portotype.com

What it is

A platform that leverages software development agencies and fractional CTOs/CPOs to deliver more value to clients.

problem

There seem to be too many agencies and too few engineers solving problems.

• companies get constantly nagged by development agencies. those are local, from the same country, continent or global.
• companies need build more features, faster, at a reasonable cost.
• it’s hard to commit to an agency given that you don’t know people, you don’t know if you can trust them, if it’s going to work, etc.
• companies also don’t want to manage another supplier.

solution

• use the collaboration methods of open-source to provide turn-key verifiable solutions to IT requests.
• in particular, PRs/ git/ GitHub are uniquely positioned to establish a demo-first culture for PRs. “Show me the result and i’ll pay for it”.
• offer that on a platform where companies can write-up requests, offer limited access to their platform and where agencies can compete to deliver solutions.

approach

• companies have to provide means for builds to be created and tested with the new code.
• the write-ups must be super clear.
• the platform takes a cut, and ultimately arbitrages the payment. the agreement is that both parties submit to the decision if need be.
• platform takes a 10-20% cut.
• fixed prices/ variable contracts.
• there’s an incentive for contracts to become longer, and then for people to be pre-paid instead of post-paid as they accomplish more goals.
• create a trilateral position:
  • business owner
  • provider of build solution (code, PRs, design)
  • verifier/ maintainer of quality (can be BO or Provider or a third entity). Update: this is a fractional CTO/CPO of sorts.