Start-Ups
Startups have unique dynamics. A startup overcomes the lack of capital and resources through agile product delivery, a laser-like focus on the customer’s needs, and red-hot passion from its team.
- Go From Zero To Beta
- Create An Engaging User Experience
- Build “Branded” Applications
- Manage the Burn Rate
Go From Zero To Beta
Once a idea has attracted initial funding, there is a race to go from “Zero to Beta” as quickly as possible. Delivering a working prototype to target customers is a huge milestone that triggers additional market traction and investment rounds.
How we can help
Enablus provides a “Zero to Beta in 100 Days” service that works with founding teams to deliver a production-ready prototype to the marketplace quickly.
Create An Engaging User Experience
Believe or not, many startups flounder because the founders have not done their homework. This is evident in (a) an unclear understanding into which customer segments the app is supposed to serve, (b) an unclear value proposition and no mapping of product features to the segments' wants/needs, and/or (C) little effort to envision an engaging user experience for these segments.
How we can help
Over the past two years, we have been brought in to save UX train wrecks - those product concepts which did too much, did too little, or were so watered down that they didn’t appeal to any particular segment. In most cases, little to no thought had been given to User Personas that would focus the development team and product roadmap. Enablus can help you to understand the essence of your value proposition and incorporate this into your offering’s graphic design, interaction flow, and information architecture.
Build “Branded” Applications
Google Maps, Ebay’s Merchant Console, the Nike+ site and Scrybe are examples of “branded” applications - web-based and desktop applications which offer unique functionality that, when used, create a high level of engagement between the target user and the brand. For example, although scrolling and panning had been used in prior mapping applications, it was the launch of Google Maps which delivered this interaction paradigm to web applications on a mass scale, and “branded” Google Maps in such as way that it quickly eclipsed MaqQuest and Yahoo!Maps. Likewise, the online Nike+ site and iPod integration reinforces the offline emotional connection between a runner and his/her decision to invest in Nike+ shoes.
How we can help
Many branded applications rely on the heavy use of Flex, Silverlight, AJAX, or AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) technologies, which multiplies the expressiveness and interactivity of your product. Our User Experience team can assist you to wade through the options for interaction design, graphic design and information architecture to create a compelling branded application.
Manage the Burn Rate
Your seed capital is your runway for launch. Your team absolutely has to hit product build and customer acquisition targets before the wheels hit the end of the runway. Finding the right development partner can improve your odds for a successful take-off.
How we can help
If we partner with your startup, then your long-term success and survival is our concern. After all, we are craftsmen at heart - two years from now, we will want to point to your product and thump our chests in pride. To get to that point, we have to be a good steward of your capital. Our focus will be on outcomes, not in maximizing our utilization rates and head count. We will also serve as advisors to identify other means to stretch your capital and introduce you to potential customers and partners.
