Series 19 – Episode 1 – Women in Tech takeover: A CEO mindset

This entry is part 21 of 31 in the series Electronic Specifier Insights

In this special Women in Tech takeover, Sheryl Miles speaks with Mateja Lampe Rupnik, CEO, Red Pitaya.

The conversation delves into Rupnik’s unconventional journey from studying art history to leading a technology company, her leadership philosophy, the evolution of Red Pitaya, and her advice for women aspiring to enter the tech industry.

Rupnik begins by sharing her unique educational background: “I studied history of art and Russian language. And usually people, when you tell them that you study something like that, the reaction is always, oh, my God, where will you get a job with this kind of education?” Despite these doubts, Rupnik’s language skills helped her secure her first job in the automotive industry, focusing on supply chain management. After the birth of her third child, she transitioned to a role closer to home, joining Instrumentation Technologies, the parent company of Red Pitaya.

Red Pitaya was founded in 2013 with a mission to democratise science by making high-tech tools accessible to everyone. “Let’s create an open source, affordable, compact sized device that allows anyone from hobbyists to professors, students, researchers or just people in their garages to perform advanced measurements and experiments in a very affordable and very plug and play way,” Rupnik explains. The company’s successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised a quarter of a million dollars, validated the demand for such a product and fostered a vibrant community around it.

A significant part of the discussion centres on Red Pitaya’s transition from serving enthusiasts to becoming a trusted solution for industry professionals. Rupnik credits this shift to “a very honest interaction with our customer base” and a commitment to core values like openness and collaboration. “By staying open source and actively engaging with our customer base, we actually created a two-way dialogue that shaped this development and basically fostered also loyalty,” she notes.

As CEO, Rupnik has been instrumental in shaping the company’s culture, especially during its rapid growth from a team of three to over fifteen, with a diverse array of collaborators worldwide. She emphasises the importance of independence and transparency: “I’m really trying to give them the possibility to be independent in their work. So micromanagement is something that I’m really trying to avoid.” Diversity is another cornerstone: “Diversity really helps teams looking at challenges, at problems, or at future development strategies from different perspectives.”

Rupnik also reflects on her personal growth and leadership evolution. “As a young person, you’re very reactive. As an experienced person, you learn how to reflect … from control to trust, this is a change that I had to make.” She maintains resilience through daily exercise, engagement with the arts, and quality time with family.

Support systems are vital, especially in leadership roles that can feel isolating. Rupnik values her board, colleagues, and family: “Talking to people, not keeping things inside, discussing, I think this is very important.”

For women, especially those without technical backgrounds, Rupnik’s advice is clear: “Women should really not limit themselves, no matter what background … diverse experience brings really valuable perspectives.” She encourages women to be “bold, courageous, and vocal,” and highlights the importance of supportive partners and mentors.

To hear more from Mateja Lampe Rupnik, you can listen to Electronic Specifier’s interview on Spotify or Apple podcasts.