26/03/2019
✍️ A letter to our community, and to our friends,
The past three years have been a privilege and an adventure for us. In 2016, we had little more than an idea and the courage to try to build it in the world. We found immense support in this community, from the early volunteers who joined us, the first students who entrusted us with their time and passion, to over a hundred individual donors and companies who kickstarted our work.
We were humbled to play a part in the growth of our students because we've seen them develop more than web applications, we've seen them develop the next chapter of their lives in . We also want them to know how much we have learned from them. It was through observing their hard work that we've learned more about resilience. Through the friendships forged in those long coding nights, we've learned more about kindness. It is a great reminder that despite the fact that our students and volunteers represent over 40 countries from across this planet, what we share in common has always been stronger than those ways in which we were different. Our hope for the future, compassion for each other, and commitment to building a better version of ourselves and of the world. These are not mere words, but the output of their character and actions.
We want you to know that we have decided to stop Restart Network in May 2019, exactly three years after it started. We are not doing this because we have to - that is to say, our students and organization are more successful today than at any time before. Our students continue to inspire us as their careers progress in some of Europe's leading technology companies, our business model is healthy and fully funds our mission, and for all our faults, we still love working together. The reason we are putting a stop to this chapter is that while we've seen our students change careers and future plans, we benefited from the same transformation. We love the impact we were able to achieve here, and new flames are now burning for new industries and adventures we are eager to start.
We are thus inviting our larger community to our last official Restart Network event: ONWARDS: Graduation Time! on Friday, May 3rd, 2019. We will bring together the ONE Program students who will step on stage to graduate, in the applause of over 200 volunteers, family and friends, members of our team, and network of partners.
It's important to say this is not a goodbye - it cannot be, because our friendships and this community will live on. We will always be part of the Restart Network.
Teodor Cătăniciu and Frederick Rustler
Please check your email for a personal invite. If you haven't received an invite but you'd still like to be there we offer 30 tickets to our large community. Send us a message at [email protected].
