Lineate's Approach to Software Development and Impact on Georgia's Tech Ecosystem: An Interview with CEO Benjamin Engber
In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Benjamin Engber, the CEO of Lineate, a software development company that specializes in complex data challenges and cloud-based solutions. Benjamin shares with us Lineate's approach to product development, expertise in various areas such as Big Data, Machine Learning, and Cloud Migration, and the company's goals and strategies for growth. We also delve into Lineate's impact on the local tech ecosystem in Georgia, including the company's involvement in social responsibility initiatives and its unique approach to talent acquisition and development.
What are some of the most common challenges that Lineate's clients face, and how does the company approach solving these challenges?
Lineate’s clients face challenges in developing new software applications, especially applications dealing with complex data challenges, and often don’t have the bandwidth (or knowledge) to provide close hand-holding or low-level instructions on how to proceed. Lineate takes a leading role in both designing and implementing these applications, leveraging cloud technologies to ensure the applications are modern, robust, and reliable.
Can you discuss Lineate's expertise in Big Data, Machine Learning, NoSQL, Cloud Migration & Integrations, Mobile, Distributed Computing, and Scalability, and how these areas have helped clients in various industries?
Most of the work we do is in the cloud, because the way we develop software allows it to scale up to greater volumes of data and users as our clients grow. The cloud was a natural progression from our background in BigData and Distributed Computing.
Some examples of how we leveraged these skills:
- Using distributed computing techniques, we helped New Frontier Advisors, a quantitative finance company distribute their mathematical models across a cluster of machines.
- We built a next generation social media platform, called 8, on mobile.
- We helped Amount build credit decisioning engines to evaluate loan applicants based on data profiles.
- We leveraged machine learning algorithms for clients in the AdTech industry to dynamically optimize which demand partners to request bids from in real time.
- We leveraged NoSQL databases such as Aerospike for clients in the AdTech industry, often handling hundreds of thousands or even millions of transactions per second.
- On the BigData front, we leveraged columnar databases such as ClickHouse to provide clients the ability to get quick (sub-second) interactive insights from literally billions of rows of data.
How does Lineate approach product development, and what has been the company's approach to developing successful custom technology solutions?
Lineate approaches software development using Lean Innovation principles. This means incrementally building new functionality in an iterative fashion, which provides our clients the ability to interact with the applications early in the development cycle so we can adapt and improve together. Release early and often is our mantra.
We use an Agile development methodology, using Kanban as our process. This is focused on being as transparent as possible and rapidly adapting to changing circumstances. Our customers look to us not simply to develop their software, but to provide technical leadership and guidance.
From a technical perspective, we use what we call the Lineate Luna Architecture, which is a cloud-based way of developing software that emphasizes reducing dependencies between teams, automating all aspects of the deployment and maintenance process, and ensuring software can scale to huge volumes if needed.
What are Lineate's business strategy and goals, and how does the company plan to achieve them in the coming years?
We’ve embraced the cloud wholeheartedly, as it was a natural progression from how we always built software (using distributed computing and deployment automation principles, for example). Our strategy is, and has been, to open offices in places with a large pool of emerging technical talent, but which is still emerging, so that we are able to shape it with our development culture and thus attract a level of talent others can’t match. Our development center in Georgia is the centerpiece of that strategy.
What sets Lineate apart from other software development companies, and what values does the company prioritize in its approach to serving clients and operating in the technology industry?
Lineate distinguishes itself by providing specialized knowledge in handling difficult data problems and scaling challenges. To do this we need to attract, retain, and grow engineers at a level beyond that of our competitors. We’ve been successful at doing that over the past 20 years by offering a unique culture that makes intelligent, creative people want to join us and want to stay with us. We’ve branded this the Lineate Freedom to Develop culture. In short, it consists of embedding in the local community, offering talks and events, as well as our Lineate Dev school, as well as providing a great learning environment within the company itself. We have excellent software practices that are taught (and enforced!) from top to bottom, as well as detailed career growth paths at every level.
We also emphasize our values at every step of the way. That means not simply listing them, but incorporating them as a lens into how we look at challenges and do our work. Our first value is Exceptional Problem-solving, meaning that we seek out the hardest challenges and take pride in making them simple. Next is honesty, which really means being completely open when you make a mistake (if you’re not making mistakes, you’re not seeking out the hardest challenges.) Lastly is Safety to experiment. That means two things. It means that we don’t blame people when they fail but instead use failure as a learning opportunity. And it also means constructing software and processes around the expectation that mistakes will happen. Humans are fallible. So our design philosophy is to design things that accepts that reality and doesn’t cause the sky to fall when humans make the kind of mistakes that humans always do.
What led Lineate to choose Georgia as a base center of its operations in Eastern Europe, and how has the experience been so far?
It's been a year since We established our office in Georgia! We knew that in order to reach a wider audience and offer our services to customers in the US and Europe, we needed to expand our reach. And Georgia seemed like the perfect place to do it.
First off, Georgia's favorable business climate. But it's not just the business climate that drew us to Georgia. The workforce here is highly educated and skilled, and they're eager to learn and grow. That's a huge plus for us because we're always looking for talented individuals to join our team. And with Georgia's location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, we have access to a diverse pool of talent from all over the world.
Georgia is also home to a thriving IT sector and a growing startup ecosystem. That's great news for us because we're all about innovation and staying ahead of the curve. Being part of a community that values entrepreneurship and creativity is essential for our growth as a company.Last but not least, the Georgian government has been incredibly supportive of foreign investment. They've implemented business-friendly policies that make it easy for us to do business here. That's allowed us to focus on what we do best – providing top software development services to our customers.
All in all, we couldn't be happier with our establishment office in Georgia. It's been a year of growth and success, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.
How does Lineate see the tech industry in Georgia evolving in the coming years, and what role does the company hope to play in shaping that evolution?
We are committed to contributing to the local tech ecosystem in Georgia and fostering innovation in the field of software development. One way that the company plans to do this is by hiring and training local talent, which will not only help to support Lineate's growth but also contribute to the development of the local workforce. The company will also provide mentorship and educational programs to its employees, which will help to promote skills development and career growth. In addition, we started training the local workforce, by offering our innovative program Lineate Dev School.
In addition to investing in its own team, Lineate is collaborating with local universities to foster innovation and promote the development of the tech ecosystem in Georgia. We have established two scholarship programs for Free Uni and Kutaisi International University students, which will have opportunities to apply for Lineate scholarships.
Herby, I want to share some great news with you, this year Lineate will support the Grace Hopper Award Program. The Grace Hopper Award recognizes girls and women in the ICT industry of Georgia and puts a spotlight on those organizations and initiatives that are making strides towards promoting women’s increased participation in the ICT sector.
Furthermore, Lineate plans to participate in and support local tech events, such as hackathons, bootcamps and meetups, to help build connections with the local community and promote innovation in the industry.
Overall, Lineate sees itself as a key player in the development of the Georgian tech ecosystem, and plans to contribute to its growth by supporting local talent and universities, promoting innovation, and participating in local events and initiatives.
Can you discuss Lineate's dev school free training program in Georgia, and how it has impacted the local tech talent pool?
Lineate's dev school free training program in Georgia is a unique opportunity for aspiring developers to gain practical skills and knowledge that are in high demand in the local tech industry. This three-month program provides students with the chance to learn and refine real-world back-end and front-end engineering skills using modern technologies, and to work as part of an engineering team to deliver a full life-cycle software product by the end of the term.
The curriculum of the Lineate Georgia Dev School is based on the same materials that have been used to train Lineate's own developers for the last 15 years. The program is designed to be hands-on, with online materials supported by regular live instruction and mentoring from members of Lineate Georgia's senior engineering staff.
In addition to technical training, the program also includes online seminars on topics such as interacting with US-based clients, solution architecture, technical sales, and career planning, presented by members of Lineate's senior US engineering team. This provides students with a well-rounded education and prepares them for success in the industry.
The impact of the Lineate Georgia Dev School on the local tech talent pool has been significant. By offering a free training program, Lineate has provided access to quality education and training to individuals who may not have been able to afford it otherwise. This has helped to increase the pool of skilled developers in the area and has contributed to the growth of the local tech industry.
Furthermore, by offering paid part-time internships to select third and fourth-year university students, Lineate is investing in the future of the local tech industry. These internships provide students with valuable work experience and networking opportunities, and help to ensure that there is a pipeline of skilled talent for local tech companies to draw from.
Overall, Lineate's dev school free training program in Georgia is a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain practical skills and knowledge in the tech industry. By offering access to quality education and training, Lineate is helping to increase the pool of skilled developers in the area and contributing to the growth of the local tech industry.
How has Lineate contributed to Georgia's economy and job market, and what are the company's plans for further growth in the region?
Talent acquisition and development are indeed critical factors for success in any market, and Lineate recognizes the importance of investing in its team to support its growth plans in Georgia. The company's approach to recruiting, training, and nurturing local talent in Georgia is as follows:
- Recruiting: we are actively recruiting local talent by participating in local job fairs, leveraging social media and job boards, and partnering with local universities and tech schools to identify top talent.
- Training: As mentioned, we have launched Lineate Dev School, which will provide students with comprehensive training programs to help them develop the skills and knowledge required to succeed in their roles. This will include both technical training on the company's technology stack and development methodologies, as well as professional development training to help students grow their careers.
- Career Growth: Lineate has a fair and transparent career growth path for its employees, with opportunities for advancement and growth. The company is regularly assessing its employees' skills and providing them with opportunities to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
Overall, Lineate's approach to recruiting, training, and nurturing local talent in Georgia is focused on building a strong team that is capable of delivering exceptional results for the company's clients. By investing in its team, Lineate believes that it can build a strong foundation for success in the Georgian market and support its growth plans for the region.
Can you talk about Lineate's involvement in social responsibility initiatives in Georgia, such as the company's support for the children's school of Odzisi?
Lineate recognizes the importance of engaging with the local community, supporting social causes, and contributing to the economic development of Georgia through its operations in the country. Together with the US Embassy in Georgia, we started supporting the local Public School at Odzisi village, near the administrative border line. Lineate will support development of the next generation of tech leaders in Odzisi School by providing students with the access to knowledge, modern technology and coaching.
Overall, Lineate is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and contributing to the economic development and social well-being of the communities in which it operates. Through its CSR program, job creation, partnerships with local businesses, and investment in the local community, Lineate plans to play an active role in supporting the growth and development of Georgia.