Ketan Mistry (pictured) is taking the Project Octo brand to Melbourne, joining a select few UK agencies such as INK and Digital Next, that have made the brave move to join Oz’s tech scene.
The developer founded the agency 3 years ago with Co-Director Adam Pritchard. The opening of an Australian office represents an audacious move to grow the agency in a way that few other British agencies have attempted.
“The decision to relocate to Oz is something that fits with Project Octo’s long term expansion plans, which have always been to be a globally recognisable name”, explains Ketan Mistry, who hails from Bolton, Greater Manchester. “It’s also something that my wife and I have always wanted to do as a family, and so we realised we had to go for it”.
Taking his family, including a young son, to the other side of the world will pose logistical challenges, though ones they are prepared for.
“We’ve got a big job ahead of us, but I’m really exciting to be putting a British flag in the ground in Melbourne, as I think we’re one of very few UK digital agencies to open an office there”.
The move will make Project Octo a 24 hour operation, allowing them to support clients around the clock, around the globe. “The ability to work on projects when others are sleeping means we will be more efficient, more productive and can monitor site services better.”
It’s not the only big news on the horizon. The highly talented coder has led a team of developers in producing a innovative ecommerce software platform, Shopit. Feedback compared to rival platforms has been incredibly positive, and it is already used by several major online retail clients. Shopit will shortly be opened up to a much wider audience.
Mistry and Pritchard are laying plans to make it available to developers, retailers, and agencies in the very near future. With exciting times ahead for the agency, one thing’s for sure - Project Octo may be going down under, but it certainly won’t be standing still.
Adam Pritchard and Ketan Mistry are available for interview. Stay tuned to the Project Octo Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep updated with developments.
