A-LIGN, a Tampa-based cybersecurity and compliance company, is celebrating its 10th birthday with chocolate.
That is, a Bulgarian chocolate factory that's getting turned into a 13,000 sq. ft. office.
"I'm hoping there's still a smell of chocolate in the office as a perk for the employees," CEO Scott Price joked. "There is some neat history there."
The company announced its first international office has opened in Bulgaria, after weighing out a few other options in eastern Europe.
Price originally looked Poland and Romania along with Bulgaria, for their similar workforces: young, driven and technology-focused. However, he noticed the former two countries' pricing was increasing. Couple that with A-LIGN's senior vice president of cybersecurity and privacy services being a dual citizen of Bulgaria and the U.S., and they had a winning location.
"We’re able to establish presence much easier, so it really really hit home for us to start the location quickly and realize the benefits from being in Bulgaria," Price said.
The office has 10 full-time employees with a goal of 30 by the end of 2020. Price is currently attempting to learn Bulgarian by YouTube videos and hopes to have a mix of American and Bulgarian employees in the new office.
This is the third office opening for A-LIGN, which opened an office in Denver in June. Price said he will continue to look toward European markets, as their behaviors are becoming more aligned with the U.S.'s when it comes to cybersecurity and compliance.
Next, the company is looking to open a U.K. office, but depending on the tumultuous Brexit vote, exactly which country the office would be in is still up in the air. A-LIGN has two personnel in the U.K., but has also visited Belfast in Ireland in case Brexit ultimately is successful.
Price said it is likely an office would open either in the U.K. or Ireland in Q1 2020.
The company, which is an inaugural Inno on Fire winner, has 315 total employees across the globe. Its Tampa location recently increased from 14,000 sq. ft. to an entire floor spanning 17,000 sq. ft. in Rivergate Tower.
