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The Boise Valley’s technology industry dates as far back as the 1970s. In the early part of that decade, technology bellwether Hewlett-Packard established what would later become its LaserJet division in Boise, and introduced its first laser printer in 1980. Simultaneously, another Boise-based technology company, Micron Technology, was founded and has since grown to be one of the largest makers of computer memory in the world.
With these two companies firmly anchored in the community, new talent poured into the region, and in the decade that followed, the Boise Valley welcomed numerous spinoff companies and start-up businesses poised to capitalize on the tech boom of the 1990s. Today, technology is among Idaho’s largest and fastest growing industries, and the Boise Valley is home to hundreds of high-tech businesses spanning a diverse range of sectors, from software and semiconductors to online services and nanomaterials.
Idaho technology quick facts:
Over 48,000 workers in Idaho are employed in technology
Between 2000 and 2010, the number of high-tech companies in Idaho grew by 61 percent
Statewide, technology accounts for 17 percent of all wages earned ($3.4 billion)
More than 4,700 of Idaho’s 65,000 establishments are technology businesses
Hewlett-Packard The world’s largest technology company, HP established it printer division in Boise in 1973, immediately putting the Boise Valley on the map as a hub for technology innovation. The company’s first LaserJet printer was developed in Boise nearly 30 years ago, and since then HP has amassed a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. With more than 4,000 employees, Hewlett-Packard is one of the Boise Valley’s largest employers.
Micron Technology Founded and headquartered in the Boise Valley, Micron Technology is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions, and one of southwestern Idaho’s largest employers, with over 8,000 employees. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets a full range of DRAM, NAND Flash and NOR Flash memory, as well as other innovative memory technologies, packaging solutions and semiconductor systems for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, embedded and mobile products.
WhiteCloud Analytics WhiteCloud Analytics provides deep and proven expertise in the design, implementation and development of next-generation analytic applications for the health care industry.
MetaGeek Based in Boise, Idaho, MetaGeek develops troubleshooting tools for wireless network administrators, including the award-winning line of Wi-Spy spectrum analyzers.
Keynetics Keynetics is a premier inventor and developer of highly reliable and elegantly simple Internet businesses. The largest privately held technology company headquartered in the state of Idaho, Keynetics owns and operates several technology-based businesses, including ClickBank (one of the Internet’s largest online retailers) and Kount (a provider of highly-advanced fraud-fighting solutions for F100 retailers and payment processors).
Inovus Solar Inovus Solar is a solar street lighting manufacturer that provides solar-LED lighting and solar streetlights worldwide. Since its founding, the company has filed 22 patents, installed systems in 11 countries, and created an industry solely designing and manufacturing products in Idaho. Inovus has grown 300 percent over the last year and is projected to continue at that rapid rate.
Clearwater Analytics Clearwater is a foundational example of an Idaho success story, starting with its launch in Boise in 2004. Clearwater Analytics provides web-based, investment portfolio reporting and analytics for 4,700 clients, including Google, Oracle, Cisco and Yahoo. Today, the company reports on more than $650 billion in assets from its corporate headquarters in downtown Boise. With 145 employees among the two downtown locations and their New York office, Clearwater Analytics is one of few companies hiring and gaining speed during the recession.
Balihoo Founded in 2004 in Boise, Idaho, Balihoo is an emerging leader in the rapidly growing Local Marketing Automation space. By automating local marketing with software and services, Balihoo gives national brands unprecedented control over local marketing execution and the ability to control the customer experience closer to the point of purchase. Averaging nearly 300 percent revenue growth for two consecutive years, Balihoo employs over 50 people in their downtown Boise offices, and counts among their clients such outstanding brands as Geico, Kohler and Aflac.
There are numerous organizations and associations located throughout the Boise Valley to help promote the region’s technology industry and provide resources for high-tech companies that may want to locate here.
Idaho TechConnect: TechConnect maintains a resource file of business professionals interested in opportunities to join new and existing business teams. They actively support Kickstand networking events, as well as organize TechLaunch, an annual business pitch contest designed to educate and provide a stage for entrepreneurs and students to practice and hone their pitch in front of the business/investment community. TechConnect also operates Kickstand chapters in Moscow, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls.
Kickstand: As an entrepreneur support organization, Kickstand’s overriding mission is to help their members’ network, learn and grow. Kickstand meetings are held the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm at the Watercooler in Boise’s Linen District at 14th & Idaho. Events to put on your calendar are the annual Startup Speed Dating and Idavation
Girls in Tech: Girls in Tech is a social network enterprise focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of like-minded, professional, intelligent and influential women in technology. Girls in Tech meet every first Wednesday of the month at 12:00 noon at the BSU Downtown Center on Main. Directions: http://sspa.boisestate.edu/centeronmain/location/
Tech Boise: They spotlight the people and companies making a difference in Boise, Meridian, and the greater Treasure Valley. They currently hold monthly meetups at The WaterCooler and Nebula Shift, and cover a variety of topics from tech startups to STEM education to the valley's most innovative companies.
Idaho Technology Council: The Idaho Technology Council provides a valuable networking resource for industry executives, potential partners, academic leaders, investors, government and customers. They exist to connect, inform and promote the technology companies in Idaho and is dedicated to foster the growth of technology companies in the state, primarily in the areas of information technology, agriscience, and energy. The ITC advocates for creating a strong, innovative technology ecosystem and a high quality, high paid workforce. Their job board is here: http://www.idahotechcouncil.org/
High-tech is one of Idaho’s largest and fastest growing industries, with the number of technology companies in the state increasing by 61 percent over the last decade, the majority of them in the Boise Valley. Statewide, the tech sector employs over 48,000 people, earning annual wages of more than $3.4 billion. The figures presented below are applicable to the Boise-Nampa MSA (Boise Valley), and are representative of a variety of positions within the high-tech industry. For more comprehensive data on the Boise Valley’s technology industry in PDF format, click here.
Jobs in 2011 totaled 38,432, projected to reach 45,303 by 2018
The number of job seekers with prior industry experience (unemployment claimants plus employed job seekers) totaled 13,888
2011 average hourly wages ranged from $12.84 to $40.70
