Engineering Offsite: Sun, Code & Celebrations

Being a remote-first global team, we make a conscious effort to gather in person regularly. Goa, a gorgeous Indian beachside retreat, served as the perfect backdrop for Apollo’s largest offsite yet. 

In March, 150 of Apollo’s sharpest minds in our Engineering, Product, and People teams stepped away from Zoom links and Slack threads to connect in person. Under the leadership of Dzmitry Markovich (SVP, Engineering), Himanshu Gahlot (VP, Engineering), and Aidan Li (Sr. Director, Engineering), we came together to learn, collaborate, and celebrate..

This wasn’t just another company offsite—it was a mix of big ideas, great conversations, and a whole lot of unforgettable dance moves.

Day 0: Hellos, High-fives & Beachside Catch-ups

As everyone arrived, the first day was all about transitioning from virtual to real-life interactions. Whether reconnecting over lunch, unwinding at the beach, or just getting to know colleagues beyond their profile pictures, the arrival day set the stage for the days ahead.

Day 1: Big Ideas & Breakout Sessions

The offsite officially commenced with an icebreaker session that proved engineers can be just as competitive outside of work.. Dzmitry Markovich shared his vision for the future of Apollo’s engineering organization, setting the tone for the discussions ahead.

The rest of the day featured:

• Technical deep dives for the Frontend and Backend teams 

• An Engineering with Impact session, led by Learning & Development, focused on solving meaningful problems

• A game night to wrap things up with some friendly competition

Day 2: Product, Technical Mastery & Teamwork

Day two was all about pushing the boundaries of what we are building. From product retrospectives to live demonstrations, our Product Lookback session provided valuable insights into past innovations, lessons learned, and what’s next. Leadership hosted an interactive AMA addressing key questions related to Apollo’s strategic direction, engineering best practices, and growth initiatives.

The afternoon brought a hands-on team challenge that tested problem-solving, agility, and cross-functional collaboration. As the day came to a close, an bunch of informal discussions over dinner provided a platform for continued idea-sharing and deeper professional connections.

Day 3: Leadership Perspectives, Recognition & A Grand Finale

The final full day featured:

•  A candid Ask Us Anything session with senior leadership

• Knowledge-sharing tech talks encouraged across teams

• The Appreciation & Awards Ceremony which celebrated outstanding contributions from the R&D team in the past 6 months

The night concluded with a team celebration—an evening filled with music, dancing, and lasting memories. The dance floor became a reflection of Apollo’s vibrant culture, where colleagues shared their Bollywood dance moves to Punjabi Bhangra, symbolizing the diversity and unity of our global team.

Day 4: A Farewell, but Not Goodbye

Over a final breakfast, we reflected on the experience—the connections made, the ideas sparked, and the momentum we’re carrying forward. While the offsite may be over, the impact of these conversations and collaboration will shape how we work together moving forward.

What’s Next?

Now it’s time to take this energy back to our teams. We return to work with:

• Fresh ideas to drive innovation

• Stronger relationships that make collaboration even better

• A renewed focus on pushing Apollo forward

This offsite was more than just a few days in Goa—it was a reminder of what makes Apollo’s engineering culture so unique. Looking forward to what’s next! 🚀✨

Vyshnav Raj S, Frontend Engineer (India)
“The Goa offsite was an amazing experience, especially since we work remotely. Meeting so many people in person made it even more special. The team activities were really fun and exciting, and it was great to finally put faces to names. I also enjoyed the delicious food and the fun games we played, which made the experience even more memorable. Overall, it was a fantastic experience! 🚀😊”

Shraey Chikker, Sr. Frontend Engineer (India)
“The offsite was quite fun. The arrangements made by Apollo for the squad were very professional. I really enjoyed the team bonding activities and catching up with people I had only worked with asynchronously! 🌏 It was fun seeing the engineers I work with dance to Bollywood music. 🎉”

Piotr Dyba, Engineering Manager (Poland)
“Apollo Offsite in Goa was an unforgettable experience! As a newly joined Engineering Manager, meeting over 150 incredible teammates in person for the first time for me was both exciting and inspiring. The tech talks were insightful, but the real magic happened during conversations over chai and drinks. Getting to know the people behind the screens made it even better. I left with new connections, fresh ideas, and hundreds of photos of both India and Apollo. 📸”

Atul Maheshwari, Sr. Fullstack Engineer (India)
“The recent engineering offsite in Goa was the biggest and most unforgettable one yet. It provided a fantastic opportunity to meet colleagues—some for the first time—and have both casual and meaningful work-related discussions. The well-structured sessions offered valuable insights into different teams' work and challenges 📒, strengthening collaboration. Beyond the learning, the offsite was filled with exciting outings and an epic closing party, making it the perfect blend of networking, bonding, and fun. From deep conversations to late-night explorations, this offsite created memories to last a lifetime.”

Shweta Sharma, Engineering Manager (India)
“The offsite provided an opportunity to engage face-to-face with fellow EMs, breaking down the isolation of remote work through candid conversations and collaborative problem-solving sessions. Sharing experiences and strategies with peers offered fresh insights into leadership challenges. Simultaneously, informal team activities, like brainstorming workshops and casual dinners, strengthened trust and rapport with my direct reports and other team members 🤝 . Returning energized, I feel more equipped to bridge remote gaps with intentional collaboration and empathy, both within my team and across Apollo.”

Abhishek Nadagowd, Technical Recruiter (India)
“Our Eng Offsite was a fun and productive getaway! We bonded over team activities, shared ideas on improving our work, and had some great outdoor adventures. 🏆🦜 It was a perfect mix of learning, teamwork, and relaxation. We came back refreshed, motivated, and more connected than ever!”

Monika Saran, Sr. Frontend Engineer (India)
“The recent offsite was an incredibly enriching experience, both personally and professionally. As a primary caregiver, I was deeply appreciative of how the company ensured my family and I were accommodated 👫 and comfortable throughout the event. During the offsite, I had the opportunity to present my journey of balancing work and life after returning from maternity leave, which sparked meaningful conversations and helped me build stronger connections with my colleagues. As a remote-first company, Apollo has made it possible for me to gracefully manage both my professional and personal responsibilities 🏡, which is a significant advantage for me. The offsite not only helped me reconnect with the team but also allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, ask for help, and return feeling more confident, supported, and truly valued as part of this incredible community.”

Maryna Dubavets, Sr. Backend Engineer (Poland)
“The Goa offsite was truly an amazing experience for me. I thoroughly enjoyed both the tech talks and the team-building activities. The talks that stood out the most were 'Behind the Keyboard' and 'Returning Back to Work,' where people shared their personal experiences. These talks resonated deeply with me and mirrored some of my own experiences, making me feel connected and understood. For the first time in my life, I traveled that far ✈️, and I truly appreciate the Apollo team for making my stay so comfortable while offering a deep dive into the local culture and traditions. Singing and playing the guitar, board games, tennis, carrom, sharing stories, and learning a few Hindi words—these moments will stay in my heart.”

Monica Jeshnani, Sr. Technical Product Manager (India)
“I had a wonderful time at the Goa offsite, connecting with teammates in person after working remotely for so long. It was a great opportunity to present and share insights on 'Learnings from Building Data Waterfall Enrichment,' and learn from other teams about their product strategy for the year ahead. Particularly important for me as a product manager was to connect with my engineering and leadership team to understand their perspective about Apollo. Beyond the work sessions, the offsite allowed me to bond with colleagues, understand their personal journeys, and strengthen our team dynamic. It was an enriching experience both professionally and personally.” ☀️