Ajay and Vrushank were colleagues at a software firm where they identified a widespread need for reusable UI Kits and Admin Panels for apps and platforms.

Creating a UI for each project was time-consuming and repetitive, so they built a solution.

We were both working at a software company and realized that, while most products required a backend admin panel, there weren't many solutions available. — Ajay Patel.

Ajay and his team always begin with market research. They attend the latest design conferences, engage with the community, and maintain a feedback loop to stay ahead of the curve.

The development process takes an average of 6 to 12 months to build each product, ensuring that design and code quality are maintained. They do not outsource the work to ensure the highest quality standards.

Snapshot of themeselection.com landing page from 2014

ThemeSelection focuses on SEO to maximize organic traffic for our products. They use Semrush and Ubersuggest to determine the keywords and publish helpful, informative blog posts to attract traffic and establish a customer base.

In addition, they publish content on developer and designer-oriented communities and platforms to boost brand recognition.

Finally, they engage communities on Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Discord, Dribbble, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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An example of Themeselection active social media engagement

DevSignal started out of necessity. When my co-founder Sergio and I were trying to build our previous startup, we realized how expensive and difficult it was to hire top talent. We both grew up outside the US, so we reached out to our networks back home but soon discovered the challenges of finding and vetting engineers remotely, plus the complexity of managing country-specific compliance and global payroll. We were always engaged in startups communities in LA and realized most founders had the same issue. They were building fast and needed to ship even faster - but constantly struggling to hire strong engineers. Either they couldn’t afford top talent locally, or they’d waste weeks interviewing developers who looked good on paper but couldn’t keep up with startup demands.

We looked at the the other nearshore hiring platforms and realized most of them either threw resumes at you or weren’t built with startups in mind. No one was vetting for real-world problem-solving, speed, or adaptability-the stuff that actually matters in a startup. Or as we put it someone that has drive as big as the chaos of a startup. Not a single one of them had a personal touch, they all seemed transactional.

We built connections in regions we found great talent in, and got creative with our vetting process to allow us to assess technical skills, communication, cultural and startup fit. Once we had a couple of engineers we would trust for our own startup, we began manually matching a few of them with founders we already knew. To show faith in our vetting process we offered to pay for the first week as a trial period. Which is something we take pride in and do till today. That turned into our first few customers. From there, we built out our team and processes to keep the same personal touch at scale.

Compared to past ideas, this one had real pull from the market. Founders were hiring fast, and coming back for more hires. That was the validation. We built the solution we wanted so it felt like we were solving a painful problem, not convincing people to care.

Most of our early growth came from building real relationships and delivering when it mattered. We took PG’s “do things that don’t scale” to heart. Every founder we worked with had our number. They’d text or call anytime they needed something. We’ve since moved to shared Slack channels, but that same responsiveness still defines us

By staying close to our customers, we kept iterating on the experience until founders genuinely loved the process. That set the stage for our two biggest growth engines—referrals and word of mouth. In tight startup circles, news travels fast, especially when something works

From there, we leaned into it. We launched referral programs for founders, angel investors, and venture studios. We also continued partnering with startup communities and VCs to give their portfolios access to vetted talent.

Once we had our first few wins, we doubled down on helping our customers grow—then asked if they could introduce us to others. One founder led to five. One venture partner led to an entire portfolio. And we partnered with startup communities and VCs to give their portfolios access to vetted talent.

Twitter helped a lot too. Showing up daily, sharing the journey, being transparent—that created trust and opened a ton of doors

We also set aggressive goals. One of them was landing a “whale” every month. Took longer than we thought, but after months of conversations, we signed a deal with one of the biggest AI labs in SF to help them hire 500+ engineers across many tech stacks.

Along the way, we realized some founders needed more than just engineers. They wanted full solutions - teams that could own product delivery end to end. Instead of turning that business down, we partnered with trusted PMs and fractional CTOs to offer full-service development when it made sense. That flexibility let us grow with our customers and capture opportunities others would have passed on and unlock a new customer segment

My advice for founders would be to treat growth like an experiment. You won’t know what works until you try it. The key is to have a bias for action. Test, learn, and double down on what clicks. Your network is one of your most valuable assets. If you don’t have one, start building it now, online or in person. It compounds fast

The idea for Intch came during a time of massive change in the job market. After COVID, WFH untethered people from offices. Many moved to new places or even countries, realizing they didn’t need to live near expensive urban centers just for work. As an expat in the U.S., I felt this shift personally when I was trying to hire people for my projects. It wasn’t easy, and most of the time, I was relying on old classmates or distant connections to find the right people.

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At the same time, the job market was undergoing a major transformation. By December 2023, 22 million Americans were already switching to part-time work, the highest mobility levels in two decades. Big companies were making headlines with layoffs, and the old model of endless hiring and company loyalty was fading fast. At the same time, SMBs were feeling the pressure even more. They couldn’t afford to hire large full-time teams, so they started turning to part-time superprofessionals to fill the gaps efficiently.

Seeing these trends, I realized there was a huge opportunity to connect professionals and businesses in a way that fit the new reality of work. That’s how Intch was born. Our platform makes these connections simple, smart, and effective for everyone involved.

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We started building Intch by looking at how people network and what they need most from it. Offline networking works because it’s built on trust and fun (think about how every great event has a party!). But online platforms? They often miss the mark when it comes to creating that same vibe of trust and enjoyment. We also found that people network for three main reasons: finding clients, hiring talent, or expanding their circle. Expats stood out as the most active networkers, likely because they need extra support when adapting to new environments. To build trust, we made verification a key feature, requiring users to confirm their identity with small payments. This helped us create a high-quality, trustworthy community.

The first version of Intch was a web platform launched during the pandemic, when people wanted to connect with like-minded peers while staying at home. But as the world moved on, priorities shifted. Networking became more about solving specific problems, like finding the right talent or closing a deal. We realized a mobile app would better fit with users’ busy lives, so we focused on making the platform easy to use and goal-oriented.

Our biggest breakthrough was the matching algorithm. Instead of just helping people find who they already know, we designed it to suggest who they should meet next based on their current goals. It looks at users’ current experience and future interests to make smart, meaningful connections. This approach turned networking into a tool that drives real results, helping people and businesses achieve their goals in today’s fast-changing work environment.

Our growth has been directly tied to strategic part-time hiring and an agile approach when testing hypotheses. When funding became tight, we had to make the most of our limited resources. We shifted to hyper-focused hypothesis testing, making sure we didn’t spend more than 1-2 weeks on validation. This allowed us to quickly abandon low-performing tactics and double down on strategies that showed immediate, tangible results.

Our business stands out because of our hyper-focused approach to growth, driven by strategic part-time hiring and rapid hypothesis testing. When funding was tight, we shifted to validating ideas in 1-2 weeks, quickly abandoning underperforming tactics and doubling down on those with immediate, tangible results. This agile strategy allowed us to optimize resources and achieve 70x growth in just 10 months.

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What sets us apart is how we deeply listen to user needs and pivot accordingly. Initially a general networking platform, we noticed users gravitating toward specific goals like hiring and sales. By rapidly testing ad sprints on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, we validated which features users were willing to pay for and focused exclusively on delivering those. This data-driven adaptability made us highly effective at addressing real problems, not just assumptions.

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The game-changer was our strategic use of part-time hiring through our own platform. We brought in experts for niche tasks, like B2C Instagram acquisition, instead of relying on generalists, allowing us to scale smarter and faster. By combining the right talent with precise problem-solving, we created a business that’s both lean and impactful, delivering real value where it matters most.

Starting as teenage online marketplace sellers, Pavlos Deloore and Tijl Steeman faced logistical chaos when expanding beyond Belgium and the Netherlands. Realizing the absence of all-in-one solutions, they created Meezy, now earning over $150,000 monthly and helping other sellers conquer European markets.

Frustrated by traditional deal platforms taking up to 50% cut without contributing much, 22-year-old Jasper Cyan launched Deal Quokka, a streamlined marketplace offering over 20 million digital resources for entrepreneurs, making $15,000 in sales within the first 36 hours.

The development of Deal Quokka began with Jasper Cyan building a foundational version while managing setbacks with developers at Plasfy. The site was created on WordPress using the Elementor Page Builder, which Jasper favored for its simplicity and visual design capabilities. Over two to three weeks, he dedicated 14-hour workdays to develop a comprehensive platform that initially featured hundreds of digital products and resources he had previously created. To expand the offering, he licensed additional content from other vendors through lump-sum agreements, enabling the platform to provide a wide range of resources without incurring ongoing usage fees. This rigorous self-involved process allowed Jasper to maintain control over the creation and ensure the platform aligned precisely with his vision, although it required intense labor and learning to bring it to life.

Existing Customer Base and Upsell Strategy

Deal Quokka leveraged Jasper Cyan’s existing customer base from his design software company, Plasfy, to grow its audience. By integrating banners in Plasfy, the business was able to guide existing users naturally towards Deal Quokka. This strategy worked because it targeted an audience already familiar with the concept of deals and digital resources, creating a seamless user transition between the two platforms. The approach effectively capitalized on the trust and familiarity that users had developed with Jasper's previous products, thus reducing the acquisition cost and effort.

Why it worked: This strategy resonated due to the synergy between Plasfy and Deal Quokka's offerings and audience. Users who benefited from Plasfy's design tools were likely to find value in the diverse resources Deal Quokka offered, enhancing cross-platform appeal. Additionally, the non-intrusive nature of the upsell banners ensured a customer-friendly experience, thereby maintaining user engagement and interest without being pushy.

Word-of-Mouth and Community Engagement

Deal Quokka cultivated growth through fostering a strong community around its products. Jasper focused on building personal connections with users by infusing his presence throughout the platform, from personalized thank-you notes to direct interaction via Facebook groups. Moreover, the company launched a customer video testimonial campaign, offering cash prizes to participants who shared their experiences.

Why it worked: The personal connection and community-driven approach built a sense of loyalty and trust among users. When customers feel a brand is approachable and genuinely invested in their satisfaction, they're more likely to become repeat buyers and even advocates for the brand. The video testimonials added authenticity and relatability to the marketing, showcasing real user satisfaction that potential customers could trust.

Early Backer Exclusivity

During its launch, Deal Quokka offered a limited-time “Founders Platinum VIP” membership to its existing customer base. This exclusive early access not only provided a sense of urgency and scarcity but also turned early adopters into brand advocates. The cap on available spots, driven by practical limitations associated with licensing agreements, further enhanced the perceived exclusivity.

Why it worked: Exclusivity creates a compelling offer that leverages the psychological triggers of scarcity and urgency. It persuades potential customers to act quickly rather than procrastinate. The success of this initiative was evident in the swift selling out of the initial spots, validating the platform's value proposition and creating a core group of enthusiastic supporters who contributed to ongoing word-of-mouth promotion.

While working in strategy and finance for major e-commerce companies, Elena Volkova realized her outfit choices impacted her confidence and success. Frustrated by the lack of effective personal styling solutions, she launched Style DNA, now boasting 300K active users and $3 million in annual revenue.

Evgeny Unegovsky, leveraging his extensive background in MarTech and IT, co-founded Subscrible with Igor Diev after noticing his child's frustration with ads in mobile games, leading to their ad-free gaming catalog app that already boasts over 15,000 users.

The development of Subscrible began with creating a landing page that described the concept and offered a subscription option, followed by running Facebook Ads to gauge interest. The high CTR of over 5% and more than 50 user subscriptions indicated a strong market demand. The initial prototype was primarily focused on verifying the possibility of disabling ads in games using a two-step app process: capturing user info and verifying user transfer. The development involved using Flutter and Dart for building natively compiled applications from a single codebase, enabling faster development and cost savings. The process was challenging, especially in convincing stakeholders of the feasibility of the SDK and integrating it with existing systems without the need for game developers to make significant changes.

Networking at Gaming Conferences

Subscrible actively participated in gaming conferences like the Israel Mobile Summit, the Nordic Game Conference, and the WN Conference in Belgrade and Abu Dhabi. These events allowed them to network directly with game developers and explain the benefits of their platform in person. This approach helped establish valuable relationships and increased visibility among potential partners and clients.

Why it worked: Direct interactions at conferences foster trust and provide immediate feedback from industry professionals. By engaging with developers face-to-face, Subscrible could effectively communicate its unique selling proposition and build rapport, which is often more impactful than digital communication alone.

LinkedIn and Webinars

Subscrible utilized LinkedIn for connecting with developers and hosted regular webinars that attracted over 50 participants. These webinars shared insights into monetization and retention strategies without intrusive ads, adding value for developers and building a community around Subscrible.

Why it worked: LinkedIn and webinars are effective for B2B communication, allowing businesses to reach a professional audience with targeted content. Hosting webinars provided an interactive platform to engage developers, showcase expertise, and position Subscrible as thought leaders in the gaming industry.

Partnerships with Game Developers

By creating a mutually beneficial platform, Subscrible spread user acquisition costs across multiple game developers. Developers gained access to an audience that valued their time without intrusive ads, enhancing player engagement and reducing costs.

Why it worked: Partnerships with developers leveraged the shared interests of both parties to create a seamless gaming experience. This collaborative approach not only lowered advertising costs but also increased game engagement, benefiting both developers and gamers financially and experientially.

After moving to the U.S., Taha's father started sewing leather items to make ends meet. In 2017, they opened an Etsy shop selling personalized leather keychains, which quickly grew to a $100k/mo business.

Ronen Lee Wolf, Founder of Senditures, discovered his entrepreneurial path after quitting his job and dropping out of college. Unfulfilled in traditional roles, he mastered eCommerce during his tenure at a beauty company, implementing a multi-channel selling strategy that doubled revenue and ultimately inspired him to launch Senditures, now on track to hit $2 million in 2024.

While experimenting with "semi-legal" music production software during his business studies, Adrian Wood posted his beats online just for fun. When artists started buying his beats, he revolutionized the beat-selling industry by introducing non-exclusive licenses and PayPal "buy now" buttons, pioneering digital music licensing; in 2024, his company grossed $2.1 million.

Initially, Anno Domini Nation was built with just a $20 SoundClick subscription, where Adrian Wood used HTML to transform his profile into a store with purchase buttons and upgrade options. This DIY approach allowed him to quickly set up a beat licensing business by customizing his artist page. To create the beats, he used digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Magix Music Maker, Reason, and later, FL Studio. The first version of his product required a few hours for basic setup, followed by a week of HTML learning and adjustments, reflecting a rapid and resourceful development process. While the initial website was quick to build, the challenge lay in mastering these tools and platforms to create an effective and appealing business model that stood out in the emerging online beat market.

Email Marketing

Anno Domini Nation has found significant success through building a robust email list. They use various strategies to attract new subscribers, such as offering free tagged mp3 demos and free artist marketing training in exchange for joining their email list. These leads are nurtured through a long-term email sequence that builds trust and ultimately leads to high conversion rates.

Why it worked: The strategy works because it provides real value upfront, attracting pre-qualified leads genuinely interested in the products. A well-maintained email list allows for direct communication with potential customers and supports ongoing engagement, making it easier to pitch new offers and products.

Facebook Ads

The business has effectively utilized Facebook Ads to attract new leads and drive sales, noting a strong return on investment in their campaigns. Despite challenges such as changes in Apple's privacy settings, the introduction of new Campaign+ settings has reinvigorated their advertising success on the platform.

Why it worked: Facebook Ads work well for Anno Domini Nation due to the precise targeting options available, allowing them to reach their specific audience effectively. The platform enables them to showcase their offerings directly to musicians and artists, generating interest and sales.

YouTube and Social Media Channels

Anno Domini Nation also leverages YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for traffic and lead generation. They share music content with embedded purchase links that direct users to their platform. Their public Facebook Group further helps in capturing new leads by collecting email addresses upon joining.

Why it worked: Social media platforms provide a massive pool of potential customers. By sharing engaging content, Anno Domini Nation capitalizes on the inherent virality of social media, which helps them reach wider audiences at no extra cost. Interactive posts and videos not only entertain but also draw organic traffic to their site.

SMS and WhatsApp Marketing

The company capitalizes on the high open rates of SMS and WhatsApp messages by collecting phone numbers in exchange for additional incentives like free beats. This method enhances their communication channels beyond email and maintains high engagement with customers.

Why it worked: Text messaging boasts impressive open and response rates, making it an effective tool for direct and immediate communication. By using SMS and WhatsApp, Anno Domini Nation can provide timely updates, promotions, and offers, ensuring that their messages are seen and acted upon promptly by users.

Dima Okhrimchuk, a passionate gamer, saw an opportunity after an MBA at UC Berkeley and co-founding a CS:GO organization in 2020. Pivoting from managing pro gamers, he launched Drope.me, an AI-enabled influencer marketing platform, which has since facilitated over 170 campaigns and paid out $50K to micro-influencers.