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Originally published: February 2018. Updated: April 2024. You’re scrolling through your phone, desperately searching for an app that solves a nagging problem. Maybe it’s finding a reliable babysitter at the last minute, splitting a restaurant bill with friends seamlessly, or finally organizing your ever-growing to-do list. But every app you find falls short. “There has to be a better way,” you think. That’s the spark of a brilliant app idea! But then reality sets in: how do you turn that spark into a reality, especially when funding feels like a major hurdle? Entrepreneurs take note: Hold on to your fantastic app idea! This comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge and resources to navigate the app funding landscape and turn your app dream into a thriving mobile application.  Before We Dive In: Building a Strong Foundation Two key elements, the minimum viable product (MVP) and business plan, will be your cornerstones for attracting investors and securing the capital to launch your dream app. Before we delve into the various funding options, let’s solidify the foundation of your app’s success. The MVP Advantage Many successful apps started as an MVP. This basic version focuses on core functionalities that solve your target user’s problem. The MVP allows you to test your concept with real users early and often. This valuable feedback helps you refine your app and ensure you’re building something people actually want before sinking a ton of money into development. Business Planning: Craft a Compelling Roadmap Having a solid business plan is crucial for attracting potential investors and securing app funding. It demonstrates your understanding of the market, your competitive advantage, and how you plan to turn your app into a sustainable business. Essential sections include: Executive Summary Market Analysis Competitive Analysis Product Description Marketing & Sales Strategy Management Team Financial Projections Many online resources are specifically designed to help entrepreneurs write business plans. Check out SCORE (https://www.score.org/) or the Small Business Administration (https://www.sba.gov/) for free templates and guidance. App Funding Options for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Having a brilliant app idea is just the first step. Transforming that idea into a reality requires funding. This section will equip you with a clear roadmap to navigate the diverse financing landscape for app development. We’ll explore various options, from bootstrapping with your own resources to attracting external investment. By understanding the pros, cons, and ideal scenarios for each approach, you can make informed decisions to secure the capital needed to launch your app successfully. 1. Bootstrapping: Building Your App on Your Own Terms This is where you use your own resources to fund development. It might involve dipping into your savings, taking on a side hustle, or bartering your skills for services you need. Bootstrapping offers complete control over your business but requires careful budgeting, resourcefulness, and a willingness to wear many hats. Here are some tips for successful bootstrapping: Prioritize ruthlessly. Focus on developing the core functionalities that deliver the most value to users and postpone fancy features for later. Embrace open-source tools. Many free and open-source development tools and libraries are available to help you build your app without breaking the bank. Consider a side hustle. If your budget is tight, a side hustle can provide additional income to accelerate development. 2. Friends & Family: Your First Cheerleaders (and Maybe Investors) Your friends and family can be a fantastic source of early-stage app funding, especially if they believe in your vision. However, it’s crucial to approach them professionally. Communicate your vision and investment goals. Create formal agreements outlining the terms of the investment,  including the amount of funding, repayment terms, and ownership stake. This protects everyone involved and avoids misunderstandings down the road. 3. Crowdfunding Platforms: Unleashing the Power of the Crowd Sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow you to raise capital from a large pool of online contributors. These platforms offer a unique opportunity to gauge market interest in your app before launch and potentially secure app funding from early adopters who are excited about your idea. Here are some key considerations for crowdfunding success: Craft a compelling campaign. Hook potential backers with a captivating video and story that showcases your app’s value proposition and potential impact. Be transparent about how you’ll use the funds raised. Offer enticing rewards. Incentivize backers with tiered rewards that offer early access to the app, exclusive features, or branded merchandise. Be a marketing machine. Use social media, online communities, and relevant blogs to spread the word about your campaign. The more people who know about your app, the higher your chances of reaching your funding goal. Remember: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to app funding. Consider the stage of your idea, your comfort level with risk, and the amount of funding needed when deciding which option is best for you. App Funding: Setting Realistic Expectations Be prepared! Launching a successful startup requires hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck. Unfortunately, many app ideas don’t make it to market. Here’s a reality check: Market Research Is Key Don’t just assume your app idea is brilliant. Conduct thorough market research to understand your target audience, existing competitors, and potential challenges. Focus on Value What unique value proposition does your app offer? Why should users choose yours over the competition? Define Your Target Audience Who are you building this app for? Understanding your target market demographics, needs, and behaviors is crucial for success. Success Rates & Challenges  While success stories abound, it’s important to acknowledge the competitive nature of the app market. Statistics show that only 10% of startups succeed [insert source here (optional)]. This emphasizes the importance of a solid foundation, a well-defined target audience, and a clear understanding of your challenges. Each funding option comes with its own set of challenges: Bootstrapping: Requires financial discipline and may limit the scope and functionality of your initial app. Friends & Family: Potential for strained relationships if things go south. Ensure clear communication and have ironclad legal agreements in place. Crowdfunding: Reaching your funding goal can be difficult and requires effective marketing. Beyond the Basics: Exploring Additional App Funding Options As your app evolves and gains traction, you can explore additional app funding avenues: Angel Investors These are high-net-worth individuals who invest their own money in promising startups. They often provide valuable mentorship alongside funding but expect a significant ownership stake in your company. Venture Capitalists Venture capitalist (VC) firms invest larger sums of money in startups with high growth potential. Securing VC funding is a significant accomplishment but often requires a more developed business plan and a proven track record. App Funding: The Path Forward Each funding option has its pros and cons. Carefully consider your needs and priorities before pursuing a specific type of app funding. By incorporating these actionable tips and realistic expectations, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your app dream into a reality.

Technology is a powerful tool for revolutionizing industries, creating positive change, and building a strong brand purpose. Imagine leveraging technology to amplify your social impact initiatives and connect with a generation of consumers passionate about social responsibility. This article explores how both nonprofits and enterprises can apply tech solutions to create a ripple effect of positive change across various sectors. Bridging the Gap: How Enterprises Can Support Social Impact While technology offers immense potential for social impact, many enterprises struggle to integrate these initiatives into their existing structures. This could be due to a lack of internal expertise in specific technology areas, difficulty finding the right partners, or challenges in measuring the impact of social good programs. Non-profit organizations are at the forefront of social progress, tackling critical issues like hunger and social justice. However, they often lack the resources to fully leverage technology’s transformative power. This creates an opportunity for enterprises to bridge the gap. By partnering with nonprofits, enterprises can offer their technology expertise, resources, and marketing muscle to amplify the impact of social good initiatives. Here’s how enterprises can overcome these challenges: Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with non-profit organizations to identify areas where technology can address their specific needs. Technology Expertise: Offer pro-bono or discounted tech services to nonprofits, helping them overcome resource constraints. Data & Measurement: Develop frameworks to measure the impact of social good initiatives, demonstrating the value proposition to all stakeholders. Tech for Good in Action: Empowering Sectors for Social Impact Technology solutions are transforming the way organizations serve their communities. Let’s explore a few inspiring examples. Healthcare Augmented Reality Apple Vision Pro, while not originally designed for medical applications, is finding innovative uses in the operating room to assist surgeons: Augmented Reality Overlay: The Apple Vision Pro headset can project virtual information onto the surgeon’s field of view. This allows surgeons to see crucial data, like patient scans or surgical instructions, overlaid in the real world without looking away from the patient. Real-Time Data Streaming: The headset can connect to other medical equipment and software, allowing surgeons to access real-time data streams during surgery. This could include vital signs, imaging data, or 3D patient anatomy models. Improved Communication and Collaboration: Surgeons wearing the headset can potentially communicate and collaborate with other medical professionals remotely, allowing for specialist input during surgery even if they’re not physically present in the operating room. AI-Powered Diagnostics AI-powered diagnostics can expedite treatment in underserved areas, while data analysis can optimize resource allocation and disease prevention strategies. Companies like Paige and iSono Health and organizations like Google’s DeepMind are developing AI algorithms to identify early signs of disease in mammograms, X-rays, and other scans, even with limited physician resources. Personalization & Education Innovative solutions can also empower patients to live healthier lives. For example, consider a mobile app like Cancer Exercise, developed by InspiringApps, that helps patients manage chronic conditions through personalization and educational resources.   Social Justice Identifying Bias Our current justice system isn’t imperfect; unconscious bias can creep into sentencing decisions. Machine learning algorithms can analyze historical sentencing data and identify racial or socioeconomic bias patterns in sentencing practices. By highlighting these disparities, these tools can empower policymakers and judges to work towards a fairer justice system. Streamlining Legal Processes Outdated spreadsheets can lead to data inaccuracies and hinder progress. This is a challenge many legal aid organizations face, as showcased in the impactful film, “Forgiving Johnny.” Machine learning can streamline processes by automating document review, legal research, and risk assessment tasks. This can free up lawyers’ time to focus on the more nuanced aspects of their cases, potentially leading to faster resolution times and improved access to justice for all. Nutrition & Food Security Connecting With Resources Many people struggling with food insecurity simply don’t know where to find healthy food resources. User-friendly apps can bridge this gap. These apps leverage geolocation to connect users with local food banks, soup kitchens, and farmers’ markets. Culturally-Conscious Recipes A one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition doesn’t work. Mobile apps can offer recipe suggestions that cater to diverse cultural preferences and dietary restrictions. This ensures everyone has access to recipes they’ll enjoy and easily integrate into their existing food culture. Empowerment Through Education Apps can give users basic nutritional guidance, explaining the importance of balanced meals, healthy food swaps, and meal planning tips.   Environmental Stewardship Real-Time Data Collection Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to protecting our planet. Sensor networks and mobile applications can collect real-time environmental data on factors like air and water quality, deforestation rates, and soil health. This data empowers communities to identify areas of concern and track changes over time, allowing for proactive environmental protection strategies. Empowering Local Action Data is just the first step. Apps and online platforms can translate complex environmental data into actionable insights for communities. Imagine a platform that allows users to visualize pollution levels in their neighborhood or track water usage in their community. Armed with this information, individuals and groups can advocate for environmental policies, promote sustainable practices, and hold local authorities accountable. InspiringApps in Action A great example of how technology empowers environmental stewardship is the work of InspiringApps with our client, the Boulder Watershed Collective. Together, we developed a mobile app called “Take-a-Hike.” This app provides users with detailed trail information, encourages responsible outdoor recreation, and raises awareness. “Take-a-Hike” showcases how technology can enhance outdoor experiences and inspire a sense of environmental responsibility. The Next Big Idea Can Change Humanity Our mission isn’t just about technology; it’s about building a better world and how nonprofits can unlock unprecedented levels of impact when armed with the right tools. The future is not just digital; it’s compassionate, innovative, and, most importantly, inclusive. If you have the next big idea that will change humanity, let’s work together to make it a reality. Additional Resources & Inspiration Tapping Into Human Potential With Technology: Listen to this podcast with pioneer in technology and human transformation, Nichol Bradford. Human Potential Index: Measure how well your products deliver on your mission. TechSoup: Offers donated and discounted technology products to nonprofits. Nonprofit Tech for Good: A resource hub for nonprofit professionals worldwide. Grant Opportunities for Nonprofits Technology: Explore opportunities for nonprofit technology upgrades. IA Commits Case Study: Read the story behind our program for nonprofits, IA Commits.

The Boulder Watershed Collective is a Colorado nonprofit using apps to advance causes. The small nonprofit has a vital cause: as populations grow, climate changes and forests shift, it’s crucial to preserve the watershed. Beyond mitigation and restoration projects, the nonprofit offers education and engagement to empower environmental stewardship and inspire action.  Giving the community a free, immersive, and informative experience, the Take-a-Hike app was an ambitious project. Let’s explore. Innovation Within Reach Innovation in nonprofit experience design is often out of reach for smaller non-profits, but our design solves that challenge. InspiringApps created a cost-effective mobile app in partnership with Boulder Watershed Collective, offering an immersion into the Boulder trails system never before experienced.  Available for both iOS and Android, the free Take-a-Hike app is a trail guide in your pocket. The user experience is deeply mapped to the mission: concentrate on the natural beauty of Boulder’s trails, but learn about reasons to protect them, too. With InspiringApps’ environmental stewardship app design, users can enjoy hikes internet-free while tracking their progress and learning. Collaboration & Impact True innovation comes from shared collaboration and partnership. Technology decisions can be simplified and streamlined into one cohesive process with shared collaboration. Regarding the app design process, Boulder Watershed Collective shared:  “Thank you and the InspiringApps team for working with us on this and making the idea possible. I am not sure we would even have an app or an app of this quality without you and your team’s awesome work and collaboration.” Experiential Design on a Mission Experiential design goes beyond traditional design practices by considering the entire journey and environment in which the experience occurs. It aims to stimulate multiple senses to create a more immersive and impactful experience. Immersive Experience For nonprofits, digital, experiential design can create a strong impact and elicit positive change. By engaging multiple senses, Take-a-Hike offers an immersive experience that supports local climate innovators through novel ways that foster environmental stewardship. In addition to teaching hikers about their diverse environment, the entire experience educates users on the services and management decisions that aid the wetlands, forests, and mountains.  Interactive Features The app’s design has two key interactive features: a map and an audio narration. As it guides hikers to different learning spots along the trail, the app uses GPS mapping and audio playback from the user’s device to create a natural connection with the outdoors. As a result of the design’s innovations, users can visually learn about points of interest along their hike, and geographically triggered audio segments play at those same points of interest automatically.  Informative & Intuitive Visual Elements Visual elements are both informative and intuitive. When users select and begin a hike in the app, they see a map of their hike and the points of interest or stops along the way. As they hike to each stop, a details screen shows hikers where they are in real-time, info about that point, and the distance to the next stop. Customizable Audio Audio elements offer a high degree of control but a minimum interaction requirement to enhance outdoor experiences.  Users can control the audio from their phone’s notifications panel.  They can turn on an audio narration in the background, so there’s no need to interact with their phones during the hike.  When approaching stops, there is audio to help hikers appreciate their surroundings, followed by silence to enable hikers to use that information while taking in bird calls and mountain views. Sustainable Iterations Through Community Engagement Built in a way that makes adding additional hikes a nominal effort, the app has enabled Boulder Watershed Collective to exponentially grow its education and outreach beyond the small staff’s capacity. Partnering within the community, the team continues to add hikes and expand its reach. Educational Reach After initially releasing the Take-a-Hike app developed by InspiringApps, Boulder Watershed Collective received additional grants. One of those was to work with a school in Lafayette to guide a podcast creation experience with students. Students contributed content that has been integrated into the app. In a testimonial from the teacher, she said:  “The Boulder Watershed Collective took on the impossible. They transformed ninth graders with zero experience into podcasters. With endless patience and spectacular curricular materials, these experts led the students from ideation through a finished product. Along the way, they learned how to ask great questions, create mind maps, collaborate, and use podcasting programs. “At the end of the year, many of these students identified their work creating podcasts with the Boulder Watershed Collective as the most important experience of their academic year.” With the added Spanish translation, the app development experience has enhanced not just one set of learners but many who will follow.  Holistic Approach To Cost-Effective Technology Decisions When creating a nonprofit app, it’s important to take a holistic approach, considering different angles and solutions. Nonprofit organizations seek human-centered designs, but just as in the corporate world, there are also technical and cost aspects to consider.  The metrics for nonprofits differ because the end goal is impact, not profit. To create positive change, nonprofit apps use an innovative mix of: Grant or donor funding Technology Education Community engagement According to Brad Weber, CEO of InspiringApps, that cost difference can become the difference between having an app and not having an app—as many nonprofits know too well: “Our client received project bids that were six figures, which the nonprofit could not afford. With some creative app architecture, we were able to deliver an app for a fraction of that cost, which they were able to fund with government grants.”  A holistic approach addresses a user’s relationship with a mobile product and their user journey from start to finish. The challenge to deliver the innovation needed for the product’s success enabled our team’s creative solutions to come alive—and deliver the immersive experience at a cost that made the project possible. To create cost-effective yet innovative solutions, focus on the core features. Instead of building everything from scratch, explore existing tools, APIs, or software development kits (SDKs) that integrate with your app. This approach can save development time and costs while providing the necessary functionality. Creating Uniquely Valuable Impact InspiringApps is driven by the opportunity to design technical solutions for causes that help our community. Building an app can ensure your organization’s core mission is front, back, and center. Keeping costs down and creating an impactful app is within reach.  InspiringApps has built beautiful and engaging apps for not-for-profit organizations. We are dedicated to helping local organizations and not-for-profit clients bring their web and mobile app ideas to life at an affordable cost. Our goal is to support the growth and prosperity of our community.

BOULDER, CO—InspiringApps, a leading innovator in app development, today announced that their CEO, Brad Weber, has been invited to join the elite Fast Company Impact Council. A Leap Forward in Tech Leadership & Digital Innovation The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only collective comprised of the world’s most creative and inventive individuals in the business arena. This prestigious group convenes several times yearly for live events, virtual sessions, and roundtables to discuss pressing challenges and the most promising futuristic opportunities. Innovation & Leadership: InspiringApps on the Forefront “This remarkable recognition illustrates our strong commitment and influence in shaping the future of technological advancements,” remarked Stephanie Mikuls, Marketing Director at InspiringApps. “As a top-tier company, we understand large enterprises’ challenges in bridging the gap between their business objectives and capacity. We are here to be the reliable, innovative partner to fulfill your objectives.” By joining the Impact Council, Weber is slated to be a key contributor to discussions that will help shape the future of various industries. His wisdom and insights will be shared with the other council members on fastcompany.com and in a special edition print issue of Fast Company. The Future of Digital Innovation & Business Growth Brad’s invitation to this prestigious collective signifies his recognized capacity to motivate change, foresee future tech trends, and drive revolutionary business strategies in the digital landscape. Weber brings extensive experience and unique perspectives to this council. Under his leadership, InspiringApps has become a trusted partner to numerous startups and enterprises, helping them drive innovation and turn updated business ideas into reality. “Being invited to join the Fast Company Impact Council is a great honor, and I am excited to work alongside the other members, who are leaders at the forefront of their industries, to bring about positive impacts,” says Weber. About InspiringApps InspiringApps is an app development company with a robust track record of helping companies ideate, innovate, and succeed. Whether helping enterprises fulfill their untapped potential or advising startups on disrupting the market, InspiringApps uses the latest technologies alongside their rich experience to deliver tangible success to clients and stakeholders with a 100% onshore, US-based team. Finish line, every time. It’s the InspiringApps guarantee. Get in touch at hello@InspiringApps.com.

Boulder, CO—A well-executed digital strategy can set industry leaders apart, and culture is the backbone of that. Take it from us at InspiringApps. Beyond the standard “move fast and break things” mantra, we prioritize a finish line, every time guarantee, combined with an ethos of curiosity, which we believe are key to an adaptive and winning digital portfolio. Brad Weber, Founder and CEO at InspiringApps, shares his insights into our culture of leading digital solutions.   Embracing a Shared Vision for the Future InspiringApps aspires to create an inclusive, inventive, and future-proof culture. Every team member knows the value of finishing projects and taking them across the finish line. To foster this culture, we encourage our team members to speak up and be comfortable asking “why” while critically examining requirements. This mindset helps us seek the best user experience and guarantees the highest quality of development. A standout facet of our culture is our commitment to valuing each team member’s unique skills and experiences. This, coupled with the collective intelligence we’ve garnered from building numerous web and mobile apps, forms a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Diversity of knowledge enables us to anticipate and navigate tech challenges holistically, ensuring that our digital solutions are second to none. Curiosity Is Your Business’s Best Ally At InspiringApps, we are ardent believers in pushing boundaries and championing curiosity. We know that asking, “Why?” can often differentiate a satisfactory solution from an exceptional one. This deep dive into understanding opens avenues for transformative solutions that suit your business’s needs. One of our long-term clients, Scott, poignantly noted that we don’t just fulfill requests; we dissect them, aiming to understand context and purpose. Embracing this ethos, our team endeavors to redefine the standards of digital solution development, ensuring our clients receive best-in-class products. Building the Digital Future Together We envision fostering an environment that’s inventive, inclusive, and on the cutting edge of technology. We are proud to create a culture where team members feel encouraged to share and lean into their unique insights. We value diversity of thought and action. We believe these differences bring us closer to curating the best user experience. There’s a shared satisfaction in ushering a project from ideation to completion as we craft solutions that drive business growth. A key part of this process is nurturing the confidence to question, investigate, and redefine in our teams. Because, at heart, we’re in the business of solving problems. Embracing Digital Evolution: The InspiringApps Way At InspiringApps, we believe in keeping curiosity and innovation at the center stage while continuously tailoring our diverse collective experience to exceed client expectations. Our signature approach imbues every project with these values. As we strategize for the future, we remain committed to our mission to provide our clients with exceptional, cutting-edge digital solutions. We are eager to contribute to your journey to excellence in the ever-evolving world of technology. Get the insights you need straight from thought leaders at InspiringApps and beyond. Read the full article on Built In. 

In today’s fast-paced, high-demand digital world, clients expect app development agencies to deliver highly innovative and top-notch solutions—an impossible task without the right people working. Companies that prioritize creating creative workplace cultures are well suited to hire and keep talent that drives productivity, teamwork, and respect.  A company’s culture is critical to its success in the app development industry. This blog post explores how an innovative workplace culture within an app development agency can lead to better solutions and experiences for digital product owners. What is innovative company culture? An innovative company culture is a collaborative environment that encourages out-of-the-box thinking and fosters a spirit of exploration and experimentation. It’s a paradigm that values diversity and inclusion, understanding that unique perspectives are the bedrock of originality and innovation. A supportive company culture: Practices clear communication and mutual respect, creating a space where everyone feels heard and validated. Emphasizes creativity and intellectual curiosity, encouraging employees to challenge norms and create disruptive solutions. Trusts employees, cultivating a landscape where individuals feel safe to express ideas without fear of judgment or ridicule. Shies away from office politics, focusing on collective progress rather than individual agendas. More and more employees are seeking this innovative and empowering company culture. A recent study by Glassdoor found that 77% of job seekers consider company culture before applying for a job, and 56% of employees rank culture as more important than salary. These numbers indicate a shift in the job market, with employees prioritizing personal growth, creativity, and job satisfaction over financial remuneration. This shift changes how companies attract talent and significantly impacts team synergy and client satisfaction. How Company Culture Fuels Innovation Among App Development Employees Consider a high-performing app development team. Behind their success, you’ll often find a vibrant, supportive company culture providing the backbone for their achievements. This culture doesn’t just exist; it actively molds, empowers, and inspires the team in key ways. Employee Longevity & Retention A positive company culture: Fosters employee loyalty. Boosts morale. Reduces turnover rates. Leads to a more dedicated, efficient, and satisfied workforce. This culture is a noteworthy factor in retaining talent and attracting new, competent employees, thereby contributing significantly to an organization’s success and efficiency. At InspiringApps, we prioritize building a workplace culture that inspires creativity and empowers employees to innovate and contribute meaningfully. All these facets of the company culture allow our team to thrive and grow at the company, leading to long tenures. Nearly 40% of our team has worked together for six years or more.  A statement from an InspiringApps team member on our recent anonymous survey illustrates the power of culture to impact retention: “I have never worked with such a talented and supportive group of people. Management is incredibly honest, transparent, and ethical, and if anything, I never want to leave!” Collaboration, Teamwork & Respect Maintaining respect in the workplace and presuming the best of your teammates is essential for any successful company. Errors are usually a result of process problems, not people, and a good company acknowledges that to make room for understanding and learning rather than blame and defensiveness. This approach significantly reduces the negative impacts of office politics on team dynamics, fostering a more supportive and collaborative atmosphere. An environment where each member feels valued, heard, and judgment-free, truly fuels innovation. When people feel safe to think differently, take calculated risks, and push boundaries without fear of retribution, they can contribute to creating innovative products that resonate in the marketplace. InspiringApps values teamwork and collaboration, with employees contributing in good faith and focusing on producing the best work. The absence of politics and the encouragement of mutual respect create a positive atmosphere where everyone’s voice is valued. In another quote from our recent employee survey: “Management finds the best people to hire in every department. Mutual respect is genuine among all team members.” Impact of Positive Company Culture on Clients A vibrant and positive company culture benefits employees and profoundly impacts clients. When employees are motivated and respected and work collaboratively, it translates into their work and service quality. Clients receive exceptional quality products and services, building trust and strengthening relationships. The energy of a positive work environment permeates through every interaction, making clients feel valued and appreciated in a few specific ways. Client Benefits of a Positive, Supportive Culture Good communication with app partners brings clients a significant business advantage. Working with a flexible, positive, and problem-solving-oriented team ensures that client needs are accurately understood, prioritized, and effectively addressed, resulting in tailored solutions that align perfectly with their business goals. This transparent, open, and consistent communication minimizes misunderstandings, reduces project delays, and increases efficiency. It fosters a synergistic relationship in which clients are regularly updated and are part of the decision-making process, thereby nurturing trust and satisfaction. Ultimately, these elements contribute positively to the client’s bottom line, as the more accurately the solution addresses their needs, the greater the return on their investment.  InspiringApps’ style brings these benefits to the forefront. While bringing an outside expert perspective, our honest approach to problem-solving helps propel solutions forward. For example, our client, Fidelity National Financial, commended our collaborative approach: “We appreciate that the InspiringApps team is straightforward and honest. If there’s something we’re doing that doesn’t make sense, or that’s hard, we just have conversations about it. No games, no dancing around it—you just tell us, and we work through it together.” Client Benefits of a Collaborative Culture In many situations, clients who partner with app development companies boasting a robust collaborative culture enjoy amplified project success. Having access to a top-tier talent pool, they are privy to the best and most innovative ideas coming to the fore. This collective talent shares many perspectives, brainstorming ways to approach the project to optimally meet the client’s vision and goals. The collaborative culture ensures that the team is not merely ticking off a task list but engaged in a continuous process of ideation, refinement, and innovation.  At InspiringApps, our culture results in a bespoke solution that encapsulates the client’s unique needs and aspirations, far exceeding a standard, one-size-fits-all product. As a recent InspiringApps client, Good Nutrition Ideas, stated: “Working with the InspiringApps team of designers and developers was an excellent first app experience for us. They were already familiar with accessibility issues in apps and app development, and they continued to learn and deliver on this app directed at people with disabilities. We anticipate working with them again, which is the best recommendation there is!” Supportive Company Culture: A Win for Employees & Clients An innovative workplace culture within an app development agency is vital in creating better solutions and experiences for digital product owners. Creating a supportive work environment emphasizing teamwork, innovation, and respect leads to a highly motivated, engaged, and productive workforce. Moreover, these qualities lay the groundwork for creating a solid foundation for employees’ personal and professional growth, resulting in an overall positive experience both for employees and clients. At InspiringApps, we remain committed to fostering an exceptional workplace culture, driving employee engagement and productivity, and developing innovative solutions. We’re proud that, as a result, we’ve been Certified™ by Great Place to Work®  for three consecutive years. Discover how culture fuels everything we do by viewing our Inspired Employees Make InspiringApps series.

Boulder, CO—Built In today announced that InspiringApps was honored in its 2024 Best Places To Work Awards. Specifically, InspiringApps earned a place on the Best Startups To Work For in Colorado. The annual awards program includes companies of all sizes, from startups to those in the enterprise, and honors remote-first employers and companies in large tech markets across the US.  “We’re thrilled to be honored for the culture and benefits we offer as a remote workforce headquartered in Colorado,” says Brad Weber, InspiringApps CEO. “Being in the company of the other leaders on this list shows the caliber of our team’s talent and culture.” Built In determines the winners of Best Places To Work based on an algorithm using company data about compensation and benefits. To reflect the benefits candidates are searching for more frequently on Built In, the program also weighs criteria like remote and flexible work opportunities, programs for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and other people-first cultural offerings. “I’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2024 Best Places To Work winners,” says Maria Christopoulos Katris. “I am truly inspired by these companies that have risen to the challenge of fostering a positive work environment, maintaining a strong brand, and ensuring employee satisfaction. The future is filled with promise, and we are so excited to see what lies ahead.” About Built In: Built In is creating the largest candidate generation platform for technology professionals globally. Monthly, millions of the industry’s most in-demand professionals visit the site from across the world. They rely on our platform to stay ahead of tech trends and news, learn skills to accelerate their careers, and find opportunities at companies whose values they share. Built In also serves thousands of innovative companies from startups to the Fortune 500. By putting their stories in front of our uniquely engaged audience, we help them reach otherwise hard-to-hire tech professionals. About Built In’s Best Places To Work: Built In’s annual Best Places To Work program honors companies with the best total rewards packages across the US and in the following tech hubs: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC. Best Places to Work is distinct because its algorithm selects tech companies that build their offerings specifically around what tech professionals value in a workplace. Winners are announced in early January 2024.  About InspiringApps: App development that makes an impact. InspiringApps builds digital products that help companies impact their employees, customers, and communities. Yes, we build web, mobile, and custom apps, but what we offer is something above and beyond that. What we offer is inspiration. Our award-winning work has included 200+ apps since the dawn of the iPhone. InspiringApps core values: integrity, respect, commitment, inclusivity, and empathy. Our guarantee: finish line, every time, for every project. Contact: Stephanie MikulsPhone: 303.635.6244Email: stephanie@InspiringApps.comWeb: https://www.inspiringapps.com

In our recent conversation with InspiringApps CEO Brad Weber, we explored the upcoming tech trends shaping the enterprise landscape in 2024, how they’ll impact our clients, and our approach to app development. Let’s dive in!   Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy & Cloud Solutions “I anticipate several trends will impact app design and development in the near future. InspiringApps is at the forefront of helping our clients adapt to the changes that technology inevitably brings.” —BRAD WEBER, INSPIRINGAPPS CEO | BOULDER, COLORADO Artificial Intelligence Trends Artificial intelligence will continue to dominate 2024. We’re excited to help our clients employ thoughtful AI solutions—not just generative AI—to leverage corporate data better and improve user experiences. We can help companies harness the power of AI to effectively analyze vast amounts of data, which allows us to predict potential issues that customers may encounter based on their unique usage patterns. With this knowledge, we can take proactive measures to reach out and provide tailored solutions or offer extra support. That extra step can enhance the overall customer experience and strengthen their connection with a brand. Another example of how AI can help companies create exceptional customer experiences is by automating CRM systems. Artificial intelligence streamlines processes and saves valuable time by simplifying tasks such as data entry, lead scoring, and follow-up reminders. AI will use that data to provide intelligent insights so businesses can better predict which leads are most likely to convert and enable sales teams to focus their efforts more effectively. Embracing AI in customer experience leads to improved efficiency, heightened productivity, and, ultimately, better company outcomes. Data Privacy Trends Data privacy will also be important. Because AI can analyze data quickly and efficiently, it offers smaller or mid-sized companies security and privacy features previously only found in enterprise-level budgets. Added access is a win for startups in the app market, who can build trust more quickly and remain competitive. From a development standpoint, companies can build more privacy safeguards on the server side instead of relying on client-side data to find bugs, breaches, and threats. For instance, rather than relying on client-side reporting, a banking app could leverage the collected data to assess the risk of fraud on a user account or temporarily limit access until the fraud department reaches out. This approach offers greater flexibility for correlating data and dynamically controlling actions, which lets companies provide a more personalized and secure user experience while harnessing the power of AI. Cloud Computing Trends For our cloud solutions, we’re excited about microservices and event-driven architecture. Microservices can make apps more agile and easier to scale by dividing up data handling into smaller, independent parts, each with its own responsibility. If one fails, it won’t take the whole application down with it. Less downtime means happier customers.  Event-driven architecture also has the potential to offer a much smoother user experience because it prioritizes immediate data handling in response to an event rather than prioritizing data loss. When a user makes a request, the event-driven architecture allows the response in real-time or very close to real-time, whereas in the past, the request would return a complete dataset—and that often took some time. The event-driven architecture allows for an on-demand response that scales. These are not brand-new concepts, but they provide companies with the super-power of agility, allowing them to adapt quickly to rapidly changing market conditions and user demands. Advice to Digital Product Owners: Take Action When things are changing so quickly, and generative AI is a good example from 2023, sometimes there is a tendency to wait until the dust settles to take action. “The dust may not settle for a long time, and you can find yourself way behind. Take action, even if it is small. Get into the mix so you can learn and iterate. That will put you in a position to take advantage of new innovations more quickly as they arise.” —BRAD WEBER, INSPIRINGAPPS CEO | BOULDER, COLORADO Being an early adopter means staying ahead of the curve and being at the forefront of innovation. In today’s fast-paced world, technology is constantly evolving and changing. Early adopters stay ahead of their competitors and are better prepared for any future changes or advancements. Also, embracing new technologies and ideas early on helps you gain a competitive advantage in your industry. Early adopters are often seen as leaders and trendsetters, which can attract new customers and clients who want to work with innovative companies. Early adoption also presents an opportunity for learning and growth. By taking action before others, you have the chance to learn from any mistakes or challenges that may arise. This can help you refine your strategies and processes, making you more efficient and effective in the long run. Additionally, being an early adopter allows you to become familiar with new technologies or concepts before they become mainstream, giving you a head start in mastering them. Innovation Beyond the Finish Line “Innovation is key to the future of InspiringApps. We will continue to be curious and help our clients create better products by asking, ‘Why?’ Our team enjoys the variety, and our clients benefit from the work we do and the lessons we learn from that work.” —BRAD WEBER, INSPIRINGAPPS CEO | BOULDER, COLORADO In many ways, designing and building an awesome web and mobile app only gets our clients to the starting line, not the finish line. There is so much more required for a product to be successful. We’re fortunate to have clients of all sizes spanning various industries. It creates a plethora of opportunities for us to employ new techniques and technologies in innovative ways. In 2024 and beyond, we will focus more on long-term product success. We’re bundling marketing services with design and development. We’re supplementing our clients’ own product management capabilities to interpret user feedback and product usage to shape a product roadmap that includes continuous improvement and long-term success.

The future of art and digital creativity is changing rapidly, fuelled by artificial intelligence advances. Generative AI algorithms now enable developers to produce unique works that can deepen customer engagement and yield tremendous potential for business growth. As generative AI becomes more advanced, businesses must consider new copyright concerns to take advantage of the technology while protecting their intellectual property. We also recognize the importance of going beyond the buzzwords and incorporating expertise from leaders at InspiringApps and our partners. In this blog post, we’ll explore insights from the experts on how businesses can confidently navigate these waters and understand what they need to do regarding copyright law to benefit from AI without risking legal challenges. What is generative AI—and how does it impact businesses? Generative AI is no longer just a futuristic concept but a reality set to revolutionize how businesses operate. It is a form of AI that can now quickly generate new content, images, and sounds. Initially, large companies were afraid of generative AI applications like ChatGPT. Today, businesses seek guidance on the business implications of generative AI to understand the technology better and implement best practices within their organizations. The race is on to apply generative AI at scale, with just a few use cases, including:  Greater Personalization: Businesses can leverage generative AI technology to establish deeper customer connections through personalized content. Enhanced Productivity: With AI assistance, employees can simplify tedious and repetitive tasks, freeing up their time for critical and creative tasks.  Content Production: Additionally, generative AI has the potential to transform the creative industry by producing a vast array of original content, from visuals to music. Companies are finding ways to integrate generative AI capabilities into digital products, creating more targeted consumer solutions. But the journey from a spark of technology to full functionality isn’t straightforward. We’ve heard it straight from Brad Weber, InspiringApps CEO: Our job as developers is to embed generative AI into other applications so that consumers benefit from it but don’t necessarily have to know the intricate details about how to work with it. Developers now face the task of harnessing generative AI’s potential and integrating it into business solutions in meaningful yet user-friendly ways. We need to transform the opportunities generative AI presents into a fully functional car. What is the relationship between generative AI and copyright law? Tools such as ChatGPT have great potential for improving our lives. However, if not used correctly, they can also pose significant risks. Brad Weber explains: There are lawsuits from copyright holders who say, “Hang on. Your model is fantastic, but it’s fantastic in part because you trained it on works that I generated—copyrighted works.” While some argue that generative AI can create original content, others contend it can infringe on copyrighted works that may have trained its algorithms. With more artists and authors becoming increasingly litigious over the issue, it begs the question: how can we balance the benefits of generative AI with the need to respect intellectual property? Tim Hayden from Brain+Trust applies a sage metaphor, quoting Willie Nelson’s emphasis on writing your own songs. If we’re going to leverage AI for differentiated messaging, with the brand culture, with a customer-centric operation, then we don’t need to go to a third party and leverage a data set pulled from a bunch of public sources. Corporations must be mindful of the outputs created by these tools and acknowledge any creative works produced by generative AI still fall under the jurisdiction of intellectual property laws. Companies using generative AI must be cautious of how the technology is used to create works that could infringe on existing copyrights. What are some generative AI applications? Generative AI has the potential to yield groundbreaking results. Being mindful of the potential legal pitfalls is just as important as leveraging the innovative capabilities of this advanced technology. Integrating AI Assistants for Tailored Brand Experiences Whether you are about to build a new app, maintain an existing one, or launch an app in the market for the first time, your digital product and brand must connect with customers to foster trust and create personalized experiences to engage them. One of the most exciting and powerful potentials for generative AI is the creation of highly personalized customer experiences. By embracing generative AI on their terms, organizations can develop their brand personas and assistants, setting themselves apart and delivering unparalleled value to their customers. With data being touted as a sacred asset, proprietary trainable models offer unparalleled protection and insight into customer journeys and relationships. Tim Hayden, CEO of Brain+Trust, predicts a surge in company-created brand personas through AI in the next 18 months, providing a personalized touch beyond what traditional apps offer. Harnessing AI to build brand-specific models will shape businesses’ futures. Best Practices for Implementing Generative AI in Your Business The key to generative AI success is understanding that it doesn’t replace human capabilities—it makes humans faster, wiser, and more efficient. Generative AI can assist businesses in scaling more rapidly than ever before. Here are a few best practices to make the most of AI for your business. Use generative AI to differentiate your brand. Creating unique and tailored content helps businesses stay ahead of the competition, providing their audiences with a more personalized and engaging experience. Use it to research and analyze your audience. Generative AI can identify patterns in customer behavior and generate personalized recommendations to increase engagement. Use it to enhance decision-making. AI can analyze large amounts of information, helping to generate data-driven insights and forecasts to inform strategic planning and operational efficiency. Data is key. Leverage your own proprietary data sets to train AI models, ensuring their relevance and accuracy for your specific business needs. Human oversight remains crucial. Don’t rely solely on AI. Combine its capabilities with human judgment and expertise for optimal results. Prioritize transparency and accountability. Understand how AI models reach their conclusions, mitigating potential biases and ensuring ethical usage. Businesses can unlock a wealth of growth and innovation opportunities by strategically embracing generative AI. What is the future of generative AI? Generative AI has undeniably opened Pandora’s Box regarding copyright law, and the complexities are yet to be fully revealed. However, businesses in all industries should look ahead to this new technology with excitement. Generative AI has already proven that it can revolutionize customer experiences. Businesses can create personalized content at an unprecedented rate, with deeper insight into their target customers than ever before. If harnessed correctly, generative AI promises to be incredibly valuable for businesses searching for growth in the long term. The trend is growing fast, and more companies worldwide are beginning to adopt it each day. To stay on top of this trend and ensure that generative AI works for you strategically, let InspiringApps help manage your software development process by viewing our development work today—because the future starts now!

The goal of building an app is to eventually watch it grow in popularity. No business owner has ever said, “I’ll spend money on an app and hope it stays at the bottom of the download chart!”  Scalability is the end game for most apps, but it is more than just building the app and hoping someone downloads it in a crowded app store. Defining scalability—the balancing act between taking an application’s capacity to grow while maintaining its performance—should be top of mind for any organization developing or adapting applications. Dozens of factors complicate scaling. Development teams must consider future-proofing code, responding quickly to scope or requirement changes, and focusing on the people involved: end users, developers, and designers. People-first scaling demands thoughtful strategies on how best resources can efficiently meet customer needs while aiming for superior results. In this blog, our engineers and developers offer insights into the power of people and processes and how they work together to reach scalability goals. What is scalability? Scalability refers to the capability of expanding a system in a focused and strategic manner, allowing it to effectively handle increased traffic and accommodate growing demands. App scalability involves thorough documentation and the accumulation of knowledge right from the outset, ensuring a solid foundation for future growth. When done right, scalability enables you to spend more time solving business vs. technical problems—and saves money in both coding and maintenance. While there may be multiple approaches to achieving scalability, the key lies in carefully selecting one method and remaining consistent throughout the system’s development and evolution. By doing so, organizations can ensure the scalability of their systems and effectively adapt to changing needs and requirements. Considerations for Scalability Clarify Your Goals: Engineering teams need to set crystal-clear goals to achieve scalability. Understand different ways to achieve scalability, including a surge in traffic, orders, sales users, or speed. Map out a timeline and budget for your scaling endeavors, ideally before you begin the project. Build for the Future: Launching a minimum viable product (MVP) is a quick and cost-effective way to get started on a small virtual machine. However, it’s crucial to approach it with a forward-looking perspective. Engineers and developers may need help with the temptation to optimize too soon, so leaving room for future optimization and app growth is vital. Plan for Scope Changes: In a project, it’s not a question of whether the scope changes but when it does. Scaling brings changing requirements in terms of technology and features. It is crucial to acknowledge this from the beginning while building. The key is to ensure extensibility. People-First Scaling Developers and engineers should remember that their creations are not solely meant for fellow developers (although a widely used application will inevitably involve interactions with many developers along the way). It is equally important to consider other stakeholders who will interact with the application, such as designers, stakeholders, and end users. Here are some valuable insights on scaling with a people-first approach. Test Assumptions Don’t rely on untested assumptions about what users want from an app. Users generally desire fast, high-quality, cost-effective solutions, but achieving all three can be challenging. Instead of presuming, ask the right questions. For example, inquire about the importance of loading videos quickly or whether security or speed takes precedence. You can gain valuable insights to guide your decisions by asking these pertinent questions. Delay Decisions Delay decisions as long as possible. Small decisions made over time can compound into something unattainable. This is especially true with end users, particularly in the case of native mobile apps. Users have specific expectations regarding how these apps should operate compared to web apps. While many things may change and evolve, having good, clean code will facilitate these changes. Investing time in writing quality code is always worthwhile. Stay Focused To achieve scalability, developers should decouple components to enable independent functionality, making updates more manageable. When considering mobile scaling, there are three key aspects to focus on: Evaluating how to scale new features effectively. Implementing compartmentalization to enable independent work for future developers joining the project. Developing strategies to ensure updates are tolerable. Respect Your Team You’ll undoubtedly add new team members who bring a fresh perspective to a complex project. However, it’s essential to carefully evaluate recommendations and changes. How one new person does something could lead to developing a bad habit that becomes the norm. To scale an app with your people on top of your mind, it all comes down to respect. You’re all learning from one another, from the developer to the designer to the user who downloads. Focus on building a collaborative environment for everyone to be able to scale together. Establishing a Process To Scale Your App Maintaining and managing a project is crucial for building a solid code base. If you continuously onboard developers to work on an ever-expanding list of features, prioritizing your process becomes paramount. Avoid taking shortcuts and establish a robust foundation for long-term success. Here are a few tips for creating a process that will stick. Defining a Process When working with multiple developers, teams, and leaders, it is crucial to establish transparent processes. Leaders play a vital role in determining the essence of the application, while smaller teams focus on tackling specific feature sets. Frequently, these teams operate in parallel but independently, emphasizing the need for proper staffing and training to ensure consistency and seamless integration. However, avoiding overstaffing is essential, as involving too many individuals can hinder progress. Research suggests that there is a tipping point where additional resources slow down progress in the wrong direction. Documentation Matters To mitigate potential issues, anticipate future questions from your team, establish well-defined tickets, clearly define your workflow and responsibilities, and clarify specific acceptance criteria. Things To Watch Out For Rushed coding can lead to sloppy development and an app vulnerable when scaled. Refactoring or restructuring the code without altering its original functionality may be necessary to address these issues. However, refactoring can pose a significant challenge when it comes to scaling, as it requires keeping the base code of the project intact, even as scope and requirements change. Refactoring can add years of work to the project, especially at the platform level. Secret to Scaling: Value Your People & Process Successful scaling of an application is not solely dependent on technology but equally hinges on the people involved and the processes they follow. People-first scaling, focusing on the suitable composition of teams, well-defined roles, and proper training, is integral to achieving streamlined operations and meeting project goals. Equally important is establishing robust development processes, which guide the production of high-quality code and form the bedrock of a scalable application. Processes ensure an app remains resilient despite changing requirements. Scaling is about balancing the human element with the technical and ensuring that one complements the other.