AppIt Ventures

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.

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.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We are currently working on an iOS version, but we have hopes for an Android version in the future. My husband and I came to the table with an idea and a few graphics, so AppIt Ventures has been instrumental in ushering this application through the development cycle. We offered a color scheme and some thoughts regarding the UX, but AppIt Ventures crafted the logos, developed the screen flows, and handled all technical aspects. The app allows parents—specifically mothers—to record their wellness activities and track their children’s food allergies, which can then be communicated to doctors.

AppIt Ventures has been helpful in other areas, as well. If we have concerns for how we manage our budget, how we run our social media, or how we start our Kickstarter campaign, their staff has somebody that can help us.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with a team of seven people, which includes a project manager, graphic designers, developers, some of their marketing staff, and sometimes the CEO.

How did you come to work with AppIt Ventures?

We began this project with a different developer, and we did not receive nearly the support we’ve gotten from AppIt Ventures. That team’s expertise wasn’t quite what we needed, so we re-opened our search and selected AppIt Ventures because we thought that we could be collaborative and hands-on in the development of our app. Because they had staff photos on their website, we felt that we’d be working with people rather than just a company.

How much have you invested with them?

We’re anticipating a final amount between $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in July 2018 and remains ongoing.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They used InVision to create a clickable, non-functioning app demo. The app is going to be unique in structure and will include recipes and videos. Rather than going through the cost of developing the full app and then changing it as I receive feedback, we decided to do the InVision demo app at a much lower cost. This has allowed us to work through a lot of the issues before showing it to potential clients and investors in order to raise money for full development. The app is for iOS and Android, and also involves building an administrative website for management.

There have been some challenges we’ve faced throughout the process due to the nature of how the app will work and flow. For example, recipes and selection thereof, linking for creating shopping lists, being able to attach things, and popups all need to work in a way that isn’t cumbersome. Originally, the recipes had the nutritional information on them, but AppIT Ventures recommended having an optional pop-up with the same information. There are now pop-ups that are linked to each recipe, as well as video links that contain quick demos for reinforcement.

What is the team composition?

I work with the owner and Brandy [Vice President of U.S. Operations, AppIT Ventures]. She has a team she’s working with, but I’m unsure how many people are on it.

How did you come to work with AppIT Ventures?

I used Clutch to research mobile app developers in the area and interviewed a lot of them. We didn’t want to work with a large company. I needed someone who could help me because I’d never created an app before.

The owner and I met when I went to Denver, and he seemed very clear about the process and associated costs. We also discussed ways in which the cost could fluctuate up or down.

How much have you invested in them?

We will be spending just over $60,000.

The app development is at a set price, which is helpful for me. They’ve stayed true and clear on that, and even though it’s taking a little longer, the price has remained the same. It has helped to develop a very clear budget for me in looking for investors. Everything is well-mapped out and itemized so in the case that I’m not able to get the full amount of money, I can pick and choose what I can afford.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in June of 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.