VOLO Gyumri Turns 5!
10 Aug 2021
This month we celebrated the 5th anniversary of our Gyumri branch. It was a significant milestone for our company, because we see Gyumri as a key location for the strategic development of Armenia. With the continued trend of major companies establishing their operations and headquarters in already burgeoning cities comes the disproportionate progress of some urban areas over others. One of the antidotes to this is the investment in the tech talent and infrastructure of cities other than Yerevan to reinvigorate them and make them attractive for young people starting careers and families.
For us, technology is an enabler of the decentralization of social conditions and opportunities. This is why we are committed to doing our small part in investing in this wonderful city, where creativity and compassion thrive.
Here is what our Gyumri team had to say about their hometown, their experiences, and working at VOLO.
How do you see the future of VOLO Gyumri?
Lara: “I feel like VOLO Gyumri is on the cusp of a takeoff. I see a large beautiful office space in the old city center in the same style as all VOLO offices, only with some small details that are authentic to Gyumri. And it’s not just about the space. I also see us growing at a fast pace in terms of the number of employees and seeing our experienced colleagues train our new team members. It’s going to be very exciting.”
How has the Gyumri tech scene changed in the last 5 years?
Astghik: “The IT sphere has really undergone a great transformation over the past 5 years in Gyumri. More and more people from other spheres are switching to IT. At the same time, more and more IT companies are opening branches in Gyumri, which creates significant opportunities for the local professionals.”
What’s the kitchen culture of VOLO Gyumri like?
Vahe: “Full of jokes and humor, as is fitting for a Gyumri setting.”
Share some insights into being the first employee of the Gyumri branch.
Vahram: “In the beginning it was quite hard to work alone from the office, but I always felt the support and assistance of my colleagues from other branches. At that time, I was often thinking about the day when VOLO Gyumri would be fully staffed and the office would be in full run. Little by little, all my wishes are coming true.”
Why VOLO?
Gohar: “Because I feel supported on an individual level, which speaks volumes about our company culture.”
What are the advantages of working in VOLO Gyumri?
Susanna: “As a Gyumri native, of course it makes me happy to live and work in the city I was born in and contribute to its development. I am grateful for VOLO to have created this opportunity for me.”
How is the Gyumri team different from the other VOLO teams?
Anahit: “We are from Gyumri – we like to brag. But seriously, since we are such a small team, the working atmosphere is very cozy and family-like.”
How has working in VOLO benefited your career?
Shoghik: “I am a QA specialist and I started at VOLO with no previous work experience. Working in such diverse teams over the years has really helped me grow as a professional and done wonders for my confidence.”
What can you say about Gyumri’s tech potential?
Lusine: “Gyumri natives have had great success stories over the years, be it in science, sports, or the arts. We have the Photon Gymnasium, whose students have had great success in various international Olympiads, and most of them see IT as a logical continuation to their careers. In other words, young people here have great potential, which can be realized if given the opportunity.”Final Words
Here is the bottom line. An uneven amount of investment goes into major tech hubs like Yerevan because there’s an inherent belief that it’s more valuable, less risky, and that its human capital is somehow “better.” We believe that innovation and software development in Armenia shouldn’t be confined to the capital and that there is immense business potential to be explored in cities like Gyumri.
