US software firm plans big NZ hiring push

One way Telogis software can be used is in the construction industry, enabling supervisors to monitor mobile crews in real-time.

A United States software firm is planning to double its Christchurch-based team and hire another 150 staff in New Zealand after raising US$93 million.

California-headquartered Telogis creates cloud-based software that lets companies track their vehicle fleets and manage employees working in the field.

One of its clients is Ford Motor Company, which it has been an exclusive technology provider for since 2011.

Founded in 2001, the company now employs 400 staff worldwide with a team of 150 in Christchurch which do the lion's share of its research and development.

The South Island facility is its largest office and also where co-founder Ralph Mason is based.

Telogis, which also has offices in Texas and Toronto, this week announced it has secured US$93 million in a funding round led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) - one of Silicon Valley's largest venture capital firms.

KPCB partner Ryan Popple has also joined the Telogis board.

Telogis chief executive David Cozzens said the company plans to continue expansion into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacfic region with the funding.

The company also plans to double its Christchurch staff to 300 in the next financial year.

"The key to our success has been our innovation and that's really what we do in New Zealand," Cozzens said.

The funding round took several months and Telogis chief financial officer Kyle Messman said he was excited one of Silicon Valley's "preeminent technology funds" was coming on board.

"A key piece of why they [KPCB] invested in Telogis is our products and the products are developed by our people and a big chunk of our people are there in Christchurch. Christchurch is a big piece of this story," Messman said.