California Life Science Software Firm Opening Downtown Hub

Veeva, a San Francisco-based firm that develops cloud-based software for the global life sciences industry, is opening an engineering hub downtown this Fall in the lightwell office tower.

The firm is leasing 10,000 square-feet for what is described as its second “purpose-built Work Anywhere office space.” The other location is Boston.

The engineering hub will serve 100 new “Midwestern” employees Veeva expects to hire over the next five years.

When asked how many of those employees will be based in downtown Kansas, a company spokesperson responded in an email the firm is hiring across the Midwest.

“The office in downtown Kansas City will serve as a new engineering hub to bring employees together and create opportunities for collaboration and social connection,” said Matilde Macieira-Kaufmann.

The Kansas City Veeva space will have private workspaces and areas for meetings and social interaction.(Image from Veeva website)

She said the downtown location was chosen because it would be convenient to employees commuting from around the metro.

“The lightwell building is directly on the streetcar line, and offers ample nearby parking and vibrant amenities in the building, including the new Strang Chef Collective Food Hall and plenty of nearby shops and restaurants,” she said.

Kansas City is the base for two of Veeva’s R&D products in the clinical and laboratory quality control spaces, according to Macieira-Kaufmann.

“We are hiring software engineers, product managers, sales, and service leaders to help life sciences companies develop and bring medicines to market faster and more efficiently,” she said.

In a press release, Greg Whitsitt, Veeva engineering director site leader at the Kansas City location, said the Midwest has been a great place for the firm to grow its technology talent. and

“For our engineers, consultants, and sales leaders in the region, the office will be a place to build new connections and share ideas to further innovation,” he said.

The Kansas City Area Development Council also said Veeva should be able to attract many qualified job applicants.

“With the more than 3,600 people that graduate with life science degrees in the metro each year, Kansas City offers companies like Veeva a well-educated pool of talent and a strong network of expertise as they continue to grow,” Tim Cowden, president and CEO, said in a press release.

The Kansas City Economic Development Corp. estimated Veeva was investing $2.15 million in its new operation.