Interview by Jonathan Kersting
What makes a company worth buying?
Most people think it’s revenue. Or technology. Or market share.
But after spending more than 30 years building Pittsburgh-based engineering firm IQ Inc., founder Barbara VanKirk believes the answer starts somewhere else entirely: People.
In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, you’ll hear how VanKirk built a company culture around growth, curiosity, and leadership—and why those values ultimately attracted a global acquisition from Critical Software.
You’ll also hear her candid reflections on being one of the only women in engineering rooms early in her career—and why confidence and belonging still matter in tech today.
If you’re building a company or building yourself as a leader, this conversation delivers a few lessons worth stealing. Listen VanKirk's entire interview right here.
Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.