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Expert

GW

Gregg Weiss App Entrepreneur, start up coach, investor.

Boulder, CO

Founded Blue Whale Apps, an app development company and built over 100+ apps over 10 years for all types of categories, companies and entrepreneurs. Employed 25+ developers, designers and project managers.

$4.17/min

(8)

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12

Calls

4

Reviews

Fundraising

Startup Consulting

Product Strategy

iOS Development

Tech startups and entrepreneurship

Mobile Apps

Business Strategy

Mobile applications

App Development

Pitch Development

Member since May 2015

Areas of Expertise

GW

$4.17/min per minute
(8)

I Can Advise You on App Development UI/UX and Requirements Gathering, Cost LOE

Gregg Weiss • Boulder, CO
Created 10 years ago in Product & Design / Product Management

I ran a successful app development company Blue Whale Apps for 10 years until I sold it 2 years ago. My firm has assisted entrepreneurs and startups in a lean startup, agile model to develop apps. I can help with product definition, UI/UX, 1.0 MVP features, estimating and scoping.

Gregg Weiss Boulder, CO

(8)

Reviews 4
Answers 7

KD

Gregg was very insightful about getting started in the custom mobile app development business. He was able to confirm a lot of my initial thoughts and concerns about starting this business. Together we came to a conclusion about how I should move forward. All in all, a great opportunity to speak with someone who really knows the business. Thanks Gregg!

Source: Clarity Kevin Dhimitri Aug 8, 2019

ST

Great call, He understood our needs for the stage we were in and delivered valuable direction and insight that will save us quite a bit of time.

Source: Clarity Sean Thomas Jun 18, 2018

RM

Great advice on how I should develop a relationship with my first client – will def be calling again

Source: Clarity Ricardo Morales May 24, 2017

JT

Great insight into the app world. Will definitely engage again!

Source: Clarity Jared Tobman Mar 22, 2016

Fundraising

Startup Consulting

Product Strategy

iOS Development

Tech startups and entrepreneurship

Mobile Apps

Business Strategy

Mobile applications

App Development

Pitch Development

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Clarity

Gregg Weiss

Boulder, CO

Founded Blue Whale Apps, an app development company and built over 100+ apps over 10 years for all types of categories, companies and entrepreneurs. Employed 25+ developers, designers and project managers.

$4.17/min

12

12 Calls

4

4 Reviews

33 minutes
Avg. call

Fundraising Startup Consulting Product Strategy iOS Development Tech startups and entrepreneurship Mobile Apps Business Strategy Mobile applications App Development Pitch Development

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I Can Advise You on App Development UI/UX and Requirements Gathering, Cost LOE

I ran a successful app development company Blue Whale Apps for 10 years until I sold it 2 years ago. My firm has assisted entrepreneurs and startups in a lean startup, agile model to develop apps. I can help with product definition, UI/UX, 1.0 MVP features, estimating and scoping.

Answers 7
Reviews 4

Answers

Gregg Weiss answered

I have a great app idea, and I need help bringing it to life.

This is a great question and one that I get asked at least once a week from entrepreneurs who want to build an app. I have a few quick words of advice:

1. You don't need a buisness plan, but a well though pitch deck is key. Guy Kawasaki has a great pitch deck plan: http://guykawasaki.com/the-only-10-slides-you-need-in-your-pitch/

2. Whether you are an novice or an expert, put your idea to paper. This can be in the form of user stories, bullet point features, hand drawn mock ups, screen shots from other apps - basically something to communicate to a developer what your idea is all about.

3. You need to spend some money to raise money. It doesnt have to be $100,000, but if you are serious about your idea and working with an app firm, be prepared to spend at least $5K to hire a team to flush out your concept and work with a UI/UX designer so that you can then present your idea to an investor. It is well worth it. My company has done this successfully for many start ups who then go on to secure a seed round of funding.

4. Your idea is not great. Everyone has "great" ideas. Its the execution of the idea, how thought through your idea is, who you end up choosing to work with to bring your idea to fruition.

5. Build an MVP to prove your assumptions and that your "great" idea has market value and you can gain users or customers. Dont focus on being everywhere at launch, focus on 1 platform (iPhone) and build it native. Pivot when you need to, be ready to abandon everything if you can't prove it. Read the "Lean Startup" before you do anything else.

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Start-ups

Mobile applications

Software Development

Gregg Weiss answered

What is the right time to try to raise funding if you are developing an app that will be capital intensive to go to Market with?

I've been running an app development company for the last 6 years and come across this question frequently.
"Proven" means you have put your MVP out there, spent a little bit on advertising and marketing (I'd go with Facebook Ads to start) and can "prove" there is market. In other words, your metrics can support a demand for your product - people respond to the ad, download the app and you can show app retention/growth. I would not rely on app store reviews and ratings as proof as those can easily be fabricated. However, real app metrics that you get from analytics and Flurry have meaning as they are based on data.
You dont need critical mass to show your concept is marketable and there is an audience, but you do need to take it to market first.
IMO, the only entrepreneurs who can secure funding based on a pitch deck without an MVP are ones that have a track record of starting and exiting other successful companies. Good luck!

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Dating

Mobile applications

Marketing Strategy

Gregg Weiss answered

We just launched our mobile app (social/fitness). What should our server requirements be to maximize performance when we move out of Beta?

I've been running a mobile app development company for the last 6 years. We've found the most reliable option is AWS (Amazon). Its got lots of options for scalability, load balancing, server alerts etc.
It really all depends how quickly you scale, even when you get out of BETA, you may still be fine for a short while.
However, if you are planning to do a large advertising/marketing push, I would make sure you are on Amazon before doing so.

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Mobile applications

Mobile Technology

Mobile Devices

Gregg Weiss answered

What is better for your startup - native or hybrid app development?

I've been running an app development company for the last 6 years. Its good that you are even aware of the difference because many people don't. Going native is always best for performance reasons (there's lots written about that so I wont go into the pros/cons) and access to core OS APIs. For a startup, there is no reason for the need to be on Android and iOS at launch, which is typically the main argument for going hybrid (one code base, both platforms, lower cost etc).

I would say go native, minimal MVP for your startup and iterate on the features once you have a decent number of users on your app. This way you are building a quality product from the start.

If I have a better idea of your app and what your trying to accomplish I may be able to assist further. Good luck!

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Entrepreneurship

Startups

Mobile applications

Gregg Weiss answered

Can someone guide me about how to start an app business, especially that I have some ideas.

I've ran a mobile app development company for the last 6 years. My team has developed many apps for entrepreneurs and startups, I am frequently asked this question.

First understand that startups are 10% idea and 80% execution. With limited budget and/or time, I would suggest to do your best to define the requirements of your app idea, mock up the screens to best of your ability (see: basamiq.com or mockingbot.com).

Next, after your idea is minimally defined, bounce it off of as many people (that are not friends or family, they are biased) as you can to determine if your solution to your perceived problem works.

In terms of getting investors, start working on a 10-12 pitch deck. See Guy Kawasaki's template: http://guykawasaki.com/the-only-10-slides-you-need-in-your-pitch/

Good luck!

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Mobile applications

Gregg Weiss answered

How should I hire an app developer?

Hard to define a budget or timeframe without knowing the scope of the project.
It might be better to invest in a contractor UI/UX designer to create screens that will bring your app idea to life visually. Then you can use these wire frames to communicate your idea to a development company or a contractor to get budget and time frame.

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Mobile applications

App Development

iPhone Application Development

Gregg Weiss answered

How do we find a person or company to monetize our App?

Hard to give specific advice without knowing what the app is. If you’re interested in going down the sales route I can assist as I have sold several apps and developed 100s for clients.
On the revenue side, I am assuming your already tried a freemium model with in app purchase as well as ad supported? Do you capture users email address? Are you utilizing push notifications properly? How many DAUs?

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Mobile Apps

Mobile applications

Reviews

Gregg was very insightful about getting started in the custom mobile app development business. He was able to confirm a lot of my initial thoughts and concerns about starting this business. Together we came to a conclusion about how I should move forward. All in all, a great opportunity to speak with someone who really knows the business. Thanks Gregg!

Kevin Dhimitri Source: Clarity

Great call, He understood our needs for the stage we were in and delivered valuable direction and insight that will save us quite a bit of time.

Sean Thomas Source: Clarity

Great advice on how I should develop a relationship with my first client – will def be calling again

Ricardo Morales Source: Clarity

Great insight into the app world. Will definitely engage again!

Jared Tobman Source: Clarity

Member since May 2015