The Brightest Tech Minds are Born and Bred in Belarus
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re familiar with Silicon Valley and other global technology and IT development hotspots –– but did you know Belarus is counted among them?
Belarus: The New Outsourcing Paradise
A small European outpost known for its scenic landscapes, salt mountains, and sweets, Belarus has an unrivaled reputation as an IT and software development haven.
With a steadily growing crop of skilled developers who speak English and are versed in sophisticated technologies, corporations who want to save money and level up their development capabilities turn to Belarus.
Even if you’re not an IT expert, you’re likely familiar with products such as Viber, MAPS.ME, and Flo. Though these apps all serve vastly different purposes, they have two factors in common:
So, you might be asking yourself: how does a country with a population of just under ten million produce such a large number of exceptional IT products?
It can’t just be a coincidence, can it?
Let’s take a look at the history of Belarus’ IT industry and explore how this tiny country continues to stay on top of tech trends and produce groundbreaking technologies:
Don't Miss Out On...
Get Your First 5 Candidates for FREE
Enter your information bellow to claim the offer.
History and High Technology Park
Belarus’ longstanding IT history begins in 1959 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Driven by a deeply technical culture and a tech-friendly business environment, Belarus is now a leading development hub. The reasons for the country’s success are simple: excellent public education systems, a long history of IT excellence, and comparably low cost of living.
1950’s: Minsk Computers and The Beginning
When the Digital Revolution redefined life as we know it in the late 1950s, Belarus matched pace. In 1959, the Minsk family of computers was introduced and covered nearly 70% of the demand for computers in the entire Soviet Union.
1990’s: Emerging IT Companies
After gaining independence in 1991, Belarus blended the best of Soviet educational practices, and Western software development and management approaches to kickstart the Belarusian IT industry. With the founding of IBA Group and EPAM Systems, the new era of European information technology services was born.
2000’s: High Technology Park
The turn of the millennium brought new opportunities to Belarus’ IT sector, with the most critical milestone being the introduction of High Tech Park.
When most people in the industry think of Belarus, they think of HTP. With more than 900 companies, HTP is a playground for IT organizations. Residents enjoy an advantageous tax system and exceptional business conditions. The park also acts as an incubator for startups and a collaborative space for IT specialists to spur new educational opportunities for future Belarusian tech minds.
Today: World-Famous IT Products
Belarus now consistently introduces innovative technologies to a global audience. Of its 9.5 million residents, over 115,000 work in the tech sector. Through collaboration with professionals in other countries, Belarusian developers have brought many unprecedented and profitable products to market.
Some you may be familiar with include:
Viber
Founded in collaboration with two former Israeli Defense Force information officers, Viber was one of the first secure communication platforms to compete with Skype directly. With over a billion users across 193 countries, Viber is among the most popular communication platforms.
The secure encryption of the application makes it a top choice for residents in countries where communication is heavily monitored –– and it was solely developed in-house in Belarus.
Flo
This popular health tracking application ingeniously leverages AI and machine learning to help menstruating people track their ovulation cycles. The app has over 22 million active users and is consistently rated among the most popular health and fitness applications in app stores.
Though Flo is headquartered in Redwood City, California, the firm funnels all of their development work to their Minsk outpost, where founder Yuri Gurski also founded MSQRD and Prisma.
Targetprocess
With offices in Buffalo, Berlin, London, and Minsk, Targetprocess is a truly global company. However, no matter how much they expand, the core of the operation remains where it all started: in Belarus. As a visual project management software, Targetprocess has over 1,000 enterprise customers worldwide, including ePay and CallRail.
How Does Belarus Stay On Top?
As you now know, Belarus is a world leader in software development. So how do they match and surpass the output and innovation of much larger countries? The answer lies in education.
Cultivating Talent Early
In Belarus, programming is on par with literacy, and those with aptitude are given all the resources they need to hone their abilities.
The Belarusian school system creates exceptional educational and development opportunities for teenage tech talents. Young IT minds often participate and succeed in various international informatics competitions.
Software Engineering Education
After high school, young Belarusians have the opportunity to acquire a world-class tech education. There are over 50 universities in Belarus, with a third offering exceptional technology and engineering degrees. Belarusian collegiate teams compete (and often prevail) against coders from across the world at events such as Facebook Hacker Cap, Russian Code Cup, and Google Code Jam.
Professional Perks
In Belarus, IT specialists make up the elite of society. Their expertise earns them sizable salaries that allow them to have a high standard of living. IT companies in High Tech Park also offer liberal corporate culture, continuing education opportunities, and exceptional working conditions.
The Bottom Line
Belarus’ IT industry is strengthened by the bright minds and robust work ethic of the Belarusian people. A long-standing STEM-focused education system along with the determination and brainpower to do better drive Belarusian talent pool to success.
Ready to Harness Global Talent?
Sourcing IT talent from Belarus gives you an edge over the competition. If you’re ready to add the best developers in the world to your team without bloating your overhead expenses, contact NZ Labs for a consultation.
