“Pixelhunters is not just a business for me, but my life.” It is a label of love, not just because am passionate about the work, but also, I run the business with my husband Iliya Atanasov.
In today’s technological world, augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) is considered the next digital frontier. The leaders in the AR/VR industry are driving the future of updated technology that can bring new innovations in order to make the daily lives of people easier. Moreover, gaming industry is enlarging its arms by leveraging latest technologies and making it user friendly. Industry leaders are building strategies to minimize the gap between the digital world and the physical world by embedding AR/VR into gaming. Dr. Ani Atanasova (CEO, Pixelhunters) is one of those business leaders who are inspiring others to make their dreams come true with the help of innovation and creativity.
Name behind the Innovation
Dr. Ani Atanasova and her husband, Iliya Atanasov, merged their interests, and expertise to build a new organization – Pixelhunters. A lot of people are curious about the name. But Dr. Ani says it is because we hunt pixels to create beautiful things.
She has a Ph.D. in Quantum & Optoelectronics and currently in process of graduating a 2nd PhD in Education, she has devoted years of her life to science, research, teaching, and industry. Moreover, she has experienced working with several patented projects of the EU in the field of magnetic field measurements and laser applications. Undoubtedly, her craving for innovation and the creativity of her husband came together to build a game-changing company like Pixelhunters.
A Game-Changing Journey
Established in 2009, Pixelhunters started its journey as a 3D animation and VFX company, which became the first indie game development studio in UAE. Under the leadership of Dr. Ani and her expertise in educational and business gaming, Pixelhunters quickly grabbed everyone’s attention in the market.
Being from a science background, her husband introduced her to the gaming industry and they merged their interests, expertise, and work passionate nature to think of new types of project approaches involving lots of R&D, experimentation, and creativity. Besides being the CEO, she is more inclined towards the R&D department and dealing with customers. She shows interest in understanding the requirements of clients and working closely with them to create a perfect project with innovative solutions.
The evergreen team of Dr. Ani majorly involves engineers, who admire technology and have a common goal to create unique projects through experimenting and blending different experiences. Being blessed with good engineers, the company successfully created unique projects. Dr. Ani likes to work hard and dedicates herself to every project, which makes her and her team proud of what they deliver to the clients.
Contributing to the Future of Technology
AR is about augmenting digitally some elements in the real world through phones or AR glasses. A common example of AR is filters used by many applications or games including 3D characters in real environments. The common use of AR on phones makes its application very convenient for daily life engagement in retail products or entertainment. Whereas VR enables people to experience virtual simulations into daily life. In situations where the perception of risk is involved, the application of VR permits safe training in a virtual environment. Because of these technologies, experiencing information has gained new heights and is becoming more popular in the metaverse. Pixelhunters is contributing to the AR/VR industry by bringing innovation through a game-based approach.
Prioritizing Requirements of Customers
Working along with government and large corporate sectors, Pixelhunters has managed to incorporate plenty of clients SMEs, other agencies, exhibition companies, and many more. Dr Ani prefers to fulfill various requirements of clients. It includes helping them visualize their corporate messages and processes that are looking to use immersive technologies to amplify their brands. Also, when the client is looking for engaging ways to train employees via a game-based approach or gamification, Pixelhunters supports the requirements of such clients. Higher quality 3D content and metaverse experiences are some services provided by the company to additionally immerse their clients.
Additionally, Pixelhunters has 2 VR platforms combining visual and interactive sides, which are now global innovations. With over 4000 plus VR recorded users with reports and analytics and 7 hours of VR content developed, the company has established itself as one of the leaders using VR for serious learning. The company created new types of project approaches that involve lots of R&D, experimentation, and creativity under the guidance of Dr. Ani and her husband Iliya Atanasov.
A Great Leader Builds a Great Team
With Pixelhunters passionate team, Dr. Ani believes in creating beautiful and inspirational projects. The team is always thrilled to work with difficult deadlines and concepts. Moreover, she firmly stands on being aware of the different strengths of the team. With this, the company can use them wisely during challenging situations. Such a remarkable team creates art and its happiness lies to a big extent in the exciting projects that it works on and as a good leader, Dr. Ani believes in building trust that result in extraordinary work.
Nothing is Impossible
Dr. Ani Atanasova believes in lifting others as she stands to be an inspiration for many people in the serious gaming industry. She is the UAE Correspondent for the Young Business Leaders France and is on the advisory board of several UAE Universities. With her slogan “Nothing is Impossible,” she continues to motivate women in the game development business. Under her guidance, Pixelhunters has delivered more than 1500 projects across the globe and won more than 150 international industry awards.
Maintaining Work-life balance
Coping with the dynamic market and constant competition, stress management becomes equally important. “Work-life balance is probably the hardest to achieve for any business leader. But after all, it is how we look at the problem, that matters,” quotes Dr. Ani. She exceptionally handles stress by approaching difficulties as challenges and finding solutions for them. In this way, she manages the workload and encourages herself to work harder than before. “Sometimes, it is important to learn how to switch off the brain and enjoy every moment so that productivity increases the next day”, she adds.
Dr. Ani utilizes her free time to learn new things, develop new ideas, and brainstorm innovations. She loves her work and the process of being consistent with her energy level. Undoubtedly, she has proved herself over the period as a successful leader in the AR-VR industry and managed to inspire and motivate others on the way.
Advice from the best
Being a decorated leader in the AR-VR industry, Dr. Ani wants to share a piece of advice with aspiring leaders:
- It is important to understand the technology in order to use it wisely rather than just using it blindly like others.
- It should be recognized what kind of value a technology can bring as benefits to the business.
- For developing and using technology wisely, it is important to be aware of the user’s technology adaptation and implementation efforts.
Note to the Students:
“We put a lot of love and hard work into all our work, as it has been always important to be proud of all we deliver.”
