RAPID PROTOTYPE

Test an idea before you commit to building it.

We build a working prototype in one week — something you can put in front of real users, your board, or your team and get an honest reaction. But half the value is the thinking that happens before the build.

The prototype tests a hypothesis, not just a design.

Most prototypes demonstrate a solution. Ours start by pressure-testing the problem. Before we write any code, we work with you to define what the prototype needs to prove — or disprove. The goal is learning, not polish.

Problem-first approach

We start by clarifying the hypothesis: what are we testing, who are we testing it with, and what would change your mind? The prototype is designed to answer a specific question.

Working software, not slides

The deliverable is a functioning prototype you can interact with — not a mockup or a clickable PDF. Real enough to get real reactions from real people.

Clear next steps

Every prototype ends with a written assessment: what we learned, what worked, what didn’t, and what the path to production looks like if the idea validates.

How it works

1

Discovery

A conversation about the idea. What’s the problem? Who’s the user? What’s the hypothesis? What would a good outcome look like — and what would make you walk away? We’re not writing requirements yet. We’re making sure the prototype will answer the right question.

2

Scope confirmation

A short written document: what we’re building, what it will demonstrate, what it won’t do. Sent within 24 hours of Discovery. You review it and confirm before we start.

3

Build

Four days of focused work. You’ll get a brief async update each day — a short video or message, not a meeting — so you know where things stand without interrupting the build.

4

Demo and debrief

On day five, we walk through the working prototype together. This is a working session, not a presentation. We poke at it, test edge cases, and have an honest conversation about what we learned.

5

Handoff

Deployed prototype, source code, and a written assessment with recommended next steps. If the idea validates, the next step is usually a full AI Build engagement for the production version.

Good fit if

  • ◆You have an idea for a product or tool and want to validate it before investing in a full build.
  • ◆You need to demonstrate a concept to your team, your board, or potential customers.
  • ◆You’re choosing between several directions and want to test one quickly.
  • ◆You want to learn what users actually do with the product, not just what they say they’d do.

If you already know what you need and the problem is well-defined, an AI Build might be the right starting point — we can skip the prototype and go straight to production. And if you’re not sure where to start at all, a Discovery Session will help figure out the right first step.

FAQ

Deliberately not. It’s built to learn, not to ship. If the idea validates, we build the production version as a separate engagement with its own scope and timeline.

Yes — that’s the point. The prototype is functional enough to put in front of real users and get meaningful feedback.

That’s a good outcome. Learning that something won’t work in a week is much better than learning it after a full build. The written assessment will include what we learned and alternative directions worth exploring.

If it validates, the natural next step is an AI Build — a full production version with proper architecture, testing, and deployment. The prototype informs the scope, so the build is faster and more focused.

Minimally. You’ll get daily async updates. We may reach out with a question or two, but we’re not scheduling daily standups for a one-week sprint.

Start with a conversation.

Tell us what you're working on and we'll figure out the right way to help — or tell you honestly if we're not the right fit.