What it means
Equity means owning part of a business. In a partnership, you give Pulseni a share of the company that owns the product. In return, Pulseni puts in the design and development, replacing all or part of the usual fee.
To be clear about what it isn't: it's not a cash investment, it's not help raising money, and it's not free development for any idea. We take on a small number of partnerships, and only where we both believe in the business.
What we look for
- A recurring problem that a clear group of people needs solved, often.
- A buyer you can name. Who pays, and roughly how much.
- Evidence of demand, not just enthusiasm.
- Your commitment to selling the product and running the business.
- Access to early users who'll try it and tell you the truth.
What counts as evidence
| Weaker signs | Stronger signs |
|---|---|
| Friends and colleagues say it's a great idea | People describe the problem to you without being prompted |
| Likes and comments online | People already spend money or hours on a workaround |
| "I'd probably use that" | People agree to a paid trial or commit to buy |
Who brings what
- You: the industry knowledge, the first customers, and selling and running the business.
- Pulseni: product design, building the software, launching it and improving it.
How we decide
- Tell us about it. The problem, who has it and the evidence so far.
- A call. We talk it through and ask the hard questions.
- Look at the business case together. Customers, price and what it takes to build and run.
- Agree it in writing. Ownership, responsibilities, costs, how decisions are made and what happens if someone steps back. We recommend you take independent legal advice.
Every partnership is different, so there's no standard percentage. Running costs, such as hosting and app store fees, and how they're shared are agreed with everything else before work starts.
If it isn't a fit
We'll tell you why, and what evidence would change our mind. You can also commission the build for a fixed price and keep full ownership. For more background, read building software for a share of the business.