Frederic Boulanger's interest in eastern Europe was first piqued years ago, when he was looking for skilled workers while employed by a different software company.
"When I was working way-back-when at Corel, I was looking for talent all over the place," he recalled. "Russia, India, Egypt, all over the place. Over time, I kept my mind open to the fact that there was some talent available in those places."
It wasn't something he forgot years later as CEO of Ottawa software outsourcer Macadamian. More than just potato dumplings and polka, there was high-tech talent behind the old Iron Curtain, and it's led to some profitable ventures for Macadamian in that part of the world.
Three years ago, the firm opened a lab in Cluj Napoca, Romania's "tech hub" and third-largest city. And just last year, it started a second eastern facility, this time in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The labs replicate facilities in Ottawa, and each employ about 20 locals, said Mr. Boulanger. About 30 per cent of Macadamian's total production comes from the two labs.
