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Tanooki Labs

EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS

Get your first product into people’s hands.

You know the problem you want to solve. We help you choose a useful first version, design it, and build something your customers can try.

Talk about your project

Make the first version count.

Get clear on what matters before you commit to a larger build. You bring the knowledge of your business. We bring the product and technical team.

Choose what comes first

Focus on the experience that makes the product useful.

Test the uncertain parts

Try the assumptions that could change what you build.

Make it tangible

Give customers and collaborators something concrete to react to.

Keep ownership

Understand the decisions and keep the code as the product grows.

THE FOREM

From a pitch deck to a product people could try.

We helped The Forem define its users, workflows, and core product concepts. An interactive prototype supported fundraising and product validation before the work moved into an MVP.

Read The Forem story →

From an idea to a first release.

You work directly with the people shaping and building the product. Each round gives us a clearer next step.

  1. Understand the need

    Start with your customers, their problem, and what you already know.

  2. Shape the first version

    Map the important journeys and decide what can wait.

  3. Build and try it

    Put working software in front of you and your early users.

  4. Learn and improve

    Use what happens to decide what to change or build next.

A useful first product starts with a focused question.

  1. Customer need
  2. First version
  3. User feedback
  4. Next priority

Start with what you have.

You don’t need a finished specification or a technical co-founder to have a useful conversation.

An idea

Work out the first useful version through Sprint Zero.

A prototype or designs

Review what’s working and what still needs to be decided.

An app built with AI

Find the gaps between the prototype and a product people can rely on.

Sprint Zero helps define the build. A Pod gives you a team to keep moving.

See how Pods work →

Let’s work out your first version.

Tell us about your idea, what you’ve tried, and where you need help.