What it’s like to work at Tango

During the 2020 pandemic upheaval, the live-streaming platform Tango relocated a modest trio of engineers to Cyprus. Three years on, that seed has bloomed into a strong team of 60 employees, with plans to grow their number by another 40 by 2024, reveals Olga Chastova, Tango’s HR Head in Cyprus.

Tango’s story reflects a phoenix-like resurgence. Born in 2009 in California’s sun-bleached hills as a video call and messaging startup, it reached unicorn status before being forced into tough decisions once WhatsApp had swallowed most of the market. Following a heavy downsizing, it pivoted into live streaming in 2018, pioneering the Western front. Today, with a diverse mosaic of 400 people across offices in Tel Aviv, Kyiv, Warsaw, Limassol and Dubai, it has re-emerged as a bustling hub for millions of content creators – mirroring the live-streaming market’s meteoric rise. Despite the changes, Tango has retained the startup ethos. Flexibility and open communication are embedded in its everyday processes and the active removal of red tape enables creativity and innovation within its teams. Stock options further bolster the quest to align employee interests with the company’s success.

“We actively invest in employee development through various initiatives and internal and external training programmes,” explains Chastova, elucidating the development of a new mentoring system for training and knowledge sharing across its offices. The company also participates in internal summits and technical meetups in Cyprus, attended by developers from Ukraine, Poland, Israel and the UAE. “Additionally,” she goes on, “we support our team through an annual performance review process that helps track progress and potential.” In Cyprus, it has introduced a leadership education programme to cultivate successful leaders by drawing on the experience of seasoned managers. “We’re committed to employee development, offering compensation for training and internal programmes. We also foster language skills, with English improvement and Greek lessons that help integrate employees into Cypriot culture,” she says.

A cornerstone of the company’s ethos is a dedicated emphasis on fostering familial bonds within the workplace, marked by monthly family Fridays and a nod to employees’ kin in significant corporate events – a testament to acknowledging the deep well of support that families can offer. Beyond fostering a family-office atmosphere, Tango offers generous benefits and a conscious blend of personal and professional life. Health insurance, sports provisions and a vibrant second-floor food court – everyday catering is on the menu – with recreational nooks underpin its commitment to employee wellbeing. Notably, Tango’s title sponsorship of leading Cypriot football club Aris Limassol brings the company inside a century-old local culture, affording employees access to matches, club events and exclusive club-themed gifts. “Our culture suits those who enjoy close relationships with colleagues, both in and outside the workspace,” Chastova notes.

The company’s diverse blend of talent has a singular goal in mind: to make the app an industry leader. This objective, she argues, coupled with the platform’s complex and engaging product, has been a magnet for strong and talented developers, thirsty for formidable engineering challenges. And their efforts are bearing fruit. A 2022 report by Data.ai, sifting through 100 million data points across 250,000 apps, showcased Tango’s reign in consumer spending across Turkey, Egypt and India while clinching top-five ranks in Saudi Arabia and Colombia. “We challenge the notion of the ‘impossible’, thriving on hard work, user engagement and a lively work culture. Our employees are senior specialists, chosen for their passion and commitment that go beyond their job requirements,” she stresses.

Evaluation at Tango involves a mixture of daily interactions and formal assessments, buoyed by the local team’s manageable size. Regular one-on-one meetings with leaders provide a platform for candid discussions and swift problem resolution while performance appraisals not only assess work outcomes but also pulse-check the office environment and wellbeing of teams and individuals.

“What distinguishes us is our people, product and industry vision,” Chastova proclaims, praising Tango’s trove of engineering talents, some of whom were part of renowned ‘dream teams’ – tech slang for the crème de le crème of engineers. “Our collective belief in the power and potential of live streaming further sets us apart. This massively successful industry is growing in global popularity and underlines our commitment to becoming an innovative leader in this space,” she adds.

(Photos by by Giorgos Charal)

This interview first appeared in the December 2023 edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.