Our open-source philosophy

At Zebanza, we strive to be more than just a workplace and create an environment where people feel safe and able to unlock their true potential. When it comes to Vincent Ceulemans, we appear more than successful: in his opinion, Zebanza isn’t just a job but a place where he can grow and make a difference.  

And that he does! His work as a DBA is incredibly diverse: from optimizing database performance to troubleshooting complex infrastructure challenges, not an easy feat. “One moment I’m dealing with hands-on database setups, the other with high-level strategic consulting,” Vincent tells us enthusiastically. “I love that this job requires me to adapt and switch quickly in order to consistently deliver the best solutions for clients. It’s what keeps me going!”  

Vincent’s proactive approach to problem solving also aligns with ours completely: “Rather than simply putting out fires, I prefer to make sure they don’t start in the first place,” he explains. “I’m glad Zebanza values this just as much.” 

One of the other (and probably the main) reason(s) Vincent feels so at home here is our shared passion for open-source technology. Unlike proprietary databases that require – often costly – licenses and restrict access to certain features, open-source solutions offer freedom, flexibility, and a strong sense of community.  

Vincent fully embraces this philosophy. “With open-source, you’re not locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem. It enables you to customize and improve infrastructures in ways proprietary databases can’t.” 

Shaping Zebanza’s future together 

Vincent’s journey with Zebanza has been a dedicated one, for sure. He originally built his expertise at Exitas before exploring new opportunities elsewhere. When he noticed Kim and Guy were (re-)launching Zebanza, however, he just knew he had to be part of it.  

Despite having advanced in his career by then and holding a more senior role, he chose to take a small step back to rejoin the team. “It simply wasn’t about titles for me. It was about being part of something I truly believe in,” he explains fervidly. “Here, I get to help shape the future of the company and work alongside people who share my values. The move was a no-brainer and completely worth it.” 

In fact, Zebanza’s culture is built on like-minded professionals who flourish in an environment free of rigid hierarchies and unnecessary bureaucracy. “If something isn’t working, we say so. Do we think there’s a better way to do things? Fine, we will figure it out together,” says Vincent. “That’s what makes Zebanza feel like home to me.” He smiles and continues: “Sure, we tend to joke and tease each other like siblings, but at the end of the day, we’ve got each other’s backs.”  

Vincent feels seen and valued at Zebanza. “When something’s going on in my personal life, there always seems to be someone who notices and checks in. They remind me to take time for myself. That’s such a contrast to corporate environments where you can feel like just a number.”  

True impact – big and small 

Lastly (yet just as importantly) Vincent finds immense satisfaction in knowing his work has real impact. “Maybe it’s not the most attractive field, working with databases, but helping emergency response systems run smoothly, for instance, gives me a sense of purpose.”  

Bringing added value doesn’t have to mean working on massive critical systems. Sometimes, it’s the smaller victories that matter just as much. “We used to have a client who ran into the same database issue every Thursday, week after week. It was frustrating for them and certainly disruptive to their workflow,” Vincent recalls. “After thoroughly analyzing the issue, I finally found a lasting solution. The client personally thanked me, saying he could finally focus on his work without that problem hanging over him. Small wins like that make my job deeply fulfilling.”  

For us, that’s precisely the kind of attitude we’re looking for in our colleagues. And for Vincent, that’s exactly why Zebanza feels like home.