In our very first episode, David speaks to Paula Montesa and Ximo Barrachina, the CEO and Senior Software Engineer at MaibornWolff's Valencia office. MaibornWolff is a German tech company that has successfully expanded to Valencia, growing its team to 45 people in just three years.
In this episode, Paula shares the story behind opening the Valencia office, which started as her personal initiative six years ago. She walks us through the decision-making process, the challenges of adapting to a new legal framework, and the keys to attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
Ximo then gives us an insider's view of the company's culture, describing how it has evolved from a humble, close-knit startup vibe to a thriving international hub while still maintaining its core values. He also shares his own journey of personal and professional growth within the company.
We then turn to MaibornWolff's future plans for the Valencia office, which include tripling in size and launching a new design-focused spin-off. Paula and Ximo also share their thoughts on Valencia's emergence as a tech destination and areas where the city could further improve its support for international companies.
It was a fascinating conversation that offers valuable insights for anyone interested in building a successful international team or understanding what makes Valencia such an appealing location for tech companies. Enjoy!
Timestamps
- (00:00:00) Intro
- (00:01:20) The origin story of Maber Wolf's Valencia office
- (00:04:03) Ximo's early experiences as one of the first hires
- (00:05:45) How MaibornWolff attracted talent and grew to 45 people
- (00:09:24) Overcoming legal and cultural challenges as a foreign company
- (00:12:18) Building a diverse, international team in Valencia
- (00:17:09) Comparing the Valencia office culture to headquarters
- (00:19:10) Collaborating with universities and bootcamps to hire talent
- (00:21:54) Fostering a culture of individual growth and responsibility
- (00:24:13) Future plans: tripling in size and launching a design spin-off
- (00:27:56) Valencia's strengths and areas for improvement as a tech hub
- (00:29:27) Closing remarks and thanks to Invest in Valencia
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The Invest in Valencia Podcast is produced by the team at Spectral. If you're a founder or investor who wants to create compelling content and build your personal brand, you can email Spectral's founder Yash at [email protected] and when you get in touch, tell him David from Invest in Valencia sent you.
