Behind every successful company stands a remarkable team and a visionary leader. Meet our visionary, Gor Nagdalyan, the founder of Mantis EVN, a software testing company located in the beating heart of Armenia’s capital, Yerevan.
Being an ardent enthusiast of Nokia in the early 2000s, Gor was actively discussing tech in international online forums. Over the years, his passion for technology has never waned. Furthermore, his keen eye for innovation ensures that no new device ever escapes his attention. Leveraging his extensive tech background and talent for discovering top QA professionals who align with his workplace culture, Gor founded Mantis EVN in January 2020.
Pioneering Remote Work in Armenia’s Tech Scene
Even as a freshman in Economics at Yerevan State University, Gor began his career remotely using oDesk, now well known as UpWork, in 2009. At a time when remote employment was still unfamiliar to the local society and before the rise of offsite work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the founder of Mantis EVN was one of the first and youngest remote workers in Armenia.
“I was working as an English-to-Russian translator for about two years when—out of the blue—I received a QA job offer from an English company. The funny thing? I wasn’t even a QA specialist at the time! Poring over the job description, I realized my deep passion for technology had equipped me with the knowledge they sought. Soon after, following a successful interview, I landed the role. And just like that, my journey in QA began,” Gor recalls with a nostalgic smile.
Building a Diverse and High-Performing QA Team
From lawyers and bartenders to airport staff and chefs, the diverse team at Mantis EVN comes from a wide range of professions. Despite their varied backgrounds, they share key qualities: a passion for learning, a drive for growth, and a deep appreciation for Mantis EVN’s dynamic workplace culture, where everyone is inspired to bring their A-game.
“Over my ten years of freelancing, one correlation became evident: the happier I was at a company, the more I contributed. It wasn’t just about compensation. It was about mentorship, being heard, and making a difference. When founding Mantis EVN, this belief only grew stronger. Throughout the ups and downs, successes and mistakes, one truth stands firm: a happy employee is high-performing,” believes Gor.
Why Global Tech Companies Trust Mantis EVN for QA
Word of mouth—our secret recipe for success!
“Most of our clients find their way to us through recommendations from happy customers,” confirms Gor. Our cost-effective software testing and top-notch customer experience assurance are big draws, but that’s just the beginning. So, what really makes us click with partners around the globe? It’s the human touch. We dive deep into understanding our clients’ unique needs, tailor the perfect approach, and are always just a call away. This is how we build lasting, trust-filled partnerships that stand the test of time.
At Mantis EVN, our partnerships often blossom into lasting friendships. Sometimes they even lead to celebrations of big fat Armenian weddings together! For instance, in 2021, Zach Goldberg, our longtime partner and cherished friend, who was then the CTO at growflow.com, made his first trip to Armenia to join in the festivities at the Mantis EVN founder’s wedding. However, this is just the beginning of a story that deserves its own spotlight. Keep an eye out for it in our future blogs!
