Nearly three decades ago, in the heart of Cape Town’s emerging tech scene, Bluegrass Digital began its journey as a small web development outfit. Today, it stands as one of South Africa’s leading software, web and mobile app development companies and a recognised Umbraco Gold Partner trusted by global brands.
From early foundations to global partnerships
Founded in 1996, Bluegrass Digital was established with a vision to do more than build websites. It set out to become a trusted technology partner to its clients. In its formative years, the company sharpened its expertise in web design and development, gradually building a reputation for quality and reliability.
Bluegrass Technologies in 1998
“The goal from the very beginning was to set a new standard in digital innovation,” says Nicholas Durrant, founding MD of Bluegrass Digital. “Our focus on technical excellence and client success has been the foundation of our growth, positioning us as a leader in the South African tech industry and beyond.”
The real inflection point came in 2008, when Bluegrass embraced Umbraco CMS, an open-source content management system that would become a cornerstone of its services. By 2012, the company was formally recognised as an Umbraco Partner, and later achieved Gold Partner status, a mark of its technical excellence and long-standing commitment to the platform.
Growth, expansion and diversification
Through the 2010s, Bluegrass broadened its offerings to include mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, UX/UI design, DevOps, and managed cloud services. The company also expanded geographically, opening offices in Johannesburg and London, giving it a truly international footprint while maintaining Cape Town as its headquarters.
Bluegrass’ portfolio grew to include award-winning projects across industries such as healthcare, finance, retail and non-profits. Its ability to combine design, technology and strategy has seen the company deliver solutions that scale globally while remaining deeply user centric.
Nick Durrant, MD and Mark Hawkins, operations director
Resilience through crisis
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Bluegrass was uniquely positioned to adapt. With cloud-based systems and remote-work practices already in place, the team transitioned seamlessly to a fully virtual environment.
Beyond its own business continuity, Bluegrass also extended support to others. Notably, it provided services to CriticalNHS, a volunteer-led initiative in the UK that coordinated resources for the health system during the crisis. At a time of global uncertainty, Bluegrass demonstrated the values it was built on.
“Our people have always been at the heart of Bluegrass,” notes Mark Hawkins, operations director. “From supporting each other during challenging times to going above and beyond for our clients, it’s our culture of collaboration, integrity, and service that truly defines who we are.”
Looking ahead
Today, Bluegrass Digital stands at the intersection of experience and innovation. With nearly 30 years in the industry, the company continues to invest in AI, automation, and agile systems.
From its origins in Cape Town to recognition on the global stage, the story of Bluegrass is one of evolution, resilience, and a lasting commitment to excellence. Its heritage is defined not only by milestones achieved, but also by a culture of collaboration and innovation that continues to shape its future.
For more information or to see how we can partner with you contact moc.latigidssargeulb@olleh or go to our website https://www.bluegrassdigital.com.
The Bluegrass Digital Team
