WINK customizes their pipeline with InceptionU

Customized Training and Talent Solution | Fall 2022

Margo Purcell, Carol Sun, Al Del Degan, Tony Grimes

The Challenge

WINK Technologies Inc. is a Montreal-based software development company for the eye care industry providing solutions to optometrists and opticians. WINK is growing rapidly and was looking to expand its team of developers. The company hires internationally and has employees all over the globe, including Philippines, India, Nigeria, Dubai, Lebanon and France. Yet, it was still struggling to find and acquire senior level developers with the right mindset. 

WINK was having difficulty finding senior developers with knowledge of the programming language Java and who exhibited a growth mindset. They were looking for people who could embrace the “WINK Way '' of working - being open to learning and challenging the status quo, being flexible and having the ability to adapt and embrace change. With limited staffing, WINK  didn’t have the resources to provide the mentorship and training in Java for new hires. As a growing company, it also needed to be cost-effective and conscious of finances. Many senior developers were out of their price range.

The Solution

Recognizing WINK’s needs, budget and HR limitations, InceptionU created a Customized Training and Talent solution for three new developers. These recent InceptionU graduates showed they had a growth mindset, creativity and resourcefulness, but weren’t adequately skilled in Java. In collaboration with WINK’s Director of Engineering, InceptionU created a week-long Java Crash Course for the new developers as part of their onboarding process. The course involved both training and practice time and quickly got the developers up to speed in the Java programming language.  

Cost of each crash course was $5,000.

In addition, InceptionU invited WINK to pitch two development projects to current learners as part of their learning outcomes. Two projects were accepted by Cohort 8 and presented on Demo Day in July 2022. Two of the learners who worked on these projects were eventually hired by WINK in August of 2022.

The Impact

Created brand and employer awareness through project work with InceptionU learners.

Rapidly found, trained and hired three developers within the span of three months.

Co-created a customized Java workshop for new employees.

Created relationship to build pipeline of future talent.

Alleviated the workload for Director of Engineering.

Mentorship capabilities and opportunities created.

Talent and training costs were within budget.

Development team able to achieve velocity and help company grow.

  • “They have the exact mindset that we’ve been looking to hire. Developers who can learn to be vulnerable, make mistakes and learn from their mistakes. They have the ability to find answers and be accountable if you can’t find the answer, but try to figure things out.”

    Sabrina Isadore, Human Resources and Communications, WINK Technologies

  • “If we have to hire and continue building that pipeline, we’ll definitely go to InceptionU."

    Sabrina Isadore, Human Resources and Communications, WINK Technologies

  • “When people ask us, ‘How did you start building your talent pipeline?’ It’s one word, InceptionU. Go google it.”

    Sabrina Isadore, Human Resources and Communications, WINK Technologies

  • “I’m so happy with the relationship. I believe that people make companies, so I do believe it’s the people there that made the difference. Margo, Carol and the team created such a warm and welcoming environment; we felt like we were part of a team working to find the solution together. It was tremendous.”

    Sabrina Isadore, Human Resources and Communications, WINK Technologies