One of the hottest young companies in downtown Austin is on the move, according to a Sept. 6 announcement so far ignored by local major media outlets (probably at capacity covering the devastating wildfires).
Mutual Mobile, which makes applications for Apple and Android-powered tablets and phones, is consolidating three offices into one at the 20-story Capitol Tower building at 206 E. Ninth St (caddy corner from Brazos Place).
The release headline said “Mutual Mobile Acquires New Corporate Headquarters in Downtown Austin.” But don’t be confused, they are just leasing 40,000 square feet space and picked the wrong word, a spokeswoman told me.
The company’s new home was renovated early in 2007 for about $10 million, according to an old Austin Business Journal report. The building was soon leased up by Dell Inc. advertising agency DaVinci, Environmental Resources Management and ad agency LatinWorks.
Its unclear who moved out, and when, to free up space for Mutual Mobile.
In the move announcement, Mutual Mobile’s CEO, John Arrow, also made a bold claim that they “are attracting mobile talent to Austin at pace rivaling the semiconductor industry from 20 years ago” that established Austin as the tech hub it is today.
That’s kind of like John Lennon saying The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.”
John Egan, a former editor and managing editor of the Austin Business Journal, has more details on Mutual Mobile’s growth on his AustInnovation blog, which tracks what’s happening at Austin businesses that are in hiring mode.
I’m told MM took over the old Powered, Inc offices after their buyout by the Dachis Group