At Index.dev, we know that hiring the right talent is about more than just technical skills. It’s about finding people who align with a company’s values, culture, and mission.
When Fishbrain, the world’s leading mobile app and social network for anglers, set out to expand its tech team in 2021, they wanted developers who not only had the right skills but also shared their passion for fishing and fit seamlessly into their Swedish work culture.
We were there to help, matching them with the best talent from our global network.
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The Challenge: Hiring for Culture Fit
With over 15 million app users, 14 million recorded catch locations, and Navionics high-resolution depth charts, Fishbrain had big ambitions. They needed skilled developers and UI/UX designers across multiple roles—iOS, Android, Frontend, and UI/UX design—to strengthen app development and contribute to every stage of the product lifecycle, from design and implementation to testing, release, and maintenance.
As a Swedish company, they wanted talent from Central Eastern Europe and the Balkans to align with their working hours and company values—freedom under responsibility, initiative, honest communication, collaboration, trust, and openness at every step.
On top of that, they sought professionals with a passion for fishing—people who could truly understand their users and help shape the app that millions of anglers rely on.
The Solution: Vetting and Matching the Right Talent
Index.dev tapped into its network to connect Fishbrain with exceptional talent. Among them were Sofija D. and Nevena B., two highly skilled UI/UX designers from Serbia.
Both brought the right skills, but most importantly, they shared Fishbrain’s passion for creating an enjoyable and useful user experience.
Here’s how they made an impact at Fishbrain:
Sofija D. – UX Designer: Shaping the Angler’s Experience
Sofija joined Fishbrain to improve the mobile experience for millions of anglers. Her primary focus was improving map usability and helping users plan their fishing trips.
Her Biggest Task
"Fishbrain is used all over the world, and we had to cover all or at least most of the user's needs," Sofija explains. "This meant learning a lot about different styles of fishing and how people actually use our app."
Her Biggest Win
What made this project special for Sofija was the access to real user data: "It's not common to have an opportunity to have real statistics and data that you can base your design decisions on.”
Key Highlight
But it wasn't just about the work. Fishbrain flew the entire remote team to Stockholm for workshops and even a fishing trip. "Meeting my teammates in person made me feel truly part of the team," Sofija shares.
Her ability to design with real user data and feedback from a global team helped Fishbrain make significant improvements to their app, making it even more intuitive for anglers worldwide.
Nevena B. – UI/UX Designer: Strengthening User Onboarding
Nevena, an experienced UI/UX designer with a background in graphic design, joined Fishbrain’s user activation team. Her role focused on creating intuitive onboarding experiences, strengthening user engagement, and conducting thorough user testing with users across the U.S. Her work involved multiple onboarding scenarios, A/B testing, user research, and usability tests with over 80 users.
Her Biggest Task
"I had never done user testing before, so learning to work with real users was a challenge," Nevena reflects. "But once I got the hang of it, I realized how impactful it was. Testing prototypes directly with users was key to improving onboarding."
Her Biggest Win
User testing and collaboration were crucial, but face-to-face meetups made all the difference. "Seeing how our work improved engagement was incredibly rewarding. Plus, meeting the team in person during an offsite in Sweden helped me feel more connected and motivated to continue delivering great work,” she says.
Nevena’s work on A/B testing, user research, and onboarding flows directly contributed to improving how new users were introduced to Fishbrain, ultimately boosting engagement and retention.
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While Sofija and Nevena’s stories are front and center, it’s important to note that Index.dev helped Fishbrain fill other key roles as well. Each candidate we presented was carefully vetted by Index.dev for their ability to fit seamlessly within Fishbrain’s culture.
Join our talent network to find remote roles at companies that match both your skills and values. Apply now!
From Screens to Speedboats: Building Real Connections
What truly sets this collaboration apart was Fishbrain's commitment to making remote workers feel like true team members. Despite the challenges of remote work, Fishbrain made a concerted effort to bring everyone together.
Both designers were flown to Stockholm for a week of offsite activities. "They organized a fishing trip to one of Sweden's famous fishing spots," Sofija shared. “It was such a great experience, meeting people face-to-face and connecting beyond just work.”
Nevena adds, "After meeting everyone in person, work became more relaxed and connected. It kind of demystifies all these people when you get to know them...you feel more joy and laughter working together.”
When reflecting on their experience with Index.dev, Sofija and Nevena both highlighted the positive aspects of the company. Sofija appreciated the consistent support, while Nevena emphasized the smooth collaboration and the high quality of the client.
I can say that you gave me the best employment. So thumbs up for index.dev on that.
Reeling in Professional Growth
The Fishbrain project was a valuable experience for both Sofija and Nevena, giving them great opportunities to grow professionally.
For Sofija, it was a chance to work with industry leaders and contribute to a popular app. "This project connected me with amazing people and allowed me to build something real for users," she shared. She also praised Fishbrain’s strong HR and people-first culture. "Fishbrain’s approach to HR and team culture has set a new standard for any project I take on in the future. It’s been one of the most inspiring projects I’ve worked on."
Fishbrain’s approach to HR and team culture has set a new standard for any project I take on in the future.
Nevena also found the experience meaningful. She appreciated Fishbrain’s "very satisfying working environment," which raised her expectations for future employers. "The freedom, trust, and work-life balance they offered made it a great experience." Additionally, working on user testing at Fishbrain gave her deeper insights into user behavior and feedback, improving her design process.
For Fishbrain, these designers weren’t just a good match on paper—they played a key role in shaping the future of the app.
Final Thoughts
At Index.dev, we don’t just connect developers with jobs. We open doors to career-defining opportunities. Sofija and Nevena found a project that pushed their skills, challenged their thinking, and helped them grow in ways they never expected.
From working with real user data to collaborating with top industry professionals, this experience gave them more than just a great addition to their portfolios. It shaped their careers.
That’s what we do at Index.dev. We match top global talent with projects that inspire, challenge, and take careers to the next level. Looking for your next big break? Join us.
And because we’ve handled everything—from sourcing to vetting to onboarding—Fishbrain could focus on what they do best: creating an incredible fishing experience for their users. Need exceptional developers without the hiring headaches? Index.dev makes it happen.
