Founded by two former Odoo leaders, the new company plans to grow to 100 employees.
Odoo has become a major employer in downtown Buffalo. Now it's starting to spawn a new generation of companies in its innovative image.
Look no further than Deploy Systems, a new technology consulting firm that helps businesses implement Odoo's software, modernize their operations and prepare for the age of artificial intelligence. The company has ambitious plans to become a major Buffalo employer in its own right.
Deploy was founded Oct. 1 by Kevin Zaki and Bruno Meunier, two former Odoo leaders who helped build its Buffalo operation. It has already attracted an equity investment and strategic partnership with Lumsden McCormick, the growing financial services firm headquartered in downtown Buffalo.
"We see a tremendous opportunity to build something special here," Zaki said. "Odoo is growing incredibly fast, and there's a real need for experienced partners who can help businesses take advantage of everything the technology can do. We want to build a major company around that opportunity, and we want to build it in Buffalo."
The founders have compelling backstories.
Zaki moved to Buffalo more than five years ago to join Odoo during the early stages of its local expansion. He started in software implementation before moving into sales and leadership roles, helping build departments and develop Odoo's business with larger customers.
He comes from a family of entrepreneurs and had long considered starting his own business. After helping Odoo establish itself in Buffalo, he saw an opportunity to build a company of his own within its growing ecosystem.
Meunier joined Odoo in his native Belgium in 2021, attracted by its entrepreneurial culture and the opportunity to learn about different industries. He moved to Buffalo in 2024, choosing the city's growing Odoo operation over other international opportunities.
"I had opportunities to go to other cities, but Buffalo stood out because of the growth potential," Meunier said. "Odoo was building something big here, and I wanted to be part of it. I didn't know anything about Buffalo when I arrived, but moving here turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made."
Together, they're building Deploy in the model of successful Odoo implementation partners in Europe, where the software company has a mature ecosystem of consulting firms, some employing hundreds of people.
That ecosystem is far less developed in the United States, even as Odoo's popularity grows. Zaki and Meunier believe that creates an enormous opening for a Buffalo-based company with deep experience inside Odoo.
Deploy targets small and mid-market businesses, helping them consolidate accounting, sales, inventory, manufacturing and other functions onto a single software platform. The company then helps clients adopt emerging technologies, including AI-powered automation.
Meunier said many businesses are eager to embrace AI but still rely on disconnected software systems, manual processes and even pen and paper. Without centralized, reliable data and integrated processes, he said, those businesses can't use AI effectively.
"Everybody wants to use AI, but most companies are still years behind where they need to be," Meunier said. "You can't just add AI to messy operations and expect everything to work. Odoo brings the entire business together on one platform, creating a unified foundation that unlocks enormous opportunities for automation, AI-driven insights, smarter decision-making and greater operational efficiency."
Lumsden McCormick's investment adds another dimension to the business. The accounting firm will help Deploy customers transition their financial operations to Odoo, addressing a common challenge for businesses whose existing accountants aren't familiar with the software.
Lumsden McCormick managing partner Sara Dayton, partner Cory Van Deusen and director of business development Paul Herlan are all 43North Foundation Ambassadors. Click here for an article about the firm’s entrepreneurial culture: The inside story of Lumsden McCormick and Buffalo startups
Deploy already has projects underway and a growing pipeline of prospective customers, including businesses in Buffalo such as Top Seedz, a 43North winner. The founders believe their relationships throughout Odoo's customer network will help the company scale quickly.
Their long-term goal is to employ more than 100 people in Buffalo and surrounding communities within five to seven years, building a company valued at $100 million.
"Our goal is for Deploy Systems to become the fastest company in the U.S. to reach Odoo Gold Partner status and to be recognized as one of the top Odoo implementation partners in the country, all from right here in Buffalo," Zaki said.
