WillowTree LLC and Dynamit Technologies LLC, digital product agencies focused on designing and delivering mobile, web and voice applications, have agreed to combine forces to create the largest independent agency of its type in the U.S., with over 500 employees. The deal will bring together the two companies headquartered in Columbus and Charlottesville, Virginia.

The combined company will go to market under the WillowTree brand.

Both businesses focus on building top-performing teams, which leverage the unique advantages that technology and research-focused communities based around leading universities offer. Their primary development centers are in Columbus, Charlottesville and Durham, North Carolina.

Insignia Capital, which WillowTree partnered with in 2018 to help fund its growth, is the lead investor in the combined company.