Author: Kiril Dragomirov, Director of Platform Engineering at Delasport
As the Director of Platform Engineering at Delasport, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how our platform teams have not only scaled but flourished in the past year. In the fast-paced world of iGaming, it’s easy to focus solely on the technology—the code, the tools, the processes. But what I’ve come to realize is that the true key to success is something often overlooked in our field: culture.
Technical expertise is essential in building world-class platforms. Yet, it’s our culture that has driven Delasport’s platform team to achieve remarkable milestones and deliver impactful projects that have generated significant revenue. It’s the culture that has empowered our teams to grow, collaborate, and innovate at scale. And as we continue to grow, it’s clear that culture beats code every time.
The Culture of Open Expression and Growth
Delasport stands out for its culture of open expression and growth. Our platform department has grown exponentially not only in terms of the number of people but also in the diversity of ideas and skills. Every team member has the opportunity to express their ideas and contribute to shaping the direction of our platform. This sense of ownership and freedom is crucial in empowering individuals to do their best work. And I have to be honest – I’m proud to be among the drivers of this positive approach.
We hire with a long-term vision, not just for today. We focus on developing our people, offering training and mentorship that allows them to grow, both technically and in leadership roles. As a result, our team members are not just doing tasks—they are actively engaged in driving the vision forward and growing within their roles. This approach has created a vibrant, motivated team that thrives on continuous learning and improvement.
And great culture has to begin from the roots. Did you know that we already had two groups of Delasport leaders (me included) go through a dedicated academy? We graduated from a practical course for ‘trauma-informed leadership’, making us way more emotionally aware and fluent, helping us nurture a positive work environment.
Generational Synergy: Gen Z and Millennials Leading the Way
The success of our platform department has also been driven by the synergy between generations. Our team is composed of both Gen Z and Millennial talent, each bringing their unique strengths to the table. This generational diversity has been one of our greatest assets.
Millennials, with their years of experience, serve as mentors to younger team members, sharing knowledge and offering insights that help refine ideas and solutions. Meanwhile, Gen Z employees bring a fresh, innovative mindset, embracing new technologies and challenging the status quo. This intergenerational collaboration fosters a dynamic environment where new ideas are not only welcomed but encouraged.
Experience and fresh ideas have driven our platform team’s success. By empowering both generations to collaborate and learn from each other, we’ve built a team that is agile, adaptable, and continuously pushing boundaries.
Expanding Teams and Achieving Milestones
In the past year, our platform department has grown not just in terms of headcount but in the impact we’ve had on Delasport’s success. New talent helped us meet business demands and expand our platform for a growing iGaming customer base.
Some of the most exciting milestones we’ve achieved include the launch of a next-generation sportsbook platform, which has been a game-changer for our business. We’re receiving praise aboutthe platform. For for its speed, reliability, and user-friendly interface, leading to increased customer engagement and retention. This project, along with several others, significantly boosted the company’s revenue, reinforcing the value of our platform team’s work.
We’ve also embraced agile methodologies, which have allowed us to iterate quickly and respond to market demands faster than ever. This flexibility has been critical in delivering high-quality products on time and within budget, building trust with both our clients and our internal stakeholders.
Collaboration, Communication, and Team Spirit: The Pillars of Success
At Delasport, we understand that true success isn’t just about technical expertise—it’s about collaboration. We’ve created a culture where communication flows freely across teams and where collaboration is the norm. Even Harvard stresses the importance of good corporate culture, so we make it our priority that our platform teams work closely with product managers, designers, QA engineers, and other departments to ensure that we deliver the best possible product every time.
But the glue that holds all of this together is our strong team spirit. It’s not just about individual achievement; it’s about collective success. The camaraderie within the team is what drives us to overcome challenges together, celebrate our wins, and support each other when things get tough. The sense of unity and shared purpose has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals.
Thanks to this team spirit, our people are constantly expanding their knowledge. Every day presents an opportunity for learning, whether it’s a new technology, a more efficient way of working, or a fresh solution to a complex problem. Continuous learning builds experts who eagerly grow and tackle new challenges.
The Bottom Line
I can confidently say that our success is not just due to our technical skills but also the culture we’ve built within our platform teams. A collaborative, open, and growth-focused environment helped us scale and achieve remarkable milestones.
The synergy between Gen Z and Millennial talent, along with the strong team spirit and commitment to learning, has been central to our success. As we continue to grow and scale, we will remain focused on nurturing a culture that empowers our people, drives innovation, and delivers exceptional results for our business and our clients.
At Delasport, we have stellar code. Yet, our culture beats even that. Our culture is the driving force behind everything we do.
