Best known for its expansive natural beauty, Montana is not a state that one would typically associate with tech. But, hidden in the mountains and prairies of Montana are some of the most innovative tech companies you can find anywhere.
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Perhaps even more impressive is the Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MTHTBA), a non-profit organization focused on promoting and supporting high-tech businesses in the state. This organization has more than 200 member firms, indicating that the technology industry in Montana is alive and well.
So, which are the largest tech companies in Montana? This article will cover the top tech companies founded in Montana and the largest public or private companies based in the state.
We’ll also provide detailed information about some of the forgotten tech companies of Montana and how they contributed to the state’s technology sector.
Which Tech Companies Were Founded in Montana?
Besides being a tech hub, Montana is known for its many startup companies. Here are some of the most prominent tech companies from Montana:
OnXMaps
OnXmaps is a software company providing digital maps for outdoor navigation and recreational activities. Founded in 2009 by Eric Siegfried, the company is now one of the leading mapping solutions providers for hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
OnXMaps has raised more than $195.1 million from six investors and acquired one company, Adventure projects. Being one of Montana’s most successful tech startups, OnXMaps has been featured in various publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and the Wall Street Journal. It employs about 200 to 500 people.
Foundant Technologies
Foundant Technologies is a software company providing grant management solutions to non-profit organizations, foundations, and other charitable entities. Mark Larimer and Daren Nordhagen founded the company with philanthropy as the driving force behind the mission.
The software company has its headquarters in Bozeman and currently employs about 195 employees. While it hasn’t raised any funding yet, its commitment to providing grant management solutions has made it one of Montana’s most successful tech companies.
Some of its popular products include GrantHub, a cloud-based grant management software, and Foundant CommunitySuite, an online platform for non-profit organizations. Others include the NonProfitCore and Scholarship Lifecycle Manager.
Iprogrammer Solutions
Iprogrammer Solutions is a web, mobile, cloud, and software development company founded in 2007 by Amit Karanjawala. The Missoula-based firm provides custom software solutions to enterprises, startups, and organizations in Montana and other states.
The company prides itself on its agile development process, which allows them to rapidly deploy customized software solutions that fit the specifications of its customers. This philosophy has enabled Iprogrammer Solutions to remain competitive in Montana’s tech sector and be regarded as one of the top software development firms in the state.
Iprogrammer Solutions assures its clients of quality solutions. Apart from its development process, the company has other specialists, such as designers, SEO consultants, and project managers, who work together to deliver top-notch products. The company has about 139 employees, many of whom are top experts in the tech sector.
What Are the Biggest Tech Companies Located in Montana?
Besides startups, Montana is also home to some of the largest tech companies in the United States. While most of these companies weren’t founded in the state, they have their headquarters or base of operations in Montana.
You’ll realize most of them aren’t public companies, so their financial information isn’t easily accessible. But our reliable sources reveal the following to be some of the biggest tech companies in Montana:
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group – $101 Million
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group is a telecommunication company with headquarters in Missoula, Montana. Founded in 1994, the company provides cloud computing, data, voice, and IT services to businesses and organizations in Montana.
According to Rocketreach, the company has an estimated revenue of about $101 million. While it isn’t a global phenomenon like Oracle or IBM, its revenues compared to other Montana tech companies make it one of the largest in the state. The company provides its clients with unique solutions, such as large-scale networks, fiber optics, and the internet of things.
Blackfoot Telecommunications has been investing in modern technologies to offer its clients state-of-the-art services. Its wide range of products makes it an excellent choice for businesses and organizations looking for reliable solutions in Montana.
Century Gaming Technologies – $23.3 Million
Century Gaming is a Montana-based gaming and casino equipment supplier. Founded in 1986, the company deals with state-of-the-art gaming technologies and provides personalized support to its customers. In 2017 it acquired Grand Vision gaming, another leading gaming equipment provider, for an undisclosed amount.
In 2021 Accel entertainment acquired the company for $164.2 million. However, it still has Montana as its main base of operations. That’s because the company operates more than 900 locations across Montana and neighboring Nevada. It has over 8,300 gaming terminals in high-end locations, and its workforce includes over 111 employees.
According to Zoominfo, Century Gaming has an estimated revenue of $23.3 million. That’s pretty high, especially for a company whose core operations are in Montana. But then, that’s no surprise, as the gaming and casino industry is lucrative.
LumenAD – $11.8 Million
LumenAD is a digital marketing platform founded in 2014. The company is the parent entity of Joinr, a data standardization product for marketers looking to merge cross-channel ad data and make it actionable. Pathlabs, another LumenAD product, is an agency-based execution partner that helps brands and agencies navigate the complexities of digital marketing.
LumenAD has its headquarters in Missoula, Montana, and currently employs about 75 people. Being an end-to-end ad management platform, the company provides services such as programmatic buying, creative design and optimization, campaign management, and analytics. It has been very successful in Montana, and its estimated revenue is $11.8 million, according to Zoominfo.
NeuroID – $11 Million
NeuroID is a leading behavioral analytics company founded in 2014. The company provides solutions that help organizations and governments better understand their customers, reduce risk, and maximize investment returns. It provides actionable insight into how people interact with digital products and services.
The company measures how people are familiar with their personal identifiable information (PII) before submitting. Their data-driven insights are used to detect fraud or suspicious activities, enabling organizations and government entities to reduce costs and improve risk management.
The company has its headquarters in Whitefish, Montana, and employs less than 25 people. So far, it has raised $42 million in funding and boasts an estimated annual revenue of about $11 million.
The Largest Private Tech Companies in Montana
You may not have heard of these companies because they are all privately owned, but they are all part of the tech sector. In this category, we will rank the companies based on the number of employees each has in Montana.
S&K Technologies – 1,000 to 5,000 employees
S&K Technologies is a family of five profound technology-driven companies headquartered in St. Ignatius, Montana. These companies, Aerospace services, Security Solutions, Critical Mission Support Services, and Engineering, all leverage technology to provide services to government and commercial clients.
The company primarily focuses on research, design, development, engineering, and integrating advanced technologies for the public and private sectors. With about 1000 to 5000 employees globally, the company stands out as one of the largest tech companies in Montana.
Printing For Less – 310 Employees
Founded in 1996 in Livingstone, Montana, Printing For Less is America’s first-ever e-commerce printer. Over the years, it has become a leading custom printing and marketing service provider for businesses, including Fortune 500 companies.
The company offers various services, including printing, marketing materials, apparel printing, and promotional products. The company also sells printing products like business cards, catalogs, brochures, hang tags, envelopes, greeting cards, and folders, among many others. With about 310 employees, Printing For Less is a significant employer in Montana’s tech sector.
Zoot Enterprises – 200 to 500 Employees
Zoot Enterprises is a 1990-era company that provides advanced software and technology solutions to the financial services industry. The company has its headquarters in Bozeman and is considered one of Montana’s largest private tech companies.
Zoot positioned itself as a global leader in providing automated loan and account origination services. Besides financial service providers like banks, Zoot also offers its services to e-commerce websites, credit card issuing companies, retailers, healthcare providers, and merchant services. Zoot Enterprises has about 200 to 500 employees.
The Largest Publicly Traded Tech Companies in Montana
Not so many publicly traded companies have headquarters in Montana. The same is true for the tech sector in the state. Snowflake is the only tech company that is publicly traded and has its main operations in Montana.
Snowflake – $592 Million
The cloud computing data warehouse company Snowflake is one of the major players in Montana’s tech sector. Founded in 2012, the company has its main offices in Bozeman, Montana. Snowflake offers its customers a range of data services, from cloud storage and analytics to machine learning and data warehousing.
Corporates globally rely on Snowflake’s cloud-based platform to store, analyze and share data. While the company is still relatively young, it’s already made a name for itself and attracted big investors. In 2020, Snowflake went public in an IPO that saw it raise $3.4 billion. Its 2021 revenues were $592 million, and it employs 3,992 people.
Forgotten Tech Companies in Montana
Not all companies survive in the tech industry, and many have come and gone over the years. Some changed names and rebranded, while others got acquired by more prominent firms. In Montana, some of these forgotten tech companies are:
RightNow Technologies – Acquired by Oracle
Founded in 1997, RightNow Technologies operated out of Bozeman, Montana. It was a customer service, and support software company focused on cloud computing services. The company grew quickly, leaving the local market and expanding globally.
Oracle saw the potential in RightNow Technologies and bought it out for $1.5 billion in 2011. Oracle changed the company’s name to Oracle Service Cloud and continues to use the cloud-based software platform.
Cellular One
Cellular One was a brand that operated in Montana under MTPCs, offering mobile phone services. In May 2014, the company later issued a letter to its customers, announcing that it was shutting down operations in Montana. It sold off its customers to At&T, and all MTPCS-owned Cellular One stores were closed.
The company was one of the first mobile phone companies in Montana, thus creating an opportunity for others to follow suit. However, the company continues to operate in other states, and other MTPCS subsidiaries still use its name.
Conclusion
Bozeman prides itself as Montana’s tech hub and is home to some of the largest tech companies in the state. While many of these companies are new, some older companies have been around for a while. Each of these organizations plays a vital role in Montana’s tech sector, helping to create jobs, bring investment and attract top talent.
No matter the size or age of the company, these tech giants are all critical players in Montana’s economy and have a bright future ahead. As with all industries, change is inevitable in this space, but one thing remains certain: Montana will continue to be a leader in the tech sector.
