Fresno tech industry expanding

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno's rapidly growing technology industry appeared poised for major growth.

Tech giants like Apple, Google and Facebook were all buying property for future expansion. A Fresno tech company has done the same on a much, much smaller scale - but tech leaders were encouraged by the signs of growth.

Bitwise Mural District has served as downtown Fresno's tech hub. Two years after opening, 28 different businesses are packed into the building.

Bitwise Industries CEO Jake Soberal said, "I think we are beginning to see the early stages of a tech boom in Fresno."

Soberal's vision was starting to take shape. Bitwise educates a workforce through its Geekwise Academy and has created opportunities for businesses to find tech solutions in Fresno.

Soberal said, "The 28 companies have combined to create one new job every ten days and brought over $25 million dollars in new annual revenue to downtown Fresno from the technology industry."

Mike Dodson worked as a Silicon Valley software developer for four years before coming home to start Lotpath. His iPad app was designed to help farmers and packing houses inspect and track produce quality in real time.

Dodson said, "Most companies were using paper and pencil and clipboards and maybe entering it into Excel spreadsheets."

Dodson has connected with valley farmers as well as growers in Washington and Idaho. Enrique Meza of Meza Films enjoyed the vibe at Bitwise. It's a place where like-minded people can share ideas.

Meza explained, "That's one of the things that first drew me is that type of Silicon Valley bigger city type of feel in small little community."

Later this year the company will open Bitwise South Stadium to house 40 tech companies.

Dodson said, "We're bursting at the seams in the current building."