On the TechVancouver stage ×1
First seen on the TechVancouver stage in 2019. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Dennis ↗
In their words
Instead of building that app, we built the platform that helps thousands of teams build those apps.
The Buddybuild team actually still works in the same office. We're all based in Vancouver, none of us were required or asked to move to Cupertino or California. I care a lot about the Vancouver and Canadian tech ecosystem, so I wasn't willing to negotiate on a topic like that.
You have to be very principled around what are those things that really matter to you, that are outside potentially the financial aspects of it.
More from TechTO ×2
Around the web ×2
Quick answers
Who is Dennis Pilarinos?
The founder and CEO of Unblocked, a Vancouver company whose platform explains the intent and history behind a codebase. He previously founded Buddybuild, acquired by Apple in January 2018.
What happened to Buddybuild?
Apple acquired it in January 2018 and moved the team into its Xcode engineering group, keeping them in Vancouver. Apple ended support for the buddybuild service on 31 March 2021.
What did he say on the TechVancouver stage?
That he set non-negotiable terms before entertaining an acquisition — the team staying in Vancouver among them — and only then looked at who he would be working for.
What is Unblocked?
A Vancouver developer-tools company founded in 2023. It raised a US$20-million Series A led by B Capital in May 2025, with Radical Ventures and Artisanal Ventures participating.