Tech. Less Hype. More Heart.

Quick question:
When was the last time you left a tech conference feeling energized instead of exhausted?

Yeah. Same.

Last time, we shared what happened when XO Ruby hit the road. We shrank conferences, made them more human, and easier to say yes to. But we never really answered the deeper question.

Why Ruby? And how did we get here?

XO Ruby grew out of our love for Ruby and the community it’s cultivated over the years. Encouraging thoughtful development and innovation, not just code for code sake.

At Flagrant, we’ve always believed software and its development is ultimately about people. Diverse teams. Sustainable systems. Conversations that sharpen ideas before code ever gets written. That philosophy was shaped heavily by Ruby and the culture surrounding it. 

XO Ruby is a love letter to the Ruby developer community. 

Our vision is simple: continue the mission and create local spaces for the community, where developers can gather and talk honestly about building.

That includes conversations about: new project builds, validating ideas, refactoring code thoughtfully, philosophical implications of emerging technologies, burnout, and work-life balance in tech.

We want people leaving with more than just business cards; we want them leaving with fresh ideas, real connections, and that rare spark you only get in the right room, with the right people.

In a time where most things feel transactional, we’re trying to preserve something more authentic; the sense of shared learning and genuine connection that defined the early Ruby community. Fostering community, mentorship, and respect for craft in the tech space.

If you’ve ever benefited from the Ruby ecosystem or believe in supporting spaces where thoughtful builders gather, let’s chat.