One of the largest Croatian IT companies, Infinum, has taken over the creative digital agency based in New York, ExpandTheRoom (ETR). The domestic award-winning technology collective, whose clients include, among others, Philips, KPMG, Porsche and Warner Brothers, is expanding its reach in the United States with this move to respond to the growing demand in the field of strategic digital transformation.
Infinum currently operates from eight offices in Europe and the USA, employs around 400 experts in the field of design and development of digital products and continuously collaborates with global brands in creating innovative solutions for various sectors including the automotive industry, finance, healthcare and retail.
“The main motivation for the acquisition is to establish a stronger presence in the United States. The existing office in New York is already achieving excellent results in the largest market for digital services in the world, and with reinforcements from ETR we will be able to raise our business to a higher level. We are proud to welcome an experienced and professional team behind a strong client base such as Citibank, ESPN, Reuters, Business Insider and Honda. I believe that in this way we will provide our existing clients with an even better service, and with a larger team in the US it will be easier to reach new clients as well," he said. Nikola Kapraljević, CEO of Infinum.
Infinum and ETR, apart from experience and complementary company culture, also share a similar beginning. The American agency, which stands out for its expertise in the field of user experience and analytical approach, was founded by two friends, James Cole (CEO) and Todd Doyle (Creative Director), and over the years they have assembled a team of 24 experts who, in cooperation with Infinum, will now to be able to take on even more demanding projects and larger clients.
"Demand for superior user experience is at its peak. With the introduction of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the need for digital transformation will only increase further. We are entering a new era and we see firsthand that brands are looking for additional expertise to adapt to new circumstances. Considering these trends, Infinum and ETR are strategically joining forces to better guide and direct global clients through the challenges they will face in the future," he said. James Cole, CEO of ExpandTheRoom.
The experts of the American digital agency will further strengthen Infinum's competences. Together, they will provide clients with added value based on strategic design and modern technologies, including innovations in the fields of artificial intelligence, user experience, Internet of Things, and cybersecurity.
Infinum's acquisition was financed by a combination of own funds and EBRD loans. The approved credit line amounts to 10,8 million euros, and the funds will be used for this and future strategic acquisitions. This represents a significant new chapter in the company's growth and an even stronger approach to the world's largest market for digital services.
With this acquisition, Infinum's consolidated revenues grow by slightly more than 20% compared to the previous year, so in 2023 they will amount to around 29 million euros.
ABOUT INFINUM
Infinum is an independent digital product design and development agency that works with leading global brands and world-renowned enterprises to create innovative digital solutions for a range of sectors, including automotive, finance, healthcare and retail. Since its foundation in 2005, Infinum has been delivering digital products that are used by millions of users around the world, and many of them have won world-renowned industry awards such as Red Dot and iF Design Award. Infinum has around 400 employees and external associates and operates from eight offices in Europe and the USA, and its main focus is the creation of authentic digital experiences that improve business and bring value to users.
About EXPAND THE ROOM
ETR is an American digital agency with more than 20 years of experience creating digital experiences for clients such as Citibank, ESPN, Reuters, Business Insider and Honda. ETR employees cover the entire territory of the USA, and their job is to define strategies and develop products with the priority of user experience and design. With the goal of creating products that are useful, aesthetically balanced and above all effective, ETR has developed its own approach to solving design challenges called Purpose-Driven Design.
