Boosting Custom Startup Development with Technical Partner

When you’re developing a digital product, working with a startup tech partner can help you grow faster and get your idea to market sooner. Here’s why a startup tech partner is invaluable and how to find the right technical partnership.

When you’re the founder of a startup, there’s a lot you need to consider.

You need to manage the company finances, hire the right staff, and find funding opportunities.

If you’re creating a mobile app, marketplace, or SaaS platform, you also need to design and develop it. It’s a lot of work, especially if your startup is still small!

Even if you have technical skills, working with a startup tech partner can boost the chances of your business idea being a success.

And with 1 in 5 startups failing in their first year, it’s important to do what you can to ensure the legacy of your startup.

In this article, we’re going to investigate startup tech partners. What they are, what they do, and most importantly, how you can find the right technical startup partner for your company. And of course, how You Are Launched can be the startup tech partner of your dreams!

What is a startup tech partner?

A tech partner is an external company that you hire to help you develop and design your app or web platform.

So rather than recruiting in-house technical developers, you’re outsourcing the work to a third party.

(Bear in mind that a startup tech partner is different from a tech partnership – this is when multiple companies integrate their products with each other)

Businesses that have joined forces with a technical startup partner

Working with a technical startup partner is a lot more common than you think. In fact, many well-known businesses have outsourced their tech work in order to get ahead!

These include:

• Alibaba;
• AppSumo;
• Basecamp;
• Github;
• Groove;
• Opera;
• Skype;
• Slack
• Upwork.

What services can you take to a startup tech partner?

A startup tech partner will be able to provide you with a wide range of services that will help you get your app or website platform launched.

Some of the services they offer include:

1. App design

It might be that you have a fantastic idea for an app or web platform, but you aren’t sure of the best way to create it.

A tech partner will take your idea and will carry out customer research to see if it’s viable. They can then create visualizations and a rough design so you can get a feel for how it will look and work.

2. Prototypes

A prototype is a sample version of your app or platform that you can test internally before you launch.

Your prototype can be anything from a wireframe drawing, to a landing page, or even a very basic version of your app. It depends on your final product as well as the time and budget you have.

A tech startup partner will create the right prototype for your needs and test it thoroughly to make sure it works flawlessly before you move to the next stage.

3. MVP development

 A minimal viable product (or MVP) is a ‘no-frills’ version of your app or platform that you launch to the general public. As it’s a simple version, your tech partner can quickly build and launch it, so you can get the edge over your competitors.

A tech startup partner will determine what features to include, get your MVP launched, and make changes based on the feedback you receive from your customers.

4. Technical consulting

A startup tech partner will be able to help you with technical consulting services. This can be anything from carrying out initial market research to offering technical support after your app or platform has launched. Some might also provide digital marketing to help you promote your product if you don’t have an in-house marketing team.

If there are any services they don’t provide, they will be able to put you in touch with another company that can help.

Why work with a technical startup partner?

There are many different reasons why you should work with a technical startup partner, including:

1. You don’t need to worry about recruiting inhouse

Hiring developers in-house can be a challenge. You have to pay money advertising for top talent, you have to spend time reading resumes, and once they’re recruited, you need to get them onboarded. 

It takes an average of 42 days and a cost of $4,129 to hire a developer – and that figure increases substantially if you use a recruiting agency!

Not only this, but you need to ensure the developer you recruit can work in line with your company values and vision. A startup’s work culture is incredibly important, especially in the early days, and you don’t want to waste time hiring someone who isn’t the right fit.

It’s ultimately easier to let a tech partner go than it is to an employee.

2. You can hit the ground running

When you hire in-house, there’s no guarantee that your developer (or developers) has a comprehensive knowledge of every process or tool you need to build your app or platform. This means you have to wait for them to get up to speed or pay for them to go on a course.

And when you need to launch, every second counts!

A tech partner will have the skills, experience, and expertise you need to move quickly. After all, you don’t want to spend time on your MVP only to find a competitor that has launched before you!

3. You can spend time growing your business

As we mentioned at the start of the article, a founder has a lot of jobs they need to do. When you work with a tech partner, you don’t need to worry about designing or developing your app or web platform as they have it all in hand.

This means you can spend time preparing that pitch deck, finding investors, or even continuing your own professional development!

4. You can scale up (or down) as you need to

The great thing about working with a technical startup partner is you can increase the number of developers you work with very easily as your startup grows. 

Alternatively, if you want to move to an in-house team as your startup develops, you can gradually do this without disruption to service.

Navigating the Path to Your Perfect Technical Startup Partner

In the world of startups, finding the right technical partner to join you on your journey can be a game-changer. With a myriad of options available, selecting the partner that aligns seamlessly with your startup’s aspirations is paramount. Here, we delve into the art of choosing the perfect tech partner, presenting key strategies that can steer your decision in the right direction.

1. Defining Your Needs: A Fundamental First Step

The landscape of technical startup partners is diverse, and each comes armed with a unique set of offerings. To set the stage for a fruitful partnership, it’s crucial to first decipher your needs. Scrutinize your startup’s current life cycle and pinpoint the precise skills that will propel your venture forward. Are you seeking a partner to blueprint your app’s architecture or to craft an MVP that captures your vision? Alternatively, if your in-house development team is small, perhaps you’re in search of supplementary guidance and support to ensure you remain on the right trajectory.

2. Crafting Your Budget: Financial Planning for Success

Before embarking on any partnership, financial clarity is of the essence. Determine your budget prior to engaging with a technical startup partner, preventing any unwelcome surprises down the road. A prudent approach involves calculating your financial capacity and setting aside a contingency fund for unforeseen circumstances. If uncertainty prevails, consider enlisting the expertise of an accountant to gain a comprehensive view of your financial landscape. When weighing the costs, remember to evaluate the price against what it would entail to onboard an in-house developer. The initial investment may appear substantial, yet it often translates into a more economical undertaking over the long term.

3. Relying on Reviews: Insights from the Field

In an age of information, leveraging the experiences of others is an invaluable strategy. Seek out impartial online reviews to discern the technical startup partner that stands out amidst the crowd. Notably, platforms like Clutch offer a valuable starting point for this exploration. Alternatively, tap into your personal network for recommendations. Colleagues, investors, and fellow startups can provide firsthand insights into partners they’ve collaborated with in the past. Their endorsements hold a wealth of credibility and can illuminate the path toward a partner that resonates with your goals.

Crafting a successful startup is an intricate tapestry, and the selection of a technical partner adds a significant thread to this intricate weave. By meticulously assessing your needs, orchestrating a sound financial framework, and capitalizing on the insights of others, you’re poised to forge a partnership that propels your startup toward its envisioned horizons.

There are a lot of technical startup partners out there, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Here are our top tips for choosing the right startup tech partner.

4. Evaluating Experience: A Glimpse into the Past

The realm of startup tech partners spans diverse industries and niches, and aligning with a partner with the right expertise is pivotal. Your first consideration lies in choosing between a specialist partner, deeply entrenched in a specific domain, and a more versatile generalist. Begin your exploration by navigating to the websites of each potential tech partner. Here, you’ll unearth valuable insights:

• Past Collaborations: Delve into their portfolio. Who have they collaborated with in the past? Assess the variety and scale of projects they’ve been involved in.
  
• Tech Stack: Scrutinize the technology stack they employ. Does it align with your project’s requirements and future scalability?
  
• Awards and Accolades: Explore any awards, qualifications, or accreditations they’ve garnered. These can serve as markers of their excellence and commitment.

5. Creating a Strategic Shortlist: The Power of Choice

Following thorough research, you might find yourself enamored with a particular tech partner. Nevertheless, wisdom dictates constructing a shortlist encompassing five to ten candidates. While your heart may be set on one, practical considerations such as budget constraints or scheduling conflicts could intervene. A shortlist empowers you to remain agile and swiftly pivot toward your next option, ensuring swift decision-making.

6. Posing Pertinent Questions: Ensuring a Solid Fit

The significance of your choice of a technical partner cannot be overstated—it’s a decision that can either uplift or impede your project. Armed with a battery of essential questions, you can pave the way for a partnership that guarantees success.

• Past Similar Projects: Probe into their track record. Have they undertaken projects akin to yours? The outcomes can offer profound insights.
  
• Risk Mitigation: Inquire about the potential risks they envision and how they intend to minimize them, demonstrating their foresight and problem-solving acumen.
  
• Communication Protocol: Seek clarity on their communication strategy for progress updates.
  
• Team Expertise: Uncover the individuals who will be steering your project and their experience.
  
• Adaptation: Understand how they navigate sudden project direction changes, revealing their agility.
  
• Post-Launch Support: Gauge their commitment to post-launch support.
  
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Ascertain their approach to testing and quality assurance, ensuring a seamless end product.
  
• Security Perspective: Probe their security measures and relevant qualifications, safeguarding your venture’s integrity.

A reputable startup tech partner will readily address your queries, demonstrating their dedication to your project’s success. If you lack technical expertise, consider enlisting the aid of someone with relevant experience to review the answers. Their insights can prevent confusion caused by technical jargon and ensure the viability of the partnership.

In your pursuit of a startup tech partner, remember that knowledge is your most potent asset. Armed with the right questions and a discerning outlook, you’re poised to navigate the selection process with acumen and secure a partner that propels your startup’s technological journey.

In summary: a reliable startup tech partner can take you to places

Some startups like to keep everything in-house as they feel they can keep more control that way. However, working with a technical partner can save you time, and money and means you can launch ahead of your competitors. And that increases the chances of your startup being a success.

If Slack and Skype can work with a tech partner, you can too!

There are lots of technical startup partners out there, so you’re sure to find the right one for your needs. And of course, if you want to work with a partner that will drive results, keep reading…

You are launched: the technology partner that will bring results for your startup

We’ve been working with startups since 2014, helping them design, develop and get their apps to market.

Our team of experts has worked alongside startups specializing in health, security, and finance – our results speak for themselves!

As one of the founders we’ve worked with said: “I was looking for a development agency that would specialize in launching startups, and I am very happy I found You are launched. 

“The team is highly professional, and what’s even more important, they truly care about your product. They go above and beyond to provide the best solution to your problem.”

Whether you need help with your app design, creating a prototype or MVP, or just some advice, we’re here to support you.

Contact us today and see how we can work together in a perfect partnership.