Our Approach
1. Discovery & Requirements
Before traction, clarity matters most. Structured workshops and AI-assisted analysis turn raw ideas into a clear startup product development roadmap.
✓ Define what to build, and what to leave out
✓ Translate ideas into clear, prioritized product requirements (PRD)
✓ Test assumptions with UX and clickable prototypes
✓ Engineering expertise, supported by AI execution
✓ Advise on tech stack and AI decisions to create a stable foundation
2. MVP Development & Early Validation
Your first real product version must do more than exist. It needs to work reliably and generate real user feedback. At this stage, speed matters, but stability matters just as much.
✓ Dedicated development teams for startups
✓ Product management support
✓ Rapid, stable MVP development services
✓ Feedback loops tied to real user behavior
✓ QA and test automation to reduce delivery risk
3. Iteration & Product-Market Fit
As real users start shaping the product, complexity increases. We help startups iterate efficiently with scalable software development and practical technical guidance.
✓ Custom features built on scalable architecture
✓ Backend & API performance improvements
✓ Product iteration guided by real user behavior
✓ Technical debt detection & prioritization
✓ Database & Caching Optimization
4. Growth & Execution Stability
When the product scales, reliability becomes visible to users, investors, and your team. Technical decisions carry greater impact and operational stability becomes critical.
✓ Develop and scale new features
✓ Full code audits and define a clear refactoring roadmap
✓ Stabilize APIs and core system integrations
✓ Optimize database performance and caching layers
✓ Strengthen DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines
✓ Maintain delivery continuity during hiring or team transitions
✓ Prepare infrastructure for investor and due-diligence scrutiny
Marek Wozny
Co-Founder
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does Pharos provide for startups?
Pharos supports startups across the full product lifecycle, from product discovery and MVP development to scaling infrastructure and technical leadership. We provide structured product definition (PRD), UX prototyping, MVP development, new feature development, dedicated engineering teams, DevOps setup, AI feature integration, and CTO-as-a-Service. Our focus is not just writing code, but building scalable software architecture that supports long-term startup growth.
When should a startup bring in a technical partner?
Startups typically benefit from a technical partner in three key moments:
- Pre-seed: defining product scope and MVP architecture
- Post-MVP: managing increasing technical complexity and growing the product with new features.
- Seed or Series A: scaling infrastructure, improving reliability, and preparing for investor scrutiny
Bringing in structured technical leadership early prevents costly rework later.
Can you join an existing startup software project mid-development?
Yes. We frequently step into ongoing projects, whether during discovery, mid-build, post-MVP, or scaling. We conduct architecture reviews, assess technical debt, optimize delivery processes, and can provide fractional CTO oversight when needed, or simply extend the existing team with additional developers. Our team is experienced in inheriting existing codebases without slowing development momentum.
How long does it take to build an MVP for a startup?
Most startup MVPs take between 6 and 8 weeks, depending on scope, feature depth, and technical complexity. We prioritize rapid prototyping and structured delivery, enabling startups to validate ideas quickly while building on a scalable foundation.
How much does MVP development cost for a startup?
MVP development costs vary depending on product scope, complexity, and scalability requirements.
For most startups, a typical MVP ranges between €7,000 and €25,000. Lean MVPs with a focused feature set fall on the lower end, while SaaS platforms requiring integrations, scalable architecture, and DevOps setup sit on the higher end.
During discovery, we help founders define a realistic scope to build an MVP that validates the idea without unnecessary complexity or cost.
Do you provide fractional CTO or technical leadership services?
Yes. We offer CTO-as-a-Service for startups that need senior technical guidance without hiring a full-time executive. This includes system architecture guidance, hiring support, DevOps strategy, AI adoption planning, delivery oversight, and investor-facing technical preparation.
How do you support startups with AI software development?
We help startups integrate AI into real product workflows, including AI-powered features, automation systems, data pipelines, and third-party model integration. Our approach focuses on practical use cases, technical feasibility, and scalable architecture rather than experimental implementation. Beyond building AI features into customer products, we also leverage AI within our own development workflows, where it adds value, helping improve development efficiency, testing processes, and delivery speed.
Can you help scale our SaaS infrastructure and DevOps processes?
Yes. We support scaling startups with:
- Cloud infrastructure setup
- CI/CD implementation
- Monitoring and performance optimization
- Technical debt reduction
Our goal is to ensure your SaaS platform remains stable as user demand grows.
Do you offer flexible pricing or equity-based collaboration models?
Yes. We work with different engagement and pricing models depending on the startup’s stage and needs, and we always aim to select the structure that fits best. In select cases, we also offer flexible collaboration structures, including reduced rates combined with long-term strategic alignment. Our goal is to build sustainable partnerships, not short-term vendor relationships.
