TechSmith Corporation Opens New Headquarters in East Lansing
63,000 square-foot state-of-the-art software development headquarters optimized for hybrid work opens on the MSU campus at the corner of Crescent Road and Harrison; Collaboration with MSU expects to attract College of Engineering students and graduates preparing for high-tech careers.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (Sep 20, 2022)–– TechSmith announced that the company has opened its new headquarters on Michigan State University’s campus - a move expected to provide the company with opportunities to attract, expand, and retain talent.
The state-of-the-art software development facility provides an optimized work environment for current and future staff and opens at a time when many organizations around the world are rethinking how to create a better experience for their people that improves collaboration and focuses on the well-being of employees in a post-pandemic environment.
“Our new office reflects our values,” said Wendy Hamilton, TechSmith’s CEO. “Our talent is our priority, and we want our employees to have the best possible environment for employee wellbeing, collaboration, and creativity. As a hybrid employer where remote work will remain common, we have been very intentional about the role of the office.”
TechSmith was founded by William Hamilton, a graduate of Michigan State University, in 1987. Today, TechSmith’s flagship products, Snagit® and Camtasia®, are award-winning leaders in their respective categories of screen capture, screen recording, and video editing software. TechSmith’s 300 employees support over 73 million users worldwide across 190 countries in their ability to create with ease effective training, tutorials, software demos, educational lessons, and enhance everyday workplace communication through the use of images and video. Across its wider portfolio, which includes video collaboration, video content enrichment, and audio editing software, TechSmith centers its innovation on enabling the world’s knowledge to flow freely through video.
“This project represents the next step in the long and mutually beneficial relationship Michigan State University enjoys with TechSmith,” said MSU’s President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “It’s a great example of how MSU partnerships strengthen our economy, support local jobs, and make Michigan more competitive through the talent we attract and develop.”
The building design concepts started in 2019 with inputs from their employees, and substantial adjustments were made to reflect lessons learned amid remote work realities throughout the last two years.
TechSmith created workspaces specifically designed for purposeful hybrid connections, including state-of-the-art hybrid collaboration technology that allows for the seamless integration of remote team members to foster innovation, collaboration, productivity, and cultural values. Staff-prioritized features also drove decisions like leveraging natural light, maintaining a connection to the outdoors, and health and well-being.
TechSmith will be welcoming and encouraging local groups to use the space, such as technology networking groups, and designed the common areas to support the needs of those gatherings.
The building has been designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification and has many unique features, including a dedicated 500 square feet of video and audio recording studios, given TechSmith’s expertise in informational video creation software.
The 63,000-square-foot building is located at 14 Crescent Road in East Lansing and sits on approximately five acres of land owned by Michigan State University that was leased to the Michigan State University Foundation. The MSU Foundation developed and owns the building that TechSmith has now occupied. SmithGroup is the architect of record, Christman Company served as construction manager for the project, and Pace Howe Design provided interior design services.
“These types of Public Private Partnership (P3) projects are in line with Michigan State University's strategic plan to help drive economic development,” said David Washburn, Executive Director of the Michigan State University Foundation. “This project promotes discovery and innovation, creates opportunities for MSU students, faculty, and staff, and is a great corporate partnership.”
TechSmith has been a long-time financial sponsor and partner of Michigan State University, bringing interesting projects and mentorship opportunities to computer science students in the College of Engineering, such as Teacher’s Virtual Toolbelt, Cloud-Based Video Tracking, and Video Sentiment Analysis.
“TechSmith is instrumental in the College of Engineering’s premier capstone programs and Design Day presentations,” says Dr. Leo Kempel, Dean of the MSU College of Engineering and Dennis P. Nyquist Endowed Professor of Electromagnetics. “Their insightful coaching and support of our students provide real-world experience and perspective advantages, which are essential to building the whole engineer. We are grateful for the many ways TechSmith and MSU connect and the bright future that will be created in this beautiful new facility.”
In addition to their Design Day sponsorship, TechSmith offers, on average, 25 undergraduate summer internships annually, with many internships lasting over multiple semesters. Over 50% of TechSmith’s full-time employees hold degrees from Michigan State University.
“Our proximity to campus is a business advantage.” says Hamilton, “Talent is everything in a technology business. Our goal is to recruit and retain the top talent from MSU and contribute to the innovation ecosystem around Michigan State University.”
The project also received support from the City of East Lansing and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
“TechSmith’s expansion showcases that our region’s ability to support expanding high-tech companies is strong,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). “We have all worked steadfastly to build an effective ecosystem that supports projects like this, and now we’re seeing the results in bringing the type of high-value targeted jobs people want and our region needs.”
TechSmith has occupied the building since September 1, 2022.
###
About Michigan State University
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
About the Michigan State University Foundation
Established in 1973 as an independent non-profit, the Michigan State University Foundation is committed to commercializing cutting-edge technologies invented by MSU faculty, staff, and students. The MSU Foundation’s overarching goal is to support research, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the University. Additionally, the MSU Foundation operates Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, the Michigan Rise Pre-Seed III Fund, and the University Health Park. More information on the organization’s notable achievements, services, leadership, and history are available at www.msufoundation.org.