Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to build an MVP?
   Most Chicago engagements last 10–16 weeks. The exact timeline depends on feature complexity, third-party integrations, and compliance needs. We begin with a detailed scope workshop and produce a sprint-by-sprint Gantt chart so you—and your investors—know exactly what will be delivered and when. If priorities shift mid-project, our agile process lets us re-sequence features without derailing the overall schedule.
2. What budget should we plan for our MVP?
   Budgets vary widely, but most of our MVPs fall between $60 k and $200 k USD. Costs are driven by feature depth, platform count (web, iOS, Android), and regulatory requirements. We offer three commercial models—fixed-scope, capped T&M, and dedicated squads—so you can select the risk-reward profile that aligns with your runway. Detailed cost breakdowns, payment milestones, and burn-rate forecasts are provided before any code is written.
3. Can you assist with investor presentations?
   Absolutely. Our product strategists and solution architects create architecture diagrams, product roadmaps, and traction dashboards that plug directly into your deck. We also conduct “demo-day rehearsals,” stress-testing your pitch from a technical due-diligence perspective so you can confidently field questions from VCs, angels, or accelerators like Techstars Chicago.
4. Do you integrate with in-house teams?
   Yes. Roughly 40 % of our Chicago projects involve hybrid teams where Cabot engineers pair with a client’s internal developers, designers, or data scientists. We share repositories, participate in your daily stand-ups, and conform to your preferred tools (Jira, Azure DevOps, GitHub, etc.). Knowledge-transfer sessions ensure your staff can take full ownership post-launch if desired.
5. How is my intellectual property protected?
   All engagements are governed by stringent NDAs and Master Service Agreements that assign 100 % IP ownership to you upon final payment. Source code resides in private, client-controlled repositories with role-based access. Cabot is ISO-27001 certified; we enforce secure-coding standards, conduct quarterly internal audits, and offer optional third-party penetration testing to validate security postures.