Tech workers have it good. With free snacks, catered meals, commuter benefits, and other perks in abundant supply, today’s tech companies are upping the ante to help distinguish their company culture.
But workers are interested in more than just a fully stocked fridge, of course. They want purpose and to be surrounded by other ambitious colleagues. Tech companies recognize that and are building company cultures that integrate both exciting benefits and mission-driven values.
We connected with three companies to learn what makes their culture unique.
Formlabs builds easy-to-use 3D printing tools for customers like Google and industries like engineering, education, entertainment and audiology.
Global Marketing Lead Jeff Boehm told us what makes Formlabs’ culture unique, including a roster of employees from diverse non-tech backgrounds.
How is your company culture at Formlabs different from what you’ve experienced at previous companies?
Formlabs attracts a different employee-base than I’ve experienced at other tech companies. Many employees come from non-tech industry backgrounds like artists or 3D printing practitioners. Many people, especially the interns or early-career employees, arrive at Formlabs with a real passion for 3D printing and its potential impacts. The founders and leadership team have also instilled culture values of meritocracy, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking. These are all values that I’ve heard other companies talk about, but are truly practiced here on a regular basis. If you have an interesting new idea, there is a good chance you’ll get the opportunity to try it out.
The founders and leadership team have also instilled culture values of meritocracy, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking.”
Why is that important for someone in your role?
This diversity of backgrounds, set of cultural values, collaborative environment and open communication improves new idea flow and fosters really interesting, new initiatives or approaches to common challenges. We can all see and implement well-understood B2B marketing practices, or fall into the common trap of doing things “because that’s the way we’ve always done it.” But I’m continually impressed and excited by the new ideas and programs that the team comes up with that ultimately help us achieve our very aggressive goals.
Privitar helps customers like NHS Digital and Sensyne Health control and use privacy-enhanced data for advanced analytics and machine learning.
Chief Marketing Officer Bob Canaway gave us the inside scoop on how the company mission gives employees a sense of purpose.
How is your company culture at Privitar different from what you’ve experienced at previous companies?
I’ve had the privilege of working for many companies with great cultures. Privitar ranks at the top of those companies. The culture here is not only what we’ve come to expect from top software companies – challenging technical problems to solve, tons of snacks, events, community – but also holds something deeper: a sense of purpose. There has to be a strong sense of values to truly build a company that leaves the world better than the way they found it.
There has to be a strong sense of values to truly build a company that leaves the world better than the way they found it.”
Why is that important for someone in your role?
There is something almost magical that happens when you work with people who are aligned not only on culture, but also on a greater mission. Customers become our most important stakeholders, teams work across divisional boundaries, and we come to work every day excited about the possibilities. This fuels the way we go to market and builds a great, lasting company.
PathAI is on a mission to advance medicine with intelligent pathology, providing end-to-end pathology analysis that gives accurate and standardized pathologic diagnoses.
Front-end Engineer Kristin Ruben explained how the company culture helps her succeed in her role and for the company at large.
How is your company culture at PathAI different from what you've experienced at previous companies?
PathAI strikes a great balance for me in terms of culture. Despite being a young and growing startup, PathAI is comprised of world-class engineers, scientists, managers, and specialists. My colleagues bring a level of professionalism and excellence to their jobs that is unparalleled. Their work ethic contributes to an exciting and inspiring environment built on trust and mutual respect.
My colleagues bring a level of professionalism and excellence to their jobs that is unparalleled.”
Why is that important for someone in your role?
Feeling motivated and inspired to do your best is highly dependent on factors like good company culture. At PathAI, I feel seen, respected, and invested in as an employee, which is an environment where employees flourish. In my role on the front end engineering team, my personal goals are folded into both the team and company goals, which help me see how I’m contributing to the greater mission of PathAI.
