Startups and product partnership
For founders with a first product to build: a technical partner to shape it, build it and help you grow it.
A technical partner from day one
Building your first product is a big step, especially if you're not technical yourself. You need someone who can turn the idea into something real, explain the choices in plain language and help you spend your budget where it counts.
Doug has been there. He built Zondle, an edtech platform that scaled to two million users with a very small team, and went on to create oodlü. We know what it takes to get from idea to launch and beyond, and what to leave out of a first version.
Because you work directly with the people who build it, decisions are quick and there's no one between you and the code. You get honest advice on what to build first, what it will cost and what can wait until you have real users.
We can design and build your prototype or MVP, create your brand identity, and stay on as your technical lead or fractional CTO while you raise funding and grow your own team.
What we build in this area
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Prototypes and MVPs
A first version you can put in front of users and investors, built quickly and built to grow.
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Technical leadership and fractional CTO
Senior technical direction, part-time, from architecture decisions to hiring your first developers.
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Brand identity and design
A name, logo and visual identity that fits your product and your audience.
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Web platforms and SaaS products
Subscription products that take you from first customer to thousands.
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Web and mobile applications
Apps for browsers, iPhone and Android.
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Scalable cloud infrastructure
Hosting that keeps costs low at the start and grows with you.
Things we've built
A few examples. We keep client names private.
- A web and mobile app for logging employee wellbeing to enable early intervention.
- A platform for using virtual card decks to spark and guide online conversations.
- A web app for managing business checklists to stay on top of tasks.
- A learning platform that scaled to two million users.
- An AR, generative AI and spatial computing hub for youth arts and culture.
- A lead tracking platform for financial advisors.
- A gamified platform teaching young adults business skills and confidence.
- A platform combining multiple psychometric and psychology assessment tools.
- A multi-client platform for tracking employee goals and staying on track.
Related work
See all work →
Sectors
Where the founders we work with are most often building.
- Learning and edtech
- Psychometrics and assessment
- Automation
- Collaborative tools
Building your first product?
Tell Doug about your idea and where you are with it. He'll give you honest advice on the best first step.
Talk to DougQuestions from founders
I'm not technical. Can you still help?
Yes. Many of the founders we work with aren't technical. We explain every choice in plain language and help you make decisions with confidence.
Can you act as our CTO?
Yes. We offer fractional CTO support: senior technical leadership for a few days a month, without the cost of a full-time hire.
How much does an MVP cost?
It depends on what it needs to do. Once we've agreed a clear first version, we can usually give you a fixed price.
Who owns the code and intellectual property?
You do. We agree this up front, and everything we build for you is yours.
Can you help us build our own team later?
Yes. We can help you hire developers, interview candidates and hand the product over smoothly when you are ready.