Business Development

Square Adds 300 Jobs in St. Louis

Company Doubles Local Presence in Cortex

Media Reports — STL Post-Dispatch | STL Business JournalKSDK-TV

Square, one of the nation’s fastest growing technology companies, is set to expand its office in the Cortex Innovation Community, adding approximately 300 new jobs.

“Square is proud to be from St. Louis and thrilled to expand our presence here, where we’ve exceeded our growth expectations thanks to the wealth of local talent,” Square Co-Founder & Director said Jim McKelvey said.  “St. Louis is home to tens of thousands of Square sellers.  We’re thankful for the support of our city and state partners in furthering their growth, and excited for what’s ahead.”

“We are thrilled that Square is rapidly expanding here in St. Louis,” St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson said.  “Square is another company that is helping grow our tech sector, and I want to personally thank founder Jim McKelvey for doubling down on his hometown.  With their second biggest office located right here, we look forward to Square continuing to grow with our diverse and talented workforce, affordable housing, and centrally-located space in Cortex, one of the nation’s leading innovation communities.”

Square has more than 240 employees working in Cortex in two locations at 4240 Duncan and a subleased space in Cortex 1.

Hear from Jim McKelvey in this #STLGrown featured video (38 seconds in)

“Square’s fastest growing office is in St. Louis, and that will help attract even more people to our tech and financial services sectors,” St. Louis Economic Development Partnership CEO Sheila Sweeney said.  “Square’s decision to expand here is at a pivotal time in our region as multiple agencies commit to developing considerably more tech talent in St. Louis.  Square’s presence here gives that talent yet another compelling reason to pursue their career in St. Louis.”

Founded by two St. Louis natives in 2009, Jack Dorsey, founder and CEO of Twitter, and McKelvey, Square is leading the world in financial services technology.

“Square is a leading-edge financial services company that we are proud has such strong ties to Missouri,” Missouri Partnership CEO Steve Johnson said.  “The company is committed to our region and their investment and job creation is part of the transformative impact the entire Cortex Innovation Community is having on St. Louis.  We look forward to supporting their continued growth and success in Missouri.”

“Our objective in Cortex is to build a community of innovative companies, entrepreneurs and employees,” Cortex President & CEO Dennis Lower added.  “Square checks all of these boxes.  Square’s expansion is a win for the district, city and region.  It sends a strong message that St. Louis has a competitive value proposition for expanding tech companies that require a talented, diverse workforce.”

Square is best known for its mobile payment service that allows businesses to conduct credit card and point-of-sale transactions on mobile devices.  Since its founding, Square has expanded into several other markets and industries making it one of the leaders in mobile financial services, merchant services and mobile payments.