Orbotix OKed for city of Boulder rebates

BOULDER – Robotic-ball creator Orbotix Inc. will receive up to $30,000 in tax and fee rebates as part of a city of Boulder business incentive program.

Rebates will be made in the form of sales and use taxes and permit-related fees paid back to the company as part of the city’s flexible rebate program, according to a press statement from the city of Boulder. Orbotix received approval on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

“Boulder is proud that a robotic ball named Sphero was born in downtown Boulder,” Jane Brautigam, Boulder’s city manager, said in the press statement. “We are pleased that Orbotix is expanding in East Boulder to create new and innovative robots.”

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Sphero is a robotic ball that can be controlled by mobile devices equipped with mobile applications used in various games. It is sold in more than 70 countries.

Because of its rapid growth, Orbotix moved its 35 employees to 16,374 square feet of space at 4772 Walnut St. in the Tierra Center Business Park in November from its previous 6,800-square-foot office at 1155 Canyon Blvd. A large part of the new office has been designated as a play area, where the company can show off the Sphero products and test new prototypes, according to the press release.

Companies interested in the flexible rebate program choose pre-set minimum guidelines to meet in the areas of social, community and environmental sustainability. Companies explain how they meet the guidelines when they apply to the city manager’s office for the rebates. For example, Orbotix participates in RTD’s EcoPass bus pass program. The company also plans to start an   office recycling program and to request an energy-efficiency building assessment.