Serge BelovTurn your idea into software that works.
I help startup founders go from concept to working product — prototypes, MVPs, and custom development with clear scope and fixed pricing.
The Problem
You have an idea. Maybe you've validated it with customers, maybe you haven't yet. Either way, you need software built — and you're trying to figure out the right way to start.
You've probably considered a few options. Hiring a full-time developer is expensive and slow when you don't know exactly what you need yet. Agencies charge a lot and you'll talk to a salesperson, not the person writing the code. Offshore freelancers are cheap but you've heard the horror stories.
What you actually need is someone technical who can help you figure out what to build, then build it.
How I Work With Startups
1. Figure out what to build first
Most founders come to me with too much, not too little. A list of 30 features when 3 of them carry all the value. My job is to help you find those 3.
I start most startup engagements with either a Discovery Call or a Prototype — not a full build. A prototype costs a fraction of a full product and tells you what your users actually want before you commit your budget.
Related service: Application Prototypes — from $900
2. Write it down before writing code
The projects that blow up are the ones where nobody wrote down what they were building. I write a technical specification that documents the architecture, features, and scope before a line of code gets written. You approve it. Then we build exactly that.
This protects you from scope creep and protects me from building the wrong thing.
Related service: Technical Specifications — from $500
3. Build it properly
I build MVPs and full applications using TypeScript, React, Next.js, and PostgreSQL. You get working software, clean code, documentation, and a handoff session. You own the code. No licensing, no lock-in.
I work on fixed-scope projects with weekly check-ins, so you always know what you're getting and what it costs.
Related service: Custom Software Development — from $2,500
What Startup Founders Get Wrong
I've seen the same mistakes enough times to list them:
Building before validating. A $900 prototype will tell you more about your market than a $50,000 app that takes six months to ship. Test the idea first.
Trying to build everything at once. Your V1 should do one thing well. Not ten things poorly. The features you skip now can be added in V2 once you have paying users telling you what they need.
Skipping the spec. "Just build it like the mockup" is not a specification. If your developer can't tell you exactly what they're building, how long it will take, and what it will cost — you don't have a project, you have a gamble.
Optimizing for cost over communication. The cheapest developer is rarely the cheapest option. The one who communicates clearly, scopes honestly, and delivers what they said they would — that's the one who saves you money.
A Typical Startup Engagement
Here's what working together usually looks like:
| Step | What Happens | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Call | We talk through your idea, goals, and constraints. I tell you what I'd recommend and whether I'm the right fit. | 1 hour | $300 |
| Prototype | I build a functional prototype you can put in front of real users. | 1–2 weeks | From $900 |
| Technical Spec | I document the architecture, features, data model, and scope for the full build. | 3–5 days | From $500 |
| MVP Build | Full development with weekly check-ins, testing, and deployment. | 4–8 weeks | From $2,500 |
| Post-Launch | Two weeks of support included. Optional monthly retainer after that. | Ongoing | From $500/mo |
You don't have to follow every step. Some founders start with a prototype and stop there. Some skip straight to a spec and build. We figure out the right path for your situation.
From the Blog
Posts for founders thinking about building software:
Ready to Talk?
Describe your idea and where you're at. I'll tell you what I'd recommend — or tell you honestly if I'm not the right person for it.
Pricing starts at $300 for a Discovery Call. No commitment beyond that.