How I started my own tech company

Posted on: 11 December 2020 by Richard Finch in Enterprise

Angel Maldonado graduated from The University of Liverpool with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. He is the CEO and Founder of Empathy.co

Can you describe your current role?

I am the founder and CEO of Empathy.co. We are makers of Search and Discovery products within some of the largest ecommerce brands of the world. Studying IR and decentralised computing led to the ideas behind Empathy.co and its success.

Which aspects of your course do you think have been the most beneficial to your career development? 

All practice work, the wealth of hands on activities.

What was your best experience while studying your course at the University of Liverpool?

Discovering distributed computing, decentralisation, chaos theory and being supported through my work on designing over networks that lead to the foundation of my company Empathy.co

What is the first thing that you think of when you think of the University of Liverpool?

Walking through the campus, from building to building, the smell of the lectures, the feeling of joy and gratefulness.

Are there any other memories you would like to share from your time at the University of Liverpool?

I was a mature student. I was wandering around the campus wishing I could study there and entered the Computer Science building. Then someone asked: Are you here to apply? I said OK! Moments after I was sitting at Dr. Malcom Taylor's office and he was open to listen and to find ways to help me through their options. Two hours later I left with my ID card, so excited, I’d enrolled in Computer Information Systems 4 year route. I called my mum to tell her ..."When are you finishing son?" "2001 mum", "Space odyssey" she said... Then it happened.

And the many wonderful anecdotes that took place through those years.

Do you have any top tips to share with future and current students?

Don't be afraid of breaking some disciplinary boundaries, mixing management or psychology with software engineering was in my case key to embark on this enterprise.