Opening of Sombra Office in Colombia: A Year of Challenges and Achievements

Expanding into new markets brings significant opportunities and challenges. In 2023 Sombra opened an office in Medellín, Colombia, expanding its geographic presence and marking its first step into the Latin American IT ecosystem.

Sombra is a software development service company with clients from the USA and Canada. Their projects help optimize company processes and add value to their products. Sombra’s mission is to transform tech challenges into success stories. The company combines technological expertise, proactivity, honesty, and readiness for change in its client work.

What to Know About Sombra:

• 11 years in the market
• 35 active clients
• 83% NPS
• 200 completed projects
• 300+ employees
• 79% eNPS
• Main offices in Ukraine (Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv) and Colombia (Medellín)
• The “Sombra for Ukraine” charity fund has raised over 48 million UAH to support Ukraine.

Sombra has already made its mark in tech by providing innovative solutions for businesses and corporations. By expanding its global presence, Sombra opened a new office in Colombia in 2023. This strategic move marks the beginning of a new era for Sombra, transforming it into an international player.

Why Colombia?

The decision to open a new office in Colombia was well-reasoned and strategically justified. Comparative analysis showed that Colombia has a large number of technical specialists, competitive costs, and significant progress in education. Medellín, the country’s second-largest city, actively attracts foreign investment due to positive legislative changes and was recognized by The Wall Street Journal as the “Innovative City of the Year.” Opening the office in Medellín was a significant step towards Sombra’s globalization, as the city has a dynamic innovation ecosystem and a high level of technical education. Colombia, with over 100,000 engineers, creates ideal conditions for growth.

Challenges During Office Opening

According to Sombra’s CEO, Viktor Chekh, the idea of opening an office in Colombia arose in the spring of 2020. After initial research, it was postponed and revisited only in March 2022. The team conducted thorough research, and in June 2023, the decision was made to open an office in Medellín.

The company faced several challenges requiring additional effort and adaptation. Major difficulties included significant time zone differences between Ukraine and Colombia (8 hours), complicating communication and collaboration. Differences in labor laws and holiday calendars required additional understanding and adaptation. Language barriers, especially switching to English for effective communication with the Colombian team, also needed attention. Additionally, considering cultural differences was crucial for creating a harmonious work environment.

Despite all the challenges and ongoing research, Sombra successfully overcame difficulties through a proactive approach and team support. To address time zone differences, the company implemented a flexible work schedule, allowing effective interaction with clients 24/7 while maintaining a work-life balance. Legal and cultural differences were addressed through consultations with local experts and employee training, as well as organizing meetings and business trips for cultural exchange. Language barriers were overcome by providing English language training for all team members. The company also appointed a local manager for better office management and actively informs current and future clients about new office openings. The experience in Medellín will be an important example for further expansions into other regions.

Sombra’s Initial Achievements in Colombia

In its first year in Medellín, Sombra achieved several significant successes:

• The number of employees in Colombia grew to 17.
• The first revenue was earned in August 2023, and break-even was reached in January 2024.
• Contracts were signed with two new clients in Colombia.
• Regular business trips between Ukraine and Colombia maintain the company’s corporate culture.
• The company continues to actively hire new employees, with 8 vacancies currently open in Colombia.
• Conducting events for sharing experiences and developing technical skills for local specialists has been an important step in creating a strong local team.

Location and Local Team of Sombra in Medellín

The Sombra office in Medellín provides the team access to a large pool of talented specialists and Latin American markets. The strategic location of the office promotes integration with local innovation ecosystems and the development of partnerships with companies in the region.

Sombra rents office space in a network of coworking spaces, featuring modern design and thoughtfully arranged common areas that encourage teamwork. Conveniently located, the office ensures easy access for employees and clients.

During the year in Medellín, the Sombra team grew to 17 specialists. The company offers various benefits to employees, supports cultural exchange between Colombia and Ukraine, and provides a hybrid work format, allowing employees to choose between remote work and office work.

The company actively engages with local professionals and students. Recently, Sombra held a meeting with over 80 software development students at the CESDE Institution Event in Medellín. During the event, key ideas about Sombra’s role in the tech industry and career opportunities were discussed. This important step aims to support the professional development of young specialists and open new opportunities in the field of software development.

Sombra also organizes various events such as New Year’s corporate parties, brunches, and bowling outings, promoting team spirit and a better understanding of Sombra’s corporate culture.

Future Plans

Opening Sombra’s office in Medellín is just one of the key steps on the company’s path to global leadership. The presence in Colombia opens new opportunities for integration with local innovation ecosystems and partnership development.

The company’s plans for the coming years include:

• Expansion into other Latin American and European markets.
• Forming a full-fledged local department that includes all IT, HR, and recruitment functions.
• Hiring new specialists in North American countries to support scaling.
• Creating a development center in Colombia.
• Increasing the team in Colombia to 30 employees by the end of 2024.
• Developing training programs for students.

The company is actively interested in collaborating with new partners and students to initiate projects that promote innovation and technology development. Sombra’s goal is to expand its network of contacts and develop ideas with talented professionals and future leaders in the IT field.

The company places special emphasis on cultural exchange between Ukraine and Colombia, promoting a more open and tolerant work environment. Sombra plans to support and promote this exchange among employees, students, and partners, understanding the importance of cultural diversity for successful work.