Startechup

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Web3 Startup founder. …

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Startechup?

We hired Startechup to develop a Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Application, a financial system built on blockchain technology. The main objective is for the platform to connect with multiple blockchains and combine several features which includes Swapping Exchange Feature which allows users to exchange tokens. Another feature is called a Liquidity Pool, where users are allowed to create a liquidity pool and get rewards based on fees that the liquidity pool generates.

And lastly, the team was responsible for the development of the Lending Platform where users can lend cryptocurrencies through a lending protocol, with fees that they will need to pay. Ultimately, the goal is to redistribute all the fees collected from the Liquidity Pool and Lending Platform to the coin holders. The utility tokens - Dexcimal Tokens - rewards the holders with all the fees generated from the DeFi app.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

After a thorough evaluation process, we decided to have Startechup as our Custom Software Developer vendor because we were fully convinced that they’d be able to meet our needs and be of help in achieving our goals. Several factors were indeed considered before reaching our decision.

We look into how talented and skilled their developers are (in terms of technical know-hows), their ability to converse in English, and their dedication (evidenced by their long tenure at Startechup). Aside from that, we also believe that Startechup’s pricing is very reasonable, despite the good reputation it received from previous clients. Overall, we thought Startechup has incredible company culture and values.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

The overall development of the DeFi App was smooth and on schedule. Large part of the development was focused on the three main features that the platform wishes to deliver - the swapping exchange feature, the Liquidity Pool feature, and the Lending platform. We utilized Infura (Node provider) for cross-chain compatibility, Moralis and their APIs, Solidity for implementing smart contracts, Javascript, and ReactJS.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

For the creation of our product, I needed two software developers. The first position is for a Frontend Developer to develop our website, and the second position is for a Backend Developer to manage our servers and ensure seamless operation at the backend.

Glady but not surprisingly, these employees have strong technical skills, excellent problem-solving abilities, and a passion for new technologies. The team of developers that was assigned to my project was knowledgeable, professional, and easy to work with. They consistently delivered high-quality work that met my expectations and exceeded them in some areas.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

One of the things that stood out to me was their ability to meet deadlines consistently. Like any other businesses, this was a critical factor in the success of our project, and they did not disappoint.

There were some roadblocks that arose during the creation of the project, but these were easily corrected due to clear and effective communication between myself and their management. The agency was able to address my concerns and find solutions quickly, which allowed us to keep the project on track.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Startechup’s level of communication is top-notch. Because everyone in the team speaks English, I can easily communicate with the developers and managers, and the management. Startechup is adopting an agile methodology, of course it breeds flexibility and collaboration. This approach empowers their team to make decisions and adapt quickly, leading to improved efficiency - things that really made me a satisfied client.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Aside from the employees being highly skilled with programming and cloud technologies, development frameworks and more, I am particularly impressed by the management’s style of handling our product. I could say that they are very hands-on, making me feel secure about the development process.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I am pleased to say everything has been positive, except for the need to improve on testing.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of ALL IS EVENT

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Professional Conference Organizer (PCO), specialised medical congress and events

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Startechup to accomplish?

Our goal is to enhance the overall conference experience and engage attendees in a more interactive and meaningful way. And so, we hired Startechup to create a mobile application (Android and iOS) and a website that will showcase conference programs and events. The platform will not only provide users with event details and schedules but also allow them to rate speakers and share feedback with the organization.

SOLUTION

How did you find Startechup?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select Startechup over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Startechup were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Startechup was commissioned to develop a website and mobile application (for Android and iOS) aimed at exhibiting conference programs and events. The first application, for the Assises of January 2015, was made in a very short time, hence the choice of a hybrid version created with React Native. The application having met a great success, the operation was renewed for the following editions.

Startechup then refined the project, added features and offered native applications. The Android version is developed in Java while the iOS version is based on Swift. Startechup also developed the Assises ORL with WordPress.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Due to the immense success of the first application, we decided to have Startechup for the continuation of the project for subsequent editions. As the project progressed, Startechup refined the application, adding new features and eventually offering native versions for Android and iOS.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Startechup’s management style is really exceptional, and they are known for their open communication and willingness to make changes as requested. The team is highly responsive, and they keep us informed throughout the development process. Another thing that I liked about them was their ability to meet deadlines without compromising their work quality. They have a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about delivering high-quality software solutions within the given timeframe.

What was your primary form of communication with Startechup?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I am highly impressed by Startechup's exceptional professionalism, including the skills and talents of their team members. Their communication style is also noteworthy, as they maintain clear and effective communication channels throughout the project. Additionally, their budget is reasonable, making their services accessible to a broader range of clients.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Startechup could have done differently?

Time difference came as a challenge. Despite that, their exceptional service persisted throughout the entire project, and they provided us with unparalleled support.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was published on June 26, 2015.

Alix de La Porte

Senior Project Manager, All is Event

Healthcare

1-10 Employees

Nice, France

Confidential

$10,000 to $49,999

Sep 2014 - Jan 2015

BACKGROUND

Please give a brief description of your company.

We are an event agency. We organize medical conferences, and seminaries and specialize in medical congress. Our company is located in Nice, South of France.

What is your role at the company?

I'm a senior project manager and in charge of communication projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Startechup?

We needed to create a mobile app for the medical conferences we organize. We proposed to our clients that they invest some capital in this new project in order to give a new image, and modernize the medical congress.

The mobile app needed to display event programs, display lectures and who is lecturing, evaluate the lecturers, and ability to send comments to the organization about one lecturer or one session. This was intended for Android and iPhone.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

The services provided were mobile app development. The project was hard because of the deadline we set. We wanted it done in a four-to-five month timeline.

How did you come to work with Startechup?

We heard about them from referrals, and they were cheaper than the other companies we spoke with.

When was the project completed?

We started the work in September of 2014. It was completed beginning of January 2015 – just on time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project, and are there any metrics you can share?

We had really good feedback on the mobile app. We also received 250 comments regarding the conference we held and it was very useful. We can now, improve this app, by adding new features for the next event.

How did Startechup perform?

Good. They did the job we asked for, and on time. Startechup also proposed some ways to promote the app, which really helped with the marketing.

What distinguishes Startechup from other providers?

They were flexible, which helps a lot in this kind of project, and which is quite rare in this kind of industry. They understood our audience and did the necessary research.  

Looking back on the project, is there any area that they could improve or you would do differently?

We should have worked a little more together on the first phase – preparing the exact content.

What advice would you give to a future client of theirs?

You can be confident with them. They work hard to achieve the goals intended. I would clearly recommend them, as Web agency and developer.

RATINGS

Overall rating: 4

Quality: 4

Cost: 4.5

Schedule: 5

Willing to refer: 4.5

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CTO of Din Dins Club Limited

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a UK-based Startup providing WeChat Mini Programs for the Chinese market to access international businesses outside of China quickly. Our solution is a SaaS solution with detailed transparent data analytics and easy integration with the WeChat platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Startechup to accomplish?

• Dedicated development team for UK-based Startup

SOLUTION

How did you find Startechup?

Referral

Why did you select Startechup over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

What was the size of Startechup’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We needed a development team to build our SaaS product. We reached out to Startechup to hire back-end developers and front-end developers. Specifically NodeJS developers and VueJS developers.

Our product is heavy in API integration, like WeChat, and also requires complex user interfaces for client-facing features and, later on, a very complex suite of Analytical tools (Monitoring and reporting). Our goal was to have a good development team that we could keep for the long run, which would not drain too fast our cash runway. After many years our startup took off the ground, and Startechup developers are still playing a role in it today.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Our application is being used by tens of thousands of users from different locations and languages. Our SaaS application is used in many industries like PBSA, Real Estate, Hospitality, Tourism, Service Businesses...etc. Startechup provided a dedicated development team with excellent pricing, which allowed our startup to live through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Startechup developers are communicating daily with me, the CTO. Overall, the Startechup team has always been very reliable, easy to communicate with, and easy to manage for our software development needs. Our agile methodology, project management tools, and real-time channels allowed us consistently to deliver the evolution of our product as fast as possible.

What was your primary form of communication with Startechup?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Startechup has been able to retain its employees for many years. Since they have a low turnover, we can assume the company's management finds ways to have reasonable employee satisfaction. Also, something to be impressed about developers at Startechup, they are always very enthusiastic about new technologies, development frameworks, cloud technologies, and more.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Startechup could have done differently?

I am pleased to say everything has been positive.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am Director of Solutions at key4events, IT engineering company providing solutions for international events and conferences.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Startechup, and what were your goals?

Design and develop customized mobile applications. Event management is all about respecting deadlines since events are at a fixed date, and prepared months in advance. No delay allowed in our industry.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Startechup had already built similar applications. We liked their design and solution. As an outsourcing company, their price point is good.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Customize UI/UX designs for our Mobile applications connected to our in-house back-end, and develop the applications in iOS and Android. Manage publication in our stores (Apple store and Google Play), and make all the needed changes and fixes before public release.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Probably 5-6 people.

• Project managers
• UI/UX designer
• mobile application developers

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Thousands of users are using the mobile applications for our events. Organizers, speakers and participants enjoy all our mobile apps features. Because of our IT solutions our clients are repeating customers and we are still adding new feature and improving the app.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Management (top management and project managers) are always available for communication. The development team is in direct contact with our team, and they are very responsible. We use agile methodology, project management tools and real-time channels. Our projects are all about timing, and we always achieve it.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their team members acquired a full understanding of our business, which was amazing. Their team members have been working with us for years, without turnover.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Same challenges as any other IT projects. They do their best and we are satisfied with it.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a brand new company (5 months of existence, 2 creators) launching an online booking application for hairdressing

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Startechup Inc.?

Developing an MVP in Android application format

What were your goals for this project?

Test the idea of our concept with an MVP.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found it on the internet and chose it because I was interested and still am interested in their immersion work program in Cebu.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

An MVP in the form of an Android application, fully functional, integrated means of payment.

What was the team composition?

The team that was put at our disposal was composed of a project manager, a UI/UX manager and a developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

It's a bit early to evaluate the results, the project was closed 3 days ago but I can confirm that it fully meets our expectations. It's up to us to do our promotion work now.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It was jointly arranged and the cooperation went very well. The team was very attentive and the work went quickly and well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The speed of responses, including evenings and weekends, and their ability to provide solutions to our questions stood out.

Are there any areas for improvement?

NO

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are an online cosmetic shop, and we sell all major brands. The idea is that we provide more competitive prices compared to retail pharmacies or other cosmetic shops in France. We provide very quick delivery and free delivery for any customer 59 years old and older.

What is your role in the company?

I am an owner, along with my father and another partner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Startechup?

We first developed our website with one agency, and we needed to make some improvements on the site. We wanted to make some improvements on SEO [search engine optimization] as well. That's why we hired Startechup.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

The scope of their work was mainly website design, website development, and some improvements related to SEO.

What was your process in selecting Startechup?

I heard about them from somebody who worked in software development. I had a mixed experience with our previous agency, so I contacted Startechup. They were very approachable, and they listened to our needs.

Can you give a sense of the size of the initiative?

We've spent about €5,000 [around $5,500] working with Startechup.

When was the project completed?

We started in January 2014 or a bit before – I don't remember exactly. We're still working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

I think the results were very good. They did what we needed them to do. We would set up a teleconference as needed. We would explain things, and they would be shown to us before being implemented. I used to work with a company in India, and there was no creativity. With Startechup, we get the kind of innovative solutions and creativity that I didn't find with my previous Web design company.

What differentiates Startechup from other vendors?

I think it is their excellence in Web design. For me, I wanted an e-commerce platform, and that's what they did very well.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

To be honest, they have done significantly better than our previous service provider, so there is nothing that I was disappointed in.

What advice would you give a future client of theirs?

I think good advice would be to take the time and discuss the project upfront. That was most useful for me. They took the time to discuss my project and to understand better what the best solutions were. I hadn't experienced this with my previous service provider. This is something that makes a difference. If you plan, discuss, and agree on what you need and what solutions are best for you, you'll get good value from them. They don't just take the order, run off, and execute it. They will think with you, so take every opportunity to do that with them.