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Outside The Box

Venture studio

Software companies, built with founders and on our own.

We take software ideas through to launch. Three software ventures are active today, each started at the idea or pre-seed stage.

The model

The venture studio is where we build software companies rather than websites for them. There are two ways in. In a co-build partnership a founder brings the idea and the domain expertise, we bring the product team, and together we take the concept from a sketch to paying customers. In an internal venture we spot the gap ourselves and build the product with the same process and standards.

Either way the product has design, engineering, strategy, operations and marketing from the start, and the founder does not have to hire for them.

We work at a reduced rate in exchange for equity. Our incentives line up with the founder from day one, because we are only paid properly when the product works.

Three ventures, all built inside the studio

Lemon Golf website

Lemon Golf

Golf course management software we designed, built and run as our own company.

Venture studio

What we bring

Each of these is in place from the first week.

  • Product design

    Research, wireframes and finished interfaces for a product people can use without being taught.

  • Engineering

    Architecture and code that hold up as the product and its user base grow.

  • Go-to-market

    Positioning, messaging and a launch plan that puts the product in front of the right people.

  • Operations and growth

    Analytics, optimization and the operational basics that keep a product growing after launch.

How it goes

  1. 01

    Submit your idea

    Tell us about the concept, the problem it solves and why you are the person to build it. We read every submission.
  2. 02

    Discovery

    If there is a fit we go deeper: the size of the opportunity, technical feasibility and whether we agree on the product and on how to work together.
  3. 03

    Build and launch

    Usually 8 to 12 weeks
    We scope a first version, assemble the team and start building. The aim is to put it in front of users quickly and learn from them.
  4. 04

    Grow together

    After launch we keep measuring and improving the product. As equity partners we stay involved for the long run.

Founders

If you have a software idea and the domain knowledge to back it, tell us about it. Submit your idea

Investors

We are open to conversations about co-investing in a venture or investing in the studio itself. Investor enquiries

Questions

What kind of ideas are you looking for?
Software products, usually SaaS, with clear demand, a path to revenue and a founder who knows the market well. We are not tied to an industry, but the product has to be software.
How does the equity partnership work?
We provide the product team at a reduced rate in exchange for an equity stake. The split depends on the scope of work, the stage of the idea and what each side brings. We negotiate it openly and keep it fair.
Do I need funding to work with you?
Not always. Because the rate is reduced and the rest is equity, the upfront cost is lower than hiring a product team. Some founders self-fund the reduced rate; others have pre-seed capital. We will work out what makes sense for your situation.
How involved will I be in the build?
Very. You are part of product decisions, prioritization and strategy throughout. We do the design and engineering, and you bring what you know about the market.
What stage should the idea be at?
Idea or pre-seed. You do not need a prototype or technical specs. You do need a clear understanding of the problem you are solving and who has it.
How long does it take to launch?
It depends on the product, but a first version usually launches in 8 to 12 weeks. We scope tightly to get a focused product out, then change it based on how people use it.

Have something in mind?

hello@outsidethebox.dev
Write a few lines about the idea, or use the form; we read everything and reply within a few business days.