PayIt simplifies doing business with state and local governments through its digital platform. A 2017 EDCKC Cornerstone Award winner, the company helps citizens navigate government processes using language and an interface they understand – chat.
Founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2014, PayIt’s digital platform chats citizens through transactions as a kind of personal guide through the government maze. The result? Satisfied citizens and metrics that demonstrate to government agencies outcomes in usage, transaction and revenue numbers. Like other technology-driven businesses, PayIt is constantly on the hunt for the next employee with the right skills who fits their culture.
Richard Garbi, CTO, describes PayIt as a young company that is looking for talented junior developers that have not only the practical skills to be productive on day one of their new job, but also the right personality that will thrive at a startup. He said LaunchCode is the perfect partner because many of its graduates are learning to code while they have a full-time job and have the right mix of talent and motivation.
LaunchCode Graduating Class of 2018
LaunchCode, founded in St. Louis in 2013, expanded to Kansas City in January 2016, bringing its mission to kick the tech industry door open to a more diverse recruiting pool while helping employers think outside the typical resume. The non-profit focuses on adults from all walks of life, offering free technical coding education, job training and apprenticeship placement.
“We attribute PayIt’s recent growth to the passion and drive of our employees and LaunchCode has been a huge part of that,” said Garbi. “This partnership has provided us the opportunity to add fresh perspectives to our team. Hiring from LaunchCode means hiring driven, skilled individuals who are ready to work and learn the industry.” PayIt has hired five LaunchCode graduates, helping the company round out its more than 30-person team.
EDCKC was an early funder and continues to sponsor LaunchCode in its mission to create career paths in tech for Kansas City, Missouri, residents – another example of how EDCKC helps foster our city’s entrepreneurship and small business growth. The organization was supported in coming to Kansas City with funding from The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and H&R Block. It operates in donated space in the Sprint Accelerator in the East Crossroads.
LaunchCode graduates have the technical coding skills that employers like PayIt are looking for. Does your organization have open tech positions that you are challenged to fill? Check out the LaunchCode website, its annual report or call Kelly Winzer, candidate engagement manager at 816.730.0011.