Most vendors disappear after demo day.
We've done enough cold starts to know what actually gets a two-sided platform past zero. A vendor delivers a product. A partner is accountable for whether it works.
See the engagement models ↓What changes when it's a partnership
Three ways to work together beyond a standard contract
Embedded team
Who it suits
You have a product vision and need a full-stack squad without managing five separate vendors.
What we do
Engineering, design and go-to-market embedded into your team for the duration. One point of contact, one squad, weekly demos.
Commercial terms
Fixed-scope or rolling monthly. Rates on request.
Build + equity
Who it suits
You have validated demand but limited runway. You're willing to exchange equity for a lower burn rate.
What we do
We build the platform at a reduced rate in exchange for a small equity stake. The split depends on scope and stage.
Commercial terms
Equity 2–8% depending on scope. Minimum engagement 4 months.
Technical co-founder function
Who it suits
You're a non-technical founder who needs someone to own the tech – not just execute it.
What we do
We act as your technical co-founder: architecture, vendor selection, team hiring, code review and build.
Commercial terms
Retainer + equity. Structure defined per engagement.
Who this isn't for
- Founders who already have a team and need extra capacity
- Projects that aren't two-sided – single-player apps, internal tools, pure SaaS
- Founders who need a yes-man rather than someone who will push back on the spec
- Timelines under 6 weeks – not enough time to do this properly
The part you shouldn't have to manage
You own the market, the customers and the calls only you can make. Everything between an idea and a running platform is ours.
A team deep enough not to be your bottleneck
Fifteen people, and the ones on your project aren't split across six others. Backend, product and go-to-market sit in one room – so the platform and the admin tooling get built in parallel, not one after the other while you wait.
We've made these calls with our own money
We fund Yachtly ourselves: pricing model, which side to seed first, which features to cut. That's why we argue about your business model instead of just implementing it. A studio that has never owned the downside will build whatever you ask for.
You don't need to know what to ask for
Architecture, stack, trade-offs, what breaks at scale, when to hire in-house – ours to get right. You bring the market and the decisions only you can make. Nobody hands you a repo and a good-luck email.
Apply to work with us
We review every application. If there's a fit we'll reach out within 48 hours.