We're 100% local, with all of our web design, Vue, React & Python / Django work done onshore.
Launch Lab is a highly experienced, and senior, application development company. With offices in Sydney and Canberra we work with startups and companies throughout Australia.
Our experience spans many different industries and organisation types having worked on websites, chatbots, apps, social networks, fintech products, a healthtech product, a real estate platform, infrastructure projects and more for startups, not-for-profits, government, universities and companies.
We've delivered digital projects for large organisations in Australia including Aussie Home Loans, NSW Government and City of Sydney. We also have experience working with not-for-profits and are one of the most experienced startup developers in Australia having worked with more than 20 startups.
Read more about our web development services or scroll down to read our FAQs.
Founders
We're a hands on team with the founders of Launch Lab working directly on all projects.
Shaun Symm, Managing Director
Shaun sold his shares in an advertising agency in 2008 to focus on digital full time. He now assists Launch Lab clients with digital & business strategy, project management, web design and frontend web development.
Shaun has worked with more than 20 startups, Government as well as brands like Telstra, Aussie Home Loans, Nurofen, Microsoft and Nissan.
Shaun holds 2 bachelor degrees (Sports Science and Marketing Management) and has a strong belief in continual learning regularly completing courses in user experience (UX), agile project management, web development, growth hacking and marketing strategy.
David Pretty, CTO
David is a web application and mobile app developer. David has a PhD in Data Science from Australian National University and has developed complex academic solutions through to software for startups and business web applications.
David has vast experience in data science and data visualisation and is an avid follower of web development and digital strategy podcasts.
Some of the technologies David works with include Python / Django, React.js, Vue.js, AWS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we're often asked. Please contact us if you have other questions that aren't answered here.
What does a website or application cost?
We’re often asked this question by smaller companies and startups. Generally we don’t charge by the hour. We work on project fees as the nature of our projects means that they are rarely completed in ‘hours’. The best way to judge the value you’ll receive from working with us is to contact us. If you have a project you’d like to discuss we’d be happy to meet and provide a cost estimate.
What type of websites do you develop?
The majority of the work we do is developing web applications for startups. We've also developed marketing websites with content management systems, chatbots, apps, voice applications (Google Action) and more.
What technologies do you use?
Most of the work we do is application development using React.js (or Vue.js) for frontend development and Python / Django for backend. We host using Amazon Web Services (AWS). You can read more about the technology we use to build startups.
How long does it take to develop a website or application?
Well, it depends. Ok, so that’s not the answer you wanted but keep in mind that all web and app development projects are different. They all have different features and requirements. To give you a better idea here are a few project examples and the usual time frames:
- Landing page (sales page) development for a leading Australian Brand: 1 week. Includes development and testing
- Brochure websites: these are websites where the functionality is simple page navigation and probably a contact form. Essentially a marketing website that doesn’t require user logins. 3 - 4 weeks
- Business websites with CMS: 6 - 8 weeks
- Startups: Startups usually have user logins, payment gateways and other custom features. 10 weeks+
- App development: This really depends on features and whether the app requires a custom cloud backend and whether both iOS and Android apps are required. 12 weeks+
Do you take equity in the startups you work with?
Our preference is to only take equity in a startup if we have a deep understanding of the market (domain experience) and the problem that is being solved. However, we'll break this rule for something exceptional that gets us excited. Our domain experience includes digital marketing, advertising, web development, design, big data, data science and data visualisation.
What is your process?
There’s nothing fancy here, but what you’ll find is we stick to our process closely to deliver projects on time and on budget. That means a collaborative and iterative process that delivers great results. Our process includes:
- Initial project scoping and cost estimate
- Functional specifications and wireframes are written and created
- Web design is done based on approved wireframes
- Web development and server setup is done based on approved functional specification. Our methodology is test driven development, where budget allows, ensuring a smoother UAT process
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
- Go live
- 30 day bug fixing warranty
- Ongoing management (optional)
Where is the work done?
All the work we do is completed in Australia (mostly in Sydney, Canberra and Perth). We don’t offshore any of our work.
Can you help me find investors for my startup?
We can introduce you to investors that we have relationships with should your concept fit with their investment strategies. We can also assist preparing pitch presentations and pitch training. While not experts we are also knowledgable on Jobs NSW startup Grants and can advise accordingly.