As the year winds down, it’s almost impossible not to reflect on where the previous twelve months have taken us in our careers. For many employees, 2021 offered an opportunity to reset — to consider what values matter most in a professional role and the missions behind the companies they’re working for.
What if — before the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31 — you take an early look ahead? What fresh starts and new beginnings could potentially await you?
The great news is that Built In Colorado is here to help. Whether you have your heart set on healthtech, cloud software, IT, analytics or something in between, Colorado’s tech market is growing and companies need talent like yours.
This month, we’re taking a closer look at nine local tech companies that are making waves and growing as they do so. Read on to learn about the products they’re building, benefits they’re offering and insights from current hires — then check out the roles they’re hiring for!
What they do: Software company Alteryx seeks to accelerate digital transformation and deliver breakthroughs by powering analytics automation. Their APA platform creates unity between analytics, data science and process automation for businesses. They recently ranked on Deloitte’s Fast 500 list, citing 276 percent growth.
For families, for good: Taking a family-first approach, Alteryx offers benefits that include parental leave, flexible schedules and remote-work options; family-oriented events; and “bring your child to work” days. But they also want their employees to do good out in the world through Alteryx for Good, which grants employees 20 volunteer hours per year to put toward charity work.
Candidate experiences count: As she continues focusing on growth, Jill Bone wants Alteryx candidates to connect with the values that drive its employees toward meeting company goals. The SVP of talent described why the candidate experience matters: “We’re committed to creating an amazing candidate experience through a seamless and effective hiring and onboarding process. Regardless of the outcome of the interviews, we want everyone who speaks with our teams here at Alteryx to have a positive experience.”
What they do: Genetics and technology are powering Invitae’s mission to make comprehensive genetic information — and the tests they’re developing to detect inherited diseases — more mainstream and affordable in the healthcare landscape.
Better together: Culture is a key strength at Invitae, where intracompany committees, team-based strategic planning and group brainstorming sessions are just a few of the in-office benefits. In addition to teammates having lunch together and volunteering locally, the office layout encourages an open-door policy and fluid communication.
Motivation through mission: The mission at Invitae doesn’t just drive the company, it motivates employees as well. Abel Licon, now the VP of oncology software development, credited his tenure to the meaning behind the mission: “Our mission, to make personalized medicine accessible to everyone who needs it, does two things. First, it motivates me when work gets tough or arduous, and second, it ensures we attract and retain people who are truly inspired by the mission.”
What they do: Udemy’s growing, on-demand catalog of online courses is helping improve lives by paving an accessible path to learning. The company’s mission includes sharing its knowledge with the world and making it possible for individuals to develop personally and professionally, which will change and improve how people connect, teach and learn.
Get your learn on: Like their platform, Udemy wants to see employees thrive by supporting their professional development. Team members can be promoted from within, participate in lunch and learns, and subscribe to online courses. And after clocking six months of employment, the continuing education stipend covers $1,500 of a worker’s learning expenses annually.
Furthering future goals: With the launch of free courses during the Covid-19 pandemic behind them, Udemy’s global renewals manager, Mandi King, is particularly excited about what the future holds: “I’m most excited by our internal conversations on how we will leverage our platform to serve communities that may not have the opportunity or means to a traditional college education. And to take it a step further, making sure our hiring efforts are cognizant of the many paths to success and are inclusive of all walks of life.”
What they do: Consumer insight platform DISQO is helping companies with their brand experience and decision-making by gathering permission-based data that connects the dots between what people think and do. They recently landed on Deloitte’s Fast 500 list, with 410 percent growth.
Plant yourself, then grow: Whether you commute or drive, you opt to stay remote, or you want a change of scenery and are willing to relocate, DISQO’s benefits will cover you. And as you grow with the team, there are bountiful options for professional development including cross-functional training, online course subscriptions, promotion from within, customized development tracks and paid industry certifications.
DISQO? More Like DISQTok: A November press release announced that advertisers can now use DISQO’s product to measure the performance of their in-feed TikTok ads. This adds TikTok to the growing list of media platforms the company gathers insights from.
What they do: Fintech organization Western Union seeks to bridge the gap between digital and physical money by offering their omnichannel platform on a global scale. This makes transfers quick and reliable for individuals, businesses and organizations alike, and opens the door to easier cross-border, cross-currency transactions.
Family first: Employees with children can benefit from Western Union’s family-focused perks. The WU Scholarship Program grants employees $2,500 for their children’s college scholarships, while families hoping to grow through adoption can take advantage of the fact that the company offers up to $10,000 reimbursement for adoption-related expenses.
A worldwide workplace: Like their platform, Western Union’s team is global. Shauna Hayrynen, group leader of domestic and regional engineering, celebrates how this opens up insightful, collaborative opportunities: “Like WU customers, we are a diverse team spread across the globe... Being globally separate, we continue to work on unique local solutions while still collaborating. It is not often that one can work with people with such different backgrounds and perspectives!”
What they do: Leading the charge on cloud-based communications, Ringcentral’s platform offers AI-driven digital engagement solutions through phones, group chats, video calls, contact centers and more.
A diversity priority: In order for its benefits to better align with the company mission to foster, educate and build an inclusive workforce, Ringcentral runs unconscious bias training. Meanwhile, employee-led employee resource groups — including Black Lives Matter, Pride, Women Leaders, Hispanic Heritage, Mothers and more — allow team members to connect with the people who make Ringcentral’s team culture so notable.
The camaraderie is clear: Culture runs deep at Ringcentral, which was why account executive Jace Henderson took the job. He recalled what stood out to him while shadowing his team-to-be: “As soon as I walked in, I saw people laughing with each other, crossing the hallways to speak with employees on other teams, but still working hard. I could tell that the teams weren’t siloed and that people communicated across departments. It seemed like a place that drove great results and truly valued the importance of culture.”
What they do: On a mission to reduce industry costs and enable better patient care, GHX automates data for healthcare businesses through its cloud-based supply chain technology exchange platform.
One for the money, two for the team: The team culture is strong at GHX, between their intracompany committees, group brainstorming sessions and team-based strategic planning. But they’re really stepping it up with financial benefits — not only do employees receive stipends for continuing education and home offices, but GHX matches charitable and 401(k) contributions as well.
Changing healthcare from the inside: Kaley Lodin, senior recruiter, is dedicated to the work she’s doing at GHX because she’s making a difference: “I proudly remain a member of the GHX team because I believe in our purpose, mission and people,” Lodin said. “Together we take more than $1 billion out of the cost of delivering healthcare every year. It’s fulfilling both personally and professionally to help change the way healthcare does business for the better.”
What they do: Locally-owned FirstBank’s care for customers, communities and employees drives its “banking for good” mission. The company credits its growth — from 1963 to now — to doing right by its people.
Well, well, wellness: Well-rounded health insurance and benefits are part of the value proposition for FirstBank. Wellness doesn’t get left behind either — the company offers employees a $360 annual reimbursement toward related expenses and covers use of the building’s fitness center if you pop in at least four times a month. Workouts work out great if you’re interested in group fitness classes.
Like mission, like people: FirstBank’s people-first mentality is what continues to keep Will Jarvill, user identity management specialist, on the team: “One of the biggest reasons why FirstBank makes such a great long-term employer is that they are willing to help their employees grow and succeed. If you ever need anything from management, they will be there to support you along the way. They are always trying to promote from within, so they notice your time and effort.”
What they do: Flowhub is working to make cannabis products accessible by designing and building user-friendly business management and compliance software. The Denver-based company’s mission is to help streamline the processes of dispensaries, thereby supporting their growth and operations.
’Buch and brew: While employees have the option to join Flowhub’s remote work program — allowing all positions to work from home full time — those who work in-office do benefit from the spacious, pet-friendly setting that boasts kombucha and cold brew on tap.
Infused with new funds: This past October, Built In Colorado offered readers details on Flowhub’s latest funding announcement, including “another $19 million in funding from venture firms Headline and Poseidon, along with a personal investment from rapper, entrepreneur and entertainment mogul Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter.”
