Growth Stories: Simon’s Journey at Twipe

What was your first role at Twipe, and how has your career evolved? 

I joined Twipe right after completing my Master’s in Computer Science, specializing in AI. My initial role placed me on a research and development track, where I focused on data and AI projects. One of my earliest assignments was to improve the newspaper archives for Ouest-France by enhancing their search functionality and automatically surfacing older articles that remain relevant today. I also contributed to developing JAMES, Twipe’s content recommendation and triggers platform. 

After two years of working on AI and backend projects, I took a surprising detour into the world of React Native. We were just starting to lay the foundations of what would become our newest frontend apps platform, and I saw it as both a chance to challenge myself and to help the company. During the next two years, I found myself evolving into a software architect, bridging the gap between frontend and backend to ensure we had a cohesive overall system. 

That architectural perspective helped me make a case for reworking our backend—much like we had done for our mobile apps. Once the plan was approved, I spent the following two years leading a team to overhaul our backend APIs, serving as both a software architect and team leader. With that project recently wrapped up, I’m now returning to my roots in data and AI. I’ve joined Twipe Labs, an internal “startup” environment where we experiment with new ideas, fail fast, and iterate quickly to validate product-market fit. We’re also adopting an AI-first development process: using large language models to generate initial designs, code, and tests, while I step in mainly to review, guide, and correct. 

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Twipe? 

It’s difficult to choose just one guiding principle, because several lessons stand out for me. One of my personal mottos is that when you aim for fun, you aim for excellence. When people genuinely enjoy their work, they push themselves to produce top-quality results. Of course, maintaining that enthusiasm takes discipline and a drive to keep learning and experimenting. 

It’s also critical to think ahead about both the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns—especially in greenfield projects where so much is uncharted territory. Anticipating what you might not see coming helps ensure you’re building more robust and flexible solutions. 

Just as important is surrounding yourself with the right people—those you can learn from and who challenge you to improve. Tapping into each other’s expertise can save a tremendous amount of time compared to going it alone. And above all, trust is essential for any team to thrive. When people trust one another—inside the team and across partnerships—they can put their energy into solving real problems rather than guarding against potential pitfalls. This alignment not only yields better outcomes but also makes the entire process a lot more fun for everyone. 

Can you share a memorable moment that marked a turning point in your career? 

One pivotal moment for me was the transition from my AI/Backend comfort zone to the React Native team. It opened my eyes to the power of versatility—how moving beyond your primary focus can unlock new ways of thinking and solving problems. That shift was my first real step into software architecture, and it laid the groundwork for the backend overhaul project I would eventually lead. 

How has Twipe helped you grow professionally? 

Twipe has exposed me to a wide range of technologies and talented professionals. Each major shift in my role—from AI engineer to frontend engineer, from software architect to team lead, and now back to AI—came with new challenges, mentors, and lessons. I’ve been able to refine my technical skills, broaden my architectural perspective, and develop my leadership abilities in an environment that encourages both experimentation and personal growth. 

After all these years, what makes Twipe’s culture unique? 

To borrow a phrase from a former colleague: “It’s the people.” We set the bar high during recruitment, which can make it challenging to find the right candidates. But the payoff is a team of driven, skilled individuals who genuinely care about what they do—and about each other. That combination of ambition and camaraderie creates a supportive environment where innovation thrives and everyone’s contributions matter.

What’s next? 

I’m excited to be back in the AI and data space, combining entrepreneurship with the thrill of building new products. At Twipe Labs, we’re testing the frontiers of what large language models can achieve for journalism and personalization. We believe we’re on the cusp of an AI revolution that will transform how people discover and interact with news. While the challenges around trust and reliability are real, we see them as opportunities to shape responsible AI-driven solutions. I’m looking forward to helping Twipe break new ground in these areas—and, most importantly, to continue having fun along the way as a team.