A global tech firm which is headquartered in California’s growing silicon centre of San Diego has opened a branch in Plymouth.
Ancora Software Inc is the latest tenant to join the dynamic business community at Plymouth Science Park. The business is an innovative provider of Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) solutions including intelligent document classification and data capture.
The company is based in San Diego, which is making a name for itself as a digital hub to challenge California’s Silicon Valley and Silicon Beach, but maintains sales and support operations throughout North America and the UK.
The move to Plymouth Science Park will support the growth plans of the business, enabling an expansion of the team of first line support engineers who will support global reseller partners operating in North America, UK, Ireland, EMIA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.
Ancora Software offers a range of business automation solutions, using patented artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.
This service supports clients to eliminate the typically costly manual steps in their business processes such as document classification, document analysis, manual data entry and manual filing.
The business offers its own set of products, including its flagship product, ancoraDocs. This was developed to bring simplicity to advanced data capture solutions that historically have been complex, over-priced, and difficult to configure, install, use, and maintain.
Among its clients are the Motion Picture Association of America, City of Baltimore, Newark Housing Authority, Boot Barn and the New England Patriots American football team, and in the UK the Post Office, Wessex Water, the University of Reading and Clifton College.
Fay Davies, business development manager at Plymouth Science Park said: “Ancora Software are joining a vibrant and thriving community of innovators with global reach.
“We are delighted to welcome them to the growing ecosystem of technology businesses based at the Park and look forward to supporting them with their growth plans.”
Ross Lee, senior pre-sales technical analyst at Ancora Software, said: “We are delighted to be moving to Plymouth Science Park which gives us the space we need to grow our business operations.
“We look forward to working with more businesses to deliver faster and less expensive business process automation through our work and feel confident that the move to the Park will support us in achieving our ambitions.”
Ancora Software’s arrival at Plymouth Science Park swiftly follows that of digital design agency Knowthis which arrived at the park’s special Formation Zone for start-up businesses.
The full-service creative digital design agency was set up in November 2019 by Ben Saul, an experienced creative lead and digital specialist.
Knowthis, originally based in Tavistock, designs websites, brochures, prospectuses, e-newsletters and campaigns, and creates and refreshes brands, among other services.
In February 2021, pioneering drug firm Amprologix, a University of Plymouth spinout, settled at the park. Other recent arrivals include data tech company Gathering Momentum and toothpaste research venture Modus Labortiries.
Originally named Tamar Science Park, PSP was incorporated in 1996 as a joint venture between the University of Plymouth and Plymouth City Council.
More than £30million of investment, including ERDF, SWRDA and HotSW LEP grants, have funded five separate phases of development since 1996.
The board of PSP comprises senior representatives from Plymouth City Council. including the elected leader of the council, and the University of Plymouth, plus three independent non-executive directors. The 25-acre campus is home to science and technology businesses involved in digital, creative, marine, earth and life sciences.
