About 8th Light
Sharing knowledge, collaborating authentically, and building a shared future together is at the heart of who we are.
Proud to be Employee-Owned
8th Light is an employee-owned company, which is an important pillar in our culture.
It reinforces our values and principles, and empowers our team to influence our company’s direction. It is in keeping with the long tradition of crafters and gives us the space and flexibility to foster an innovative and forward-looking culture. 8th Light opened employee-ownership in 2014, and currently over 40% of employees are owners.
Our Values
Humanity
We create our best work through authentic collaboration, diversity, and continually practicing care towards ourselves, our clients and our community.
Education
We share our knowledge generously and create opportunities for our employees to advance their careers with intention.
Ownership
We treat our clients’ goals as our own. We believe in empowering each other, our clients, and our communities to build a future, together.
Paid Apprenticeship Program
We hire cohorts of paid apprentices from all backgrounds and experience levels to learn and grow into software professionals.
Learn MoreOur story
8th Light was founded in 2006 to be a place where craft can thrive. Driven by the values of teaching and learning, it’s served as a home for hundreds of crafters on their paths to mastery in software. As our journey continues, we are constantly seeking out new challenges, new partners, and new team members who share our passion for crafting high quality software.
August 2006
8th Light founded in Libertyville, Ill.
April 2011
Opened first office in Chicago
April 2012
Opened office in Tampa Bay
January 2014
Opened office in London
August 2014
Opened office in Los Angeles
June 2015
Opened office in New York
September 2016
February 2018
Opened office in Seattle
June 2018
July 2019
November 2020
Invested in One World Coders
Our story
8th Light was founded in 2006 based on the premise that software is best written by small, disciplined teams who approach the development and design process with a shared vision. In the time since then, we’ve worked to build on the successes of that vision with our partners all over the world.
We come from different companies, locations, and cultures, but we are united by our commitment to the principles and practices of approaching software as a craft.
Our history is filled with rewarding and productive partnerships, and we’re most excited about what comes next. Whether you’re looking to join our team, or bring our principles and practices to your company, we’d be thrilled if you became part of it.
8th Light Leadership
8th Light is led by a principle of employee ownership, an insightful Board of Directors, and an experienced executive team.
Chair
Maura Burns Watson
Retired from Directorate of Digital Innovation, CIA
Carl Erickson
Executive Chairman and Founder, Atomic Object
Chris McGowan
Partner, CJM Ventures
Adjunct Professor, University of Chicago Booth School of BusinessDave Moore
Project Director, 8th Light
Fred Lee
CTO, Cars.com
Jenny Farver
CTO, Lightstream
Paul Pratt
Vice President of Technical Services, T. Marzetti Company
Paul Pagel
Chief Executive Officer
Rich Bartell
Chief Financial Officer
Claudia Richman
Chief Operating Officer
Heather Corallo
Vice President, Consulting
Rich Feller
Vice President, Product Design and Delivery
Colin Jones
Chief Technology Officer
Our Partners
We intentionally foster a positive, inclusive community where everyone can learn and grow together.
Let's Talk
Interested in learning more about who we are and what we do?