Insights
Notes from the workshop.
What we learn building products: costs, AI in production, how to choose a technical partner. Written by the team, without the marketing.
Build vs buy: when custom software is (and isn't) worth it
Buy software for anything that is not your competitive edge and build only where off-the-shelf tools fail you. A decision matrix and a worked cost example.
How much does custom software development cost?
Custom software costs team size times weeks, plus running costs. Here is what drives the number, how pricing models compare, and what each budget band buys.
How long does it take to build an MVP? A week-by-week plan
A focused MVP usually takes roughly two to three months from discovery to launch. Here is the week-by-week plan, what delays it and how to keep it moving.
How to evaluate an LLM feature before it reaches production
Build an evaluation set from real queries, score correctness, groundedness, refusals, latency and cost, run it in CI, and gate launch with a checklist.
How to write a software project brief that gets accurate quotes
A good software brief states the problem, users, flows, integrations, constraints, budget and deadline. Here is a copyable template and how to compare proposals.
RAG, fine-tuning or prompting: how to add an LLM to your product
Start with prompting, add RAG when the model needs your data, and fine-tune only for style or format. A practical guide to choosing, with a decision matrix.
Choosing a tech stack for a SaaS product in 2026
Pick boring, well-supported tools your team can maintain: TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Stripe and managed services, with tenant isolation and security designed in.
Taking over a software project from another agency: a rescue checklist
How to take over a software project from another agency: warning signs, a two-week audit, a checklist, refactor vs rewrite criteria and contract lessons.
What is a fractional CTO, and when do you need one?
A fractional CTO is a senior technical leader who works part-time for your company. Here is what they do, how engagements work, and when it makes sense.
AI in your business: from an impressive demo to something people use
Why most AI projects stall after the demo, and what we do differently: evaluation sets, cited sources, humans in the loop and cost per answer.
How much does an MVP cost? What actually drives the price
What makes an MVP more or less expensive, how we estimate one, and where you can cut scope without paying for a rewrite six months later.
How to choose a software development company: 10 questions to ask before you sign
Ten questions that separate a software development company that delivers from one that just sells well, and the answers you want to hear.