Deal Models

Three ways to work together. Every engagement is different — we offer flexible structures so you can choose the model that matches your stage, budget, and ambition.

We believe great partnerships start with aligned incentives. Whether you want to pay for a service, share the risk, or build something together from scratch — we have a model for that.

Our approach to deals

We do not believe in one-size-fits-all pricing. Software projects vary wildly in scope, risk, and potential. A pre-revenue founder with a validated gap deserves a different deal than an established company with a clear budget. That is why we offer three distinct models — and we are transparent about how each one works.

Aligned incentives

We structure every deal so our success depends on your success. When we share risk, we work harder.

No hidden fees

Every cost, percentage, and timeline is defined in writing before work begins. No surprises.

Negotiable terms

The ranges listed here are starting points. Every deal is tailored to the specific project and partnership.

Written agreements

Every engagement has a signed contract covering scope, ownership, milestones, payment terms, and exit conditions.

Cash

Full ownership

You pay a fixed or hourly fee. We build. You own 100% of everything we create.

The simplest model. You have budget and a clear idea of what you need built. We scope the project together, agree on milestones, and deliver. You own all code, designs, and intellectual property from day one.

Teams with allocated budget and well-defined project scope

How it works

1Discovery call to understand your requirements and goals
2We deliver a detailed scope document with timeline and cost estimate
3You approve the scope and we sign a fixed-price or time-and-materials contract
4Work begins with weekly progress updates and milestone reviews
5Final delivery with handoff documentation and source code

Key terms

Payment structure: Fixed-price or hourly (milestone-based billing)
IP ownership: 100% yours from day one
Typical project size: $15,000 – $150,000+
Timeline: 4 – 16 weeks depending on scope
Post-launch support: Optional retainer or per-incident

What's included

Full source code and repository access
Technical documentation and architecture overview
Deployment to your infrastructure
2 weeks of bug fixes after launch
Knowledge transfer sessions with your team

Hybrid

Shared risk

Reduced fee plus a small equity or revenue share. We put skin in the game alongside you.

You want to build something meaningful but your budget is limited. We lower our fees in exchange for a stake in the outcome — either equity in your company or a percentage of revenue for a defined period. This aligns our incentives: we are motivated to build something that actually generates value, not just something that meets a spec.

Early-stage teams who want to stretch budget while getting senior execution

How it works

1Discovery call to understand your product, market, and financial situation
2We evaluate the opportunity and propose a hybrid structure
3Negotiate the split between cash fee and equity or revenue share
4Sign an agreement covering milestones, payment schedule, and equity/revenue terms
5We build with the same intensity as our studio ventures — because we share the upside

Key terms

Cash component: 40 – 70% of standard rate (negotiable)
Equity range: 5 – 15% depending on scope and discount
Revenue share range: 5 – 10% for 24 – 36 months
Vesting: Equity typically vests over 12 – 24 months
Cap on revenue share: Defined maximum payout (2 – 3x of fee discount)

What's included

Everything in the Cash model
Ongoing strategic input beyond the build phase
Priority access to our team for iterations
Quarterly check-ins for the duration of the revenue share
Introductions to our network of founders and investors

Studio Venture

True partnership

We invest our time and skills. No fee. We co-build and co-own the product.

This is the deepest level of partnership. You bring the domain expertise, buyer access, and market knowledge. We bring the product, design, and engineering. No cash changes hands — we build together and share the outcome. This model is highly selective because we are investing hundreds of hours of our team's time.

Founders with validated market gaps, clear buyer access, and domain expertise

How it works

1Submit a venture intake form with your gap hypothesis and background
2We evaluate the opportunity against our selection criteria
3If selected, we conduct a deep-dive week: market sizing, competitor analysis, buyer interviews
4We propose a co-founding structure with roles, equity split, and milestones
5Build together with shared decision-making and weekly syncs
6Launch, iterate, and grow — with defined governance and exit terms

Key terms

Cash payment: None — we invest our time
Equity range: 20 – 40% depending on contribution
Revenue share range: 15 – 30% (alternative to equity)
Decision rights: Shared governance defined in operating agreement
Exit terms: Defined buyout clauses and drag/tag-along rights

What's included

Full product design and development
Brand identity and marketing site
Go-to-market strategy and execution support
Ongoing CTO-level technical leadership
Shared operational costs for infrastructure
Active involvement in fundraising if applicable

What we look for

A real B2B problem you have experienced firsthand
Identified buyers who are already paying for workarounds
Your ability to access those buyers for validation and sales
Domain expertise that is hard to replicate
Commitment to work on this full-time or near full-time

All ranges and terms listed on this page are examples only. Every deal is individually negotiated based on scope, risk, market potential, and mutual contribution. We will always present you with a clear written proposal before any commitment.

Side-by-side comparison

A quick overview to help you decide which model fits your situation.

Side-by-side comparison
Feature	Cash	Hybrid	Studio Venture
Upfront cost	Full market rate	40 – 70% of rate	None
IP ownership	100% yours	100% yours	Shared (defined in agreement)
Equity given	None	5 – 15%	20 – 40%
Our involvement	Build and hand off	Build + strategic input	Full co-founder role
Best for	Clear scope + budget	Limited budget + high potential	Validated gap + domain expertise
Timeline	4 – 16 weeks	6 – 20 weeks	3 – 6 months+
Post-launch support	Optional retainer	Included (quarterly)	Ongoing partnership
Decision rights	Fully yours	Fully yours	Shared governance

How we choose a model

We recommend a deal structure based on these factors — and we are always open to discussion.

Your budget

If you have a clear budget allocated for this project, Cash is usually the simplest path. If budget is tight but the opportunity is strong, Hybrid lets us share the risk.

Market validation

For Studio Ventures, we need to see evidence that real buyers exist and are actively looking for solutions. The stronger your validation, the more we are willing to invest.

Your involvement

Cash projects can work with minimal founder involvement. Hybrid and Studio Venture models require active collaboration — we are building together, not just building for you.

Project complexity

Simple MVPs and landing pages fit the Cash model. Complex products with ongoing development and market iteration are better suited for Hybrid or Studio Venture.

Long-term vision

If this is a one-time build, Cash makes sense. If you are building a company and want a long-term technical partner, Hybrid or Studio Venture creates a lasting relationship.

What we promise

Transparent terms before any work begins — no surprises, no fine print.
A signed written agreement for every engagement, no matter the size.
Weekly progress updates with demos, not just status emails.
Clean, maintainable code with documentation your team can actually use.
Honest feedback — if we think your project is not ready, we will tell you.
Fair exit terms — if things are not working, either side can walk away cleanly.

What we do not promise

Revenue or growth guarantees — we build great products, but markets are unpredictable.
That every idea will work — some hypotheses do not survive contact with reality.
That we will accept every project — we are selective to maintain quality.
Unlimited revisions — scope is defined upfront, changes are handled through change orders.
That our equity/revenue share terms are negotiable to zero — partnership requires shared commitment.

Common questions

Can I switch models mid-project?

In some cases, yes. If a Cash project reveals a bigger opportunity, we can discuss converting to a Hybrid structure. We will always put new terms in writing before changing anything.

What happens if the project fails?

For Cash engagements, you have paid for the work and own everything regardless. For Hybrid, your equity or revenue share obligation ends per the agreement terms. For Studio Ventures, we share the loss — that is the nature of partnership.

Do you take on competing projects?

No. For Hybrid and Studio Venture engagements, we include a non-compete clause for the specific market segment. We will never build a direct competitor to your product.

How do you value equity?

We base equity on the fair market value of our contribution (hours, expertise, opportunity cost) relative to the total value of the venture. We use standard startup valuation methods and always explain our reasoning.

What if I want to buy out your equity later?

Every agreement includes a buyout clause with a clear formula. We want to make it possible for you to buy us out if and when it makes sense — we are not trying to hold equity hostage.

Do you require exclusivity?

No. You are free to work with other agencies or freelancers on other aspects of your business. We only ask for exclusivity on the specific product scope we are building together.

Ready to discuss which model fits?

Book a 30-minute call. We will walk through your project, recommend a deal structure, and give you a clear next step — no commitment required.

Book a call Submit a venture intake

Have a market gap you want us to evaluate?