Howitallbegan

TOMMI: I had known Mikko for years. We had achieved some great things together and shared a similar worldview.

MIKKO: That was back in 2008 or 2009. After ten years of working in software development, we had successful careers but felt like something was missing. We were both getting frustrated over the way the business worked.

T: Working in a large enterprise has its benefits, but things move slowly, and the power to make a real difference is always few steps up.

M: That's when it occurred – maybe we should take matters into our own hands and start our own business. We loved to tackle hard problems and knew how to build software systems. We could harness our knowledge and skills for something better and more customer oriented.

T: I had a design background, and Mikko championed selling and people skills. Jarppe, who we knew through a mutual friend, could code anything, in any language.

M: Jarppe shared our ideology, so we asked him to join the venture. With him, we had what it takes.

JARPPE: We clicked immediately. With no limitations and restrictive practices of the prominent companies, we could do so much more. And with these guys, it would be fun too. That’s how it started, out of love for the sport and based on good values.

T: It was a typical three-guys-in-a-garage story, except that we didn't have a garage. We started working in customer premises and coffee shops.

M: The start was rough. Only half an hour into our first day, Jarppe spilled the coffee over his brand new laptop, which crashed beyond repair. The first project worked out well, though, bringing us new gigs and recommendations.

J: Professionals need sharp tools. I had a vision of Metosin being the first and the best Clojure consultancy in Finland and took Tommi to the first EuroClojure in 2012. The rest is history.

T: True. I was a static type guy but was blown away by the simplicity of Clojure. Lupapiste asked us to architect a new project and we managed to turn it into a big success story for Clojure.

J: We wanted to change the software industry. Many companies seemed to be more focused on expanding the scope of their work than solving clients' challenges.

M: Listening to our customers and trying to understand their business is how we do it.

T: We handcraft solutions and tools to make them elegant, useful, and effective. From tailored software for specific projects to new open-source tools, whatever we make should always be easy to use. Building on Clojure was one of the most fundamental things in achieving this.

J: Another, even more, important element of our success, is our culture, and all the people who make Metosin what it is. We don't have resources – we have skilled human beings. Every new team member is a breath of fresh air, adding value to our culture.

T: A good example of our culture is our get-togethers.

M: For decades, tech company events have meant epic show-offs, exclusive parties with loud music, and lots of beer. We wanted to keep it more understated and classy, and include everyone's partners too. Go somewhere for a weekend, have dinner or go to the theatre, spend quality time together.

T: So far, everyone's been happy with that decision. The software industry is often seen as bits and bytes, pure technology. For us, it's about the people and the way they co-operate and unravel problems together.

M: I would even say that software development is first and foremost a human process, not hard science.

J: That pretty much sums up our approach. I'm not saying we're saving the world, but at least we're doing something we are proud of. Something to look back at when I'm old and in a rocking chair.

T: And who knows, maybe we can help save the planet too.