Business Plan
The Problem
Many startups and mid‑market companies in Chicago struggle with traditional web‑development shops that bill by the hour, usually ending up with scope creep and missed deadlines.
The Solution
Kurocado Studio offers a Creative‑SaaS engagement model that eliminates these pain points. Every project begins with a paid Discovery phase that produces a general‑contractor pricing model: the amount quoted in the estimate is the amount you pay—no hidden fees, no surprises.
Pillar | How It Works | Client Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Agile Discovery + PRD/RFC Gate | Paid discovery produces a fixed‑scope PRD or RFC before any coding begins. | Up‑front budget certainty and a kill‑switch if priorities change. |
20 % Contingency Buffer | Contingency is baked into every estimate rather than added later. | No surprise invoices and maintained delivery velocity. |
Open‑Source Freemium Assets | Public design system, style guide, and Auth SDK are shared freely. | Immediate value, full transparency, and faster onboarding. |
Target Market
Startup Founders in Chicago
Startup founders in Chicago are entrepreneurs launching new ventures across various industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance. The city boasts a vibrant startup ecosystem with incubators like 1871 and mHUB, fostering innovation and collaboration.
Why They Would Reach Out to Us
MVP Development Accelerating time-to-market with efficient project management.
Custom Solutions Crafting unique software to differentiate in competitive markets.
User-Centric Design Developing intuitive interfaces to enhance user engagement.
Interactive Prototypes Creating prototypes for user testing and presentations.
Small Business Owners in Chicago
Chicago's small business owners operate in sectors like retail, hospitality, and professional services. They are keen on enhancing their digital presence to attract local customers and compete effectively.
Why They Would Reach Out to Us
Website Creation Delivering projects on time to boost online visibility.
E-commerce Setup Streamlining the launch of online sales channels.
Maintenance and Updates Providing ongoing support to keep websites current.
Web and Marketing Agency Recruiters in Chicago
Web and marketing agency recruiters focus on sourcing talent for creative and technical roles. They often need software solutions to enhance recruitment efficiency and manage candidate pipelines.
Why They Would Reach Out to Us
UI/UX Improvements Enhancing tools with structured project phases.
Specialized Projects Managing niche projects from planning to delivery.
Third-Party Integrations Seamless integration with platforms like LinkedIn.
Staff Augmentation Seamlessly integrating additional resources.
Technical Managers in Chicago
Technical managers oversee development teams in Chicago's tech firms and corporate IT departments. They may require external partners to supplement their teams or execute specialized projects.
Why They Would Reach Out to Us
Staff Augmentation Seamlessly integrating additional resources.
Specialized Projects Managing niche projects from planning to delivery.
Complete Outsourcing Overseeing entire projects to meet goals.
Legacy System Modernization Updating systems with modern front ends.
Business & Revenue Model
After the Discovery phase, we issue a line‑item, fixed‑bid proposal that includes both labor and material costs, plus a built‑in contingency for the unknowns. Payments are released in milestone draws tied to clearly defined acceptance criteria, so clients never pre‑pay for unfinished work and we never exceed the agreed total.
If priorities shift, a formal change‑order protocol produces a mini‑estimate that must be approved before any new scope begins. Post‑launch, clients can opt into flat‑rate care plans that cover maintenance and support under a defined service‑level agreement, replacing unpredictable retainers with predictable operating expense.
Competitive Advantages
Freemium Model with Open-Source Offerings
Value-Added Benefits
Demonstrates Expertise: Clients and developers can directly assess our coding standards, development practices, and commitment to quality through our open-source projects.
Adds Immediate Value: Offering functional tools and resources at no cost provides tangible value, encouraging clients to engage with us for more customized solutions.
Enhances Transparency: Open-sourcing our projects allows clients to understand our methodologies and the quality of work they can expect, fostering trust and long-term relationships.
Fosters Community Engagement: Sharing our work encourages community involvement and positions us as active contributors to the industry's growth, enhancing our reputation and network.
Attracts Collaboration Opportunities: Being involved in the open-source community can lead to strategic partnerships and collaborations that benefit both our clients and the broader developer ecosystem.
Using GitHub Enterprise with Advanced Security
We prioritize the security and integrity of our clients' projects by leveraging GitHub Enterprise with Advanced Security features.
Code Hosted on GitHub Enterprise:
We host all our code on GitHub Enterprise, the industry's leading platform for professional software development.
Purpose: To ensure that our development process is secure, efficient, and compliant with the highest industry standards.
Advanced Security Features:
We utilize GitHub Enterprise Advanced Security, which provides:
Automated Code Scanning: Identifies vulnerabilities in code before deployment.
Secret Scanning: Detects accidental commits of sensitive information like API keys.
Dependency Review: Alerts us to security issues in third-party libraries.
Purpose: To proactively manage security risks throughout the development lifecycle.
Benefit: Clients gain peace of mind knowing their projects are developed with robust security measures, reducing the risk of breaches and compliance issues.
Strategic Outcomes
For clients, the result is faster time‑to‑market, iron‑clad budget predictability, and differentiated digital experiences that align with business goals.
For Kurocado Studio, the model delivers sustainable margins, a living portfolio that doubles as a sales asset, and a scalable platform that can evolve into a standalone SaaS offering or full‑service agency as demand grows.