Where human-centered UX/UI meets agile development
At December Labs, we identify, design, and develop innovative software solutions, applications, services and platforms.
With offices in San Francisco, Houston, Austin, and Montevideo (EST), our team of 150+ top-notch Ph.D.'s, Architects, Researchers, PM’s, Strategists, Developers, and Designers specializes in creating vibrant, game-changing products through Mobile and Web Design & Development and harnessing the most avant-garde emerging technologies.
At December Labs, we are mission-driven, people-focused, applying startup-style customer development and agile engineering for new products and areas of business from concept to launch. We leverage your existing stack or analyze and recommend the best approach and solution for your needs.
► Web & App Development: From native and hybrid mobile apps for iOS & Android, data-driven full-stack web applications to enterprise-grade software, our Agile mobile app development, full-stack, DevOps and QA engineers build, test, deploy, and support custom solutions.
► Design Thinking, UX & UI Design: With a hands-on approach to design thinking, we identify UX tactics to validate and test design solutions that anticipate a user need or challenge and convert wireframes and prototypes to human-centered pixel-perfect web and mobile end-products.
► Scale Your Team: Our multidisciplinary design and development talent hub allows you to scale and upgrade your team, product, quality and velocity. A senior team of designers, developers and architects works full/part-time in a podular structure and integrates seamlessly with your team, process and workflow.
► Blockchain & AI: We harness Blockchain and AI to disrupt Healthcare, Logistics and Fintech. From Smart Contracts for Decentralized Applications to NFT marketplaces, our seasoned team of Blockchain, data scientists and Machine Learning engineers make clients’ products better but oftentimes even possible.
"They're awesome people who care about their clients and their UI/UX skills are amazing."
Aug 3, 2022
Founder & CEO, Lookback
Nate Champion
Consumer Products
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
December Labs redesigned a mobile app for sharing memories with friends and family. The team created wireframes and prototypes with a new UI toolkit.
December Labs’ efforts have met the mark across the board with a communicative management. The team is efficient, hardworking, and thorough. Customers can expect a Search Berg that makes amazing UI/UX designs.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the Founder/CEO of a mobile app for sharing memories with friends and family.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire December Labs?
We noticed that users were primarily using the app to document memories of their children growing up. Since the app was not initially designed around this "baby book" approach, we hired December Labs to help define of the journey map / golden path, brainstorm and design wireframes, create the new UI toolkit, and apply the UI via wireframes and prototypes.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
I met with the team years back and was always impressed with their skills. When the time came for a redesign, they were the first team that I thought of.
Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.
Definition of the Journey Map and Golden Path
Definition of border cases and mitigation strategy
Brainstorm potential ideas / wireframes
Design wireframes
Technical feasibility review
Apply UI
Prototype
Create UI Kit for any new items
How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
Lead UI/UX designer and team
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
UI/UX designs for our new app experience look awesome! Now that we've tested the experience, I'm working with my internal dev team to get the new features launched. December Labs went above and beyond on this one!
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Very effective! We communicated daily via Slack, used Loom to share brainstorms outside of working hours, and had video calls 2-3 times per week to cover anything else we needed to chat through.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
They're awesome people who care about their clients and their UI/UX skills are amazing.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
Nope - they were everything I hoped for.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Amazing UI/UX design, timely, great communication throughout"
E-Commerce MVP Dev for Lead Generation Startup Platform
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
“They’ve been accommodating and reliable 100% of the time.”
Jul 11, 2019
Founder, Heaven
Anonymous
Information technology
Los Angeles, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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.
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.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Mobile App Dev for Smart Pillbox Startup
Mobile App Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Jan. 2018 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They’re the highest-quality development firm I’ve ever worked with."
May 31, 2019
Co-Founder, EllieGrid
Abe Matamoros
Healthcare
Houston, Texas
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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.
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.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Web & App Dev for Apartment Concierge Platform
Web Development
$200,000 to $999,999
Jan. 2017 - Jan. 2018
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“They took ownership of the project and made sure it was a success.”
Oct 18, 2018
CEO, Apartmentbutler.com
Ben Johnson
Information technology
Houston, Texas
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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.
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.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"They're a bit more expensive than other offshore teams, but the quality of their work is also higher."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
UX/UI Design for Financial Services Firm
UX/UI Design
$10,000 to $49,999
Apr. - June 2018
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“December Labs provided high-quality design work, and they delivered exactly on time.”
Sep 11, 2018
Director of Strategy, Financial Services Firm
Anonymous
Financial services
Gainesville, Florida
51-200 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
December Labs designed the UI and UX for a custom workstation platform, including mockups.
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.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Mobile App Dev for Breast Cancer Detection 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
“They take ownership of the product and operate as an extension of our startup.”
Aug 9, 2018
CEO, Welwaze
Matias Campiani
Healthcare
Miami, Florida
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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.
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.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
"They’re excellent; we’re very happy with them."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Their software design and UI are really good."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"They met all the milestones we set."
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
"It’s a big item in our budget. Based on the quality of the work, we are pleased with the cost."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I’m very likely to recommend them.
Mobile App Dev for Communication Management Platform
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
"Most of the time, they were able to identify and solve problems before I ever mentioned them."
May 31, 2018
VP Engineering, Seneca Systems
Akhil Naini
Software
Redwood City, California
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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.
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.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
"They were a pleasure to work with, very driven, self-reliant, and friendly."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Their deliverables were excellent. They had well-written and detailed code."
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
"They were accurate with their estimates and tried their best to hit our requested timeline."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"I was not expecting to get such a complete mobile app for such a low price."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"We've already referred them to other companies.
iOS App Dev for Investment Services Startup
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
“Our users are happy and so are we.”
Jan 31, 2018
Founder, Investment Services Startup
Ron Rojany
Financial services
Los Angeles, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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.
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.
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.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"They’re some of the best communicators we’ve dealt with."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"The developers dedicated themselves to making sure everything was completed when they said it would be."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Having worked in the industry before, I can say that their value is amazing."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I would wholeheartedly recommend them to any startup that needed or wanted developers.
Web and App Dev for Wind Energy Startup
Web Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Sep. 2017 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
4.5
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“I had an idea that wasn’t very clear, but December Labs materialized it.”
Dec 13, 2017
Marketing Director, Wind Energy Startup
Anonymous
Information technology
San Francisco, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
December Labs developed an application for users to estimate energy consumption and services, and also updated an existing WordPress website to interest potential investors.
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.
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.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
4.5
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
iOS App Dev for Video Content Platform
Mobile App Development
Confidential
Feb. - Apr. 2017
4.5
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
4.5
"Having them work side by side with us was incredibly valuable."
Jul 17, 2017
CEO, Video Content Platform
Anonymous
Media
San Francisco, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
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.
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.
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.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"The quality was excellent."
Schedule
4.0
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."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"The fact that one developer came and worked in San Francisco with us as part of the contract cost was great."
Willing to Refer
4.5
NPS
"We were very happy with their work. There was some apprehension during the remote time, but we were generally happy.
iOS App Dev for Digital Consulting Firm
Mobile App Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Sep. 2016 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
4.5
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"DecemberLabs played a pivotal role in us launching our business."
Jul 14, 2017
CEO, Digital Consulting Firm
Anonymous
Information technology
San Francisco, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
DecemberLabs helped to launch a B2B iOS application that provides a data-powered insight solution. The team now works on a fixed contract in an ongoing maintenance capacity.
User feedback has been consistently positive because the app is responsive and easy-to-use. DecemberLabs is proactive in giving suggestions and played a vital role in launching the entire business. The team has a can-do attitude, making them pleasant to work with.
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 digital consultancy offering a data-powered insight solution on iOS and web, around publicly-listed companies. It provides large organizations working in the B2B space with the ability to understand what their business is, what is important to them, and how the product fits with market needs. I am the CEO and a co-founder of the company.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with DecemberLabs?
We’re a young company founded a year and a half ago. After 6 months of development, DecemberLabs stepped in to help us fix a problem in getting our iOS solution launched.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
DecemberLabs scoped out a project plan and delivered it. Since the launch, they’ve continued to support us with further iOS development, both on a maintenance and enhancement basis.
They assigned 2-3 developers to the project, as well as a designer. Among the technologies used were Swift and Node.js.
How did you come to work with DecemberLabs?
We chose them based on their attitude and the reasonable price/value proposition. DecemberLabs was neither the cheapest nor the most expensive company, but they had good value for what we needed.
How much have you invested with DecemberLabs?
There were 2 phases for the project. The development for getting an initial piece out cost $40,000. There was a continuation of the work, which occurred over the last 6 months, and is of roughly equal value.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with DecemberLabs in September 2016. The collaboration is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
DecemberLabs played a pivotal role in us launching our business. We are a mobile-first company creating and developing apps before working on the desktop version. This was instrumental in our ability to launch the business and secure customers early in the cycle.
The feedback we’ve heard from users from day-one has consistently been that they love the app. The interface is intuitive and easy-to-use, and the app is fast and responsive.
How did DecemberLabs perform from a project management standpoint?
We tended to use Trello and Slack for project management and collaboration. There were also calls on a regular basis, and we received project reports showing DecemberLabs’ progress, versus the plan. They were very good in terms of communication overall.
What did you find most impressive about DecemberLabs?
They’re extremely responsive, and one of the reasons we chose DecemberLabs was their ability to understand a challenge we were having and provide help. This can-do attitude was extremely important and helpful, and it’s not something all developers have. DecemberLabs has done a good job of delivering the table stakes and has been excellent with the rest of the collaboration, in terms of responsiveness, courtesy, flexibility around scope changes, and proactiveness in giving us suggestions.
Are there any areas DecemberLabs could improve?
We’ve worked better on a fixed-price contract basis, with clear deliverables and timelines, versus a time-based service, which required us to check in every week and talk about what needed to be done.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
4.5
Service & Deliverables
"Based on their responsiveness and ability to deliver a great product."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I’ve already made several referrals for DecemberLabs.
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