Why Clojure? It’s Not Just About Code…

SUMMARY

Jiri, Flexiana's founder, explains choosing Clojure for its expressiveness and ecosystem, details the company's meritocratic culture with senior developers from 30 countries, and shares growth from freelancers to international success.

STATEMENTS

In 2010, the speaker used functional programming for web applications but was disappointed with available options like Haskell, leading to exploration at Prague Lambda meetups.
After presentations on Clojure, the speaker tried it and fell in love, starting to use it professionally since 2013, later moving to Barcelona and founding a local meetup group.
Clojure stands out for its super expressiveness as a homoiconic language, enabling concise code that condenses 10-15 lines from other languages into one.
The language's flexibility allows programming bottom-up by connecting to systems or top-down by defining domain-specific languages, modifiable to fit specific purposes.
Clojure provides access to the entire JVM ecosystem, with strong Java interoperability, though wrappers may be needed for mutable data structures.
Flexiana began as a group of freelancers building Clojure apps, evolving into a company nine years ago with senior developers who share a passion for functional programming.
The company now employs people from about 30 countries, all with over five years of experience, focusing on crafting mid-sized web applications for established businesses and startups.
Success stems from seniority enabling trust in design and leadership, love for Clojure's ecosystem and theories pioneered by Rich Hickey, and a meritocratic culture without job titles.
Flexiana supports the Clojure community through sponsoring open-source authors, conferences, and meetups, including anonymous funding, contributing to decade-long stability.
Future plans include developing Clojure libraries for machine learning, integrating Python code to support features like random forests, neural networks, and optimization.

IDEAS

Clojure's homoiconicity surpasses even Lisp in expressiveness, turning complex code into single lines that inherently reduce programming errors.
Developers can seamlessly switch between bottom-up integration with databases and top-down creation of custom domain-specific languages, tailoring the language on the fly.
Higher-order functions in Clojure enable powerful abstractions without relying on macros, building intuitive DSLs for diverse domains.
Accessing the full JVM means Clojure rarely lacks libraries, with Java interop filling gaps, though immutable data preferences require occasional wrappers.
Starting a company with only senior developers, all passionate about functional programming, creates a self-sustaining team that grows organically through shared expertise.
An international team from 30 countries thrives on meritocracy, where autonomy replaces hierarchy, and open criticism ensures accountability without titles.
Delivering nearly 100% successful long-term projects for European and American clients highlights how Clojure's strengths align with building reliable core systems.
Sponsoring Clojure conferences anonymously, without branding, demonstrates genuine commitment to ecosystem health over self-promotion.
Pioneering Clojure's machine learning support by importing Python libraries bridges a historical gap, making advanced AI tools accessible in a functional paradigm.
A decade of consistent Clojure use has transformed a freelance group into a global firm, proving long-term tech commitment yields compounding advantages.
Functional programming's emphasis on immutability not only prevents errors but fosters enjoyable coding that feels like using a "super powerful tool" without academic limitations.
Rich Hickey's implementation of Clojure brought underutilized functional concepts into practical software development, influencing real-world applications.

INSIGHTS

Expressive languages like Clojure amplify developer productivity by minimizing boilerplate and errors, turning coding into an intuitive, enjoyable craft.
Assembling teams of seasoned professionals fosters deep trust and autonomy, enabling rapid innovation and high delivery rates without rigid structures.
Active ecosystem contributions, such as open-source sponsorships, strengthen both the technology and the company's position within a niche community.
Homoiconic designs allow languages to evolve with projects, creating bespoke solutions that feel purpose-built and adaptable to emerging needs.
Interoperability with mature platforms like the JVM ensures functional paradigms scale to enterprise demands without sacrificing core principles.
Sustained investment in a single technology over years unlocks specialized advancements, such as AI integration, propelling both personal and organizational growth.

QUOTES

"things that are 10 15 lines in other languages are one line enclosure."
"closure prevents errors it's fun it's expressive and it has a vast ecosystem."
"being senior only company have been uh the best decision I made when I started Flexiana. It's probably even better decision than using Closure."
"We plan to work with closure for another decade or decades."
"not many people know it but HP implemented closure. Uh many of those concepts were not used in the real world and he pioneered those things."

HABITS

Attending functional programming meetups, like Prague Lambda, to explore and learn about languages such as Clojure and Haskell.
Experimenting with new languages by trying them after community presentations, leading to immediate adoption if they resonate.
Leading and organizing local meetup groups, such as starting the Barcelona Clojure community after relocating.
Prioritizing higher-order functions over macros when building abstractions, to create domain-specific languages efficiently.
Sponsoring open-source authors, conferences, and meetups regularly, including anonymous support, to give back to the ecosystem.
Hiring only developers with over five years of experience who love functional programming, ensuring a cohesive team culture.

FACTS

The speaker began using Clojure professionally in 2013 after being inspired at Prague Lambda meetups in 2010.
Flexiana's team comprises developers from approximately 30 countries, all with at least five years of experience.
The company has successfully delivered close to 100% of its long-term cooperations, building core systems for Series A and B startups.
Rich Hickey, Clojure's creator, pioneered functional concepts that were previously underutilized in practical software development.
Flexiana evolved from a freelance group nine years ago into an international company focused on mid-sized web applications.
Clojure runs on the JVM, providing access to Java, Scala, and Kotlin libraries, with improving interoperability features.

REFERENCES

Clojure (primary language and ecosystem, including higher-order functions and macros).
JVM (underlying platform for libraries and Java interop).
Haskell (earlier functional language tried and discussed at meetups).
Java libraries (imported for missing Clojure functionality, with wrappers for mutable data).
Scala and Kotlin (mentioned as comparable ecosystems available via JVM).
Python (used for machine learning integration, including random forests, decision trees, neural networks, and optimization).
Prague Lambda meetups (community events introducing functional languages).
Barcelona Clojure meetup group (founded by the speaker).
Open-source authors and conferences (sponsored by Flexiana, including one anonymously).

HOW TO APPLY

Explore functional programming communities by attending meetups like Prague Lambda to hear presentations on languages such as Clojure, then try them hands-on to assess fit for your projects.
When building web applications, adopt Clojure's expressive style by rewriting verbose code from other languages into concise single lines, focusing on homoiconicity to reduce errors and enhance readability.
Assemble a development team exclusively from seniors with over five years of experience and a passion for functional paradigms, trusting them to handle design, onboarding, and client interactions autonomously.
Implement a meritocratic culture by eliminating job titles and hierarchies, encouraging open feedback and cross-control so good ideas advance and poor ones are critiqued constructively.
Contribute to your chosen ecosystem by sponsoring open-source authors, meetups, and conferences—even anonymously—to build community ties and gain deeper insights over time.
Integrate emerging technologies like machine learning into Clojure by developing libraries that import Python code, enabling features such as neural networks and decision trees without switching languages.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Choosing Clojure and senior-only teams drives enjoyable, error-free development and global company success.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Select programming languages that prioritize fun and expressiveness to sustain long-term developer motivation and productivity.
Build teams solely from experienced professionals to cultivate trust, autonomy, and consistent high-quality outputs.
Eliminate formal hierarchies and titles to promote merit-based decisions and innovative problem-solving.
Actively sponsor open-source efforts and events to strengthen your tech ecosystem and attract top talent.
Invest in interoperability for AI tools, like bridging Clojure with Python, to future-proof your software stack.

MEMO

In the bustling world of software development, where languages rise and fall like tech trends, Jiri, the founder of Flexiana, discovered a steadfast ally in Clojure back in 2013. Disillusioned with the functional programming options of the early 2010s—having dabbled in Haskell and found it lacking—Jiri attended Prague's Lambda meetups, where talks on Clojure's elegant simplicity captivated him. What began as a personal experiment quickly became a professional passion, shaping not just his code but the very foundation of his company. Clojure, he explains, isn't merely a tool; it's a mindset that compresses verbose logic into poetic one-liners, leveraging its homoiconic nature to outshine even Lisp in expressiveness.

Flexiana's origins trace back to a loose collective of freelancers, all enamored with Clojure's ability to prevent bugs through immutability and higher-order functions. As the team expanded, Jiri formalized the group into a company nine years ago, now spanning developers from 30 countries who share a love for crafting web applications. This international ensemble, united by at least five years of experience and a functional programming ethos, builds mid-sized systems for startups and established firms across Europe and America. Their secret? A meritocratic culture devoid of job titles, where autonomy reigns and peers freely critique to refine ideas. This trust has yielded near-perfect delivery rates on long-term projects, proving that seniority trumps sheer numbers.

Yet success isn't accidental. Jiri credits Clojure's vast JVM ecosystem—drawing from Java, Scala, and Kotlin libraries—for filling any gaps, even if wrappers occasionally tame mutable data clashes. The company's reverence for Clojure extends to its creator, Rich Hickey, whose pioneering work brought abstract functional concepts into practical realms. Flexiana gives back generously, sponsoring open-source authors and conferences, sometimes without fanfare, fostering a vibrant community that mirrors their internal growth. After a decade, this commitment has evolved the firm from freelance gigs to a global force, emphasizing that true innovation blooms from sustained, passionate investment.

Looking ahead, Jiri envisions Clojure thriving in machine learning, a frontier they're actively conquering. By importing Python libraries for random forests, neural networks, and optimization, Flexiana is bridging functional purity with AI's demands—without abandoning their core language. This focus signals not just adaptation but leadership, as they craft libraries to make Clojure a powerhouse for data-driven apps. In an era of fleeting tech fads, Jiri's story underscores a timeless truth: the right tool, paired with the right people, can redefine what's possible in software.

Ultimately, Flexiana's journey illustrates how a single choice—Clojure—ripples outward, building resilient teams and reliable products. For developers weary of error-prone code or rigid structures, it's a compelling case: embrace expressiveness, hire for expertise, and contribute boldly to watch your vision scale internationally.