Bulgaria has been long recognized for having a strong tech industry and during the past few years has become one of the top software development hubs. Its geographical proximity to Western Europe and cultural similarities with US and Western European countries, the availability of technically diverse highly-skilled and multi-lingual talent, the affordable labor cost, and favorable taxation are among the main advantages of the country.

With heavy traditions in IT and mathematics that could be traced back to the communist times, Bulgarians have the strong technical knowledge and are one of the best performing developers worldwide as stated in HakerRank’s research. They rank 12th in the overall chart and occupy top positions in major technologies such as Java (#2) and Python (#3).

Why you should work with a Bulgarian IT company?

Among the multi-national organizations that have already discovered the advantages of the country and built their operational and development centers in Bulgaria are companies like HP, SAP, Microsoft, VMware, and others. Currently, the IT sector in Bulgaria consists of more than 65,000 full-time employees (excluding freelancing professionals) according to the National Social Security Institute (NSSI).

Another reason for choosing a Bulgarian IT company compared to other countries in Europe is because of one of the best price/quality ratios on the market. Bulgaria is known for its competitive labor costs compared to other EU countries, which translates into more affordable rates for IT services such as software development. The local IT companies have access to a talented pool of professionals with strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency in English. Also, they have a reputation for being adaptable and versatile, allowing them to work effectively on a wide range of projects and technologies.

As a result of the well-functioning education system and the rising popularity of privet educational organizations, this number is continuously increasing, making Bulgaria’s system very well suited to match the IT business needs.

At the same time, what makes Bulgaria attractive from an ICT perspective are the skilled workforce, EU membership, competitive labor costs, low corporate taxes, and a growing startup ecosystem.

What to pay attention to when working with a Bulgarian IT company?

Even though Bulgaria has a developing IT infrastructure, there are several indicators that make potential clients give second thoughts when working with Bulgarian IT companies. Among them are high piracy rates, lack of cybersecurity infrastructure, and lower-than-average service quality compared to Western-European countries. 

At the same time, the other two main topics you should be aware of are talent retention and choosing the right vendor.

Talent retention can be a challenge for the Bulgarian IT industry, with skilled professionals sometimes attracted to opportunities in other European countries. To mitigate this risk, ensure that the local IT company you work with has a strong team and a track record of maintaining a stable workforce. There are many local IT companies offering their services. It is crucial to perform thorough research and due diligence when selecting a vendor, considering factors such as experience, expertise, client testimonials, and portfolio of work.

How reliable are Bulgarian IT companies

The country has built a reputation as an attractive IT destination for developing software, establishing near-shore centers, and outsourcing business processes. With its strategic location and the steady growth of its economic and demographic indicators, the country has turned into a preferred development destination.

How Bulgarian IT industry relates to the neighboring countries

Having Romania and Greece as the main regional competitors, Bulgaria’s IT industry is positioned somewhere in between of those two countries in international rankings. While Romania probably has more capacities in developing web and software solutions for the foreign market due to a long-term investment in IT education and different business model, Bulgaria ranks better than Greece in some IT branches, such as BPO and Java programming. 

Also, the IT industry in Bulgaria has experienced significant growth over the past decade. An interesting fact is that the industry has exceeded the Country’s GDP Levels from 25 years ago. Compared to neighboring countries such as Romania, Serbia, and North Macedonia, the Bulgarian IT industry performs competitively. Bulgaria's competitive labor costs, skilled workforce, and supportive business environment make it an attractive alternative for clients and investors seeking opportunities in the region.

The Bulgarian Business Environment from an ICT Perspective

Deyan Denchev, the founder of Bulgarian Lexis Solutions appreciates the national business environment as being dynamic and rapidly growing especially since the country joined the European Union in 2007. On this basis, Bulgaria is becoming a regional hub for technology startups and outsourcing services. The local ICT industry is driven by a strong pool of software developers, engineers, and digital professionals, and the country is home to a growing number of technology parks and incubators that nurture startups and innovative companies.

At the same time, the business climate for opening a new IT company as a local entrepreneur in Bulgaria is generally favorable. There are multiple local investment companies like LaunchHub, Eleven, and Sofia Angels Ventures you can easily reach directly or through the local accelerating programs and network events.

SAP, SiteGround & Others Dominate the Bulgarian ICT Stage

At the same time, there are several prominent IT companies operating in Bulgaria, both local and international, that have made a significant impact on the country's IT landscape like:

- Telerik (Acquired by Progress in 2014) - a leading provider of application development tools and services for web, mobile, and desktop platforms -

- VMWare - a global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions - SAP - a market leader in enterprise application software

- SiteGround - a leading web-hosting company with a headquarter in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Government Programs Supporting the ICT Development

Governmental institutions in Bulgaria encourage the development of the IT sector through a variety of policies, initiatives, and support measures like investment in infrastructure - The Bulgarian government invests in digital infrastructure development to improve internet connectivity and create a more conducive environment for IT businesses. This includes initiatives to expand broadband access, enhance data center capacities, and promote the development of smart city solutions.

Also, the creation of Tech Park Sofia and INSAIT - Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology are two great examples of governmental support of the IT sector. Another way of encouraging the IT sector is through access to EU funds and the creation of a more business-friendly regulatory environment for IT companies.

Sofia & Plovdiv - The Leading Tech Bulgarian Urbs

The two best cities in Bulgaria for establishing an IT business are Sofia and Plovdiv. Both cities have unique advantages that make them attractive locations for IT companies and entrepreneurs. As the capital and largest city of Bulgaria, Sofia is the country's primary economic and business hub. It offers several advantages for IT businesses like a skilled workforce, startup ecosystem, international presence, and connectivity. Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria, is also emerging as an attractive destination for IT businesses due to: - Educational institutions like Plovdiv University and the Technical University, - Technology parks like Plovdiv Tech Park - Lower operating costs - Compared to Sofia, Plovdiv generally offers lower costs for office spaces and living expenses 

The Bulgarian IT Talent Pool - Skilled and Attractive

According to Deyan Dunchev, the local talent pool in Bulgaria is characterized by well-educated and highly skilled individuals, particularly in the fields of computer science, engineering, and information technology. Bulgarian universities and educational institutions offer strong programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, which contribute to the development of a qualified workforce in the IT sector. The IT industry is seen as an attractive career choice for many young professionals due to the high demand, competitive salaries, career growth, and global and entrepreneurship opportunities.

 

Have you ever noticed how some websites and apps just feel easier to use than others? That's because of the UX/UI design - basically, the people who make sure everything looks good and is easy to navigate.

UX/UI design services are closely connected, but they are not the same. They are actually about different parts of the design and to be effective they must work together.

• UI (user interface) design concentrates on visual elements. It is all about how things look and work on a product, like colors, fonts, and buttons.

• UX (user experience) refers to the overall experience a person has with a product  – how easy it is to use the product, how it makes the user feel, and whether it is possible to easily get what is needed from it.

According to research conducted by Forrester, a well-designed user interface (UI) can increase a website's conversion rate by 200%, whereas a better user experience (UX) design could raise it by up to 400%.

In this connection, the importance of UX/UI Design cannot be overstated. Nowadays users have high expectations for the products they use, if a product is not easy to use or enjoyable, users will quickly abandon it. 

UX/UI design can help:

• Enhance user satisfaction

• Reduce bounce rates

• Lead to higher customer retention and revenue

UX Design has also an important role in Inclusive Government Design, which makes government services accessible and user-friendly for diverse and marginalized communities.  

But how do choose the right UX/UI Company? 

1. Review the company's portfolio and make sure they have experience in your industry

2. Look for companies that understand your target audience to meet their needs.

3. Inquire about their design process: research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.

4. Choose a company that maintains transparent and open communication and keeps you involved throughout the design process.

5. Read client reviews to check their reputation and client satisfaction.

6. A good design company should be up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies.

Taking into consideration all these tips you will manage to select the right UX/UI Design Company that will help to achieve your goals. 

There are over 8766 UX/UI Design companies on the TechBehemoths platform. Check their profiles, their strong portfolios, and previous clients' reviews before you make a decision. With the help of smart filters, you can easily find suitable partners to deliver exceptional digital experiences. Alternatively, you can submit your project, and this way we will find the best match on your behalf.

 Moreover, if you are interested to know UI and UX Design challenges, discover a few bad UX Design examples and find out how to fix them, we invite you to our blog.