Matey Kaziyski’s Big Serve: Championing Bulgaria’s Tiger Technology
By Lenka Vranová | 22 August 2025
In the evolving intersection between sports and technology, athletes are increasingly stepping beyond their performance arenas to become influential investors in innovative tech ventures worldwide. From Serena Williams supporting companies like Coinbase and MasterClass, to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ventures into digital fitness, and Shaquille O’Neal’s early investments in giants like Google and Ring, the trend resonates globally.
Within Central and Eastern Europe, notable sports stars are following suit. Polish footballer Robert Lewandowski invests through Protos Venture Capital and owns a marketing agency, while Croatian footballer Luka Modrić has backed startups such as Sportening, a sports-centric social app. Bulgaria, too, boasts a champion blending athletic prowess with technological entrepreneurship: the renowned volleyball star Matey Kaziyski.
A Winning Partnership: Matey Kaziyski and Tiger Technology
Matey Kaziyski’s commitment to Bulgarian innovation is exemplified by his significant involvement with Tiger Technology, a Sofia-based hybrid cloud data management provider. Trusted by global clients, including Fortune 500 companies, Tiger Technology specializes in solutions enabling enterprises to reduce storage costs, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate secure international collaboration. Their offerings serve critical sectors such as healthcare, surveillance, finance, and media.
This week, Tiger Technology revealed record-breaking financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2025, showcasing robust year-over-year revenue growth: a remarkable 115% increase in Q2 compared to the same period in 2024, and over 335% cumulative growth over two years. Reflecting investor confidence, Kaziyski chose to convert his prior convertible loan into equity, emerging as the largest individual shareholder in the company’s latest financing round.
Dedication and Vision: Kaziyski’s Investment Philosophy
In an exclusive statement, Kaziyski shared the motivations behind deepening his investment in Tiger Technology:
“Throughout my career as a professional athlete, I’ve always believed in dedication, discipline, and surrounding myself with people who know how to win. After years of playing for top teams abroad, I wanted to invest in something meaningful — something with long-term potential, and ideally, something close to home.
I’ve known Alexander Lefterov for years — we share a passion for excellence, whether in sports or business — and I fully believe in the direction he’s leading the company. Tiger Technology is right at the crest of the wave in a booming IT industry, and I’m proud to support its next chapter of growth.”
This endorsement from a sports professional renowned for his discipline and pursuit of excellence signals strong confidence in the future trajectory of Bulgaria’s tech ecosystem.
Strategic Growth and Global Ambitions
Tiger Technology’s CEO, Iravan Hira, welcomed Kaziyski’s support, stating:
“We are honored by the trust of our investors, including Mr. Kaziyski, whose support reflects the growing confidence in Tiger Technology’s performance and vision. This equity conversion comes at a time of solid growth and positions us strongly as we continue expanding globally.”
The company’s expanding footprint includes not only its U.S. subsidiaries — Tiger Technology and Tiger Surveillance — but also a growing presence in the Middle East. Tiger Technology’s hybrid cloud solutions address critical industry needs, such as cost-effective data storage, compliance adherence, and enabling secure collaboration across borders.
As the company continues to engage with institutional and strategic investors to fuel global expansion, Kaziyski’s personal investment symbolizes more than financial backing; it epitomizes a synergy between sporting grit and tech innovation rooted in Bulgaria.
Athletes Shaping Tomorrow’s Industries
Matey Kaziyski’s strategic bet on Tiger Technology highlights a broader trend where athletes leverage their platforms and capital to nurture innovation hubs within their home countries and beyond. His move underscores how sports figures can transition into influential roles supporting technological advancements and entrepreneurship.
As Kaziyski champions a Bulgarian company poised for international success, his journey offers inspiration to athletes and investors alike, suggesting a fruitful fusion of dedication, vision, and national pride.
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About the author:
Lenka Vranová is a technology and cultural observer with a background in linguistics and media. She writes on technology disruption and investment in rapidly evolving digital ecosystems with analytical insight and narrative clarity.
Tags: Matey Kaziyski, Tiger Technology, Bulgarian Tech, Sports Investment, Hybrid Cloud, Global Expansion, Innovation Ecosystem
