Right next to Gouda railway station, in a former office building, you will find Carapax IT. Not a typical IT company, but a place where thinking differently is the norm. Here, Brother Tuck meets CEO Hugo van der Linde and employee Floris van der Berg: a calm man with a sharp mind whose life was completely transformed thanks to Carapax IT.
The Story of Carapax IT
At Carapax IT, IT professionals on the autism spectrum develop high quality software. What started in 2015 as a small scale initiative has grown into a fully established IT company with fifty employees and competence centres in Gouda and Eindhoven. As a social enterprise, Carapax IT combines technological innovation for its clients with social impact for its employees.
The Story of Floris
After completing secondary school, Floris enthusiastically began studying Computer Science in Leiden. However, the pressure became too much for him. He dropped out and eventually ended up in a psychiatric hospital.
“I had literally been written off by society,” he begins. “I had no job and was carrying dozens of kilos more than I do now.”
With the help of medication and structure, his life gradually began to change. He regained control, adopted a healthier lifestyle, and through an employment consultant came into contact with Carapax IT.
“And the rest is history,” Floris says.
Today, Floris works as a data analyst, collaborating with colleagues on the core processes of businesses.
“My job is to make sure a process is properly configured by aligning different machines with each other. For example, I worked on a system for producing cattle feed. If the feed is too dry, the cows develop problems. But if it is too wet, the machines get clogged. By enabling the different machines to communicate with each other in real time, you can create a process that works properly. It’s really like experimenting from behind a keyboard, and I absolutely love it.”
For Floris, Carapax IT means much more than just a job.
“I love being part of a team and figuring out who I need to work with to solve whatever problem we are facing at that moment. The amount of freedom I’m given is enormous. I genuinely feel that I am in control of my own work.”
He pauses for a moment before adding:
“Thanks in part to Carapax IT, I escaped the psychiatric system. I live independently again, I can support myself financially, and I’ve even resumed my studies. Honestly, I look towards the future with confidence again.”
Five Questions for Hugo van der Linde
- What would be the first thing you would do as director of the UWV?
Keep it simple! As director of the UWV, I would focus above all on simplicity and clarity. The organisation is large and complex, but ultimately it is about helping people who need support with work and income. My first priority would be to simplify processes so that clients can be helped more quickly and in a way that is easier to understand. At the same time, I would recognise that this can only succeed if the entire UWV team is given a clear direction and is properly motivated and empowered. - What is the secret behind Carapax IT?
First and foremost, it is the commitment of our entire team. I have rarely worked for a company where intrinsic motivation and enthusiasm are so strong. It is truly a pleasure to be part of it. In addition, we strongly believe in a personalised approach: we adapt our working environment and our way of working to the individual needs of our people, because not everyone fits into the same mould. Finally, we distinguish ourselves through the high level of expertise, knowledge, and technical skills of our employees in the field of computer science.
- What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?
Where do I begin? The most important thing is that I continue to learn every day how crucial it is to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. That may sound simple, but the real challenge is applying it consistently, day after day, in practice.
- What do you do to make the world more inclusive?
Primarily through my work at Carapax IT. We already employ nearly 50 people, and our ambition is to continue growing significantly. Growth means that we can help even more people who face barriers to employment find meaningful work. In addition, I recently became a board member of Neurowrx, a global alliance of companies and non profit organisations dedicated to employment opportunities and inclusion for people on the autism spectrum.
- Which well known Dutch person would you like to meet, and what would your first question be?
Saxophonist and band leader Candy Dulfer. She makes fantastic music. My first question would be whether she would like to join our Carapax IT band, currently still in the making, for a jam session. That would be amazing!
