A mobile app design toolkit developed by Dundee software firm Waracle is set to begin its own commercial journey as the basis for a new spin-out company.
The studio confirmed the new venture, Kumulos, will be headed up by Mark Petrie who will be joined by former LOGICnow senior vice-president of marketing Bob Lawson.
The Kumulos system was created in 2009 by the Waracle team as a mobile backend-as-a-service (mBaaS) platform to enable its developers to create apps more quickly.
Until now Kumulos has been run as a part-time business within Waracle but it has proved hugely popular with more than 3,000 sign-ups.
The system now underpins apps on millions of devices globally and Waracle said the time was now right for it to receive its own commercial platform.
Mr Lawson will be the new firm’s commercial director and will work alongside Mark Petrie, who will become CEO.
Mr Lawson, who previously held senior executive roles with Scottish Widows, Axios Systems and Sopra Steria Group, said he was delighted to be joining such an exciting new venture.
“By enabling app developers to do better business, Kumulos has the potential to be a multi-million-pound company with a global presence in one of the fastest growing areas of technology,” he said.
“We’ve got a proven track record of success in this area and I know we can achieve amazing things with Kumulos given its position in the market.”
Waracle CEO and Kumulos chairman Chris Martin said Mr Lawson’s presence would help attract other recruits to both Waracle and Kumulos in future.
“Bringing Bob Lawson and Mark Petrie together again will allow us to build another software product in Dundee, Mr Martin said.
“I’d hope that as many as 20 jobs will be created in Dundee within Kumulos, and that’s on top of Waracle’s own expansion plans.
“Both companies will be looking for software engineers and digital marketing experts, and this is a constant challenge for every software company.
“But we think we are positioned well as we are working with modern technology, right up to date processes and we’re now led by experienced people who’ve had huge success elsewhere.”