Download this press release (PDF)
Columbus, Ohio – Upstart, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) lending platform, has announced plans to expand its operations in Columbus, Ohio, creating 508 new jobs. Hiring for operations, engineering and support roles is currently underway.
With this expansion, Upstart is on track to have more than 250,000 square feet of total office space in the City of Columbus. As the company continues to further develop its AI lending platform through relationships with banks, the Columbus Region has become the market of focus for its operations growth, doubling its Columbus workforce.
“We’ve been thrilled with Upstart’s ability to recruit exceptional technical and operational talent in Columbus, particularly when that talent comes with a Midwest-style work ethic,” said Upstart Co-Founder and CEO Dave Girouard. “In just a couple years, Columbus has become Upstart’s HQ2 and our largest office.”
Founded in 2012, Upstart is a leading AI lending platform designed to improve access to affordable credit while reducing the risk and costs of lending for its bank and credit union partners. This expansion builds upon a string of investments by Upstart in the Columbus Region. In 2018, the company added 257 new jobs, followed by an additional 250 jobs and approximately 40,000 square feet of space to its facility in 2020. Since becoming a public company at the end of 2020, Upstart has accelerated its growth.
“Since locating in Columbus in 2018, Upstart has quickly become an employer of choice,” said City of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Upstart’s Columbus presence is already larger than its Silicon Valley headquarters, and we’re thrilled to once again see the company’s commitment to expanding its workforce and presence in our community.”
Technology operations in the Columbus Region are deep and diverse, spanning industries such as retail, finance and headquarter operations. Finance and insurance comprise the top private sector by economic output in the Region, which a variety of high growth companies have positioned as a fintech and insurtech hub. Columbus is in Franklin County, which is home to an estimated 1,310,300 residents.
“The success that Upstart has experienced in the Columbus Region is representative of Ohio’s appeal in attracting investment from the American Coasts,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The fact that companies like Upstart continue to flourish is a testament to Ohio’s strong value proposition.”
-END-
About Upstart
Upstart is a leading AI lending platform partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart’s AI platform, Upstart-powered banks can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than two-thirds of Upstart loans are approved instantly and are fully automated. Upstart was founded by ex-Googlers in 2012 and is based in San Mateo, California and Columbus, Ohio.
About the City of Columbus, Ohio
The City of Columbus is the 14th largest city in the United States with a population of 879,170 residents. The Columbus economy is balanced with a combination of education, technology, government, research, insurance and health care entities as major employers within the City. Columbus is gaining nationwide recognition for its booming downtown, historic neighborhoods, arts and sporting districts, open attitude and a noticeably affordable quality of life. Learn more about the City of Columbus at columbus.gov/development/Economic-Development.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
About One Columbus
As the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, One Columbus’ mission is to lead a comprehensive regional growth strategy that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future, and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation throughout the Columbus Region. One Columbus expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the One Columbus team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
One Columbus Media Contact
Amy Harman
614-225-6070
ah@columbusregion.com
Upstart Media Contact
Mike Nelson
mike.nelson@upstart.com