Copado Shifts Global Headquarters to New Orleans in Major Tech Win
Chicago-based software developer Copado has officially transitioned its global headquarters to downtown New Orleans, marking a significant milestone for the city’s evolving technology sector. The announcement, confirmed during a Tuesday press conference at the company’s new office space at 400 Poydras Street, follows a strategic expansion that began with a modest satellite office less than two years ago.
Copado, which specializes in DevOps solutions for the Salesforce ecosystem, serves a high-profile roster of global clients including T-Mobile, Coca-Cola, and Toyota. By consolidating its leadership and operations in Louisiana, the firm signals a long-term commitment to the region’s burgeoning tech scene.
A Growing Footprint and Economic Impact
The company’s relocation is set to bolster the local economy with the creation of 59 new direct jobs, boasting an average annual salary exceeding $100,000. Additionally, the firm is retaining 95 existing roles as it settles into its new base on the building’s sixth floor.
CEO Ted Elliott, who took the helm of the company in 2018 after a long career in Silicon Valley, highlighted personal and professional motivations for the move. Following a battle with cancer, Elliott—whose mother retired in New Orleans—sought to establish a hub where employees could build high-level careers without needing to migrate to traditional tech coastal hotspots.
“Establishing our global headquarters here is a long-term commitment to this city, its people and its growing technology economy,” Elliott said. “Talented people shouldn’t have to leave Louisiana to build careers at the forefront of that transformation.”
Copado’s rapid scaling—from a single local hire in 2024 to a workforce of approximately 70 in New Orleans today—highlights a shift in how companies approach distributed workforces. The company has integrated itself into the local ecosystem through partnerships with area universities and internship programs, aiming to cultivate a sustainable talent pipeline.
New Orleans: A Emerging Hub for Global Enterprise
Copado is the third global company in just over a month to announce its move to New Orleans, following the arrival of Australian battery materials firm Sicona and nuclear power startup Applied Atomics. These arrivals reflect a broader, albeit measured, trend of tech companies choosing the city for its unique quality of life, cultural assets, and state-backed economic incentives.
Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and regional advocacy groups like Greater New Orleans Inc. played a key role in the deal. The state has incentivized the move through a performance-based grant of $375,000 and the inclusion of LED FastStart, a program designed to offset costs related to recruitment and workforce training. The firm is also expected to leverage the state’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development tax credits, which are specifically designed to stimulate growth in high-wage industries.
Navigating the Tech Industry’s New Landscape
While the state has seen its share of high-profile “megaproject” disappointments in the past—most notably the 2017 deal with DXC Technology that failed to reach its promised hiring targets—the current strategy focuses on smaller, more agile firms. Rather than chasing massive, singular corporate announcements, development officials are focusing on building a diversified foundation.
Currently, Louisiana supports over 20,000 tech jobs, a figure the state hopes will grow as it courts companies in fields ranging from gaming and video game testing to marketing software. By successfully attracting companies like Copado, New Orleans is positioning itself as a destination where “the next generation of technology companies can be built anywhere great people come together,” according to the company’s leadership. For New Orleans, this steady influx of mid-sized, high-growth firms represents a pragmatic and promising path forward in the competitive global tech market.
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