Parimatch Tech has opened a new European hub in Prague, as it seeks to continue its international expansion whilst also providing a working environment for its Ukrainian colleagues. 

The international gaming technology group’s new office was opened on 1 May, and whilst the firm’s current objective is to provide a ‘stable and familiar’ working environment for its Ukrainian employees, it eventually plans to refocus the property as an R&D centre. 

Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Parimatch’s largest R&D centre was located in Kyiv, but has now been relocated for safety reasons due to shelling and other military activity around the capital – however, the firm was keen to stress that ‘Ukraine remains our key R&D hub’.

Maksym Liashko, Parimatch Tech CEO, said: ‘The opening of the Prague office continues our European expansion. Opening that hub and starting operations in the EU are part of Parimatch Tech’s long-term strategy of developing a global IT cluster. 

“The war made us act swiftly and strengthened our dedication to business globalisation. We are currently focusing on creating the best working conditions possible for our teams located in the Czech Republic. 

“Our goal is to create a thriving business environment and ensure the safety and well-being of every employee and their family. Still, I would like to stress that Ukraine remains our key R&D hub.”

Tatiana Davydova, Parimatch Tech’s Chief Talent Officer, underscored the potential of the new Prague office, which Parimatch plans to expand to host 200 developers under its R&D plans. 

Additionally, the CTO asserted that the Prague centre can act as a ‘unifying hub’ for the company’s employees across Europe, as it moves forward with relocating its Ukrainian workers into safer countries. 

Based in Limassol, Cyprus but founded in Kyiv, Parimatch has been active in assisting Ukrainians with humanitarian efforts, having increased its financial contributions to €1.8 million in March. 

“The Czech Republic is one of the prominent European IT clusters, has a reputation of a safe and comfortable country, and offers a high potential for business development,” Davydova added.

“According to Techloop, over 316,000 people are currently working in the IT sector here. Our employment priority will be hiring Ukrainian developers, but we also intend to work with the European talent market. 

“We are certain in our ability to bring useful tactics that we already implemented in Ukraine, and can offer the candidates the best working and growing conditions possible. One of the key projects that we intend to re-launch soon will be Parimatch Tech Academy.”