AppIt Ventures

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a business called Hop Passport. We are a brewery marketing company that partners with breweries across the country in 28 states and put them into what we call a “passport”, which is essentially a coupon book. Our business does this to drive more new or existing customers into the locations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

We needed mobile app development services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We went to AppIt Venture’s offices before COVID-19 to lay down the groundwork and show them what we currently had for the first phase of operations. Their team designed how the app would like before they built it out. Our goal with this project was to replicate what we had with our main product which was a physical paper passport.

The cross-platform app allows customers to create a unique username and password to log in. Once they enter, they can see a map that shows where nearby partnered breweries are located and go there to get beer specials and digital stamps on their passports. The app tracks all the locations the client’s been to. 

The team also developed different Snapchat-like filters for people to take pictures with them. 

What is the team composition?

I have a main contact which is a salesperson that relays the information to the development team. I believe we’ve worked with ten developers, one of them being the head of the team. 

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

I found AppIt Ventures on Google, and I reached out to them. We looked at different development companies in the Denver area and met with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

Our company has invested $130,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement started in May 2019, and it’s ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We’ve had 800 downloads in just one month, and around 2,200 digital stamps have been redeemed — it’s been a high success.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

AppIt Ventures’ team is very communicative, and if we have any questions or concerns, they’re pretty prompt and get back to us, even on weekends. For instance, we had a problem with an Android update that caused our app not to load on a certain Samsung smartphone model. I texted my contact, and they swiftly solved the problem. 

We have a weekly Zoom meeting to talk about how the enhancements are going. Communication is one of their biggest positives.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m very impressed with the work itself; they have very good designers that come up with creative functionalities to implement on the app. They’ve delivered each time and have always been there to fix problems quickly. Sometimes bugs appear, but that’s pretty normal when dealing with technology and app development. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing that comes to mind. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Come to them prepared with everything you want so they can start working on building your ideas.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Vayn Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

We were working with another service provider to create the initial designs for our app, but there were a few flaws that we couldn’t really get over. We decided to bring on AppIt Ventures during that early conception phase to redo the designs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

When AppIt Ventures joined the project, they redesigned the app and helped us develop and manage it. We pretty much knew what the app’s functionalities needed to be, so they executed on it. The final app is for Android and iOS.

What is the team composition? 

I worked directly with four people out of AppIt Ventures’ office. Then, there was an additional team that handled the development portion. Basically, I would communicate directly with AppIt Ventures, and they would manage the technical side of things with the development team.

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

I decided that they were the right fit after my conversation with Amanda (Owner). As a business consultant, she really takes in projects as if they were her own. She looked at my company holistically, discussed the project beyond the development piece, and connected me with several other resources in the industry who could enhance my app with additional revenue channels.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost was about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

They worked with us from April–November 2020. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’ve gotten really good feedback through beta testing. The app is functional and easy to follow, and the design is pleasing, too. There have been a few things that we’ve needed to tweak, but no major issues.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed great. Because they're a young team, they were more flexible in terms of the way they approached projects. That, combined with Amanda’s overall business views, made for a good process. We mostly communicated by email unless I had a call with Amanda.

What did you find most impressive about them?

AppIt Ventures has a willingness to help new entrepreneurs. They aren't just a development company. Rather, they're a full-service business consultancy that guided companies through potential pitfalls. Some of their suggestions really helped us avoid big issues that could’ve been pretty costly otherwise.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As with any development project, when a team hands off the app management to you, it’s important to learn about your app so that you’re knowledgeable enough to handle it yourself. It took us six one-hour meetings to get trained, but, now, we don’t have to lean on them as much for every little thing in the future. 

I’d also add that you should have a good idea of what you want for your app before going into the project. That makes it so much easier to hand over the requirements and desired functionalities to someone and let them run with it. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of SkinForYou Inc., a subscription-based app for spas.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

I hired them to develop our app. We were in contact with another app developer, but due to unforeseen circumstances, they weren’t able to continue. AppIt was able to take the project on.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppIt Ventures is developing our mobile app for iOS and Android. The previous company had done surveys with me as well as wireframes, and AppIt is doing the rest. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with 4–5 people, including Amanda (CEO), Hannah (Project Manager), and Emma (UX/UI Designer). We’ve also worked with Vamsi (COO), who is in India and deals with the overall project. Two more people are always on the phone calls taking notes and working behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

Amanda is part of a women’s entrepreneur group, and I pitched to them for funding. Although the funding didn’t work out, that’s how I met Amanda. When the first company couldn’t continue working with us, they recommended Amanda from AppIt Ventures, so it was serendipitous.  

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve invested $30,000. The whole project is estimated to be around $125,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our work together began in May or June 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I have limited knowledge of app development. However, it took the previous company two years to do what Amanda and AppIt have been able to do in three months. They’re quick, thorough, and communicative. It’s nothing but five stars for them.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re doing great with project management. I know exactly who I’m supposed to email if something is wrong. They’ve been super good at sending me links so that I can always reference back to the emails. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their communication is impressive. They have somebody for everything, and I’ve never felt confused about who I’m supposed to go to or what the next step is. They’re really good at staying three steps ahead of me at all times.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not yet — so far, so good.

Any advice for potential customers?

It’s been so easy so far. Get on the phone with Amanda. She’s really good at explaining things thoroughly. Then, get it in writing, so that you can reference it. Come prepared with your questions, because she can answer all of them. She’s quick and knowledgeable.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of the Women and Fitness Association (WIFA).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

I was trying to build out a custom page to support an online marketplace. I hired them to build that page on our WordPress website

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They designed and developed the pages. They took the ball and ran with it. We provided the content, but they handled the design key functions included a digital marketplace with affiliate links bouncing out to affiliate pages. We had custom personas created with different pathways. They also implemented flip tile functions, and things I couldn’t find on a WordPress template.

What is the team composition?

There were about five people on their team. We had one point person as a project manager and then different folks for different parts of the project. We still only had two points of contact, which was very helpful.

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

I found them through a referral. I found an app that I really liked and I followed the yellow brick road to figure out who made the app and came upon AppIt Ventures.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $3,5000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in March 2020 and we’ve kept them on retainer for web maintenance. The site went live June 1st.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

 Overall, we’ve gotten feedback that the site is really easy to use and that people really like the page. Unfortunately, e-commerce trends haven’t translated yet, but I’m hopeful that’s coming.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

They used Slack to communicate with us, which was very helpful. They’re very responsive to feedback, so they were a pleasure to work with. It has been a refreshing experience to work with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re receptive to feedback, they’re willing to work with us, and they understand that we’re a new nonprofit.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have anything at this time.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Follow their process because they’re really great at what they do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a project manager for Cottrell Inc. We’re the largest car hauling manufacturer in North America. We design vehicle hauling equipment for our suppliers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIT Ventures?

Initially, we wanted to make sure that our users had easy access to our user manual. We decided that a mobile application could help us with that challenge. The platform couldn’t only have the user manual on it because that wouldn’t be enjoyable for our customers. We decided to include different features to keep people on it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AppIT Ventures managed all the responsibilities involved in building our mobile app. We talked with their team about the features that we wanted. Then, we surveyed our sales department which surveyed our customers about their ideas for features in an app. We narrowed those down to a handful of features. From there, AppIT created wireframes for us to review and adjust. Once we were happy with the wireframes, they started to design the app.   

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Amanda (CEO). The size of their team was appropriate to build our app within our timeframe. They had a handful of people stateside but they also have another development team in India.

How did you come to work with AppIT Ventures?

We interviewed probably 10 different development companies. Many companies said that our project was too small for them. Some companies felt like Amazon. Others were startups, which we weren’t comfortable with at the time. We flew out to AppIt and sat down with Amanda and her team. They made us feel comfortable, so we decided to move forward with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent approximately $100,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in June 2018, and it was complete 3–4 months—just as AppIT said. Since then, we’ve worked with them on minor tweaks and improvements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We have a few thousand users, which is significant because of our small segment. A good portion of the industry downloaded the app. We targeted our group, so we're satisfied.

AppIT goes above and beyond. They want to grow and continue to improve our app.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication’s fantastic. I’ve never struggled to get a hold of someone there. If I call, they either answer the phone or answer shortly after.

During the project, we had weekly meetings via web meetings. We were satisfied and never felt lost in the process. We always knew the stage in the build. Everything went smoothly. We

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their willingness to work with us and help us is a notable quality. If we had a need or a concern during the development, they stopped and addressed them. As the project grew, our needs changed. Their team easily adapted. Our requests were never received with frustration. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’ve done everything that we’ve asked them to do.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re a good partner. If you’re seeking an agency, I would highly recommend them. They’ll take care of you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of two companies that have used AppIT Ventures. One is a data analytics health assessment company. The second company is a financial education platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

For both projects, I asked them to build a custom web app solution.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the first project, we were looking to build a web application that allows participants to take a survey about their health. Afterward, a full report of personal recommendations would be made for them. That development involved a scoring algorithm attached to the backend and an identified aggregate reporting on the admin side as well.

The second project involved the build of a CMS that allowed participants within our backend system to access their assessment to input information about their personal finances and interests. After, they would receive recommendations about how to improve their finances.

All of the work for these projects was done in PHP. The first project was started from scratch. When we began the second one at my other company, we worked off that code. I provided all of the wireframes and did the design work while their team focused on the technical components.

What is the team composition?

Over the years, I’ve worked with about seven people. The core team is made up of Ravi (Android Developer), who is the lead developer, and Kayla (Project Manager).  

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

In 2016, I met their founder at a startup conference in Colorado. He talked about his organization and how they were supporting other startups. I was advising a different IT company at the time, and we looked at using AppIT Ventures there. When I did decide to start my new company, I had them bid on the project, and they seemed like the best fit.

How much have you invested with them?

I believe we’ve invested around $350,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started using them in July 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The biggest reason we continue to work with them is their technical capabilities. Bugs come up regularly, and we work with enterprise-sized customers. Our largest customer has around 45,000 participants.

If we report a bug to Ravi, I never have to wait more than 10 hours for a solution. The efficiency of fixing any errors and getting it back to the customers is great. The customers never feel that there are any lags or glitches in our product. They always deliver quality.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

Kayla is excellent at communicating. A lot of times, we go back and forth with emails, but she keeps everything placed in Teamwork. As far as meeting deadlines, they’ve never missed one. We’ve always been able to launch on time. Their team knows what we’re looking for to better the experience for our customers. Over the years, we’ve never had an issue meeting our customer deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Having worked with other teams, there are always going to be bugs in software because these things just happen. But it’s a matter of their ability to be honest and keep their word. They promise that they’ll make a good product and follow through on that. Miscommunications can happen, and software can be tricky, but knowing that the right product will be done at the end of the day, provides relief.

This experience is different than others I’ve had in the past. Some people will charge you extra and explain, if there is a mistake, that’s what the requirement document said. That’s not how Amanda (CEO) runs the company. She guarantees that customers will receive the functional product that they were expecting, ensuring it passes a practical test.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I think probably the only area to improve upon would be the differentiation in design work. We’ve had to have other designers give updates, so that’s the only part I’ve had to rely on someone else for. That would be the only thing that would help us even further the partnership.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bring an open mind to the table. They’re going to come back and give you different ideas to make things more efficient. That’s the benefit of working with a company like theirs. You don’t have a development team that’s only working on your projects. They’ve seen dozens of other projects and come back strategically to advise on how to make your product the best in your industry. Leave room for them to give their advice and opinions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're a healthcare software company that primarily serves the medical lab and health system market.  One of our solutions provides sales automation functions. I serve as the senior VP of technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appit Ventures?

One of our products is a sales-oriented solution designed to optimize a customer's sales process. We needed help in creating a mobile iOS version.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We used AppIT Ventures to develop a mobile iOS app that allows our users to have access to our system. We wanted to give sales reps on the road access to their contacts, opportunities, and activities with a customer.

A core function of our solution is a customer's ability to tailor the application for their business process. We needed AppIT to replicate those features in the mobile app.

We provided signed documentation about our APIs and they handled wireframing and building the entire system.

What is the team composition?

We had 4-5 people from their team, including one project lead and one development lead.

How did you come to work with Appit Ventures?

We did an open search and we were looking for companies that had experience in healthcare. We evaluated 4 other companies and Appit rose to the top because they understood the project we were scoping and were a good value from a pricing perspective.

How much have you invested with them?    

We've invested $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in June 2019 and wrapped up in January 2020. We've had a few small bug fix changes that are ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The feedback has been great for us. Critical customers have expressed how much they enjoy the mobile experience and how it has improved their productivity. It has been very well received across the board.

How did Appit Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

They're a traditional agile shop and worked in 2-week sprints and did a good job of laying out a spring plan in their contract. They did a good job of meeting and even exceeding those deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

One thing that was really different about their approach was they were willing to go fixed-bid on a long-term project. They were motivated to manage scope. It demonstrated they were willing to put more skin in the game, which really stood out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The biggest challenge we had was coordinating our API developers with their UI developers across time zones. We had to get the flexibility in there to make sure we had the right level of communication overlap. Once we did that, things worked really well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The better your goals or objectives are defined, the easier it is for AppIT to come on board with that mission. They've been very invested in our success from the start, so being willing to share your success criteria is key.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and CEO of Mindful Mamas, a maternal wellness company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

We needed to build a mindfulness and self-care app for moms and moms-to-be.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When we first engaged with AppIt Ventures, the team started with clickable designs. Together with our team, they helped us refine our branding kit, including the imagery and color scheme. After the wireframes and clickable designs were finished, we moved towards the actual development of the iOS- and Android-compatible app. 

The app offers a personalized experience, where mothers can communicate where they are in their motherhood journey. From there, the app shows content specific to the user. It has audio-streaming capabilities for guided meditation, breathing techniques, background sound, and more. Users can also record within the app and upload photos. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Kayla (Project Manager) and Amanda (CEO).

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

I began inquiring about a local development team. I found AppIt Ventures after an online search, and met with Amanda. We connected over our mutual passion for the project, and, after talking with their previous companies, the choice to partner with them was easy.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $150,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in April 2019, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The app launched four days ago, and we’ve had over 1000 downloads with a five-star rating on the App Store. Users call the app a virtual sanctuary, noting its ease of navigation and the calming effects of the user interface. It already stands out above other meditation and mindfulness apps on the market. 

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

AppIt Ventures did an excellent job of planning out the project before we even began developing the app. We knew exactly when certain phases of the code were supposed to be finished and ready for testing, and the team stayed absolutely within the timeline. 

Also, I had a weekly zoom call with Kayla and the team to talk about where we were in the process and what needed to be accomplished. She was always available through Slack, which was really key, especially as we were going live and receiving customer service feedback. Throughout the whole process, they’ve provided incredible support.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They really take ownership of the passion that the CEO brings to the team. AppIt Ventures adopts that enthusiasm, and they do everything to support our team. We can really feel that they want us to succeed. They’re particular about the project they take on, so they’re able to give each one the care and consideration it deserves. Now, I feel like they’re an extension of our company, rather than contractors I hired. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They exceed my expectations in professionalism and execution.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Start with a “why.” The “what” and the “how” will come, but if you can communicate the underlying passion behind your project, AppIt Ventures will take it and turn it into something you never could’ve imagined.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a cofounder of Stratorsoft.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

I hired them to do software development work. It was a custom application for an engineering firm.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide full-stack development. They provide design assistance and software development work in JavaScript. We had a framework and they built it for us.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four members of their team.

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

I went to college with their CEO.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in March 2020, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I'm very happy with the progress so far.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very good with project management and we communicate via Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to establish a relationship has been key.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they've been nothing but great right now.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to pre-plan.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of Lionshare Negotiations. We provide negotiation training and consulting for corporations using a complete negotiation performance system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AppIt Ventures?

We wanted to create a software application that allows people to plan, track, and report the metrics of their negotiations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The first phase was mapping out our requirements, where we outlined what we wanted and deliverables. We already had some idea of what the end product would look like by creating a basic version using Excel spreadsheets. The product we wanted would automate the process using more advanced software. AppIt Ventures clearly laid out what the process was going to be like and how we could get the project to the finish line. They formed the requirements in a very complete way that could be used by any development shop.  By the time the requirements were completed we were convinced they were the team for us.

After that, AppIt Ventures created clickable wireframes that we took to some of our customers. We could guide customers through an overview of what the software would do to confirm we were on the right track. Through that user acceptance testing (UAT), we were able to make significant improvements based on feedback. The final phase was the actual development of the app. It also involved creating a secure space that would protect our customer's sensitive data.

What is the team composition?

I interfaced with three people on our status calls. There were developers and designers behind them.

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

I was looking through Yelp and doing internet searches when I found them. They were quite different from other companies I considered. First, the team was really responsive: when I called for the first time, I could talk to someone right away. Second, I felt like they really understood what we were trying to accomplish. That’s why we chose them for this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in August 2018, and the product’s initial launch took place in September 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

When the product rolled out, we met with customers and deployed it with them. Even though we’d already finished up and signed off on our in-house testing and validation, our customers came back with feedback for changes they felt were important. We then had a time-critical phase for adjustments to the software. AppIt Ventures was able to complete the changes within a couple of weeks, which kept our sales cycles moving.

How did AppIt Ventures perform from a project management standpoint?

They were extremely responsive. I was able to get the whole team together the same day within a few hours if I had questions and concerns, especially during the UAT phase.

What did you find most impressive about them?

First, AppIt Ventures clearly articulated the whole process from the start so we could understand what we were getting into. Other companies were vague about their internal process, cost, timeline, and requirements.

Second, they seemed to really understand what we were striving towards. AppIt Ventures took the time to understand how our customers would use the app and invested a lot of energy to make sure the user interface was effective for our customers. They were interested in our success with the application, not just doing the work. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They are really consistent in delivering what we need. I didn’t find anything lacking in their services. 

Any advice for potential customers?

If you’re a company that’s thinking about building an app or software, I’d encourage you to work with AppIt Ventures. Even just doing the requirements phase is a great place to bring your vision to life. It's the most cost-effective way I have ever seen to move from dreaming to doing. 

With a little bit of money, you can get something meaningful to share with your customers and your company. This was a critical step for us because what we found was our idea needed customer input to really bring all the value of our system to life.