Echo Interaction Group was chosen as one of Orlando Business Journal's 2022 Fire Awards honorees, which were featured in OBJ's April 29-May 5, 2022, weekly edition.
The Orlando-based company creates mobile applications and offers a software platform to deploy augmented reality-enabled apps and immersive AR experiences. Its solutions help organizations launch new mobile software and redesign existing apps to meet current demands and technology innovation. The firm also offers a simple method to incorporate augmented reality into every company's business processes.
Here's more from founder and CEO Carlos Carbonell:
What was your company’s biggest accomplishment of 2021? 70% growth
How did you get it done? Despite the setbacks in 2020, that year we laid the foundation to increase sales outreach and focused on presentations and demos, resulting in more closed sales 2021.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry? The race for talent rages on, and recruitment has gone from local to national and even internationally. This means smaller companies compete against the tech giants for the same talent in every city, regardless of where the tech giant is located. There are simply not enough tech workers being trained to meet that demand.
What is your company’s top goal for 2022? Increase the number of strategic partners we work with to deliver mobile software development solutions and AR. With a new 8(a) certification, also partnering with local and national contractors to work with the federal government as well as direct work with government agencies.
In the past year, what progress have you seen in the growth of Central Florida’s entrepreneurial and tech ecosystems? Last year, Orlando ranked No. 1 in fastest-growing cities for entrepreneurs as well as best places to work in tech. We also ranked No. 2 for U.S. cities with the most startup activity. The Orlando Economic Partnership reinvigorated the Orlando Tech Council, which now counts almost 100 members and added new leadership with David Adelson as executive director of innovation and technology. Coming out of a tough business recovery year, the OTC still managed to have several events to bring the entrepreneurial and tech communities together and provide access to resources.
What is the local technology and innovation sector’s biggest obstacle to more growth? Aside from funding, local support is needed in the way of hiring and partnering with local tech and innovation. There is a notion that talented companies only come out of other regions and a lack of trust (or awareness) that there is some innovative tech being built in our backyard. One pilot or contract with a major corporation can make the difference in whether or not a local tech or innovation firm survives, thrives or stays here. Conversely, tech and innovation companies may not realize that although there may not be a lot of Fortune 500 companies headquartered here (yet) that they have a presence here, decision-makers are here and that there could be plenty of business to be done with local large corporations. We should be a hotbed for piloting tech products and services built in Orlando — a new way to focus on the concept of "buy local."
Are you hiring now? Yes, iOS and Android developers. 3D and 2D designers — three to four team members before the end of the year
Echo Interaction Group
- Top executive: Carlos Carbonell, founder/CEO
- Founded: 2009
- 2021 YOY revenue growth: 44%
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