Our First Company Retreat in the Azores
At Symbiotic, we are more than just a set of offices in Paris and New York; we are one global team. But with an ocean between us, nothing beats the feeling of finally meeting everyone in person.
For our very first company retreat, we decided to meet halfway—literally. We gathered our entire team in the breathtaking Azores archipelago, the perfect volcanic bridge between our two continents.
Halfway Between NYC and Paris
Choosing the Azores wasn't just about the stunning landscapes; it was a symbol of our identity. For many, it was the first time "meeting" a colleague after months of working together on Zoom. Between whale watching in the Atlantic, exploring lush island trails, and sharing long meals, those two-dimensional avatars finally became real-life friends.
Zero Slides, 100% Innovation: The Retreat Hackathon
We decided to ban long, boring slide presentations. Instead, we channeled our collective energy into a company-wide Hackathon.
The goal was simple: mix teams (pairing US sales with French engineers, or NYC product managers with Paris ops) and build something bold. The creativity that exploded from these cross-continental pairings was incredible. It proved that when you put talented people from different cultures in the same room—or on the same island—innovation happens naturally.
Why We Invest in Retreats
Building a category-defining AI security product is a marathon. To succeed, we need deep trust and shared memories. This retreat provided both:
Human Connections: Strengthening the bonds that make remote collaboration seamless.
Creative Recharge: Stepping out of our routines to find inspiration in the beauty and calm of the Azores.
Shared Vision: Returning to our respective cities with a unified drive for what’s next.
We left the island with full hearts, a lot of laughs, and a camera roll full of memories. We’re already looking forward to where our next adventure will take us.
Want to join us for the next one? We’re hiring across all offices!