Genius Sports, a global leader in sports technology and trusted partner to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the English Premier League, is expanding its operations in Vilnius, Lithuania, with plans to recruit over 100 software developers and data analysts in the next 12 months.
The company currently employs 50 developers in Vilnius, however, with the relocation to a larger office in the distinctive K29 building in the heart of the city, will see Genius Sports begin a major recruitment drive for talented Frontend Developers, QA and DevOps Engineers, and .Net Developers.
Headquartered in London and across 16 locations worldwide, Genius Sports provides leagues and federations with cutting-edge data capture, distribution and commercialisation services.
Each day, its network of in-stadia statisticians collect real-time data from sporting events around the world, used to maximise fan engagement and drive commercial opportunities for sports.
Genius Sports is a business that combines innovative technology with a passion for sport and as such is supporting local teams across the world, including the Lithuanian basketball team Moletu Ezerunas as their new shirt sponsor for the 2017-18 season.
“As a true partner to sport, our technology is relied upon by over 200 leagues worldwide, providing media outlets and fans alike with rich statistical information on competitions, teams and players,” says Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports Group.
“Having acquired a Lithuanian sports data business last year, we have been delighted by the technical talent Lithuania has to offer. This has pushed us to grow our Vilnius team and establish a major tech hub in the country with a view to further expansion.”
Lithuania’s Minister of Economy Virginijus Sinkevičius believes that Genius Sports’ presence proves that Lithuania’s tech ecosystem offers the right conditions for globally-oriented tech companies. “The arrival of Genius Sports boosts the tech scene in Lithuania – and also our sports scene – to the next level,” says Mr Sinkevičius. “Over the last few years we have been developing an ecosystem where tech companies can thrive, and Genius Sports’ choice to establish its tech hub in Lithuania is an acknowledgment that the country is moving in the right direction.”
“Big data and software development are the engines of the fourth industrial revolution and it’s essential for Lithuania to develop these skills,” adds Mantas Katinas, Managing Director of Invest Lithuania. “Lithuanian universities have study programs in these fields, but it’s a must not only follow global trends but also to shape them. That’s why companies like Genius Sports and other global leaders in the industry are so important for the Lithuanian market, which has huge potential to grow.”
