7 Design Tool Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: November 1st, 2023

Develop A Design Tool

Here are some real life success stories of starting a design tool:

1. TruTech Tools, LTD ($22.5M/year)

Bill Spohn, the founder of TruTech Tools, had a background in the HVAC/R industry and recognized the pain points that technicians faced in finding and purchasing tools and test instruments. Along with his business partner, Jim Bergmann, they envisioned creating a one-stop-shop for these products. They started the business in 2007 and have since experienced significant growth, with projected sales of $16 million in 2020 and recognition on the Inc 5000 list multiple times.

How much they make: $22.5M/year
How much did it cost to start: $19.7K
Current team size: 20

How We Started A $1M/Month Business Selling HVAC And Energy Auditing Tools

TruTech Tools, LTD is one of the largest online stores in the niche market of tools and test instruments for HVAC/R Technicians, with $16 million in sales in 2020 and 20% YoY growth thanks to a focus on providing an exceptional customer experience and staying true to their core values.

About

Bill started TruTech Tools, LTD almost 17 years ago

Revenue

Bill grew the business to $1.88M/month

Costs

It cost Bill $19685 to start the business

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Read by 8,631 founders

2. OrgPad ($12K/year)

Vít Kalisz, co-founder and CEO of OrgPad, had the idea for the universal digital whiteboard tool after visiting his university teacher in Switzerland, where he convinced him to leave Google and start OrgPad together. The idea had actually been forming since the early 1980s with the work of Czech mathematician Zdeněk Hedrlín, and Vít was determined to bring his ideas to life. Through self-funding and building a strong community, OrgPad has grown rapidly and now helps over 17,000 people with their studies and work.

How much they make: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 0

We Built A Digital Whiteboard Tool Used By Over 17K People

OrgPad is a web-based digital whiteboard that helps over 17,000 people with their studies and work, with a strong community built around the product leading to rapid revenue growth and profitability.

About

Vít started OrgPad over 5 years ago

Revenue

Vít grew the business to $1K/month

Costs

It cost Vít $10000 to start the business

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Read by 3,601 founders

Learn more about starting a design tool:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a design tool?
-> Pros and cons of a design tool

Need inspiration?

-> Examples of established design tool
-> Marketing ideas for a design tool

Other resources

4. Sketch

Sketch is a design toolkit built to help you create your best work — from your earliest ideas, through to final artwork.

Where they're located: Stockton, California, USA
Website traffic: 1.27M/month

5. Planner 5D

Design your dream home effortlessly and have fun. An advanced and easy-to-use 2D/3D home design tool - Planner5D

Where they're located: La Cautiva, Córdoba, Argentina
Website traffic: 1.56M/month

6. TruTech Tools, LTD

How much they make: $22.5M/year
Where they're located: Mogadore, Ohio, USA
How much did it cost to start: $19.7K
Current team size: 20