As A-LIGN, a Tampa Bay-based cybersecurity and compliance solutions provider, searched for a second U.S. office, the company saw an opportunity in Denver.
With a host of clients on the West Coast and an educated local workforce, A-LIGN opened its Denver office in June. The company's 30 local employees work out of the INDUSTRY building at 3001 Brighton Blvd. in RiNo.
"Denver was a natural choice for our expansion as it is ranked tenth nationally for businesses in the technology sector and allows us to better serve our clients on the West Coast," said CEO Scott Price.
We did a Q&A with Price to learn more about A-LIGN's recent growth and decision to open a Denver office. Check it out below:
Colorado Inno: Where did the idea for A-LIGN come from and when did you know the idea had what it took to become a full-fledged business?
Price: I founded A-LIGN in 2009 to provide companies high quality IT audit and compliance solutions that align specifically with their unique goals and objectives. Over the past decade with the growing rate of cyberattacks, an increasing amount of data and business process outsourcing, as well as third-party vendor and risk management – IT audit and risk assessment services is a rapidly expanding multi-billion market driven by substantial tailwinds.
Our comprehensive approach allows us to assist our clients in reaching the summit of any mountain by using a combination of cybersecurity, privacy, and advisory services while looking at the path ahead to help clients demonstrate trust and respect to their customers and stakeholders, win new business, and reduce organizational risk.
Colorado Inno: How has the company grown in recent years?
Price: A-LIGN’s revenue more than doubled from 2016 to 2018, rising from $13.3 million to $31.4 million. Our revenue growth combined with delivering an innovative, people-driven cybersecurity and privacy compliance solutions is why our 294 global employees have retained 96 percent of our clients this year. We find that delivering peace of mind and expert availability, helps us earn our client’s utmost confidence and trust – staying true to our mission to relentlessly exceed expectations through extraordinary people and innovative technology.
In July 2018, A-LIGN climbed a significant mountain raising $54.5 million growth equity investment from FTV Capital. The capital infusion continues to allow us to focus on the development of our innovative technology and increase our already expansive list of industry-leading service offerings and capabilities, hire expert professionals and expand our global footprint, all while providing high quality and innovative cybersecurity and privacy services for our clients.
We’re laser-focused in 2019 and after raising $54.5 million investment from FTV Capital, we’re investing heavily in attracting and retaining outstanding personnel, partnerships and our propitiatory governance, risk management and compliance software, A-SCEND.
Colorado Inno: When did you realize it was time for a second U.S. office?
Price: As we continue to expand our footprint and support our clients across the West Coast, opening an office in Denver was a logical next step for A-LIGN. Denver has a booming tech scene with companies like Facebook, Apple and Amazon investing talent and resources in the area. The technology hub brings a similar culture and feel to what California and Austin have created, but it still maintains its Silicon Mountain feel.
We’re also seeing a highly technical and impressive pipeline of talent from local Colorado colleges and universities. Just this week, our recruiting team is visiting the University of Colorado Boulder to talk to students about starting a career in cybersecurity and A-LIGN University, our 12-week training program focused on hands-on learning and a shadow period built specifically for our new university hires.
Colorado Inno: Why did you choose Denver?
Price: A-LIGN is experiencing rapid business growth and we are continuing to expand our presence globally. Some of the world’s largest and most innovative tech brands are investing in the Denver area making it one of the largest tech hubs in the U.S.
For us specifically, Denver is uniquely located in a centralized location that can serve the majority of our 2,300 clients on the West Coast, 50 of which are Denver-based. It’s also home to 30 of our employees and this new office location in Denver has provided them with more opportunities to collaborate as a team, host in-person client meetings and conduct interviews for new hires.
Colorado Inno: How will the company grow in the city?
Price: Denver has a thriving entrepreneurial and technology ecosystem, as seen recently at Denver Startup Week and this week’s Denver Blockchain Week, and we’re committed to being immersed fully in the tech scene – along with supporting local philanthropic initiatives.
In addition to getting involved with local entrepreneurs, startups and the tech scene, volunteering and supporting local organizations that inspire young people to thrive and succeed in the 21st-century workplace like Junior Achievement – Rocky Mountain is important to us. The more we can empower the younger generation to aspire to become future entrepreneurs, build businesses and gain new experiences that prepare them for today’s economy leaves us optimistic that if we believe in their future – so will they.
With employees and clients located across the globe, we are continuing to expand and provide cybersecurity and privacy solutions to a greater audience of business and industries. We’re excited about expanding further in the next few years and to our commitment to give back to the communities we live, work and play in.
