A Dublin-based startup is starting its U.S. expansion with a major Atlanta hiring spree.
Financial technology startup Wayflyer, valued at $1.6 billion, opened a local office with six employees last summer in Old Fourth Ward. The office has now grown to more than 60 employees, said Rebecca Weizenecker, head of U.S. sales.
Wayflyer plans to have 100 Atlanta employees by the end of the year. The hiring push comes on the heels of a $150 million funding round, which includes investors DST Global and J.P. Morgan.
“We’re really focused on attracting the best talent in Atlanta,” Weizenecker said. “Our strategy is to really invest in our people this year.”
Wayflyer, founded in 2019, provides financing for e-commerce businesses based on their revenue to help accelerate their growth. The startup also has offices in London, New York and Sydney and about 250 employees around the world.
The startup’s bet on Atlanta is a testament to the city’s positioning in the global market and strong technology ecosystem. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and East Coast time zone make the city an attractive launchpad into the U.S. for foreign companies.
Georgia maintains strong connections with foreign partners to attract businesses. Germany, Canada, Japan and France are the top countries with direct investment into the state, according to the Office of the Governor. Georgia and Ireland have a years-long economic development relationship, according to the state Department of Economic Development. There are at least 43 Irish facilities that employ 4,100 locals in Georgia.
Weizenecker has long been a player in Atlanta’s growing technology ecosystem. She previously worked at fintech startups Now Corp. and Kabbage, which was acquired by American Express a few years ago.
Her career is emblematic of why Wayflyer is investing in Atlanta — the startup wants to be neighbors with other major fintech names.
“We’re in really good company,” Weizenecker said.
The local office is mostly sales and support staff right now, but Weizenecker said the startup wants the Atlanta office to have all roles, including data analytics and customer success teams.
