How Much Does Your First App Release Cost?
Your first release:
$10K to define it.
$10K to define it.
Up to $40K to build it.
Up to $40K to build it.
That’s not a teaser before a quote — it’s the structure. A fixed $10K workshop to work out exactly what to build, then a first release capped at $40K. You decide at every stage whether to continue. The price is on the page because we think you should know it before you talk to anyone.
That’s not a teaser before a quote — it’s the structure. A fixed $10K workshop to work out exactly what to build, then a first release capped at $40K. You decide at every stage whether to continue. The price is on the page because we think you should know it before you talk to anyone.
Starts with a working session — applications reviewed personally.
Starts with a working session — applications reviewed personally.
WHAT IT COSTS
WHAT IT COSTS
$10,000
fixed
The facilitated workshop
A single engagement: map the problem, surface what needs to be true, build a proof of concept you can put in front of real people. Fixed at kickoff — not an estimate.
$40,000
the cap
Your first working release
The first production software, built only if the evidence from real people says it’s worth it. Paid in milestones as work ships — not upfront.
$10,000
fixed
The facilitated workshop
A single engagement: map the problem, surface what needs to be true, build a proof of concept you can put in front of real people. Fixed at kickoff — not an estimate.
$40,000
the cap
Your first working release
The first production software, built only if the evidence from real people says it’s worth it. Paid in milestones as work ships — not upfront.
Those are the only two paid commitments on the way to a working product. Not an estimate — a structure. And between them, you can stop at any point having spent $10K to find out the truth. Most agencies would call that a failed project. We call it a cheap answer.
The usual alternative is an open-ended estimate that firms up after you’re committed. We’d rather cap it and let the work prove itself.
Those are the only two paid commitments on the way to a working product. Not an estimate — a structure. And between them, you can stop at any point having spent $10K to find out the truth. Most agencies would call that a failed project. We call it a cheap answer.
The usual alternative is an open-ended estimate that firms up after you’re committed. We’d rather cap it and let the work prove itself.
A DIFFERENT WAY IN
A DIFFERENT WAY IN
01
A facilitated workshop
$10K, fixed
We map the problem you’ve lived and build a working proof of concept you can put in front of real people.
01
A facilitated workshop
$10K, fixed
We map the problem you’ve lived and build a working proof of concept you can put in front of real people.
YOU DECIDE
02
You test it in the real world
No fees. Your legwork.
We equip you to find out what’s true. Nothing is invoiced while you do.
02
You test it in the real world
No fees. Your legwork.
We equip you to find out what’s true. Nothing is invoiced while you do.
YOU DECIDE
03
Build the first release
Up to $40K, capped
Only if the evidence says it’s worth building. Paid in stages as work ships.
03
Build the first release
Up to $40K, capped
Only if the evidence says it’s worth building. Paid in stages as work ships.
YOU DECIDE
04
Then decide again
You’re never locked in
Continue, adjust, or stop — your call at every stage.
04
Then decide again
You’re never locked in
Continue, adjust, or stop — your call at every stage.
01
A facilitated workshop
$10K, fixed
We map the problem you’ve lived and build a working proof of concept you can put in front of real people.
YOU DECIDE
02
You test it in the real world
No fees. Your legwork.
We equip you to find out what’s true. Nothing is invoiced while you do.
YOU DECIDE
03
Build the first release
Up to $40K, capped
Only if the evidence says it’s worth building. Paid in stages as work ships.
YOU DECIDE
04
Then decide again
You’re never locked in
Continue, adjust, or stop — your call at every stage.
WHY FOUNDERS COME TO US
WHY FOUNDERS COME TO US
You’ve watched an industry problem cost people time and money — and you know why it happens.
You’ve imagined the software that would fix it. More than once. For a while now.
You haven’t started, because you don’t know where to start — or what it would cost to get it wrong.
You’ve watched an industry problem cost people time and money — and you know why it happens.
You’ve imagined the software that would fix it. More than once. For a while now.
You haven’t started, because you don’t know where to start — or what it would cost to get it wrong.
BUILT THIS WAY
BUILT THIS WAY
INKEDIN
Booking software for the creative industry.
First release shipped comfortably inside the cap.
INKEDIN
Booking software for the creative industry.
First release shipped comfortably inside the cap.
Two capped commitments. One unpaid stage that’s entirely yours. You decide at every step.
Starts with a working session — applications reviewed personally.
Two capped commitments. One unpaid stage that’s entirely yours. You decide at every step.
Starts with a working session — applications reviewed personally.
IS THIS FOR YOU?
IS THIS FOR YOU?
FITS:
You’ve lived the problem yourself — this isn’t a trend you spotted.
You could fund the workshop now, and the build if the evidence supports it.
You’d rather spend $10K learning the truth than $200K learning it the hard way.
DOESN’T FIT:
You want to hand over a cheque and receive an app.
You need the whole journey quoted before anything is learned.
You’re looking for the cheapest possible build.
FITS:
You’ve lived the problem yourself — this isn’t a trend you spotted.
You could fund the workshop now, and the build if the evidence supports it.
You’d rather spend $10K learning the truth than $200K learning it the hard way.
DOESN’T FIT:
You want to hand over a cheque and receive an app.
You need the whole journey quoted before anything is learned.
You’re looking for the cheapest possible build.
THE NEXT STEP
THE NEXT STEP
The price was
the easy part.
The price was
the easy part.
Whether it’s the right build is the real question — and that’s what the workshop answers. One conversation, no pitch. If your product genuinely needs more than the cap allows, we’ll tell you before a dollar of build money moves.
Whether it’s the right build is the real question — and that’s what the workshop answers. One conversation, no pitch. If your product genuinely needs more than the cap allows, we’ll tell you before a dollar of build money moves.
Starts with a working session — applications reviewed personally.
Starts with a working session — applications reviewed personally.
Pilot Light is a Brisbane product studio. Workshop sessions run in person or remote.
Pilot Light is a Brisbane product studio. Workshop sessions run in person or remote.