In 2013, Konstantin Karpushin had a clear goal—grow KPMG’s transfer pricing division and bring in $2 million in new business. The challenge was enormous, but he wasn’t one to back down. He needed a system, a better way to manage clients, track projects, and automate the chaos of consulting work. What he didn’t know at the time was that a simple decision—to build an internal CRM system—would change the course of his career forever.
That moment, though seemingly small, was the spark that eventually led to the creation of Codebridge, a tech company born out of necessity, experimentation, and a relentless pursuit of innovation.
The Unexpected Start: How a CRM Opened the Door to Something Bigger
At the time, Konstantin wasn’t thinking about startups, software development, or tech innovation. His world revolved around tax law and transfer pricing, a highly complex field where every calculation mattered. But as the workload increased, so did the inefficiencies.
“I needed a tool,” Konstantin recalls. “Something to help us track clients, manage deals, and streamline operations. That’s when I hired Evgeny Baranovsky, a young and incredibly smart guy—not a programmer at the time, just someone who had the potential to figure things out.”
With Microsoft Access as their foundation, Evgeny built the first version of the CRM. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked. For the first time, the team had a structured system for client data, project tracking, and outreach. They could automate follow-ups, send mass invitations for seminars, and manage workflows seamlessly.
But something interesting happened—this internal tool didn’t just make their lives easier; it changed how they did business. The CRM grew beyond a simple database; it became a competitive advantage.
From Internal Tool to Business-Critical Software
The CRM quickly expanded across KPMG’s Ukraine division and later into Kazakhstan. Seeing its success, Konstantin made another bold move—rewriting the system in C# with the help of another developer.
This wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a transformation. The new version integrated with external databases, automated financial reporting, and allowed consultants to analyze massive amounts of transfer pricing data in record time.
It was around this time that another game-changing idea emerged: a benchmarking tool. Instead of manually sifting through reports, Konstantin’s team built software that connected directly to Orbis and Ruslana, extracting data, comparing companies, and generating financial insights in hours instead of weeks.
What started as a simple CRM had now evolved into an enterprise-grade financial analysis system—one that would remain in use across KPMG for years.
A Shift in Mindset: From Consultant to Innovator
At this point, Konstantin realized something: technology was his edge. He wasn’t just solving tax problems; he was engineering solutions.
That realization led him to pursue a new role—Head of Innovations at KPMG. It was a bold move. He wasn’t a software engineer or a product manager by training, but he understood something that many in the corporate world didn’t:
Technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about transformation.
The Birth of the Product Development Center (PDC)
As Head of Innovations, Konstantin had a blank slate. He saw an opportunity to create a dedicated software team inside KPMG—one that could build products not just for tax professionals but for the entire organization.
Thus, the Product Development Center (PDC) was born.
The team built tools like:
- KPMG Smart – a next-generation goal-setting platform
- Knowledge Cloud – a knowledge-sharing system for consultants
- Proposal Constructor – a tool that automated the creation of commercial offers
But the biggest shift came when they started working with external clients.
One of their first major projects was for a client in need of a value-based pricing platform. What started as a small gig turned into a $600,000 project, proving that the team could compete in the open market.
Yet, there was a problem.
KPMG wasn’t a tech company. Running a software division inside a consulting firm was like trying to build a startup inside a corporate machine—it was slow, bureaucratic, and full of obstacles.
In 2020, a difficult decision was made: PDC would shut down.
For Konstantin and his core team, this wasn’t the end. It was the beginning of something new.
Taking the Leap: Leaving KPMG to Build Codebridge
Leaving a stable, high-paying job at one of the biggest firms in the world to start from scratch? Terrifying. But Konstantin and his team knew they had something valuable—the expertise, the experience, and a vision for a new kind of software company.
In February 2021, Codebridge was born.
But unlike most tech startups, they had no clients, no brand recognition, and no external funding. They had to build everything from the ground up.
The First Hustle: UI/UX Design on Upwork
The first step? Finding quick revenue streams.
“We realized that UI/UX design was a fast way to get into projects,” Konstantin explains. “So we hired our first designer and set up a profile on Upwork.”
At first, they were taking $5 gigs, fixing PowerPoint slides just to build a reputation. But within weeks, the designer was booked at $25 per hour, and soon, they had a fully operational design department.
This wasn’t just survival—it was strategy. By owning the design process, they gained control over entire projects.
Scaling Smart: What Makes Codebridge Different
Unlike traditional outsourcing firms, Codebridge had a different philosophy. Three things set them apart:
1. The KPMG Mindset: Complexity is Their Comfort Zone
Having built solutions for high-stakes financial consulting, they naturally gravitated towards challenging, high-load projects that other agencies struggled with.
2. UX/UI as a Core Strength
Most development firms treat design as an afterthought. Codebridge made it a priority, ensuring every product was intuitive, user-friendly, and visually polished.
3. Revolutionary Hiring Process
Their biggest advantage? Talent acquisition at scale.
By treating hiring like a sales funnel, they built an automated recruitment system that processed 24,000+ applicants in just three years. They didn’t just find developers—they curated a team of the best minds in the industry.
Where Codebridge Stands Today—and Where It’s Headed
Fast forward to today, and Codebridge has built a $1M+ business on Upwork alone. They’ve completed high-profile projects in fintech, cybersecurity, and SaaS, all while maintaining a team of 70+ top-tier engineers and designers.
Yet, they face a new challenge—breaking the next growth barrier.
The industry is evolving fast. AI, Web 3.0, and automation are reshaping software development. Codebridge is already adapting, finding ways to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting landscape.
But looking back, one thing is clear:
None of this was planned.
Codebridge wasn’t born from a grand startup vision or a venture capital roadmap. It came from solving real problems—from building a simple CRM in 2013 to creating an independent tech powerhouse today.
And that’s what makes their story truly remarkable.
Because sometimes, the biggest opportunities come from the most unexpected places.
