How much does rapid prototyping cost for a startup MVP?

Our rapid prototyping services range from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on complexity and features. This is 89% more affordable than traditional development which typically costs $50K-150K. We also offer flexible equity partnerships to reduce upfront costs for startups with limited cash flow.

How does the equity partnership model work?

Our equity partnership allows you to trade a percentage of company ownership for reduced upfront costs. For example, instead of paying completely with cash up front, you might pay $9,000 cash plus 7.5% equity. We are flexible with our compensation options so we encourage you to contact us for a proposal that best fits your current capabilities.

Your Chief AI Officer Partner

Q: Can you build a SaaS MVP in 4 weeks?

Yes! Our AI-powered rapid prototyping process can deliver a functional SaaS MVP in 2-4 weeks. This includes user authentication, core features, database integration, responsive design, and deployment. We focus on essential functionality first, allowing you to validate your concept and iterate based on real user feedback.

Build investor confidence and technical credibility without the CAIO price tag

Deep Dive

Technical
assessment

Tech Design

System architecture
& technical plans

CAIO Retainer

Ongoing CAIO
guidance

Trusted by Industry Leaders

Learn Our Process

AI Founders and SMBs Face Unique Challenges

Building investor confidence and technical credibility without deep technical expertise creates barriers that can make or break your startup journey.

Technical Evaluation Challenges

Without technical expertise, evaluating solutions, hiring developers, or making architecture decisions becomes guesswork rather than informed strategy.

Investor Due Diligence

Investors scrutinize technical feasibility, scalability, and security. Without credible technical leadership, funding becomes significantly harder to secure.

Team Credibility Gap

Attracting top talent, partners, and customers requires technical credibility. Without a strong technical foundation, building a credible team becomes an uphill battle.

The Challenge

65%of tech startups lack a technical co-founder (First Round)

40%lower funding success without technical leadership

78%of VCs consider technical team critical (TechCrunch)

3xmore likely to fail without technical credibility

Build technical credibility without the CAIO price tag or equity dilution.

Our Tiered DevelopmentPartnership Model

From validation to scale, we offer flexible engagement models designed for your startup's stage. Powered by our proprietary Context Engineering methodology for 10x faster development.

Why We're Different

20 Years Experience

Analytics & AI/ML expertise from Fortune 500 companies including Cisco, Levi Strauss, Nielsen, Anaconda, and Ipsos

Context Engineering Pioneer

Proprietary methodology enabling 10x faster development than traditional approaches

Technical & Operations

Unique combination preventing common startup mistakes through systematic validation

Behavioral Analytics Expert

7 years consumer behavior research driving data-informed product decisions

10x

Faster Development

Context Engineering vs traditional

$100K+

Saved Per Rebuild

Avoiding technical debt

Higher Funding Rate

With technical leadership

50%

Time to Market

Accelerated launch timeline

Data-Driven Development with Behavioral Analytics

Every prototype includes integrated behavioral analytics (PostHog) to capture UI/UX data, metrics, and user insights. Make informed decisions based on actual user behavior, not assumptions.

Real-Time Insights

Track user behavior as it happens

Growth Optimization

Identify and fix friction points

ROI Focused

Prioritize high-impact features

Ready to Transform Your Startup Vision?

Start with our Deep Dive Package and experience the difference of having seasoned technical leadership from day one.

TransparentPricing Options

Get CAIO-level technical leadership without the $200K+ salary or 5-10% equity. Compare our progressive partnership model to traditional CAIO hiring costs.

Traditional CAIO vs Fractional CAIO Partnership

Traditional CAIO Hire

Annual Salary:$200K-400K

Equity:5-10%

Benefits/Costs:$50K-80K

Hiring Time:3-6 months

Total Year 1:$250K-480K

Expected X Partnership

Deep Dive:$500

Tech Design:$6.5K

CAIO Retainer:$20K/3mo

Start Time:2 weeks

Total Year 1:$95K max

Save $155K+

vs traditional CAIO hire

First year costs: $95K vs $250K minimum

Start in

2 weeks

vs 3-6 months to hire full-time CAIO

Zero Equity

dilution required

Keep your equity while getting CAIO expertise

Service Tiers

Choose the service tier that best fits your needs and stage of growth

🔍 DEEP DIVE

$500

Technical assessment

Timeline: 2 Weeks

"Start with a comprehensive technical audit and assessment. We sign an NDA, evaluate your needs, and create a detailed Product Requirements Document with zero obligation to continue."

What's Included:

•Signed NDA Protection: Complete confidentiality assurance
•Technical Audit & Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of your technical needs
•Market & Competitive Analysis: Understanding your space and opportunities
•Product Requirements Document: Detailed specification and roadmap
•Technology Stack Recommendations: Optimal tech choices for your needs
•Risk Assessment: Technical and business risk evaluation
•Zero Obligation to Continue: Complete transparency with no pressure

🎨 TECH DESIGN

$6,500

One-time investment

Timeline: 2-4 Weeks

"Transform your Deep Dive insights into detailed system architecture and technical plans. Get comprehensive design specifications that guide development teams and impress investors."

What's Included:

•System Architecture Design: Comprehensive technical blueprint
•Database Schema Design: Optimized data structure and relationships
•API Specification: Complete endpoint documentation
•Security Framework: Authentication, authorization, and data protection
•Scalability Planning: Growth-ready infrastructure design
•Technology Stack Finalization: Detailed implementation guidelines
•Development Roadmap: Phased implementation plan with milestones
•Technical Documentation: Comprehensive specs for development teams

👑 CAIO RETAINER

$20,000

(first 3 months, $8,000/month after for length of contract)

Ongoing CAIO Partnership

"Your dedicated technical co-founder providing ongoing CAIO-level guidance, team leadership, and strategic technology direction."

What's Included:

CAIO Leadership Services:

• Weekly 1:1 strategic technical sessions
• Technology roadmap planning & execution
• Development team hiring & management
• Code architecture reviews & standards
• Security audit & compliance oversight

Investor & Business Support:

• Technical due diligence preparation
• Investor pitch technical reviews
• Board meeting technical reporting
• Budget planning & resource allocation

Ongoing Development Support:

•Hands-on Development: 20-40 hours monthly critical feature work
•Team Integration: Direct collaboration with your development team
•Performance Monitoring: System optimization and scalability planning
•Emergency Support: 24-hour response for critical technical issues
•Strategic Planning: Quarterly technology & business alignment sessions

Frequently AskedQuestions

Everything you need to know about our rapid prototyping process, pricing, and how we can help accelerate your project.

Our fractional CAIO partnership saves you $155K+ in the first year compared to a traditional CAIO hire. While a full-time CAIO costs $250K-480K annually (salary + equity + benefits), our CAIO Retainer tier provides CAIO-level expertise at $20,000 (first 3 months, $8,000/month after for length of contract). You get strategic technical leadership, hands-on development, and team management in 2 weeks instead of waiting 3-6 months to hire.

We offer our Deep Dive tier at no cost because we believe in building trust through transparency. During this 2-week phase, we conduct a comprehensive technical audit, create your Product Requirements Document, and provide technology recommendations - all under NDA protection with zero obligation to continue. It's our way of demonstrating value before you invest.

Deep Dive ($500): Technical assessment, PRD development, and risk analysis. Tech Design ($6,500): System architecture, database schema, API specs, and development roadmap. CAIO Retainer ($20,000 first 3 months, $8,000/month after): Ongoing CAIO services including weekly strategy sessions, team leadership, investor support, and 20-40 hours of hands-on development monthly.

A prototype is a preliminary model to test concepts and user interfaces, while an MVP (Minimum VALUABLE Product) is a functional product with core features that deliver real value to users. Our process creates both - starting with interactive prototypes and evolving into a market-ready MVP that users find valuable enough to pay for, typically within 2-4 weeks.

Absolutely! Most clients start with our Deep Dive tier to validate their concept, then progress to Tech Design for technical architecture, and finally to CAIO Retainer for ongoing CAIO partnership. Each tier builds on the previous work, creating a seamless progression. You can upgrade at any time based on your needs and growth stage.

After Tech Design, you have complete technical blueprints ready for any development team to implement. Many clients choose to continue with our CAIO Retainer tier for hands-on development and CAIO guidance. Others use the design documents to build with their own teams or secure funding. The design package is yours to keep regardless of your next steps.

You can begin our Deep Dive process within 2 weeks - much faster than the 3-6 months it takes to hire a traditional CAIO. Deep Dive takes 2 weeks, Tech Design takes 2-4 weeks, and CAIO Retainer support begins immediately upon contract signing. Most clients go from initial contact to having technical leadership in place within a month.

We leverage cutting-edge AI development tools alongside proven technologies including React/Next.js for frontend, Node.js/Python for backend, and modern cloud platforms. Our AI-assisted workflow includes code generation, automated testing, performance optimization, and security auditing - allowing our small team to deliver enterprise-quality solutions 85% faster than traditional development teams.

Our CAIO Retainer tier includes comprehensive investor support: technical due diligence preparation, pitch deck technical reviews, board meeting reports, and CAIO-level representation in investor meetings. We help you speak confidently about your technology, validate technical feasibility, and demonstrate you have experienced technical leadership - all crucial for securing funding.

We work with both! Bootstrapped founders love our affordable Deep Dive tier and Tech Design package to validate ideas before major investment. Funded startups leverage our CAIO Retainer tier as a cost-effective alternative to a full-time CAIO, getting senior technical expertise for significant cost savings instead of $250K+. Our flexible model adapts to your funding stage.

Our CAIO Retainer tier provides comprehensive ongoing support: weekly strategic sessions, 20-40 hours of hands-on development monthly, 24-hour emergency response, team mentoring, code reviews, and quarterly roadmap planning. It's like having a full-time CAIO who's deeply invested in your success, but at a fraction of the cost.

We use modern market validation techniques including user testing, customer interviews, landing page validation, competitor analysis, and market sizing. Our Deep Dive phase validates your product concept, helping you avoid the 42% of startups that fail due to lack of market need (CB Insights).

Yes! Our AI-powered development process can deliver a functional SaaS MVP in 2-4 weeks through our CAIO Retainer tier. This includes user authentication, core features, database integration, responsive design, and deployment. We focus on essential functionality first, allowing you to validate your concept and iterate based on real user feedback.

Absolutely! We specialize in helping non-technical founders bring their ideas to life. We provide clear communication, detailed documentation, and education throughout the process. Our collaborative approach ensures you understand every decision and can confidently lead your startup's technical direction.

AI development tools help us generate code faster, automate testing, optimize performance, and implement best practices automatically. Combined with decades of human expertise, this allows our small team to work 85% faster than traditional 5-12 person teams, while maintaining high quality and reducing development costs significantly.

We offer premium add-ons to accelerate your growth: Agentic AI System Design for advanced AI implementations, 24/7 DevOps Support for round-the-clock monitoring, Dedicated Sprint Teams for faster feature development, and Regulatory Compliance packages for HIPAA, SOC2, or GDPR requirements. These can be added to any CAIO Retainer tier engagement based on your needs.

We specialize in startups and small to medium businesses (SMBs) across all industries. Whether you're launching a new product, digitizing business processes, or scaling an existing solution, we have experience with e-commerce, SaaS, fintech, healthcare, and many other sectors. Our Deep Dive phase helps us understand your unique needs.

Absolutely! We have extensive experience integrating with existing systems, APIs, databases, and third-party services. During our Deep Dive phase, we assess your current infrastructure and design solutions that complement and enhance your existing technology stack without disrupting operations.

We handle scope changes transparently. In the CAIO Retainer tier, we work with you to adjust priorities within your monthly retainer. For major expansions, we can add premium services like Dedicated Sprint Teams. Our goal is to deliver what you need while maintaining clear communication about any impacts to timeline or investment.

Quality comes from our experienced team (decades of experience), proven frameworks, AI-assisted code review, automated testing, and comprehensive security audits. Our rapid delivery comes from efficiency and modern tools, not cutting corners. Every project includes thorough testing, security reviews, and follows industry best practices.

The CAIO Retainer tier requires a minimum 3-month commitment, with contract options for 3, 6, 12, or 24-month terms. This ensures we can deliver meaningful results and establish effective working relationships with your team. Many clients start with 3 months and extend as they see the value we provide.

Still have questions?

We're here to help! Schedule a free consultation to discuss your project requirements, timeline, and how our rapid prototyping process can work for you.

Ready to Build YourTechnical Credibility?

Start with our Deep Dive package. Expert technical assessment and strategic guidance for your startup's success.