Introduction
I’m Parug Demircioğlu, hailing from the vibrant city of Istanbul, Turkey. My journey into the tech world started at an early age, when I taught myself programming in the 90s during my middle school years. By the time I was a student, I had already built the most visited website in Turkey, generating revenue through my passion for coding and creativity. This early success sparked an entrepreneurial spirit within me, fueling my curiosity about the technology industry. This eventually led me to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering.
In 2005, I founded my own software company, Invemo. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on major projects with media conglomerates and some of the largest telecom operators in the world. My work has also involved providing consultancy to international giants like Samsung and Philips. One of my most memorable projects was in 2013, when Invemo collaborated with Vodafone and my alma mater to create a pioneering mobile learning app. This platform allowed students to attend live classes remotely, ask questions via live video feeds, complete assignments, and take exams—all through their mobile devices. It was one of the earliest systems of its kind, paving the way for more flexible and interactive learning experiences.
Today, I serve as the CEO and Lead Engineering Architect at Invemo, where I lead a talented international engineering team. We work closely with both startups and established corporate entities, building cutting-edge solutions. As the key driver behind the company’s technological strategy and vision, I spend most of my time ensuring we stay at the forefront of innovation, solving complex engineering challenges for our clients.
Outside of work, I enjoy embracing the outdoors through biking, hiking, backpack camping, and swimming—activities that refresh my mind and inspire new ideas for my work.
Computer Science Fellow
career options
Computer Science Fellow
skills
What are the main hard skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
Working across both front-end and back-end technologies, I use JavaScript frameworks like React/Svelte on the client side and Node.js on the server side to build scalable and robust applications.
Using technologies like Swift, Kotlin, and React Native, I build mobile applications with responsive designs that run efficiently on both iOS and Android platforms.
I focus heavily on building RESTful APIs and using WebSockets to enable real-time communication between servers and applications. Integrating third-party services and ensuring smooth interaction between different systems is also a major part of my role.
Working with both SQL and NoSQL databases, I ensure data is efficiently stored and retrieved. Technologies like PostgreSQL and Firebase are common in my workflow to manage structured and unstructured data.
What are the main soft skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
As the CEO and Lead Engineering Architect, I lead international teams and projects, ensuring everyone is aligned and motivated. This involves guiding teams through complex technical challenges and fostering collaboration. Mentoring younger developers is a key part of my role. I provide guidance on coding standards, best practices, and career development. This skill has been honed through years of leading diverse teams and learning from my own mentors along the way.
In a team-oriented environment, collaboration is crucial. I’ve developed this skill by working closely with different departments, ensuring smooth communication between developers, designers, and stakeholders. It’s essential when managing cross-functional projects.
Communicating clearly with clients, stakeholders, and team members is essential. Whether it’s explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences or making sure developers understand project requirements, effective communication is key.
Technology is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt quickly is critical. I’ve learned to embrace changes in technology, frameworks, and client needs, ensuring that I stay ahead of the curve and guide my team through new challenges.
Parug
’s personal path
Tell us about your personal journey in
Computer Science Fellow
:
My journey in tech began in the 90s when I taught myself programming in middle school. Back then, the internet was still in its early stages, and there were no established roadmaps or courses to follow. Fueled by curiosity and a desire to create, I built one of the most visited websites in Turkey as a student. This accomplishment was pivotal—it not only validated my passion for technology but also gave me an early glimpse into the power of the web. The success of that project pushed me further into the world of software development, ultimately leading me to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering, which laid the technical foundation I needed to dive deeper into the field. Armed with this knowledge, I launched my own software company in 2005.
Starting a business in tech wasn’t easy. I faced numerous challenges, especially when it came to scaling projects and assembling the right team. At the time, finding experienced talent who shared my vision was one of the toughest hurdles, but through trial and error, perseverance, and countless hours of work, I navigated those obstacles. Eventually, I had the privilege of working on large-scale, high-impact projects for international corporations like Samsung and Philips, as well as leading telecom operators in Turkey. These experiences not only helped me refine my skills but also taught me how to adapt quickly to evolving technologies and business environments.
Finding the right job or project isn’t a linear process. You will encounter setbacks, rejections, and obstacles along the way. But every challenge is a lesson, and every step, whether forward or backward, shapes your path in unexpected and rewarding ways. Looking back, I realize that every difficult moment has played a part in where I am today, reinforcing that resilience and continuous learning are key to long-term success in this industry.
What would you tell your younger you regarding building your current career?
I would tell my younger self to embrace every challenge and never stop learning. In tech, things change so quickly, and being adaptable is one of the most important skills you can develop. Also, focus on building strong relationships, both with mentors and peers, because those connections often open new opportunities. Finally, take risks early in your career. Whether it’s a side project, a startup, or moving to a new country for a job, these experiences will shape your future in ways you can’t imagine.
Final thoughts & tips
If you’re pursuing a career in software development or app engineering, don’t be afraid to dive deep into different technologies and experiment with them. Find a niche or a problem that excites you and build something around it. Networking and continuous learning are crucial, so attend events, engage with communities, and keep improving your skill set. Remember, failure is part of the journey—what matters is how you bounce back and continue to innovate.
Resources to dig in more
Stack Overflow Developer Blog
A great resource for keeping up with industry trends, new technologies, and insights from the developer community.
Dev.to
A community of developers sharing knowledge, tutorials, and career advice, especially helpful for those starting out.
freeCodeCamp
Offers free coding lessons and tutorials, as well as real-world projects to help you learn and grow as a developer.
GitHub
A platform for collaborating on software projects, exploring open-source work, and learning from other developers’ code.
