to up-and-coming startups, these companies are helping to shape the future of tech in the Cowboy State.
Tech Giants with a Presence in Wyoming
The tech titan Google has had operations in Wyoming since at least 2011, when Wyoming became the first state to move all government employees to Google‘s cloud-based productivity suite, now known as Google Workspace. While Google does not disclose revenue figures for its Wyoming facilities specifically, the company reported over $256 billion in global revenue in 2021.
Google‘s presence in Wyoming includes a massive data center in Cheyenne spanning nearly 600,000 square feet. The facility cost over $2 billion to construct and employs full-time data technicians, electricians, and other support staff. Google also has offices in Laramie and a network of high-speed fiber optic cables across the state.
Microsoft
Google‘s tech rival Microsoft has an even longer history in Wyoming, opening its first cloud infrastructure facility in the state back in 2012. In late 2021, Microsoft announced plans to build two new data centers in Cheyenne at a cost of $200 million.
Microsoft reported overall annual revenue of $198 billion for 2022. While not at Google‘s level, Microsoft still ranks among the largest tech companies with roots in Wyoming. The company also has offices and data centers in other Wyoming cities like Casper and Cheyenne.
IBM
IBM, a tech pioneer founded in 1911, is another global giant that has invested in operations in Wyoming. While IBM does not disclose revenue figures specifically for Wyoming, the company reported $59.5 billion in total revenue in 2021.
Some of IBM‘s initiatives in Wyoming include the IBM Food Trust, which utilizes blockchain technology to improve transparency and reduce waste in food supply chains. This benefits the many beef producers and agricultural companies in the state. IBM also has a presence through its financial services division in Cheyenne.
Oracle
Oracle, a multinational tech corporation specializing in database software and cloud engineering, is the second-largest software company in the world by revenue (after Microsoft). Oracle has offices in Cheyenne and Casper, Wyoming focused on product development and cloud computing services.
Oracle‘s 2021 revenue exceeded $40 billion globally. The company continues to expand its operations in Wyoming, underscoring the state‘s advantages for the tech industry.
Large Tech Companies Founded in Wyoming
In addition to established tech giants, a number of companies that were actually founded and launched in Wyoming have gone on to find success:
Language I/O
Language I/O provides real-time translation services to companies worldwide through a proprietary machine learning technology. It allows customer service teams to instantly communicate with customers in over 100 languages.
Founded in Cheyenne in 2011, Language I/O now serves over 500 enterprise clients in industries like e-commerce, travel, and telecommunications. It has received particular praise for its neural machine translation abilities.
BlackFog
BlackFog is an anti-data exfiltration (ADX) firm founded in Cheyenne in 2015. It develops technology to prevent ransomware attacks and protect sensitive customer data for businesses. BlackFog has raised nearly $2 million in funding.
Novea
Launched in Cheyenne in 2016, Novea is a fintech and software company aiming to disrupt financial services and e-commerce. Its platform eliminates retail commissions and instead returns funds to consumers and shareholders. Novea is continuing to build out its suite of mobile payment products.
Calmerry
Calmerry, founded in 2020 in Cody, Wyoming, seeks to expand access to mental health services through online counseling and therapy. Licensed therapists on the platform provide treatment for conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. Backed by $2 million in seed funding, Calmerry reached a $100 million valuation by 2021.
Lunavi
Originally founded as Green House Data in Cheyenne in 2007, Lunavi offers cloud hosting, cybersecurity, and IT consulting services to businesses nationwide. After acquiring multiple companies, Green House Data rebranded as Lunavi in 2021. Lunavi now has 150+ employees and counting in Wyoming.
Wyoming Hyperscale White Box
Hyperscale White Box constructs environmentally sustainable data centers for crypto mining and blockchain projects. The company was founded in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 2020 through a partnership between Bitcoin mining investors and a local ranching family owning land rights.
Top Private Tech Companies in Wyoming
Along with the major public corporations, a range of privately-held tech companies have significant operations in Wyoming:
Positiwise Software
Positiwise, an IT consulting and services firm founded in India, runs a delivery center in Sheridan, Wyoming. The company employs around 35 full-time software engineers and developers in Sheridan, serving clients throughout North America.
Guaranteed Software
Operating out of Wyoming since 2003, Guaranteed Software builds custom websites and web platforms for SMBs nationwide. Their niche is serving manufacturers and distributors through their e-commerce expertise.
Etech All
Etech All, based in Sheridan, focuses on web development, digital marketing, and graphic design services for startups and small businesses. Their clientele spans industries like agriculture, healthcare, and education.
LowCode Agency
Located in Sheridan, LowCode Agency develops custom mobile apps for iOS and Android. They use a “low code” approach requiring minimal software coding expertise. LowCode Agency has worked on over 250 mobile apps since starting in 2015.
Fivewalls
An international web development company founded in Ukraine, Fivewalls runs its US-focused operations out of an office in Casper. They have worked on projects for clients like the United Nations, Deloitte, and food delivery services.
Publicly Traded Tech Stocks in Wyoming
Beyond startups, Wyoming hosts several facilities operated by publicly traded tech corporations:
Xerox
The legendary printing and document management company Xerox runs an equipment wholesale trade office in Sheridan. While Xerox‘s roots trace back to New York, its presence across Wyoming has helped distribute tech services statewide.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
HP Enterprise, a spin-off of the tech pioneer Hewlett-Packard, operates a supercomputing center in Cheyenne. The $35 million facility houses advanced systems used by atmospheric researchers and meteorologists.
DXC Technology
DXC Technology, an IT services firm managing cloud computing and data analytics for corporate clients, has an office location in Casper.
Concentrix
The business services outsourcing giant Concentrix, with 75,000+ employees worldwide, has a presence through its Wyoming-based staff focused on tech support and customer engagement.
Salesforce
The leading customer relations management (CRM) platform Salesforce employs software developers and IT specialists out of its Wyoming offices to continue expanding its cloud-based products.
Promising Wyoming Tech Startups
Beyond the established players, Wyoming‘s startup scene is producing some rising stars:
BeefChain
BeefChain, based in Casper, leverages blockchain technology to provide suppliers and retailers improved transparency into beef supply chain data. Their goal is to streamlineProcesses and reduce waste.
Syscoient Technologies
This startup founded in Cheyenne in 2019 develops augmented reality products for manufacturing and industrial clients. Syscoient‘s smart glasses technology assists workers through hands-free AR capabilities.
Mind Right Health
Mind Right Health, headquartered in Jackson, offers virtual counseling and therapy for stress, anxiety, and emotional wellness. Their team includes licensed therapists in Wyoming.
GlycoPath
GlycoPath, located in Laramie, is a biotech company focused on glycomic testing for diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. Their tests help customize treatment options for patients.
SmartWool Energy
Based in Sheridan, SmartWool Energy builds solar power microgrids designed for resilience in harsh climates. Their systems allow ranches, farms, and rural areas to adopt solar energy.
Why Tech Companies are Drawn to Wyoming
What makes Wyoming so appealing to technology firms large and small? Here are some of the factors attracting investment:
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Low Cost of Living and Real Estate: Wyoming has one of the lowest costs of living of any state, with affordable commercial and residential real estate even in cities. This keeps overhead costs down.
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Natural Beauty and Outdoor Recreation: Technology workers are drawn to Wyoming‘s natural splendor, from mountains to national parks and ski resorts. Firms locate offices in places their talent wants to live.
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Tax Incentives: Wyoming offers no personal or corporate income tax, a big savings over other states. Property taxes are also low compared to much of the country.
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Business-Friendly Regulations: Wyoming policymakers have actively courted tech companies by minimizing red tape around areas like data regulations and renewable energy.
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Technology Infrastructure: Parts of Wyoming like Cheyenne have invested substantially in high-speed broadband and cloud computing infrastructure to attract tech.
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Coworking Spaces and Startup Programs: New shared workspaces and startup accelerators like those in Casper and Laramie cater to young tech ventures.
As Wyoming continues rolling out the welcome mat, expect even more growth in the state‘s technology sector in the decade ahead. The future is bright for the Cowboy State as both a hub for major players and an incubator for trailblazing startups.
