This International Women’s Day we’re celebrating all the trailblazing women in tech With a culture that’s built on innovation and inclusivity, Vindico is actively crushing tech’s outdated stereotypes.  When we first wrote about this topic back in 2021, we had to admit that we’re part of an industry that’s bound to an outdated stereotype of male coders. A kind of ‘boys club’ if you will.  But today, we’re proud to continue leading the way when it comes to closing the tech gender and identity gap in Wales. And we’re proving that tech is a place for blue sky thinking. A place to innovate. And a place for everyone.  We want to encourage and inspire even more women to pursue a career in tech. So, as it’s International Women’s Day, we sat down with two of our talented developers – Emilie and Meg – to get their thoughts on career goals, stereotypes, challenges, and advice for other women looking to enter the tech space.  What made you pursue a career in tech? Emilie: It just kind of happened! I was previously working as a ticketing supervisor, which involved setting up and managing all events and tickets for the company, as well as managing the ticketing site.  I became interested in the more technical aspects of the process and eventually started studying for a computing degree through the Open University. Through this role, I met Vindico’s MD, Jo Polson – he brought me onboard and the rest is history! Meg: I’m passionate about pursuing a career in tech because it offers a unique blend of creativity, problem-solving, and constant learning. Technology is at the forefront of driving positive change in the world, and being part of this dynamic field allows me to contribute to innovative solutions that directly impact people’s lives. What are your views on the tech industry as a whole?  Emilie: I am incredibly proud, especially as a woman, to be working in this ever-changing industry. However, I still think there is a long way to go.  Women are often underrepresented in the tech industry, particularly in leadership roles and technical positions, and I think this lack of representation can lead to feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome for women entering or working in the industry, which I have definitely felt in previous roles.  Meg: I think the software industry responds swiftly to societal needs and technological advancements, therefore, creating an environment where curiosity and adaptability are celebrated. The collaborative spirit within the industry, which I have experienced at Vindico, allows diverse minds to collaborate to build intricate systems and cool projects. Have you ever come up against gender / identity obstacles?  Emilie: I can happily say I have not come across these issues within Vindico, but I have experienced gender obstacles in previous roles.  I’ve seen managers disrespect the women in their team, undermine their decisions, and claim ownership for their creative ideas, too.  Meg: I’ve experienced microaggressions in the industry: subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or actions which, in turn, created an unwelcoming work environment and made me lose my confidence in my ability prior to joining Vindico.  What are your goals / ambitions?  Emilie: I still don’t have any clear cut goals, but I do know I want to progress as much as possible, as well as gain as much experience as possible in a variety of areas within the industry.  Meg: To become an encouraging team leader and inspire more women into software development.  How is Vindico supporting these – along with inclusivity as a whole?  Emilie: Vindico has offered so much support to make sure I’m reaching my goals. I have regular meetings with my manager to make sure I’m progressing, which also gives me an opportunity to talk about the next steps – and I’m proud to be able to pursue these with Vindico.  When it comes to inclusivity, Vindico completely recognises that there is an issue surrounding women in tech, and we’ve had multiple discussions on what we can do to keep challenging this.  Meg: Vindico is supporting these through their inclusive environment, their appreciation for new ideas, and the work environment being a friendly, motivational, and empowering place to be in.  What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering the tech space?  Emilie: I would say to not care what other people think and to just do it! When I was a student, I felt a lot of pressure to pursue other career paths, but I was adamant that I was sticking to my decision to pursue a career in tech – and I’m so glad I did. Meg: don’t give up and stay resilient, challenge stereotypes, be proud of yourself and don’t be embarrassed or anxious to celebrate any achievement – no matter how small.  We at Vindico really are proud to be paving the way for inclusivity and women in tech – and if you’re also looking to join us on the journey then we’d love to hear from you.  You can drop us a line here or email us at hello@vindico.net.  Happy International Women’s

We’re celebrating our 10th Birthday – and 10 years of driving tech and innovation in Wales March 2024 is an extra special month for Vindico. 10 years ago, Jo and Ry came together to form the foundations of the Vindico brand that you know today.   Their mission?  To ask better questions to deliver simpler, better outcomes.  They called it Think Purple.  And it was more than just a catchy slogan. It’s an ethos that to this day underpins everything we do here at Vindico.  It’s an ethos that’s taken us from a handmade sign taped to the wall to seeing the Vindico brand light up Cardiff Bay on the side of the Vindico Arena.  It’s a drive that’s taken us from a tiny office to two major locations at Vindico Arena in Cardiff and Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli.  It’s a magnetism that’s attracted the best tech talent in Wales to join us on our journey.  It’s a commitment to pioneering simpler, better solutions that’s seen us join forces with some of the biggest names across the UK.  It’s a process that’s seen us help businesses innovate game-changing and award-winning products.  It’s a dynamic approach that allowed us to develop tech that would bring sport back to our screens during a pandemic.  It’s a dedication to excellence that’s placed us at the forefront of tech and innovation in Wales.  And it’s 10 whole years of Jo and Ry at the helm of this wonderful place we call Vindico.  After 10 years of growing and evolving, we look a little different today, but our core mission and ethos remain the same.  And, as we look around and face an overload of data, apps, programmes, screens, and stimuli – our simpler, better approach has never been in such high-demand.  So, to our team, our partners, our collaborators, our supporters, and our clients, here’s to another 10 years of driving simpler, better business – and plenty