In a recent interview, Ivan Montik, the founder of SOFTSWISS, shared insights into the company's evolution and the importance of maintaining flexibility as a key strength in the fast-paced gaming industry.
Montik reflected on the transformation of SOFTSWISS from its inception to its current status. "SOFTSWISS is now a large-scale global business that stands firmly on its own feet. Over the years, we've built an entire ecosystem of products, developed strong leadership teams, and grown into a mature company operating on a global scale. It’s obviously no longer a startup," he noted.
Starting a company often comes with uncertainty. Entrepreneurs have a vision and plans, but the future remains unpredictable. Today, Montik feels that SOFTSWISS has transitioned into a stable B2B company characterized by a strong foundation and global presence, reflecting years of growth and maturation.
He takes pride in the company’s ability to retain its flexibility despite its growth. "We've managed to keep the flexibility of a startup, and I think that’s one of our greatest strengths," said Montik.
When discussing industry assumptions, Montik pointed out a significant shift in perceptions about online gaming. He observed, "For many years, people talked about online gaming as something new and mainly aimed at younger audiences. Today, the reality is very different. iGaming is a major industry that operates under established regulations in various jurisdictions and continues to grow year after year."
He emphasized that online gaming is no longer seen as a challenger to traditional gambling. Instead, it's evolved into a mature global industry that rivals conventional gambling in scale and growth. Montik highlighted the emergence of prediction markets as a notable development that has opened new avenues within the iGaming ecosystem.
Looking toward the future, Montik believes that the most successful iGaming companies in five years will share a common trait: flexibility. He noted the importance of not allowing growth and stability to create sluggishness. Companies must maintain adaptability in order to respond effectively to changing market dynamics, a lesson drawn from other industries, such as automotive.
A practical example from SOFTSWISS’s experience is the swift implementation of its prediction markets solution, which was developed in just two months after recognizing the opportunity.
"The companies that manage to combine scale with speed will be the frontrunners in this industry," Montik stated. He further noted the need for reliability, as increased regulatory sophistication requires a balance between flexibility and stability.
As SOFTSWISS charts its next chapter, Montik identified business results as the foundation of growth, emphasizing that revenue and profit are clear indicators of a company’s progress. While the iGaming market is expanding at about 10% annually, Montik aims for SOFTSWISS to outpace this, targeting at least 20% annual profit growth with an ideal goal of 30%. This ambitious growth strategy distinguishes a company from merely participating in the market to actively shaping it.
Montik sees that SOFTSWISS's growth is intrinsically linked to that of its clients. Over the years, the company has developed not just a product portfolio but a comprehensive ecosystem of technology, expertise, and services that support operators in regulated markets.
Reflecting on how SOFTSWISS is perceived today, Montik expressed hope that people recognize it as a company dedicated to building strong technology and infrastructure for the iGaming industry. He also emphasized the importance of the people behind these developments. Montik stressed a fundamental principle: to do things in a way that one will be proud of later, underscoring a commitment to quality in products, service, and client relations.
Montik's vision for SOFTSWISS is that it is not just about technology—it's about a dedicated team that takes pride in its work and is genuinely invested in creating value for partners and clients.
