Whether it’s unique gatherings that bring employees together or showering staff with perks that promote well-being, these companies prioritize their workforce. Interested in joining them? Take a look at seven fast-growing teams from Austin tech bursting at the seams with opportunity.
Formerly HomeAway, Expedia Group operates the world’s leading network of online vacation rentals. A member of the team touched on what makes working for its technical team worthwhile, noting Expedia Group's career growth opportunities as well as the flexibility to explore new technologies.
Coolest perks: Expedia Group technical teams have the freedom to “go off road” when using various frameworks if there is sufficient advantages in doing so and they can still meet internal requirements. Technical teams can also join members from Expedia Group’s multiple teams across the world for one week in the same city to work on an integrated project. It’s called “cross-team swarming,” and the most recent one took place in London.
We offer multiple internal learning and development opportunities that enable employees to sharpen their skills, explore other departments or even make a long-term career transition.”
What's one thing about Expedia Group that would surprise people?
We prioritize career growth and development and offer multiple internal learning and development opportunities that enable employees to sharpen their skills, explore other departments or even make a long-term career transition. Employees in good standing have the opportunity to participate in our “bungee” program to shadow and join another department for six to nine months. Another perk Expedia Group offers is an intensive software development bootcamp taught by a full-time instructor. This program gives participants an in-depth understanding of Expedia Group technologies, insights into the ‘life of a developer’ and potentially, the training, skills and mentorship to pursue that career path long term.
Cloudflare simultaneously protects and optimizes website performance to deliver the best experience and fastest load times for web visitors. Cloudflare’s Director of Engineering Joaquin Madruga highlighted how the company promotes mental health and community through its perks offerings and an annual retreat.
Coolest perks: In addition to commuter benefits and a “take-what-you-need” time-off policy, Cloudflare provides employees with memberships to Ginger, an app that connects you with a clinically-trained and supervised emotional health coach 24/7; Bright Horizons, a care provider for infants, children and elders; and Modern Fertility, which provides at-home fertility hormone tests.
There’s a big focus on skill-building, with educational sessions on topics ranging from mentorship to financial literacy.”
What's one thing about Cloudflare that would surprise people?
Once a year the entire company gets together for a retreat. It's a great opportunity for everyone across our global offices to come together and talk about the future of Cloudflare. This gives employees the time to connect with one another, reflect on the year and talk about what’s ahead. There’s a big focus on skill-building, with educational sessions on topics ranging from mentorship to financial literacy. Many successful products have roots which trace back to conversations over drinks at retreat.
BigCommerce’s platform helps customers that range from enterprises to small business owners from more than 120 countries create online selling experiences. Madelyn Metzger, head of talent acquisition and people ops coordinator, mentioned that the company encourages its own team to explore entrepreneurship.
Coolest perks: Alongside weekly happy hours and yoga classes, book club, and paid volunteer days, all employees have the opportunity to chase their entrepreneurial dreams with a free BigCommerce online store with enterprise-level features. This encourages their employees to unleash their creativity and also better understand their customers.
Employees have the opportunity to chase their entrepreneurial dreams with a free BigCommerce online store with enterprise-level features.”
What's one thing about BigCommerce that would surprise people?
We have Australian roots. In honor of our roots, we recognize and celebrate Australia Day not just at our office down under, but also here at the Austin office as well by including fun facts about Australian history and culture, indulging in Australia’s finest delights like Tim Tams and Vegemite, and even hosting a photo op with a real kangaroo.
Medici’s set on fundamentally changing the way we access healthcare through a mobile app that allows doctors to meet with their patients virtually. Their growing team is headquartered in Austin but includes employees on six continents.
Coolest perks: Eat well and feel good. Medici provides lunches every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the team and hosts occasional employee-led yoga and dance exercise classes at its on-site gym.
Medici’s set on fundamentally changing the way we access healthcare.”
What's one thing about Medici that would surprise people?
Since our employees hail from six of the seven continents, we have a Slack channel dedicated to sharing daily work photos from their locations all over the world.
Focused on improving student outcomes through data science, Civitas Learning partners with educators from higher ed to increase graduation rates. Jenny Fuller, VP of people operations, shared some background to the company’s success since its launch in 2011.
Coolest perk: Located at 100 Congress, Civitas Learning’s office has some of the finest views of Lady Bird Lake and is set directly across the street from the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.
We’ve acquired five education companies — and counting — since our founding.”
What's one thing about Civitas Learning that would surprise people?
Civitas Learning is backed by a private equity firm, Francisco Partners, plus several mission-aligned investors. We’re the first Austin-area investment for Francisco Partners. We’ve also acquired five education companies — and counting — since our founding.
Founded in 2016, Pinpoint creates machine intelligence solutions that measure engineering team performance. Kristi Bjornaas, Pinpoint’s senior director of demand generation, introduced us to the company’s biannual retreat.
Coolest perk: Twice a year, the Pinpoint team takes a week-long company retreat to either a different country or beach destination, which we commemorate with collectible pins.
Twice a year, the Pinpoint team takes a week-long company retreat.”
What's one thing about Pinpoint that would surprise people?
Pinpoint was founded in Silicon Valley, but we have since moved lock, stock, and barrel to ATX.
