South Australian mobile application and web development company, PixelForce, has announced its acquisition of Adelaide-based branding and data agency Svelte Studios.
Following the successful launch of the app for global fitness giant Sweat, which is used by one million active users monthly, PixelForce has continued to conquer the tech industry, building a high-calibre portfolio including Flinders University, Fitstop, DesignerEx and the South Australian Government.
The acquisition of Svelte Studios, which will retain its branding and clients while sitting under the PixelForce umbrella, will further expand the offering available to clients delivering a powerhouse of creative, branding, and design solutions across all web and mobile app technologies.
PixelForce co-founder Hinney Lo said while the business had built out its technology arm with great success, it was missing something integral.
“We identified Svelte Studios as a brand that both aligns with PixelForce’s values, as well as having strengths in areas that would take our offering to the next level.”
The merging of both brands will see an injection of brand and media skills from Svelte Studios, building out the PixelForce offering to a full-service experience for clients with their now 52 person team.
Svelte Studios co-founder Danny Connery said the merging of the two businesses was a positive move for the already strong reputation of SA in technology.
“It has always been our goal at Svelte to build a team of the best and brightest engineers, designers, strategists and creatives and PixelForce is the right partner to continue that vision.
“Joseph and I have been impressed with the business PixelForce has built across the past 10 years, establishing themselves as a world-class operator. The coming together of these two local brands, coupled with Hinney’s ambitious vision for the future, is something to watch.”
“Both PixelForce and Svelte Studios hold the same human-centred approach and are both entrepreneur-born businesses which means we have the same things at heart, client and employee experience.
“The Svelte Studios team is looking forward to this next phase for the business as we come together with PixelForce to champion South Australia in the tech industry.”
Svelte co-founders Joseph Cassar and Danny Connery will continue to support Svelte Studios in Non-Executive Director roles supporting CEO Hinney Lo and co-founder Ben Zhang. Svelte Ventures will continue under Joseph and Danny’s direction.
Alongside the acquisition of Svelte Studios, PixelForce have always held a keen focus on local talent, working closely with local universities to provide developer pathways to stem the flow of local talent moving overseas to join global tech giants post-graduation.
Svelte Studios will remain in their Lot Fourteen offices – an exciting location for new business in SA – while PixelForce has also taken on additional floors in its Kent Town office to host Svelte Studios staff.