Koombea

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO and co-founder of Trainerz Fitness, a company that offers moms a better way to exercise.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

I needed to update our mobile application to encompass our company’s vision. We had worked with the previous developer for a year through Upwork but weren’t happy with their work.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had an existing app that was in shambles and gave that existing code to Koombea. Some parts of the previous app design were usable, however, most of the files I delivered to Koombea weren’t, and they developed the code completely from scratch. 

Koombea has developed two iOS apps: one for trainers and one for moms. The idea behind both apps is to work as an on-demand personal trainer. Our apps target moms who usually don’t have much time to exercise or go to a gym. Through our app, users can find a personal trainer close to them and schedule an appointment. 

Both apps communicate with each other, and trainers can create workout routines for moms to select. Koombea has also integrated a Strip functionality to receive payments within the app. Koombea has also developed custom push notifications that appear once someone schedules an appointment, cancels it, and one hour before it starts. These notifications also arrive via email.

Koombea also integrated Google API to locate trainers around you on the map and what workouts they offer and schedule a workout that way. Customers don’t need to activate their location to use the app, but the app prioritizes users that do. The app also has a functionality that allows moms and trainers to select the distance they’re willing to travel, and the algorithm matches them that way.

Koombea has used Swift to develop the app and AWS to host it. They’ve also integrated a function that requires my wife or me to verify a client’s new account when they create it since our app is targeted toward moms. Any user can download the app, but to access our database, their account has to be verified by us. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 5–6 teammates from Koombea, including a project manager, a technical account manager, a UI/UX designer, an iOS developer, a QA specialist, and from time to time, a DevOps engineer.

How did you come to work with Koombea?

I contacted Koombea through their website and chose them because they specialize in the type of services I required, which was reclamation projects. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $106,000 with Koombea.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Koombea in January 2022, and they finished developing our apps’ first version in November 2022. We have an ongoing partnership and are planning to add more features and launch a second version of the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both apps have a five-star rating in the App Store since we launched them. However, we’ve been focusing more on fortifying our business plan and generating awareness to attract customers. 

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

We don’t have strict deadlines since I’m not a technical founder and didn’t know how long this project would take — I just wanted it to be developed correctly. The deadlines we’ve agreed on, Koombea has met them. We use Jira for project management and Slack to communicate. We also use email and have daily stand-up calls. 

We’ve exceeded our budget because I’ve requested additional work on some features, and Koombea has been extremely supportive and understanding. They’ve worked with me to ensure there wasn’t a pause in the development process and helped us create a payment plan for the remaining project’s balance. Koombea is flexible and understanding since they know we fund the project ourselves.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m most impressed with Koombea’s personable treatment. They’re very empathetic, which I haven’t found in many companies. Many variables happened last year, and Koombea has been understanding and working with us to achieve our project’s goals. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

My only constructive feedback for Koombea is that they could’ve conducted a more thorough analysis upfront to provide an initial budget estimate. However, I know this was hard since we didn’t know how long our project would take. Aside from that, we’ve communicated excellently and are on the same page.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as transparent as possible about your project’s requirements and limitations, whether financial or timeline limitations. This way, Koombea’s team will be able to propose the best recommendations for your project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO & founder of Fashioned Health. We’re a concierge medicine company that provides care focused on increasing healthspan and longevity.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

We wanted to develop an application to provide our services virtually and expand our reach.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Koombea has built a healthcare app for us. We initially met with one of Koombea’s representatives to discuss the project. They helped us see what was important to us. Following those initial calls, we set up a workshop with Koombea. The workshop lasted approximately a month; we went through what we had to look at as a startup beyond application development going deeply into market research and more. From there, Koombea worked on how the application would look and what would appeal to our target market. Afterward, they brought forward a proposal, and we moved forward into app development.

The app’s most important requirement was that it needed to be compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The app allows users to register and log in. From there, users can spot a physician that matches their health goals and make appointments with the doctor. Physicians can video chat and text their patients at any time, and the users can view their medical records.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with about seven teammates throughout different stages. We’ve worked more closely with Nicolas (Director of Customer Operations) and Valentina (Project Manager).

How did you come to work with Koombea?

We researched development companies online, and Koombea’s proposal was the best.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2022, and our partnership is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Koombea’s work has allowed us to reach more patients in rural areas throughout the state. Moreover, it has gone beyond helping our business; we’re actually helping with the health equity problem in the US because we provide quality healthcare to people in regions without readily available access.

All in all, Koombea has done a great job; they’ve guided us through the whole process.

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

We’ve made some changes, but Koombea has been able to adapt and change the budget so we can get everything done. They also find ways for us to save time and automate a bit. Overall, they’ve been flexible and nice to work with.

We have a Slack channel for communication, and they invite us to all their public meetings so we can see how they’re doing and what’s going on daily. Additionally, they use Jira as another management tool.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve done additional services just to help us as a startup. We’ve learned a lot from them, so they’ve taken it beyond being a technical company. Koombea’s entire community has helped us develop our business; they feel like they’re part of our company. Moreover, they’ve come up with ideas on how to get more patients, improve customer service, and more. We like to leverage them as much as possible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’re a great company. Koombea is really transparent and has an excellent leadership structure, so they’re a solid service provider.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend doing the initial research phase to know what your project is before you jump into development. At first, we thought it was delaying the onset, but it was very valuable.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there 

I’m a software analyst at an energy and natural resources company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with Koombea? 

We needed to develop a tool to help us coordinate with our operation centers, as we have different centers throughout the coast. Each center has a manager in charge of the workers and resources there. We used to coordinate using an excel sheet, but we needed to find a way to make that process more efficient.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Koombea has created a software platform using Ruby on Rails, which we’ve implemented into our Azure platform. They’ve developed the project in different phases. First, we had a workshop in which we validated and adjusted our process. After that, the team went into the design and ideation phase. From there, Koombea started working on the development of the platform.  

What was the team composition? 

We’ve worked with the commercial manager, different project managers for each phase of the project, some developers, and designers. 

How did you come to work with Koombea?

They were referred to our IT manager. We had a meeting to get to know Koombea and hear their proposal. When we were able to start with this project, we decided to reach out to them.  

How much have you invested in them? 

So far, we’ve spent around $116,000. 

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working with them in October 2018, and our collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since working with Koombea, we’ve seen increased client satisfaction as we’ve been able to transform our processes.  

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint? 

We’ve had a very good project management experience with them. They’re very well organized, and their processes are very well structured. The team is rigorous about dailies, timely deliverables, and follow-up and validation strategies. Moreover, they’re always checking in with us to avoid any delays.  

They use Jira as a project management tool. We use an instant messaging platform to communicate and periodical Zoom meetings.  

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Besides helping us create a tool, Koombea has helped us structure our processes, which has been a great advantage and something not all service providers offer. We’re also impressed with their great project management and efficient work methodologies. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

They’re too strict sometimes; at times when our processes have been subject to changes, we’ve felt that there wasn’t much time to make them. However, I understand their approach, and as a former developer myself, I know how important it is to respect schedules.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

I recommend you appropriate the technologies and processes Koombea uses because they’re very valuable. They have very talented professionals, so make sure you take advantage of that.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Joynup Inc. We’re a web app that helps people in romantic relationships discuss and decide on their future plans. They can record their plans, outline agreements, and sign those agreements on our platform. 

The divorce rate is high and the industry generates $12 billion per year; this situation can be avoided if people take more time to discuss their relationship plans. Sometimes, those conversations are hard, so we’ve created our web app to help people have such discussions in a curated, technologically based manner. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

We hired Koombea to develop our web app, along with its UI/UX designs and functionality. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The project started with the platform’s wireframes. After finishing the wireframes, Koombea created a style guide for the artwork and UI/UX design of the web app. From there, the team coded the product’s front- and backend. We then tested its alpha version and launched the beta MVP to the market. 

At present, we’re still working with Koombea to take feedback about the MVP, aiming to make the web app even better. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 15–20 people at various times and capacities. A project manager has led the project from the beginning and coordinated all tasks. Meanwhile, their salespeople have talked to us about the platform and ensured they understand what we need. Designers do the UI/UX designs and artwork. 

How did you come to work with Koombea?

The reason I started this web app was because of my experience. I was a corporate partner and practiced law for 20 years, and in the course of my practice, I met Koombea — they became my clients. I helped them for years on their own matters, so when I had to choose a vendor for this project, it was natural for me to engage them. I had a trusted relationship with them, and I knew their team well. In other words, I felt I could rely on them. They had high standards and work ethic, so I hired them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2021, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

On the basic level, I measure success based on Koombea’s ability to achieve the goals we’ve set out during the sprint development process. So far, we’ve met such goals. We’ve achieved project milestones in a timely manner. 

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

Koombea’s project management is great. We use Jira for accountability and to communicate milestones, ensuring that we’re following them. We’ve also used collaboration and communication tools like Slack to share our day-to-day feedback. Overall, the team has been great at communicating and responding to our needs quickly. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They truly believe in what we’re doing and are passionate about it. The team has also been highly responsive every time we need to do anything. Moreover, their resources always try to provide high-quality work; they set high standards for themselves — they always want to be cutting-edge.  

On top of that, Koombea is conscientious about their projects. I also love that they feel like a part of our internal team even though they’re outsourced. They care about what we’re doing — this makes all the difference. It’s nice to feel extra motivated because they love what they do.

The startup and development world aren’t easy — the experience is like a roller coaster ride. Knowing that the people we’ve hired care about the project and are committed to it gets us through the struggles and difficulties. We can always rely on them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing specific comes to mind. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Take more time to clearly map out your vision, and commit to a plan before going into the project. This makes the engagement more efficient. Be vigilant about the clarity of your deliverables to the developer, and take the time to make everything as clear as possible to them. Sometimes, you have to make some changes and there’s no way around it because the technology can’t do what you want. However, having clear plans is still helpful.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work at a B2B SaaS company that sells marketing technology. I’m the senior product manager within the company, so I look after all of our integrations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

We tried to build integrations between our software and other B2B SaaS tools in-house, but we faced a very slow time to market. Thus, we hired Koombea to help us address that challenge and develop the integrations that we wanted.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Koombea provides us with their custom software development tools and their iPaaS software (integration platform as a service software) to help us build the implementations we need. With their help, we’ve built middleware applications that connect our marketing software to third-party systems like CRMs, e-commerce platforms, and payment platforms. These applications can either send or receive data to and from those external systems as needed.

Typically, we first approach them with our problem, and they put together a proposal on how they will implement a solution. Then, our product team meets with their technical people to discuss the proper solution for our requirements before going into the implementation itself.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with around eight different people from Koombea, including Jonathan (CEO), Robert (Chief Revenue Officer), and Nicolás (Director of Customer Operations). On an ongoing basis, I work with Ebed (Project Manager & Scrum Master), Carlos (Backend Developer), Brenda (PHP Developer), and another developer. Additionally, Miguel (Director of Products) offers occasional technical project management.

How did you come to work with Koombea?

Someone from Koombea emailed our CEO, and he passed the message to me.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2020, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Currently, we have over 500 companies using the integrations that we’ve built with Koombea.

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

I’ve had an excellent experience working with Koombea. They’re very comprehensive, proactive, and communicative, which is very helpful for our partnership. We set up a Jira board to manage the projects together, and we communicate via email, Slack, and Zoom. For every project, we have the typical scrum meetings, daily standups, and sprint cycle reviews, which have enabled us to work in a very effective way.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Compared to similar development companies, Koombea goes above and beyond to understand our needs and deliver those in a timely fashion. Additionally, they’re very flexible and provide ongoing support to ensure the success of the projects.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I highly recommend working with Koombea; it’s a great experience. Invest a lot of time and energy in working with them to make your project be successful.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a consultant for AltaThera Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company that offers an antiarrhythmic drug called Sotalol IV to treat patients who have atrial fibrillation. This drug helps the patient after the cardioversion procedure to keep their heart in a normal sinus rhythm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

The indications for the use of Sotalol IV are difficult because it has a dosage regimen not easy to prescribe. Thus, doctors needed a tool to ensure that patients would apply the right doses at the right time, so we needed help to develop an app that supported doctors with the prescriptions.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Koombea has helped us develop an app for both iOS and Android systems. We requested them to be easy to use and graphically oriented so that it wouldn’t take much of the doctor’s time. The app is specifically designed for physicians, but the idea is that they would be able to download the app from the App Store and Google Play and use it in their daily practice.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with 4–5 people from Koombea, including a main point of contact and a designer. 

How did you come to work with Koombea?

A person from our company found Koombea through a Google search.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $25,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around September 2021, and our engagement is ongoing. We already have the app, and it works well, but the FDA’s approval process isn’t finished yet. Now, we’re waiting for the feedback from the FDA to know if the app will need changes or not. If so, Koombea will help us change what’s needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Koombea has gone above and beyond to ensure the app's success, doing things that weren’t part of the original contract. For example, the app needs to be approved by the FDA because it is going to be used alongside a drug. To get the approval, we’ve needed to develop a lot of documentation that we didn’t initially consider. However, Koombea’s team has supported us in producing that documentation.

Now, we don’t just have a great product, but we’re also very happy with their effort and willingness to work with us to get results.

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

I’ve been very satisfied with Koombea’s team. Initially, we weren’t sure of what this project would entail, but they've worked with us around the challenges that have arisen, allowing us to come in on budget. We communicate via phone calls, Zoom meetings, and Slack messages.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Koombea’s collaboration and willingness to work as a partner are impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wouldn’t change anything about Koombea’s work. However, they initially approach clients in a very structured way. This approach wasn’t fit for me, but it became less and less of an issue over time. Still, this is not a criticism but a personal comment of a challenge I experienced — it’s not their fault.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Work with Koombea. They want to satisfy their customers, and they’re willing to work with them to make it happen, so expect them to be responsive to your needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a chief strategy officer of a communications app that allows individual users to connect with experts to get their questions answered.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

They developed our mobile application.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided a detailed specification, and Koombea developed our iOS and Android application. They built it on an AWS database and server.

What is the team composition?

I don’t know the exact number, but I worked with 5–6 people daily, including lead developers and a project manager. There were also another 5–6 people in the background such as individual developers and UI/UX people.

How did you come to work with Koombea?

They’re based in Miami, and we got a reference for them. After narrowing it down to three companies, we chose Koombea.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $200,000 in the initial application, and we’ll invest more in subsequent versions moving forward.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since June 2021. The app went live in August 2021, and we’re on version 1.4. Koombea is doing a fine job.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s been a success.

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

They are solid. We communicate over Zoom and Google Meet.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re based in Colombia, where most of their development is, so they get cost benefits, but they’re very precise in the work that they do. They listen carefully and put a lot of effort into the specification upfront, which eliminates confusion during the development.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t there’s anything they could have done differently. They’ve learned our business well, understood the specification, and executed it. I don’t have any negatives for them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very precise and spend a lot of time on the specification. As with any developer, the most energy you invest upfront, the better off you’ll be.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there?

I am an IT project manager at a carbon exports company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

Our company works in open sky carbon mines so we have a big field operation, and we wanted to find a way to send field information to supervisors via an app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Koombea developed an iOS app for iPad devices. The app had modules that showed the mine’s map, and the location of the teams along with the mine in real-time. They also added a feature that allows us to see who the operator is and information about the team, among other things.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, a graphic designer, a backend developer, two frontend developers, and a QA specialist.

How did you come to work with Koombea?

We evaluated and visited different service providers. Koombea stood out to us because of their flawless office, great website, and portfolio. In the end, we felt that they were the best choice for us.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them towards the end of 2018, and the project lasted about three months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had very positive results from this project. It was our first mobile app, and it helped our supervisors to speed up processes and made their work easier. On a technology level, we were also very satisfied. The app is very stable.  We’ve required minimum support and it’s just of great quality.

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

Koombea’s project management was one of the things I liked the most about working with them. They worked with scrum agile methodology, so we had weekly meetings and they completed every sprint on time.

Whenever we encountered any setbacks, they were available and willing to solve every challenge. They really know what they are doing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their service attitude and commitment to the project were impressive. They should keep doing things the way they do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO at Nauty360, an online platform for boat booking services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with Koombea?

We were looking for a technology partner that had the experience working in a project and creating a platform as big as the one we needed. We had tried with different companies before but never felt completely satisfied until we found them. So they developed our web, responsive sites and mobile apps.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They used Ruby and Rails and Java for web development and React Native for the mobile apps.

What is the team composition?

We worked with six people.

How did you come to work with Koombea?

As we had bad experiences with past providers, we were looking for a new company that could guarantee quality. Koombea’s name came up in our search for the best agencies. When we met them, we knew that we wanted to work with them.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent around $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in 2019 and are continuing our collaboration.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They have a great understanding of startups, are very flexible, and were there for us through the entire process. We are very happy with the results of the development. They have a flawless methodology and make everything completely clear for those without a technical background. We saw results almost immediately after the site went live.

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

They have very clear processes, and their project management was great. We met once a week at first, transitioning to biweekly meetings later in the development. They were effective communicators in their willingness to listen to our needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Over time they've become a strategic ally, rather than just a services provider.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could be more precise at indicating their initial requirements. There were a couple of times when the project didn’t go forward as efficiently because some of the requirements they needed were not ready.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an omnichannel manager at a retail furniture store. We also provide credit services for furniture.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Koombea?

We were looking for a company to develop an e-commerce site for the store, as well as train our employees on new technologies and agile development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Koombea used Shopify, Ruby, and AWS to build the e-commerce site. They’ve also trained our team on agility.

What is the team composition?

We work with 4–8 teammates, including a designer and a UX developer.

How did you come to work with Koombea?

We had worked with other local companies before and hadn’t had a great experience. When we contacted Koombea, they specifically mentioned that they wouldn’t just implement the e-commerce, but that they would also tailor it to our company’s needs, which was key for us.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent about $10,000 for the development and around $118,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in April 2018. Although the project was completed, every once in a while we contact them for advice on specific technologies that we don’t manage very well. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In general, the service they provided was great. The software could be improved, which is usually the case with software development, but they are a great team to work with.

Our sales and traffic have increased because of the e-commerce site, so the project paid for itself very quickly. Thanks to what we learned while working with Koombea, our company’s general project has changed a lot. Our whole team knows about agility and analytics. 

We now know that if we want a certain development we need to find talent for it and not just buy a solution. So, in general, the best contribution Koombea gave us as a company was to change our technology culture.

How did Koombea perform from a project management standpoint?

They are always very flexible. We make constant changes and they are able to adapt very quickly to our needs, which is a great advantage. In our experience, technology companies tend to be very rigid, but we don't have that issue with Koombea. 

Additionally, they do everything well and in a timely manner. Since they work with many international companies, they have a culture of delivering within the schedule, which is rare.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Something they do extremely well is the agile methodology, meetings, follow-up, and stand-ups. In terms of consulting, they are also extraordinary. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve their pricing because it’s quite high.