A market research firm with a focus on technology and real-time research is opening its technology hub in downtown Wilmington, according to a press release Thursday.

With its tech hub opening in November, Suzy is adding 40 jobs in the region over the next three years.

The average annual salary for the new jobs is $120,000, which is well above New Hanover County’s overall average annual wage of $54,891, the release stated.

“The old-fashioned way of focusing on volume and size as the primary driver for success is over. To build a company in today’s age, one must focus on quality,” William Mansfield, chief technology officer of Suzy, said in the release. “Our new office in Wilmington will provide the foundation for our hybrid workforce to grow without sacrifice. I am excited to bring Suzy’s excellence to Wilmington and provide what we all desire: a hybrid workplace that cares about work-life balance.”

“Wilmington has a uniquely talented workforce in place and offers an exceptional quality of life for those who are lucky enough to live here. And once you’re here, you don’t really want to leave,” he added.

Suzy provides several products including insights, audiences that can be narrowed to specific demographics, 1-on-1 online interviews with audiences and product release notes, as well as solutions including In-Home Usage Tests, concept testing, product development, shopper insights, among others.

According to the release, what separates Suzy from other marketing firms is its pricing model, which strays away from the traditional cost per response pricing to an SaaS, software as a service, offering. This model provides “on-demand insights with more flexibility and predictability,” the release stated.

Suzy will be leasing 12,000 square feet on the top floor of the Bank of America building at 319 N. Third St., the floor previously occupied by banking tech firm Apiture.

This announcement joins other tech job growth news in the region. In September, tech firm Vantaca announced a $5 million expansion and addition of 104 employees to its existing 100-person Wilmington workforce.

Helping to bring Suzy's tech hub to Wilmington was a collaborative effort between Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Wilmington Business Development, Wilmington Downtown Inc., Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington and the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Natalie English, president and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, said in the release, “The lower Cape Fear region maintains a talented and diverse workforce combined with an outstanding quality of life and robust infrastructure network that continues to attract global companies and the top talent they need to succeed.”

Suzy, headquartered in New York City, will easily attract workers to Wilmington, English said.

“Job seekers – especially millennials and Gen Z workers – are attracted to communities like Wilmington because of the area’s lifestyle and promising job growth. The community is tight-knit, and locals are truly willing to go the extra mile to help out their neighbors. This is especially true for those who wish to launch or scale a business in the Port City,” English said. “The community is incredibly supportive of startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners.”

Jim Roberts, founder of NEW, said he is grateful Suzy has chosen to grow its tech team in Wilmington. “This is such an exciting development for our local economy to add these high-profile tech jobs with great salaries and benefits,” he said.

Suzy has raised $78 million in funding since the onset of the pandemic and was named one of America’s Best Startup Employers in 2021 by Forbes. Currently, the company is hiring for several positions in Wilmington.

John Hinnant, vice president of Wilmington-based Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate, represented Suzy in the transaction and Cameron Management represented the landlord.