December Labs Client Reviews

Portfolio

Key clients:

Google // Accenture // Zurich // Santander // Rheo // Hint // Nest // Brain.fm // Thatch // Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) // EllieGrid // Apollo Neuro // Biostrap // Trade PMR // Welwaze // Apartment Butler // Heroly // Sinq // Databook // Semtive // Seneca // Heaven // Liongard // Inspire Fitness // Round

Accenture - Custom informative tool for World Economic Forum Value-at-Stake

Seneca - Constituent Services for Local Government

EllieGrid - Award-winning Bluetooth-enabled smart pillbox

Biostrap - Machine-learning meets dual-device wearable technology

Apartment Butler - Mobile-first concierge platform for apartment communities

Hint - Business Operating System for Direct Pay Healthcare

SinQ - Integrated health cloud and mobile-first platform

Brain.fm - Focus, relaxation & sleep support through AI-composed music, featuring unique acoustic features with neurophysiology effects.

Semtive - Disruptive Clean Energy Technology

Trade PMR - Technology, brokerage, and custodian services

Rheo - An award winning video stream curation app

Databook - Your AI powered company and industry insights platform

Celbrea - Integrated Breast Health Monitoring System featuring a mapping device, an app with advanced dynamic AI algorithms and Blockchain Technology

Round - Portfolio Investment App managed by real human investors

Apple Watch Augmented Reality (AR) Teardown

Pulse Cam is an iOS app that measures a heart rate through your phone's camera

Thatch - A personalized travel service

Heaven - Lead generation and customer acquisition marketplace

Apollo - Neuroscience-powered wearable

ELLU - Exclusive VOD Platform

Prepaid2Cash - Convert gift and prepaid cards to easy-to-access cash

Santander - Mobile app to request loans, check balance, see transactions

VascTrac - iOS-powered peripheral artery disease (PAD) study

Reviews

Submit Review

UI/UX Design

Aug 23, 2019

the project

Custom Software Development for Computer Software Company

“We've tripled our output from 20–25 to about 60-70 story points per week.”

UI/UX Design

$50,000 to $199,999

Jan. 19 - Ongoing

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$50,000 to $199,999

Jan. 19 - Ongoing

Project summary:

December Labs provides development support for a custom software solution, including backend development and frontend UI design. They mostly work within Node.js, PostgreSQL, and React frameworks.

11-50 Employees

Houston, Texas

Dylan Barth

Lead Platform Developer, Liongard

Verified

the reviewer

Lead Platform Developer, Liongard

Dylan Barth

Computer Software

11-50 Employees

Houston, Texas

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

“We've tripled our output from 20–25 to about 60-70 story points per week.”

Aug 23, 2019

Feedback summary:

December Labs has significantly optimized the company's platform, while tripling overall output. Their team is extremely qualified and able to take on complex tasks with a strong attention to detail. They're also great communicators and easy to work with overall.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the lead platform developer at Liongard, a tech startup based in Houston, Texas. We provide a product that helps manage service providers, allowing companies that manage IT for other businesses to automate some of the things they do manually.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

We engaged December Labs to provide additional development support as we build custom software solutions in order to achieve our goals in a more timely manner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

December Labs provides development bandwidth support for our team, working on our SaaS platform to make improvements to its interface. They work on the backend and UI design, using technologies like Node.js, PostgreSQL, and React. They've significantly optimized our database, adding indexes on to foreign key columns and making some major navigation changes to the platform.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact is Marcelo (Co-founder and VP of Business Development, December Labs). We also work with a couple developers and designers on their team as well.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

They share a coworking office space with us in downtown Houston, so we had crossed paths a few times and learned about what kinds of services they offered. Once we had a need for them, we reached out.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested between $75,000–$80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Measuring development throughput is famously hard, but we use tools like Jira that we attach story point and tickets to that they've significantly expanded. We've tripled our output from 20–25 to about 60-70 story points per week. We're very impressed by the number of ticket closures and the complexity of the work they're able to complete regularly.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

They're fantastic to work with. It's difficult to find developers capable of communicating clearly and taking the time to listen to and understand the reasons we do things a certain way. Everyone I've worked with on their team has gone over and beyond to understand our goals and been very thorough in their approach. We mostly use tools like Jira, Slack, and Bitbucket, which have all been hugely helpful in the process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everyone on their team has a lot of talent and knowledge in what they do–there are no weak links on their team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really at this stage. We had a small hiccup in the beginning that turned out to be a blessing. We requested they build a Windows installer, but we didn't scope the project well and their resource was not an expert in that framework. They ended up not charging us for most of the work and we learned a lot from that experience, so it's been smooth sailing ever since.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate with their team regularly and clearly. We've had a lot of success using tools like Slack and Jira to accomplish that.

5.0

Overall Score It's been a fantastic experience thus far.

5.0 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

They're always double checking to make sure they're prioritizing tasks correctly.

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

The value of the services they provide is worth every penny.

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

I'd definitely recommend them to others.

Web Development

Jul 11, 2019

the project

E-Commerce MVP Dev for Lead Generation Startup Platform

“They’ve been accommodating and reliable 100% of the time.”

Web Development

$50,000 to $199,999

Mar. 2019 - Ongoing

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

4.5

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$50,000 to $199,999

Mar. 2019 - Ongoing

Project summary:

December Labs developed an MVP for a startup using HTML5 and CSS. The team has added necessary features, including video capabilities. The engagement is ongoing.

1-10 Employees

Los Angeles, California

Founder, Heaven

Verified

the reviewer

Founder, Heaven

Information technology

1-10 Employees

Los Angeles, California

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

4.5

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

“They’ve been accommodating and reliable 100% of the time.”

Jul 11, 2019

Feedback summary:

Though the process is ongoing, the team has proven to be dependable and communicative. December Labs has met expectations, delivering quality work on time. Their high level of experience has led to a successful collaboration.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO of Heaven, a lead generation and customer acquisition company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

We hired December Labs to get our MVP operational and up and running.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Using HTML5 and CSS, December Labs developed an e-commerce site with video capabilities built into SQL Server.

What is the team composition?

It varies based on our needs, but we work with anywhere between 3-6 people from their team.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

I received a referral from a friend who had worked with December Labs in the past.

How much have you invested with them?

At this time, we have invested about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started engaging with December Labs in March 2019, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

December Labs generally delivers work on time. They’re a very reliable team. Overall, our relationship has been great.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

The December Labs team has been very responsive. As a startup, we sometimes have new insights and have to reprioritize. They’ve been accommodating and reliable 100% of the time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a good breadth of experience and can build an array of digital products. December Labs communicates well. I’m very happy to continue working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing specific comes to mind, but it would be nice to start negotiations on a long term contract.

5.0

Overall Score

4.5 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

Mobile App Development

May 31, 2019

the project

Mobile App Dev for Smart Pillbox Startup

"They’re the highest-quality development firm I’ve ever worked with."

Mobile App Development

$50,000 to $199,999

2018 - Ongoing

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$50,000 to $199,999

2018 - Ongoing

Project summary:

December Labs built out a mobile application for Android and iOS for a smart pillbox startup. They used React Native and added functionalities such as alarms, push notifications, and data reporting.

1-10 Employees

Houston, Texas

Abe Matamoros

Co-Founder, EllieGrid

Verified

the reviewer

Co-Founder, EllieGrid

Abe Matamoros

Information technology

1-10 Employees

Houston, Texas

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

"They’re the highest-quality development firm I’ve ever worked with."

May 31, 2019

Feedback summary:

December Labs successfully delivered functional applications that far exceed the quality offered by previous vendors. The team works efficiently without jeopardizing functionality. Future clients can expect to work with an honest and capable staff, making December Labs the ideal partner.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO and a co-founder of EllieGrid. We've designed a smart pillbox for people who take multiple medications. There are hardware and software components to it: the pillbox itself and a mobile app that allows you to program the pillbox with individual settings and alerts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

We initially worked with individual developers and a few other firms to build a skeleton version of the application. We engaged December Labs because we needed to build it out more so that we could take it to market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

December Labs built the application for Android and iOS using React Native. We relied on their team to complete the backend and frontend development of the app. Within the product, users can create an account, connect to the pillbox via Bluetooth, and program the pillbox with information such as which compartment holds which medicine. December Labs also programmed the app to include smart alarms and push notifications that present a window of time for people to take their pills. The application also builds reports about whether or not the user took their medicine, which is information that can then be sent to caregivers.

What is the team composition?

December Labs has been flexible in terms of how many resources they dedicated to our project. Their team size has ranged from 1–3 developers at times, but they’ve also added designers when necessary.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

Their co-founder initially introduced himself to us to be friendly because we’re both in Houston, and I later ran into him at an event. We discussed his company at that time, but we were focused on other projects. Once the need arose for a development partner, I reached out to December Labs again to see if they could help. From that discussion, I determined that they could be a good fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in 2018 and remains ongoing as we continue adding features and making improvements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t have much in terms of metrics, but qualitatively, I can firmly say that December Labs has provided excellent service. I previously worked with other firms because they were inexpensive. December Labs was a step up in that regard, and I learned that you get what you pay for. They are more reliable than past vendors in terms of quality and speed of their development. They can work quickly without sacrificing product quality.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

December Labs was flexible in being willing to use Slack and Trello as we requested. We found those methods to be the best way to communicate and track their progress without bothering their developers too much. We also have weekly meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve been honest and forthcoming in all matters during our time together. I once asked them to complete a one-off project separate from the original product, and they gave me a price and a timeline quote. Though they didn’t meet the deadline estimate, they didn’t charge any extra costs, which has been rare in my experiences with development teams.

Additionally, their team has made an effort to visit with us in person, either in California or in Houston. Their management team has been very present and available. It’s refreshing to work with people who are dedicated to our project. December Lab is staffed with good, honest people who also have excellent technological capabilities.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they have exceeded my expectations, to be honest. They’re the highest-quality development firm I’ve ever worked with.

5.0

Overall Score

5.0 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

Web Development

Oct 18, 2018

the project

Web & App Dev for Apartment Concierge Platform

“They took ownership of the project and made sure it was a success.”

Web Development

$200,000 to $999,999

2017 - 2018

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$200,000 to $999,999

2017 - 2018

Project summary:

December Labs helped migrate a tech stack and oversaw the development of a new database schema. They managed both front- and backend development and provided recommendations on security issues.

1-10 Employees

Houston, Texas

Ben Johnson

CEO, Apartmentbutler.com

Verified

the reviewer

CEO, Apartmentbutler.com

Ben Johnson

Information technology

1-10 Employees

Houston, Texas

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

“They took ownership of the project and made sure it was a success.”

Oct 18, 2018

Feedback summary:

Having development resources on the team played a vital role in closing a deal with a new investor. Professional and invested, December Labs went above and beyond to meet all needs, while their expertise and ability to deliver a high-quality product on time exceeded all expectations.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Apartmentbutler.com. We're a B2B2C platform for apartment communities. We sell our services to large management companies and they offer those services to their residents as an amenity. Our platform is three-sided. We have a technical side for the property management companies to engage with their residents, and we have a supplier side, which we use to partner with local businesses. In addition, we have a dashboard and a web app that they use to schedule their jobs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

We were looking for a company to help us migrate our tech stack from version 1 to version 2.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with a mobile app and we were designing a new database schema. First, we brought them on for a very small project–they were going to do the migration for us. But the scope of the project expanded quickly and they brought more developers on. December Labs successfully implemented every project we gave them, properly estimating the costs and the timeline. They were primarily working in PHP with MySQL database. They also used JavaScript and React on the frontend and node.js on the backend. In addition, they did some iOS work for us.

They were very engaged and brought a lot of things to our attention that we were missing, such as security issues and better ways to do the schema. Relaunching our whole teck stack was a large and costly project, in which December Labs played a vital role.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager and four developers, some of whom are still engaged on a retainer basis.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

We desperately needed additional capacity. One of their co-founders lives in the area (even though they're primarily based internationally). He was working out of our co-working space, so we got in touch with him. We were lucky to find them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $400,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in 2017 and the project lasted eight months, so it was completed in 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We recently closed our first venture capital round. We don't have in-house developers, which our venture capital considered a red flag. So having December Labs on our team made a big difference: our new investor became more comfortable (despite the fact that December Labs is an independent contractor) and ended up securing a deal with us.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

It was a collaborative process, and we mostly used Trello for project management. Also, they were great at meeting our deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They took ownership of the project and made sure it was a success. That's something you don't see often from a contractor. They're still part of our team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

5.0

Overall Score

5.0 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

They're a bit more expensive than other offshore teams, but the quality of their work is also higher.

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

UI/UX Design

Sep 11, 2018

the project

UX/UI Design for Financial Services Firm

“December Labs provided high-quality design work, and they delivered exactly on time.”

UI/UX Design

$10,000 to $49,999

Apr. 2018 - Jun. 2018

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$10,000 to $49,999

Apr. 2018 - Jun. 2018

Project summary:

December Labs designed the UI and UX for a custom workstation platform, including mockups.

50 - 100 Employees

Gainesville, Florida

Director of Strategy, Financial Services Firm

Verified

the reviewer

Director of Strategy, Financial Services Firm

Financial Services

50 - 100 Employees

Gainesville, Florida

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

“December Labs provided high-quality design work, and they delivered exactly on time.”

Sep 11, 2018

Feedback summary:

December Labs made client satisfaction a top priority, delivering a high-quality UI/UX design exactly on time. Communicative and easy to work with throughout the engagement, it was a great experience overall.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of strategy for a financial services firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

We're launching a workstation for our clients, and we engaged December Labs to design its UX and UI.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

December Labs designed the UI and UX for our custom platform, producing mockups in Sketch.

What is the team composition?

We worked with one designer.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

We found them through Clutch after researching various design firms. We liked that they had experience in our industry, and they also offered competitive pricing and had a very professional website.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on the project from April–June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

December Labs provided high-quality design work, and they delivered exactly on time. They estimated the work would take eight weeks, and they weren't a day late.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very easy to work with; any feedback we provided was incorporated well, and they understood where we were coming from. We mostly communicated through Skype without any issues.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We enjoyed working with them overall. One of their representatives even visited our office, which showed how much they cared about the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

5.0

Overall Score

5.0 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

Mobile App Development

Aug 09, 2018

the project

Mobile App Dev for Breast Cancer Detection Startup

“They take ownership of the product and operate as an extension of our startup.”

Mobile App Development

$200,000 to $999,999

Jan. - Aug. 2018

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

4.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$200,000 to $999,999

Jan. - Aug. 2018

Project summary:

December Labs provided a full-service development solution for a cancer detection app. They managed the project’s development and design and originated algorithms to interpret scanned data.

1-10 Employees

Miami, Florida

Matias Campiani

CEO, Welwaze

Verified

the reviewer

CEO, Welwaze

Matias Campiani

Medical Devices

1-10 Employees

Miami, Florida

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

4.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

“They take ownership of the product and operate as an extension of our startup.”

Aug 09, 2018

Feedback summary:

Though the app has yet to launch, December Labs provided a quality product and a high level of involvement. They met every deadline and project milestone and made useful suggestions for improvements.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of Welwaze Medical, a startup that is developing technologies for early breast cancer detection. We have two products: a pad that detects cancer and an app that reads the pad’s results.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

We needed help developing the full app. We didn’t have the expertise we needed in-house, so we partnered with them to complete the development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provided a full solution. They oversaw project management, design, front- and backend development, and all the technical aspects. They also worked with AI to develop a computer vision algorithm to read results.

They have multiple technological capabilities and really took ownership of the product. They asked to speak with an oncologist to understand the data and get their insight. They were very involved and were like a part of our company.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with Washington (Executive VP of Mobile & UX, December Labs).

How did you come to work with December Labs?

I needed a team with a range of capabilities, including computer vision expertise and blockchain knowhow. I interviewed four different suppliers and December Labs was the only company that could fill all our needs. I explained everything over several calls and they came back with suggestions. I met with them in person and decided they were the right group to work with.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $400,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2018. We’re currently in development and will launch the beta in August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve delivered a good quality product.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

They execute everything according to the project plan. Their timelines are always realistic and they’ve hit every milestone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They take ownership of the product and are a part of the team. They are available at all hours and their level of commitment and engagement is very high. They understand our philosophy and are willing to argue their points and make improvements. They operate as an extension of our startup.

5.0

Overall Score They’re excellent; we’re very happy with them.

5.0 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

They met all the milestones we set.

4.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

It’s a big item in our budget. Based on the quality of the work, we are pleased with the cost.

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

Their software design and UI are really good.

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

I’m very likely to recommend them.

Mobile App Development

May 31, 2018

the project

Mobile App Dev for Communication Management Platform

"Most of the time, they were able to identify and solve problems before I ever mentioned them."

Mobile App Development

$50,000 to $199,999

Feb. - May 2018

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

4.5

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$50,000 to $199,999

Feb. - May 2018

Project summary:

December Labs used React Native to build a mobile app available for iOS and Android. They developed wireframes and features based on an existing web app.

11-50 Employees

Redwood City, California

Akhil Naini

VP Engineering, Seneca Systems

Verified

the reviewer

VP Engineering, Seneca Systems

Akhil Naini

Computer Software

11-50 Employees

Redwood City, California

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

4.5

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

"Most of the time, they were able to identify and solve problems before I ever mentioned them."

May 31, 2018

Feedback summary:

December Labs exceeded expectations on schedule and design, creating an app that looks good and is easy to use. They were able to take control of the project, researching unfamiliar aspects of the API and delivering internal project management.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of engineering at Seneca Systems. We sell our application to local governments to help them manage their communications and workflows.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

Our application was primarily web-based and we needed someone to develop a subset of the features from the web app into a mobile app for both Android and iOS.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We began by giving them a demo of the web app, listing out which features we wanted in the mobile app, and providing them with documentation of our API. Then, they developed the wireframe and preliminary design work. That went through a few cycles of revision until it was approved, and from there they started doing the design work.

Every two weeks they would give us a new build, we’d provide feedback, and they would implement that for the next build. Toward the end of the project, they went through the web app and identified and implemented additional features they thought would increase the user experience.

They developed the app with React Native and it’s available for iOS and Android. They designed everything from login to listing out communications, and enabling city employees to respond across multiple channels from one interface. Users can also manage workflow so that they can track progress details until completion, as well as add notes and locations.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two engineers, two designers, and had a business contact that would check in every few weeks.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

They reached out to us through email. We decided to work with them after I spoke with one of their customers who had a great experience.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with December Labs February–May 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The only metric we were tracking was project length, and they exceeded our expectations.

We haven’t launched yet, but I can say that their design skills are great. The user interface they created is beautiful and easy to use.

They pay attention to detail, try to understand the problem, and come up with solutions instead of just meeting requirements. December Labs thinks through what you tell them to do and suggests alternatives when they are better for the project. Most of the time, they were able to identify and solve problems before I ever mentioned them.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

They gave us updates every two weeks on changes in the build, project progress, what work remained, where the project was in relation to the established timeline, and the expected end. In addition to these updates, we had daily communication through Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

December Labs was familiar with the agile management methodology, which enabled them to adapt to changes in the app and overall project needs. I appreciated that they didn’t need much detailed guidance. They knew our API, and whatever they weren’t familiar with, they would find out. We didn’t have to invest a lot of our own project management or development time to support their development.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really, I was impressed with their work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I think December Labs works better when they are given an entire project versus working as part of a team mixed with their developers and their customers’ development teams. It requires trusting them, but it’s worth it.

5.0

Overall Score They were a pleasure to work with, very driven, self-reliant, and friendly.

4.5 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

They were accurate with their estimates and tried their best to hit our requested timeline.

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

I was not expecting to get such a complete mobile app for such a low price.

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

Their deliverables were excellent. They had well-written and detailed code.

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

We've already referred them to other companies.

Mobile App Development

Jan 31, 2018

the project

iOS App Dev for Investment Services Startup

“Our users are happy and so are we.”

Mobile App Development

$50,000 to $199,999

Oct 2017 - Ongoing

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$50,000 to $199,999

Oct 2017 - Ongoing

Project summary:

December Labs assisted in development of a native iOS app with a .NET backend. The platform is hosted on Microsoft Azure and integrated with several third party entities, including one for ACH authentication.

1-10 Employees

Los Angeles, California

Founder, Investment Services Startup

Verified

the reviewer

Founder, Investment Services Startup

Financial Services

1-10 Employees

Los Angeles, California

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

5.0

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

5.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

“Our users are happy and so are we.”

Jan 31, 2018

Feedback summary:

The app’s scalability has fostered confidence in the possibility of future growth. December Labs’ communication, accommodation to U.S. time zones, and first-class project management processes were impressive. A versatile approach bolsters their ability to meet startups’ needs.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of an iOS investment app that people can use to generate intelligently-tailored portfolios and have our team of investment professionals actively manage their accounts. We’re part robo-advisor and part traditional advisor.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

We started off with some other developers to build the app’s backend foundation, but they were too slow and some of the code was a bit sloppy. We were trying to create a scalable, robust system that could grow with us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

December Labs worked on our platform. It’s a native iOS app with a .NET backend that’s hosted on Microsoft Azure. We have some deep integrations with our custodian bank and broker dealer, as well as with Plaid for ACH authentication.

What is the team composition?

They assigned two developers and a project manager to the project.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

Another startup we knew had used and recommended them. We were ending our angel round and looking to enter the seed investment phase, so timing was very important. I used to be software engineer, so I know how hard it is to find talented and affordable in-house developers and convince them to join a startup.

Within two weeks, December Labs gave us two senior developers who worked well and fit our budget. We didn’t have to pay additional expenses, so it wasn’t just a matter of outsourcing, but being able to scale up and down. They essentially helped us get to the next stage.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost so far has been around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in October or November 2017. The collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve fixed all of the bugs and the app is scalable. We’ve become confident in our ability to grow without the technology platform becoming an issue. Our users are happy and so are we.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

We’ve worked well with them. Their English-speaking abilities and communication skills are great. December Labs works according to U.S. time zones, so it’s worked out well.

We use Slack, Google Hangouts, and Trello for project management. Their process is on par with that of any top-tier, U.S. startup.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re willing to work with startups and understand the hardships we’re facing. Their team can act as a good sounding board for us because they’ve been there before. They simply employ quality developers. Everyone on their team is great.

I know of another startup that’s using them. They have machine learning and AI components, and December Labs gives them access to anything they need. They have developers who can do anything effectively. We’re hoping to implement some machine learning later on as well for some parts of the app. We’ll easily be able to do that because of them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no complaints.

5.0

Overall Score

5.0 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

The developers dedicated themselves to making sure everything was completed when they said it would be.

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

Having worked in the industry before, I can say that their value is amazing.

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

They’re some of the best communicators we’ve dealt with.

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

I would wholeheartedly recommend them to any startup that needed or wanted developers.

Web Development

Dec 13, 2017

the project

Web and App Dev for Wind Energy Startup

“I had an idea that wasn’t very clear, but December Labs materialized it.”

Web Development

$10,000 to $49,999

Sept. 2017 - Ongoing

4.5

Quality:

4.5

Schedule:

4.5

Cost:

4.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

$10,000 to $49,999

Sept. 2017 - Ongoing

Project summary:

December Labs developed an application for users to estimate energy consumption and services, and also updated an existing WordPress website to interest potential investors.

1-10 Employees

San Francisco, California

Marketing Director, Wind Energy Startup

Verified

the reviewer

Marketing Director, Wind Energy Startup

Information Technology

1-10 Employees

San Francisco, California

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

4.5

Quality:

4.5

Schedule:

4.5

Cost:

4.0

Willing to refer:

5.0

the review

“I had an idea that wasn’t very clear, but December Labs materialized it.”

Dec 13, 2017

Feedback summary:

The website’s elegant redesign more accurately represents the client’s vision and has garnered potential customers for an expansion. Availability, a startup-friendly atmosphere, and flexibility amidst shifts in timelines and requirements have secured the possibility for future engagements.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a company working with renewable energies, and the main product that we’re entering the market with is a turbine for residential and commercial use. I don’t have an established position since we’re a startup, but I’m generally in charge of all marketing activities. I also assist with human resources.

Our turbine is small enough that it can be placed on the roof of any home and supply its energy consumption. We started in Argentina seven years ago, but moved to Silicon Valley two years ago in order to expand to the U.S. market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with December Labs?

Potential consumers often inquire about how our turbines work and how much energy they generate. To answer this, we asked December Labs to develop an app for us that we will launch next week.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My relationship with December Labs started when I decided to create a web app as a complement to our website. Through this app, users get an estimation of how much generated energy they could get, how much they’ve consumed in their home, and how these could be supported with use of our products. December Labs showed me different options during development, and also kept me updated on progress.

The app allows users to draw a map of their home to calculate their electricity consumption. It also combines this information with the consumer’s location in order to calculate turbine performance. Everything is presented in a very fun way to the user.

Later on, we needed to refresh our website’s image, so we placed the app development on standby. We dedicated ourselves to relaunching the website with updated simplicity. We finished this two weeks ago.

What is the team composition?

A project manager led the team they assigned to me, and also coordinated everything as well as participated in discussions about our needs. I also had a designer and 1–2 team members in charge of development. We started with a team of four, but eventually scaled it down to three.

How did you come to work with December Labs?

They actually contacted us. They have a sales representative in San Francisco, but I’m unsure how they found us. I chose them because they provided a mockup that allowed me to visualize the outcome. Other companies I’d been in contact with didn’t do this, and the mockup really helped clear up what I wanted for the app.

I also really liked what they presented during the interview in which they explained the proposed development in detail. They managed it well, and also spoke Spanish, which made everything a lot easier. I’ve interacted with other companies who didn’t speak Spanish, and found it difficult to communicate project details clearly with them.

December Labs wasn’t the cheapest, but their budget was logical and adapted in a way I could with with. They were flexible in order to accommodate our needs as a startup with a tight budget.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent about $30,000 between the two projects.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in September 2017 and will continue doing so until we’ve finished both projects. If everything goes well post-launch, we will have more projects in the upcoming year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We still need to work on the website, and I’m thinking of new things to add to it. The website has been greatly improved due to the redesign. Creating a custom website would’ve required a lot more time and money. We needed a quick update in order to present to investors, and December Labs managed to do it in a rapid fashion.

They took the existing platform and content and refreshed it to more accurately and elegantly represent our company. We now have a lot of pending jobs for our U.S. expansion as a result.

How did December Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Slack to communicate and share documents with team members involved in the project. They also have Slack on their phones, so we’ve been able to reach them at any time. They’ve been consistently available to address any needs or issues.

Our engagement has been more informal in the sense that we only meet as needed instead of establishing regular times. We established deadlines, and although we had to change a couple of dates, those deadlines remained the same. There was only one delay, and it was because we didn’t provide data when it was needed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They quickly understood our ideas. When I first started thinking about this app, I had an idea that wasn’t very clear, but December Labs materialized it. We understood each other easily, and everything happened very fast. They also quickly understood the design I wanted, which made the job easier for us.

I really like that December Labs is flexible in working with us as a startup with needs that change on a daily basis. For example, I asked them in the middle of developing the app if we could put it on standby in order to work on another project. I also asked them to remain flexible with the budget, schedules, etc., and they were completely accommodating. They got into the project without any hesitation. I’m really happy, and the results and quality have both been amazing.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I haven’t had any bad experiences. They’ve been flexible when we’ve changed dates and requirements, and they always understand. I have nothing negative to say.

4.5

Overall Score

4.5 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

4.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

4.5 Quality

Service & deliverables

5.0 NPS

Willing to refer

Mobile App Development

Jul 17, 2017

the project

iOS App Dev for Video Content Platform

"Having them work side by side with us was incredibly valuable."

Mobile App Development

Confidential

Feb. 2017 - Apr. 2017

4.5

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

4.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

4.5

Confidential

Feb. 2017 - Apr. 2017

Project summary:

DecemberLabs partnered with a social video platform to develop an iOS app for short form content. The team worked on a signup system, user profiles, and UI.

1-10 Employees

San Francisco, California

CEO, Video Content Platform

Verified

the reviewer

CEO, Video Content Platform

Media

1-10 Employees

San Francisco, California

Phone Interview

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone.

Verified

4.5

Quality:

5.0

Schedule:

4.0

Cost:

5.0

Willing to refer:

4.5

the review

"Having them work side by side with us was incredibly valuable."

Jul 17, 2017

Feedback summary:

DecemberLabs stands out for their ability to deliver quality work quickly. They were flexible in project management and sent one developer to work in person. The team has a wide variety of tools at their disposal.

the review

Background
Challenge
Solution
Results
Ratings

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a social video platform where we curate and personalize the best short form content. I’m the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DecemberLabs?

We had an aggressive schedule to develop our iOS app. Hiring in the Bay Area has been a difficult process due to all the competition. While we were looking for the right candidates, we decided that we needed to bring on a consulting firm to help us accelerate our building.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DecemberLabs provided iOS development for our application. They had two full-time individuals on the team, but one of them jumped in and out. We were very impressed with the way they handled that. I’ve always worked with geographically close teams so what DecemberLabs did was send one of their developers to spend four weeks with us in the office. They were very dedicated.

How did you come to work with DecemberLabs?

One of their team members reached out and pitched their company just when we needed someone. I always check out the portfolios of people that contact us. When I saw one of DecemberLabs’ apps was about music, it was really polished and it was an easy choice for us. I met with the team and was very impressed by them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2017, and the project was completed in April 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The speed of their development was the biggest pro in working with them. They built a significant part of our user profile in two months. They were efficient and dedicated. I don’t have any specific metrics. To build a signup system, user profile, and all the UI in two months with one full-time and one part-time developer was impressive.

How did DecemberLabs perform from a project management standpoint?

We did our own project management for this project.

What did you find most impressive about DecemberLabs?

Their knowledge of the framework and the variety of tools that are available to us and their ability to bring that to our development to speed things up and guide us was very valuable. I know iOS very well but I don’t have the exposure that they brought to the project from a variety of tools, framework, and services available. The breadth of what they offer was really notable.

Are there any areas DecemberLabs could improve?

Having them work side by side with us was incredibly valuable. When I contrast the productivity from them being local where they were amazingly killing it to moving to remote, it was tough thing to compare. Their communication was really good. Efficiency in the remote relationship was not as strong as when they were here with us.

4.5

Overall Score

4.0 Scheduling

ON TIME / DEADLINES

The time when they were here was incredibly efficient. When they were remote, we had some scheduling issues that we needed to work through.

5.0 Cost

Value / within estimates

The fact that one developer came and worked in San Francisco with us as part of the contract cost was great.

5.0 Quality

Service & deliverables

The quality was excellent.

4.5 NPS

Willing to refer

We were very happy with their work. There was some apprehension during the remote time, but we were generally happy.

Contact

Where human-centered UX/UI meets agile development

headquarters

other locations

Focus

Portfolio

Accenture - Custom informative tool for World Economic Forum Value-at-Stake

Seneca - Constituent Services for Local Government

EllieGrid - Award-winning Bluetooth-enabled smart pillbox

Biostrap - Machine-learning meets dual-device wearable technology

Apartment Butler - Mobile-first concierge platform for apartment communities

Hint - Business Operating System for Direct Pay Healthcare

SinQ - Integrated health cloud and mobile-first platform

Brain.fm - Focus, relaxation & sleep support through AI-composed music, featuring unique acoustic features with neurophysiology effects.

Semtive - Disruptive Clean Energy Technology

Trade PMR - Technology, brokerage, and custodian services

Rheo - An award winning video stream curation app

Databook - Your AI powered company and industry insights platform

Celbrea - Integrated Breast Health Monitoring System featuring a mapping device, an app with advanced dynamic AI algorithms and Blockchain Technology

Round - Portfolio Investment App managed by real human investors

Apple Watch Augmented Reality (AR) Teardown

Pulse Cam is an iOS app that measures a heart rate through your phone's camera

Thatch - A personalized travel service

Heaven - Lead generation and customer acquisition marketplace

Apollo - Neuroscience-powered wearable

ELLU - Exclusive VOD Platform

Prepaid2Cash - Convert gift and prepaid cards to easy-to-access cash

Santander - Mobile app to request loans, check balance, see transactions

VascTrac - iOS-powered peripheral artery disease (PAD) study

Reviews

Reviews

the project

the reviewer

the review

Aug 23, 2019

the review

ON TIME / DEADLINES

Value / within estimates

Service & deliverables

Willing to refer

the project

the reviewer

the review

Jul 11, 2019

the review

ON TIME / DEADLINES

Value / within estimates

Service & deliverables

Willing to refer

the project

the reviewer

the review

May 31, 2019

the review

ON TIME / DEADLINES

Value / within estimates

Service & deliverables

Willing to refer

the project

the reviewer

the review

Oct 18, 2018

the review

ON TIME / DEADLINES

Value / within estimates

Service & deliverables

Willing to refer

the project

the reviewer

the review

Sep 11, 2018

the review

ON TIME / DEADLINES

Value / within estimates

Service & deliverables

Willing to refer

the project

the reviewer

the review

Aug 09, 2018