BCG Digital Ventures: From Engineer to CTO

TL;DR

Barry, an engineer turned CTO, shares his experience at DV, where he has the opportunity to work on diverse projects and collaborate in cross-functional teams.

Transcript

So DV is looking for people that have this specific mindset, that are curious to learn about new industries and learn new things. My name is Barry and I'm an engineer and currently the CTO of UP42, an open geospatial developer platform. Before that I worked as an engineer and CTO at BCG Digital Ventures. I actually started as a designer, influenced... Read More

Key Insights

• 👀 DV looks for candidates with a curious mindset and a passion for learning and building.
• 💦 The opportunity to bring in new ideas and shape them is an exciting aspect of working at DV.
• ❓ DV provides support for career growth, such as assigned coaches and extensive training opportunities.
• 🙈 Barry describes the rewarding experience of working on COUP and seeing the impact of the e-scooter sharing service in Berlin.
• 😵 The typical DV venture lasts for six to nine months, fostering collaboration in cross-functional teams.
• 🍉 Barry's transition to UP42 involved a shift in mindset and the chance to develop a long-term vision.
• 🌐 Engineers at UP42 have the potential to make a global impact in the geospatial industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: What qualities do DV look for in potential candidates?

DV looks for individuals with a curious mindset, eager to learn new industries and skills. They value a passion for building great products and collaborating in cross-functional teams.

Q: How does DV support career growth?

DV provides assigned coaches to support individuals in their career decisions. They also offer a wide range of training opportunities, both self-driven and for advancing to the next level.

Q: Can you describe the typical cycle for a DV venture?

A typical DV venture lasts for six to nine months. They assemble cross-functional teams with diverse backgrounds, including business, design, product management, and engineering.

Q: How does Barry's role at UP42 differ from his previous experiences at DV?

At UP42, Barry's role shifted from working on ventures for a limited time to having a longer-term focus on developing a vision. He emphasizes the potential for massive global scale in his current role.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Barry started as a designer and transitioned to engineering, driven by his fascination with creating usable products. He joined DV and was drawn by the opportunity to bring in new ideas and shape them.

• Within DV, there are programs that support career development, including assigned coaches and various training opportunities.

• Barry shares his experience working on COUP, an e-scooter sharing service, and the rewarding journey of connecting the scooters to back-end systems.