Build partnership
Have an idea worth proving?
Motebo occasionally partners with businesses and founders to build a proof of concept or early MVP at no development cost. We select projects where we believe our engineering can create something valuable, and where there is a realistic path to taking it further.
You bring the problem. We build the first proof.
Proof of concept
"Can this technically work?"
A focused build that answers the hardest technical question in your idea, in weeks rather than months. This is what we most often build for free.
- An AI assistant or document search over your own data
- An OCR or document-processing pipeline
- A payment or third-party API integration
- A computer-vision or automation workflow
- A new architecture for a system you're planning to replace
Early MVP
"Can people actually use this?"
A first usable version that real people can try: the core workflow, sign-in, and enough of the product to learn from. This is considerably more work, so we take on selected early-stage MVPs only — usually after a proof of concept has shown the idea holds.
If the proof works and you want to take it further, we discuss the next stage together and scope it properly — the same way we would any other engagement.
What we look for
A real problem
Something a business or its customers genuinely struggle with today — not a feature in search of a use.
A fit for our engineering
Cloud, AI, healthcare, financial workflows, enterprise systems — the areas where our experience changes the outcome.
A path forward
A realistic route to a funded next stage if the proof works: a business behind it, a customer waiting, or a founder with a plan.
Someone to work with
A person on your side who can answer questions, supply data and test what we build. A proof needs a partner, not just a brief.
How it works, honestly
We're putting our own engineering time at risk because we believe in the opportunity. These are the terms that make that sustainable.
- We select projects. Applying doesn't guarantee a build, and we say no more often than yes.
- The free scope is agreed in writing before we start — a defined proof, not open-ended development.
- Cloud, API and third-party costs are not necessarily covered; we tell you what they'll be upfront.
- Ownership of what we build is agreed explicitly at the start. There are no surprises later.
- Anything beyond the agreed proof — including the MVP after a POC — is scoped and quoted separately.
- This is engineering, not funding. We don't invest money, take equity by default, or make introductions to investors.
- Sensitive data (patient, financial, personal) is handled under POPIA from day one, or not at all.
Tell us about the problem
What's the problem, who has it, what have you tried, and what would a working proof change? We read every application and reply within one business day.
Submit your idea