University of Memphis UMRF Research Park Recruits DEVCON
October 17, 2019 - DEVCON, a cybersecurity solutions company that builds tools to preserve the media industry and gathers intelligence to track down and stop cyber criminals, is moving to Memphis and setting up its office in the University of Memphis UMRF Research Park.
“The University of Memphis Research Park continues to attract prestigious startups to the University district, where they have access to research and researchers to help them achieve high levels of success,” said Ted Townsend, UofM chief economic development and government relations officer. “UofM students provide a top-tier workforce for companies such as DEVCON, filling roles ranging from intern-level to full-time, high-performing positions.”
DEVCON will initially bring 12-20 employees with plans to hire another 100.
Cybersecurity is often associated with large companies, financial institutions and big box retailers. However, in a day and age when personal information is stored online, everyone is susceptible to a cyber attack. According to Cyber Defense, it is estimated that 91% of scams start with a phishing e-mail and 43% of attacks are aimed at small businesses.
Maggie Louie, founder and CEO of DEVON, spent more than a decade as a digital leader in the publishing industry developing products for The E.W. Scripps Company, The Los Angeles Times, American Public Media Group and Morris Communications, where she also served as the vice president of audience and corporate intrapreneur.
“Over the last few years, there’s been some great discussion and focus around the need to create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs, which is a great start,” Louie said. “One of the reasons DEVCON has decided to move our headquarters to Memphis is the alignment with our company’s commitment to turn those conversations into actions. Memphis has more female-owned businesses percentage-wise than any other major city.
“For me, as a female entrepreneur and CEO, this is the ideal community in which to grow even more opportunities for women. The State of Tennessee’s economic development is already supporting us in that cause through the ability to create educational programs for its free state-funded college which will allow us to customize vocational classes that will provide students with the expertise and certifications needed to fill the many specialized jobs we are creating.”
The University opened the UMRF Research Park in collaboration with the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs in early 2019 as an innovation hub to attract global talent and enhance the community the University serves. DEVCON is one more example of companies seeing the potential to thrive in the Bluff City and make an investment in Memphis and the economic momentum happening in the city.