News

Experience management software leader Qualtrics to expand in Fairfax County, create 400 new jobs

Gov. Ralph Northam announced today that Qualtrics (Nasdaq: XM), an experience management software company, will invest $15.9 million to relocate and expand in Fairfax County. The company will move from its former office in Reston to 85,000 square feet of space at 1906 Reston Metro Plaza. Virginia successfully competed with Pennsylvania and Ohio for the project, which will create 400 new jobs.

“Organizations everywhere are undergoing an experience transformation and Qualtrics has an incredible opportunity in front of us. With its strong talent pool, Virginia is a perfect place for Qualtrics to grow,” said Qualtrics CEO Zig Serafin. “The investments we’re making today will put us in an even stronger position to help our customers build their next great customer, employee, product, and brand experiences.”

Qualtrics is the leader and creator of the experience management (XM) category, one of the fastest-growing software markets. The company helps organizations understand what customers and employees are thinking and feeling, and enables them to act on that feedback to provide optimal experiences. The Qualtrics XM Platform™ is used by more than 13,500 organizations around the world to drive customer and citizen engagement, improve loyalty and retention, and grow revenue. Qualtrics recently acquired Reston-based Clarabridge, a leader in omni-channel conversational analytics.

“This marks the second vote of confidence that Qualtrics has made in our business community this year,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “First was the purchase of Clarabridge, a homegrown tech success story, and now the expansion being announced today. We thank and congratulate Qualtrics for this tremendous growth and we stand ready to assist the company further as it expands its footprint here.”

“Fairfax County invests heavily to build and sustain a community that attracts innovative companies and talented workers to match. Today’s announcement about Qualtrics expanding in Reston is welcome confirmation that our strategy continues to be successful,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “We thank the company for its significant investment and look forward to its continued growth here.”

The FCEDA worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $1.4 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the project. The Governor also approved $2 million in funds from the Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant (VEDIG). VEDIG was established as a self-funded program of performance-based incentives that the Commonwealth awards to exceptional economic development projects with large numbers of employees and very high wages relative to average wages for that area.

Support for job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the Northam administration and the Virginia General Assembly. Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

“Virginia offers access to the highest concentration of tech talent in the United States,” Northam said. “The Commonwealth’s diverse tech ecosystem is driven by our stable business climate, competitive operating costs, and a world-class workforce. We look forward to Qualtrics’ continued success in Fairfax County.”

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as one of the world’s best locations for business and talent. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. The FCEDA created the Work in Northern Virginia talent initiative to build the workforce that businesses need to thrive here. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains business investment offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Follow Work in Northern Virginia on Instagram and LinkedIn.

The FCEDA is a member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which promotes and markets Northern Virginia outside the region and conducts activities and events to build the regional business community. Other members of NOVA EDA are the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Arlington County, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development.

#               #               #