You can’t build great products without first building great people. That belief has taken Alin Vădan and DevHub from a two-person idea in Cluj-Napoca to a strong company spread across multiple cities in Romania.

What began as a small local startup has grown into a full-stack tech organization, with teams spanning development, QA, DevOps, design, and beyond – all connected by the same goal: turning ideas into meaningful digital experiences.

5 Star iGaming Media sat down with Alin to talk about how that belief shaped DevHub’s evolution – from the early struggles to the culture that defines it today.

DevHub started in 2018 as a two-person project in a living room from Cluj. Today, you have a strong and big team across several cities. What’s been the driving force behind that growth?

Honestly, it started with curiosity and a bit of stubbornness. In 2018, there was no big plan to build such a big company; just 2 of us trying to make things work and to build something that mattered. When people feel ownership, they move mountains.

That’s why, from the start, DevHub was built around purpose – making sure everyone knows why they’re doing something, not just what they’re doing.

Every new city or project came naturally, once the team was ready. We took our time to understand the market, to build relationships that lasted, and to deliver on what we promised, even when it meant saying no to things that didn’t fit.

Was there a moment when you realized this company was going to be bigger than just an idea?

There wasn’t one big “aha” moment. It was more like a series of small wake-up calls. The first time I realized DevHub might actually become something bigger was when I stopped doing everything myself and saw others taking ownership.

I’ve never been obsessed with getting bigger. I’ve been obsessed with getting better. Growth came naturally once people started trusting the process and each other. You create a place where people feel safe doing the best they can, and before you know it, the room gets too small.

You’ve talked before about “learning from mistakes early.” What were some of those lessons that shaped how you lead today?

Thought enthusiasm could replace structure. Spoiler: it can’t. At 24, I had to close my first company, and that was a tough pill to swallow, but it was also the best lesson I could’ve asked for.

The biggest thing I learned was that clarity beats talent. You can have brilliant people around you, but if they don’t know exactly what’s expected of them, chaos wins. I also learned that avoiding uncomfortable conversations only makes them worse.

So yes, I learned early, but I’m still learning. The only difference is that these days I know how to approach challenges with a bit more calm and a lot less drama.

How do you define a great workplace in tech? What matters most beyond the salary and benefits?

This is an industry that moves incredibly fast, so stress is part of the game. But confusion and ego don’t have to be. If people spend their energy guessing what’s going on or fighting for space, you’ve already lost half the productivity.

We try to keep things simple at DevHub. Speak your mind, be honest in your feedback, and avoid making people jump through hoops to accomplish what they set out to do.

A great workplace is one where people go home with a clear head, not drained from confusion. Things like perks, bonuses, and good coffee matter a lot, but they only work when the basics are right.

When you walk into the office now, what makes you most proud?

Walking in and realizing I’m not the smartest person in the room…and that’s exactly how it should be.
You can also see it in the results – projects delivered on time, products that actually make a difference, and partners who stay because they trust the people behind the work.

I still remember when “the office” was just a rented apartment with two laptops and bad coffee. Now I walk through a space full of people who don’t need me to tell them what to do. That’s huge for me.

What’s the one thing you never want to change about DevHub, no matter how big it gets?

It sounds simple, but it’s the hardest thing to protect when a company gets bigger – that feeling that you can speak up, ask for help, or challenge an idea without worrying about hierarchy.

From day one, DevHub was built on voices, not titles. I never want it to become a place where decisions hide behind closed doors.

Growth brings process, and process is good, but only if it doesn’t replace common sense and empathy. As long as people still feel comfortable speaking their minds, we’re doing something right. That openness is what started DevHub, and it’s what I’ll fight to keep as we continue to grow.