BCA Story #1 – It Started with an Espresso

BCA Story #1 – It Started with an Espresso

What happens when your vision is stronger than the safe path?

That’s the question we explored in a recent conversation with BCA’s three founders – András Deák, Gábor Szécsi and László Ivicsics – as we reflected on the company’s beginnings.

 

The occasion? BCA is entering a new chapter. What started as an IT consulting firm has become part of a carefully built business group.

 


”The essence of any plan is modification.”


Each founder left a stable job and a successful international career behind. They shared the belief that it’s possible to deliver Big4-level quality and remain people-focused at the same time.

At a small café in Infopark - over countless cups of espresso - the idea took shape. They imagined a workplace where professional skills and human values are equally important – where collaboration is based on respect, not hierarchy.

This vision led to founding Business Consulting Alliance (BCA) at the end of 2006.

 

“Our biggest goal was to build a company of 20–25 people. To our surprise (and a bit of panic), we reached that size in just 18 months. The timing was right – the market clearly needed what we had to offer.”

 


BCA was originally intended as a network of senior consultants – hence the word “Alliance”. But soon they realized they wanted to build a real team.

 

“We’re open to growth – but only if we can stay true to ourselves.”
That mindset became the foundation of BCA’s development: long-term progress based on the core values.

 

 

BCA alapítói 2007-ben

 


How It All Started – Becoming a Trusted Partner


In spring 2007, when László walked into Budapest Bank with his freshly printed BCA business card, no one could have predicted how quickly the company would grow.

In the early days, most of the assignments came through personal connections – especially within the telecommunications sector.

Soon, other opportunities followed: Pfizer’s process improvement initiative and Vodafone’s CRM planning – two early successes that led to further projects in banking, telecom, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

It took years of steady work to win the first long-term contracts, lead large-scale deliveries, and secure international clients – eventually resulting in the launch of BCA's German subsidiary.

 

But some of the most meaningful moments didn’t come from major milestones, but from honest, personal feedback:

 

“When a global service provider’s executive told us we were among the top three consulting firms in Hungary – that meant a lot.”

 

BCA office life

A Team Culture Built on Growth and Support


Today BCA has nearly 150 colleagues, and the group as a whole has grown to over 250. That’s far beyond the original dream – but the core values remain unchanged.

The focus has always been on helping the team grow – both professionally and personally. Colleagues are supported through regular training programs, individual coaching, open feedback, and access to mental health resources.

 

“Some joined us straight out of university – and have been part of the team for more than a decade. Of course, some have explored other opportunities along the way, but more than ten colleagues have chosen to return after gaining experience elsewhere.”


Over time the workplace became a true community – filled with real connections, friendships, even marriages. And yes, there are BCA babies too.

This is a place where people work hard – and still want to hang out together after hours.

 

BCA csapat

Growing the Vision – The Formation of the BCA Group


As BCA’s services expanded, a decision was made to move toward a portfolio-based structure. Not every new focus area fit under the BCA brand, so we created independent companies with their own names and teams.

 

This is how the BCA Group was formed, with these specialized companies:

 

  • Works. – UX/UI and service design
  • 4DA – data-driven business solutions
  • it4all – custom software development

 

“We’re working together more and more, with a shared approach. As a group, we now cover the full digital transformation lifecycle – which gives us new opportunities in new markets.”
 

BCA csoport

And the story doesn’t end here – it has simply reached a new chapter.


We’ll soon continue the BCA story in upcoming posts, introducing the members of the group – how they operate, what makes them different, and how they complement each other.


Date: 2025-08-11
Category: BCA Life