F5, a Seattle-based technology company, expanded its operations beyond software into hardware with the recruitment of Jeff Stockdale in 1999. Stockdale had the condition to do it in Spokane, where there was a strong pool of hardware design talent. Over the next seven years, F5’s team in Spokane grew to 75 people, leading to further expansion in the area, including customer support, manufacturing, and digital sales teams, along with employees in development, legal, IT, and HR. Currently, F5 has around 250 employees in the Spokane area, making it a vital part of the company’s U.S. workforce.
The growth of Spokane’s tech ecosystem has been fueled by its universities, community organizations, and angel investors, leading to deeper ties with Seattle companies. One such example is Rover, a pet-sitting marketplace founded in Seattle. The idea for Rover originated in Spokane, and the company opened an office in the area in 2017. Currently, Rover has about 70 employees in Spokane, contributing to the region’s workforce quality, lower costs, and proximity to Seattle, along with access to talent from universities such as Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Eastern Washington University.
SecureSave, a fintech startup emerging from Pioneer Square Labs, exemplifies the Seattle-Spokane connection through its co-founder and CEO, Devin Miller. Miller moved to Spokane in 2022, attracted by factors such as quality of life, affordability, and proximity to schools. SecureSave, with about 35 full-time employees, is fully remote but maintains a core group in the Seattle region for in-person engagements. With time and success, SecureSave aims to hire more employees in Spokane and contribute to the region’s tech community and startup ecosystem.
Hunter Smit, a strategist at F5 in Spokane, highlights his experience moving from Lynden to Spokane for college and later joining F5. Smit appreciates Spokane’s affordability, seasonal changes, and recreational activities, such as kayaking and skiing. Despite the limited options for tech jobs in Spokane compared to Seattle, Smit recognizes the region’s tech growth, driven by groups like Ignite Northwest and the Spokane Angel Alliance. He sees potential for more homegrown startups and established companies investing in Spokane.
F5’s geographical split between Seattle and Spokane has led to successful collaboration between teams, creating a seamless interface and fostering a loyal workforce. Former F5 executive Stockdale reflects on the rewarding experience of growing a successful team in Spokane and sees the model as relevant for other companies. Despite challenges in talent diversity, Spokane offers numerous benefits, including shorter commutes, outdoor recreational opportunities, and employee retention rates. F5 remains actively involved in community initiatives in Spokane, building a strong reputation in the area.
Overall, the cross-state connection between Seattle and Spokane tech companies demonstrates the potential for deeper ties and mutual growth. Companies like F5, Rover, and SecureSave have leveraged Spokane’s talent pool, lower costs, and quality of life to establish and expand their operations in the region. The strong tech ecosystem fueled by universities and community support is transforming Spokane into a viable tech hub, attracting both homegrown startups and established companies looking to diversify their operations outside traditional tech centers.
