200 jobs are to be created over four years by a Belfast IT firm in a software engineering hub in Co Westmeath.
Neueda Technologies makes software products for clients including government and utilities.
Software development for global telecoms and financial services will be carried out in its new offices on Athlone’s Dublin Road.
The firm gained funding from the Republic’s inward investment agency IDA Ireland for the new office.
Around 70 staff are already in place, with an additional 80 expected to join them by the end of the year.
Mary Buckley, IDA Ireland executive director, said: “This is a young company which has made a strong start in the business and technical training space, having already developed a strong international client base.
“The fact that 70 members of staff have already been hired clearly demonstrates the availability of talent with the appropriate skills.”
Co-founder of Neueda Technologies, David Bole, said: “After considering several international locations for our new engineering hub, we opted for Athlone in January and I can say that we wish we had set up here years ago.
“With one-third of our current positions already filled, we continue to be impressed with the level of technical and engineering talent available to us in the Midlands, particularly considering our very high hiring-bar.”
Heather Humphreys TD, the Republic’s Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, said: “This large expansion of Neueda’s operation here in Athlone is a welcome boost for the Midlands.
“It is also a great vote of confidence in what the region has to offer and a testament to the talent and skillset of the existing staff.”
Currently employing around 200 people at its headquarters in Weaver’s Court in Belfast, the £15m-revenue business also has operations in London, New York and Latvia.
Last year, Neueda Technologies revealed plans to invest £12m in 165 new roles and talent development of its software engineers, IT consultants and data analysts in Belfast.