Resilience & Innovation: Ocean’s 2024 in Retrospect

Step into the ecosystem of Ocean Investments, where each company is a vital piece of a larger puzzle, meticulously assembled to foster innovation and growth. Presented alphabetically, this recap offers a snapshot of our strategic achievements and pivotal developments across the group in 2024.

Allatra

Strategic Recruitment and Innovative Assessments

• Strategic Talent Acquisition: In 2024, Allatra successfully filled over 40 strategic positions for Ocean’s portfolio companies. Over 100 candidates underwent comprehensive psychodiagnostic assessments measuring their cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, personality traits, behavioral tendencies, and organizational fit. Allatra’s evaluation tools include tests for classical and emotional intelligence, determination of virtues, and counterproductive behavior risks, along with DISC-based behavioral and motivational analysis, specialized mechanisms for assessing ethical risks, human design profiling, and team engineering for small and mid-scale business analysis. These methods once again proved in 2024 to significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the recruitment and team engineering process.

Milestone Achievements

• Allatra’s Third Anniversary: Celebrated in March, Allatra marked its third year. The team, which we like to refer to as “architects of human connections,” continue their commitment to pioneering a new era in HR where innovation meets intuition and where deep personal insights are what create the perfect team.

AMATAS

Webinar Initiatives

• First Webinar on SOC-as-a-Service: In early March, AMATAS’s marketing and sales team successfully hosted their first webinar focused on generating potential leads. The topic was “Unlocking Security Excellence: The Benefits of SOC-as-a-Service”.
• Second Webinar on Cyber Recovery: In April, AMATAS hosted a LinkedIn Live Event titled “Rebound and Recover: The Critical 48 Hours Post-Cyber Attack”, presented by Boris Goncharov, Chief Strategy Officer, discussing strategies for cyber recovery post-attack.
• Third Webinar with Rapid7: On September 17, AMATAS organized a webinar titled “Stronger Together: Uniting Advanced Security Solutions and Expert MDR for Holistic Cyber Defense”, highlighting the importance of a sustainable mechanism for detecting and responding to cyber-attacks.

Awards and Recognition

• Seven HeartCount Awards in 2024: AMATAS won seven awards in the categories Wellbeing, Feedback, Satisfaction, Allegiance, Relationship, Output, and Delight, with employee engagement reaching a record 94%.

Industry Engagement and Leadership

• Extensive Conference Participation: Throughout 2024, AMATAS engaged in numerous key conferences, both in Bulgaria and internationally, with Boris Goncharov presenting on various cybersecurity topics at events such as DigiPay 2024 in Sofia, Adria Security Summit in Sarajevo, Capital Cybersecurity Forum 2024, Greater Seattle HDI Chapter’s Cybersecurity Summit, and Washington, DC IT Summit. AMATAS also participated in the Tech of Tomorrow conference hosted by Investor Media Pro. Boris Goncharov discussed trends in digital protection and the European DORA regulation. Additionally, the company participated in both Infosecurity Europe in London and BlackHat in Las Vegas where they shared insights on the future of cybersecurity.
• Specialized Security Events: Miroslav Naidenov, leading cybersecurity expert at AMATAS, participated in the Bulgarian Identity Conference and a casual event called IdentiBeer, discussing innovative approaches to digital identity management amid rising cyber threats.

Gravity Homes & Living

Construction and Development

• Start of Gravity Homes & Living Project: Construction began on January 3, 2024, with an official ceremony at the foot of Vitosha Mountain.

Sales Achievements

• Record-Breaking Sales: Since the groundbreaking on January 3, 2024, Gravity has achieved significant market presence with over 40% of the residential units from Phase 1 sold, establishing new standards in the real estate industry.

Community and Client Engagement

• Luxury Event with LUXIMMO: During the summer, Gravity Homes & Living hosted a cocktail event in partnership with LUXIMMO on the construction site. The event provided guests with a view of the ongoing housing project and the surrounding area, including a 110,000 square meter site featuring a 1-hectare private park. The event aimed to introduce potential and current clients to the project and foster community relations within the Gravity community.

Monotes

Digital Presence and Expansion

• Official Website Launch: Monotes launched its official website, showcasing the team’s commitment to partnerships, quality services, and innovations in the field of cash management.
• Social Media Launch: In April, Monotes debuted its presence on social media platforms, such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Community Engagement

• Team Building Event in Apriltsi: Monotes held a memorable team-building event in Apriltsi where the team contributed to the local community by constructing three wooden benches, placing a historical marker, cleaning and beautifying green spaces, and raising the Bulgarian flag. This initiative aimed to restore community spirit and promote national pride.

Ocean Investments

Driving Positive Change Through CHAS za NAS

• CHAS za NAS Podcast Launch: Ocean Investments’ CHAS za NAS has broadened its scope beyond internal boundaries through the launch of Season 1 of its podcast series. In this first season, Atanas Simeonov, alongside host Kameliya Dineva, PR & Branding Manager at Resolute Software, delved into 10 practical lessons centered on RIGHTEOUSNESS, one of Ocean’s core values. Internally, CHAS za NAS continues to enrich the company culture by organizing academies, training sessions, and community engagement activities such as charity events, farmers’ markets, and team-building exercises.

HR Achievements and Recognitions

• HR Project Awards: Ocean Investments’ HR team garnered multiple awards in the last quarter of 2024, winning first place in the “Best HR Project for a Large Company” at the Bulgarian Association for People Management awards among 50 companies. Additionally, they received two key awards at Employer of Choice 2024 in the “Office and Work Environment” and “Internal Communication” categories.
• Employer Branding Strategy: In September, Ocean Investments received a silver award for its employer branding strategy at Career Show 2024, underscoring efforts to build a strong employer brand that attracts and retains talent while fostering employee development.

Strategic Investments

• Investment in Evrotrust: In April, Ocean acquired a minority stake in Evrotrust, a digital identification and electronic signature platform. This investment complements our security investment vertical, enhancing our offerings in physical and cybersecurity solutions.

• Beach Co-working and Co-Living Space: This summer, Ocean Investments established a beach co-working and co-living space in Lozenets, called The Spot, embodying the co-working & co-living lifestyle with a focus on freedom and community care.

Community and Employee Engagement

• Tuk-Tam Kosher 2024 Participation: Ocean supported and participated in the Tuk-Tam Kosher 2024 event, engaging with young professionals and sharing the company’s culture and innovation.
• Ocean Day Celebration: On June 8, coinciding with World Oceans Day, Ocean Investments celebrated with family-oriented eco-activities, promoting sustainability and team bonding.

Employer Branding Initiatives

• Family-Friendly Office Policies: Ocean has introduced several family-friendly initiatives, including additional paid leave for parents, child-friendly office spaces, webinars on parenting, medical care for children, and a flexible work-from-home policy to support work-life balance.

Founders Team Building and Resilience Training

• Founders Odyssey: On October 17, Ocean’s portfolio founders undertook a physical and metaphorical journey to the peak of Mount Olympus, symbolizing and actualizing their commitment to resilience and collective achievement in overcoming challenges.

OMNIO

Product Development

• Software Suite Enhancements: Throughout 2024, OMNIO focused on expanding its software suite with new features. The company also optimized existing tools with special emphasis on machine learning functionalities.

Business Expansion and Partnerships

• Growth through Strategic Partnerships: OMNIO achieved growth in the UK and South Africa by forming strategic partnerships with key finance industry players in these regions.

Strategic Initiatives

• Advanced Discussions with Major Cloud Provider: OMNIO is in advanced discussions with a major cloud provider to expand distribution channels. This partnership aims to democratize access to OMNIO’s software suite, enhancing its global reach.

Plainsea

Product Launch and Features

• Global Launch of Cybersecurity Software Platform: In June 2024, Plainsea launched its cybersecurity platform for service delivery internationally. The platform is designed to optimize, systematize, and automate a broad range of cybersecurity services, enhancing project delivery times and service quality.

Industry Engagement and Exposure

• Presentation at Major Cybersecurity Expos: During the summer of 2024, Plainsea showcased its cybersecurity platform at Infosecurity Europe in London and BlackHat in Las Vegas. CEO Marko Simeonov and CTO Angel Angelov demonstrated the platform’s capabilities and discussed new approaches to penetration testing, attracting significant interest from industry professionals.
• Networking and Strategic Alliances: At these events, Plainsea engaged in numerous meetings with cybersecurity service providers from the US and Europe, exploring potential collaborations that could enhance the delivery of continuous protection services through their platform.

Resolute Software

Awards and Recognition

• HeartCount Awards Success: Resolute secured its fourth consecutive win at the annual HeartCount awards, recognized in five categories: Wellbeing, Feedback, Output, Satisfaction, and Development. Employee satisfaction reached 97%, and engagement scored 4.48 out of 5, with 100% positive feedback on managerial care, trust among colleagues, and job autonomy.
• Web Excellence Award: The newly revamped and modernized Resolute website won a gold award at the Web Excellence Awards in the Website/Computer/IT category, competing against entries from 27 countries.
• Stevie Awards Achievement: Resolute won a bronze at the Stevie Awards for the second consecutive year in the “Company of the Year” category, recognized for modernizing public safety systems, including aviation safety and law enforcement support technologies.

Company Milestones

• Fifth Anniversary Celebrations: Resolute celebrated its fifth anniversary on April 1 with a week-long series of events reflecting on the past five years, culminating in a festive gathering featuring speeches, five cakes, and a show cooking performance by chef Atanas Balkanski.

VIP Security

Milestone Achievements

• VIP Security’s 25th Anniversary: In February, VIP Security celebrated its 25th anniversary with a big event at the National Palace of Culture, emphasizing its long-standing mission of delivering security, trust, and care. The “Security Festival” brought together employees and their families in a day full of entertainment, activities, and sports, reflecting the company’s dedication to both safety and community engagement. The festivities included a light show, aerial acrobatics, and various workshops.

Community Engagement

• “Donate a Book, Be an Awakener” Initiative: During the summer, VIP Security participated in the “Book Givers” initiative in collaboration with the website nadvecher.com. The campaign focused on extending the life of literature by donating books to libraries in smaller communities around Botevgrad, enhancing local cultural resources.

And last but not least…

Group Initiatives

Cultural and Team-Building Events

• Baba Marta Celebration: On March 1st, Ocean Investments marked Baba Marta with a creative workshop where teams from each company competed to craft the best team martenitsa, with VIP Security taking the top honors.
• International Women’s Day: Celebrated with world jiu-jitsu champion Violeta Angelova, who shared insights on how discipline and endurance in sports empower women in their daily lives.
• Earth Day Mountain Trek: Employees exchanged office chairs for hiking gear to celebrate Earth Day with a trek to Malyovitsa peak in Rila Mountain, embracing Bulgaria’s natural beauty.

Community Engagement

• Blood Donation Drive: Ocean Investments hosted its third blood donation drive, collecting 14 liters of blood from 31 volunteers, potentially saving 42 lives.
• Charitable Easter Bazaar: Funds raised from a group-level Easter bazaar were donated to a nursing home in Etropole, with the Ocean Guild visiting the home to interact with residents and spreading good cheer through activities like board games.
• Farmers’ Market and Charity Drive: In November, Ocean Investments hosted a farmers’ market where homemade jams and crafts were sold to support the “Operation Teddy Bear” campaign, fulfilling Christmas wishes for disadvantaged children.

Educational and Development Programs

• Webinar on Parenting: Hosted a special webinar on June 1st with child psychologist Vinitziy Petrov, discussing the joys and challenges of parenting.
• First Day of School Initiative: Gifted the book “Happiness for Kids” to our first graders and challenged them to learn to write the alphabet by the end of the school year.

Physical and Team Challenges

• Mountain Climbing Expeditions: Throughout 2024, the Ocean Guild climbed several of Bulgaria’s most emblematic peaks, including Botev, Sinanitsa, and Vihren, enhancing team spirit and promoting health through shared outdoor experiences.

2025, Full Speed Ahead!

And so, it’s clear that in 2024 resilience and innovation were the main chapters of our story. We’re grateful for yet another year of meaningful growth and collaborative success. As we look forward, we are well-prepared to meet future challenges and seize new opportunities.