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In this series, we share various career stories from people working with Qt. Here we have Alexandra Betouni, CEO of Extenly.
Tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do?
I’m the CEO of Extenly and have been a Qt Developer for over a decade. Along the way, I’ve authored two online Qt courses and spoken at numerous Qt events across Europe and the Americas. Outside of work, I’m a beach enthusiast, a fan of beer and wine tasting, and a dedicated festival-goer. I also play electric bass, combining my love for music with a hands-on hobby that keeps me connected to the creative world.
What originally inspired you to pursue this career?
Since I was a child, we always had a computer at home, and I started using it at a very early age. This sparked my curiosity to understand how things worked behind the scenes and inspired me to learn more about technology. That curiosity has stayed with me throughout my career—I still have the same passion for exploring how things work and for helping customers bring their ideas to life. It’s incredibly rewarding to guide projects from design through development and all the way to market success.
What did you study at school and how did it prepare you for your career?
I pursued a double degree program where I initially had to choose between telecommunications and programming. At first, I chose telecommunications, believing it aligned with my interests. However, as I completed the basic programming courses required in the curriculum, I realized how much I enjoyed coding—it brought back memories of my childhood curiosity for computers. Eventually, an opportunity arose when the department underwent changes, allowing me to switch my focus to programming. I’ve never looked back since! This switch gave me a strong foundation in software development, which allowed me to participate in various student projects, where I was first introduced to Qt. It was during these projects that I discovered my passion for Qt development, shaping the career I enjoy today.
How did you first discover Qt, and what changed as a result?
I first discovered Qt during my university days when BlackBerry hosted a seminar to showcase their then-new BlackBerry 10 OS. I was selected to attend a BlackBerry Jam Camp in Madrid, where we were introduced to app development for BlackBerry 10. We had the choice between Qt and HTML for app development, and we chose Qt. Together with two colleagues, we built an app called “College Notes”, where my role was mainly QML development, and since we didn’t have a designer, I also took on the UI design. This project made me realize my passion for programming, especially UI development. The ease of creating useful applications with Qt sparked my interest, eventually leading me to focus on UI development for embedded devices. Later in my career, I’ve contributed to projects like MBUX, an advanced multimedia infotainment system developed by Mercedes Benz. In fact, seeing a Mercedes Benz car on the road still brings me joy, knowing that my contributions are part of it. Now, at Extenly, we continue this journey by taking on exciting Qt projects, and it’s safe to say that what started as a student project has grown into a lifelong passion—my career has truly become 'Qt'.
Can you describe a typical day or week in your job?
At Extenly, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including Qt consultancy, UI/UX design, tailored training sessions, and online course creation. We also organize the annual Qt event in Greece "QtGreece", a gathering for Qt enthusiasts, and are developing our own innovative smart home product series. A typical day or week for me involves a dynamic mix of activities: event planning, driving company strategy, hands-on UI development, and building strong relationships with clients. Whether I’m helping clients design intuitive interfaces or guiding them through complex Qt projects, I love supporting their journey to success. Plus, our contributions to the Qt community—like hosting the annual event and providing valuable educational content—are a key part of our mission.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the diversity—it’s exciting to work on a wide range of interesting projects and then see them succeed in the market. One of the most demanding yet rewarding projects we have at Extenly is developing the internal event management and logistics application for the Mediterranea Metal Cruise, a heavy metal-themed cruise sailing through the Greek islands. This client asked for a complete end-to-end service, and we’re thrilled to support them on this journey. What's truly special is meeting so many incredible people along the way. Collaborating with such a variety of professionals from different fields, often in unique settings around the world, has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I always say, "Qt literally runs everywhere!". Even on heavy metal cruises, and it’s exciting to be part of it!
Which skills or qualities would you say are of importance to succeed in your field?
I believe there are two key aspects to succeed in this field: the emotional and the practical. On the emotional side, it’s essential to manage your ego and build self-confidence without letting it get in the way. Staying humble and open to feedback is crucial for growth. On the practical side, a strong foundational knowledge is a must. However, true success comes when you combine this expertise with a resilient mindset and a willingness to keep learning. It’s this blend of skill and attitude that makes a real difference in the long run.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a similar career?
Start by building a strong foundation with the basics and seek out as much hands-on experience as possible. The open-source world is a fantastic place to get involved—there are countless opportunities to contribute, gain practical skills, and become part of a vibrant community. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are valuable learning experiences and often lead to the greatest growth. Embrace them, stay curious, and keep pushing your limits.
