Software that survives real-world use.
Most software projects don't fail because of bad developers. They fail because of poor scoping, changing requirements, and vendors who disappear after launch.
- 20+ years · 900+ apps delivered
- $9.6B+ revenue generated for clients
- 72 awards · ISO 27001 certified
- 328M+ app downloads in portfolio
Trusted by category leaders to build and scale their products
Every Product Journey Is Different. Where Does Yours Start?
The right advice depends on your stage. Select the one that sounds most like your situation — we'll show you exactly what we'd do and why.
600+ products shipped · Discovery before every build · Fixed scope, fixed price
You have an idea. You need to know what to build first — and what it will actually cost.
This is where most of our best engagements begin. You have a clear problem software can solve — but you're not sure what to build first, how long it takes, or what it will cost without a proper conversation.
Our Discovery Workshop — a structured 2–3 day engagement — defines exactly what is being built before a single line of code is written. It replaces the guesswork that causes most cost overruns.
What we do at this stage
- Structured discovery before any development commitment
- Fixed-scope MVP — you know exactly what you're paying for
- Wireframes and user journey maps before development starts
- Milestone-based payments — pay only as each phase is approved
- Architecture designed to scale, not just to demo
"The MVP exceeded expectations — EB Pearls' quality work allowed us to secure funding to continue the project." Gerhard Stander, Founder, Caroo App
You have something live. You need to make it better, faster, or bigger.
You've shipped something — to early users, internally, or at an MVP stage — and now the real engineering work begins. Features need adding, performance needs improving, and the codebase needs to support actual growth.
We come in as a full product team: engineering, QA, and product management. 2-week sprint cycles with weekly demos — you always know what's shipped and what's next.
What we do at this stage:
- Full code audit before we write a single new feature
- Agile delivery — 2-week sprints, weekly demos
- Performance benchmarking and load testing included
- UX review to identify friction in current user flows
- Dedicated team — not rotated contractors
"Since launch, the app has had over 7,000 downloads, with around 6,000 users completing signup in the first 6 weeks." Giuseppe Saffioti, Co-Founder, Intro Dating App
Your product is working. The infrastructure is the problem.
Growth is the best problem to have — until your architecture wasn't designed for it. Slow response times, increasing bug rates, a codebase that takes weeks to onboard a new engineer: these are the symptoms we fix at scale.
We work alongside your existing team or lead the rebuild ourselves. Our engineers have shipped software used by millions of Australians — AGL, Vodafone, NSW Health, CoverMore.
What we do at this stage:
- Architecture review: identify what breaks at 10x current load
- AWS cost and performance audit — typical 30–40% cost reduction
- DevOps pipeline setup: CI/CD, automated testing, deployment automation
- Database performance and query optimisation
- Senior engineer augmentation — embedded in your team
"Extremely impressed with EB Pearls' technical skill and ability to adapt. High attention to detail — a wonderful experience." Sarah Scaife, Product Owner, BAXTA
Complex systems. Compliance requirements. Real organisational stakes.
Enterprise software is different. Stakeholder management, legacy system integration, data governance, procurement — these are as important as the code. We've navigated all of it with NSW Health, AGL, and Vodafone.
ISO 27001 certification isn't a badge for us — it means your data is handled under a formally audited security management system. Required by every government, healthcare, and financial services client we work with.
What we do at this stage:
- ISO 27001 certified — formally audited, not self-declared
- Australian data sovereignty — no third-country transmission unless specified
- Detailed SOW and SLA before engagement begins
- Dedicated project manager and account director
- Formal UAT processes and sign-off at every milestone
"Approachable and accommodating to our exact needs. Very professional, always on track, always delivers to our expectations." Roberto Peresa, Founder, Aguzzo Group
Most Software Projects Fail Because Of Poor Scoping, Not Poor Developers.
The industry has a structural problem. Vendors underquote to win work, skip discovery to start billing sooner, and disappear when things go wrong after launch. The result is projects that go over budget, get abandoned mid-build, or are quietly shelved six months after going live.
EB Pearls' Built to Last™ framework was built specifically to address this. Every engagement starts with a paid Discovery Workshop. No development begins until scope is locked, architecture is agreed, and timelines are fixed.
Vendors who underquote to win work
A low initial quote wins the contract. Then scope variations arrive mid-build — each one reasonable in isolation, devastating in aggregate. The final invoice bears no resemblance to what was agreed.
Skipping discovery to start billing
Development that starts before scope is agreed generates technical debt from day one. The architecture wasn't designed for what the product became. The rebuild cost exceeds the original build cost.
Vendors who disappear post-launch
Launch is where most agencies stop caring. No documentation, no handover, no monitoring setup. The client is left with a system nobody can maintain.
Architecture built for demos, not production
Software built to impress in a demo fails under real usage. A cheap build that needs a rebuild at 2x the cost isn't cheaper — it's more expensive.
Most Apps Are Built To Launch.
Ours Are Built To Last™.
After 600+ builds, the problems that surface six months post-launch almost always trace back to decisions — or skipped decisions — made in the first two weeks. Four pillars. Every EB Pearls project. No exceptions.
Scope Integrity
No surprises at invoice time—guaranteed.
- Discovery Workshop before any development begins — always
- Fixed scope document agreed and signed before first sprint
- Variations require written approval before work starts
- Milestone payments tied to delivered, approved software — not time
Production Architecture
Built for real users, not demo day.
- Architecture designed for 10x current load from day one
- No proprietary frameworks — your code works without us
- Security controls designed in, not bolted on after launch
- Automated testing suite built alongside the product
Quality Before Launch
QA is a phase, not a sprint footnote.
- Dedicated QA phase — 2–3 weeks before any launch
- Functional, load, and security testing on every project
- User Acceptance Testing with formal client sign-off
- All bugs tracked and resolved before go-live — no "fix after launch"
Post-Launch Accountability
- 30-day post-launch support included as standard
- Monitoring and alerting configured before first user arrives
- Full handover documentation — your team can maintain it
- Ongoing support retainers available for continuous development
You can enter at any stage. Whether you're starting from scratch, scaling a live product, or rescuing a stalled build — Built to Last™ gives you a clear path that doesn't require a rebuild six months later.
The First Conversation Costs You Nothing.
Transparent pricing — from $40K MVP to $600K+ enterprise.
We publish our real pricing ranges — by product type and complexity — on our dedicated pricing page. No "it depends" until you've sat through three meetings. See actual numbers based on 600+ projects.
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MVP from $40K · 10–16 weeks
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SaaS platform from $80K · 16–28 weeks
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Enterprise from $200K · scoped after discovery
From First Conversation To Live Product.
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Free Discovery Session — validate before you commit Week 1 · Free
A 30-minute conversation with a senior product strategist. We understand your situation, assess feasibility, and give you a realistic cost and timeline range. No commitment. NDA signed first. -
Discovery Workshop — define exactly what is being built Weeks 2–4 · Paid workshop
A structured 2–3 day engagement: user personas, feature prioritisation, user flow maps, architecture decisions, integration requirements, compliance considerations. Replaces the vague proposals that cause 80% of cost overruns. -
UX/UI Design — see it before we build it Weeks 3–6
High-fidelity interactive prototypes so you experience the product before development begins. Surfaces problems when they cost nothing to fix. Client sign-off required before a line of code is written. -
Agile Build — transparent, milestone-driven development 2-week sprint cycles
2-week sprints with a demo at the end of each. You see real software working, not status updates. Milestone payments tied to approved deliveries. Slack access and weekly written updates as standard. -
QA & Testing — find problems before your users do Pre-launch · 2–3 weeks
Dedicated QA phase — not squeezed into the last sprint. Functional testing, load testing, security scanning, and user acceptance testing before any launch. Every bug tracked and resolved before sign-off. -
Launch & Post-Launch Support — accountability that doesn't end at go-live Ongoing
30-day post-launch support included as standard. After that: maintenance retainers, ongoing development sprints, or a formal handover if you want to take it in-house. You choose what fits. - Book a Free Discovery Session
The Real Reasons Software Projects Go Wrong In Production
These aren't technical problems. They're business problems with a technical cause. After 600+ builds, we've seen every failure pattern — and we know how to prevent each one.
Scope agreed in a one-page proposal
A one-page proposal cannot define a complex software product. What gets written down is the vendor's interpretation of what you described in a 30-minute call. The gaps are where overruns live.
Underquoting to win the work
A deliberately low quote wins the contract. Mid-project variations arrive — each individually reasonable, collectively devastating. The final invoice is 40–80% above what was agreed.
Architecture that can't survive real users
Software built to pass a demo fails under real usage patterns. Users behave unexpectedly. Load spikes. Edge cases surface. A $60k build that requires a $120k rebuild six months later isn't a bargain.
QA skipped or rushed to meet deadline
No handover document, no monitoring
Security as an afterthought risk
Security controls added post-build rarely work as well as security from the start. A data breach post-launch is a regulatory and commercial problem.
Average cost of rescuing a software project abandoned mid-build or rebuilt post-launch
This is the bill teams pay when development starts without a locked scope, architecture without a production standard, and a vendor who stops answering calls. Every client we've rescued says the same thing: "We wish we'd had this conversation first."
The reasons that
actually matter
Discovery before build — always, without exception
You own everything — code, IP, documentation
The team you meet is the team that builds
ISO 27001 — formally audited, not self-declared
20 years of production delivery in Australia
Honest about what won't work — including us
We didn't add AI to our process. We rebuilt around it.
Faster Prototyping
AI Features, Built-In
Automated Quality Assurance
Leaner Team, Same Output
Real products. Real outcomes.
Built to last — not just to ship.
SPG: Cutting emergency response time to seconds with real-time technology
We built SPG’s response system with live coordination tools and instant alerts. The result: improved operational accuracy, and faster, more reliable outcomes when it matters most.
Explore SPG Story
WUNA: Secure digital identity control, reimagined for trust and simplicity.
We built WUNA’s identity platform to give users full control over their digital credentials. The result: stronger security, seamless verification, and a frictionless way to access services.
Explore WUNA Story
Beauty Grail: Turning beauty education into a structured, scalable learning platform.
We transformed Beauty Grail into a digital education hub for the beauty industry. The result: streamlined course delivery, higher learner engagement, and a platform that makes professional upskilling more accessible and consistent.
Explore The Beauty Grail Story
Everything Your project Brings To The Table — From Day One.
Full-stack capability across product types, technologies, delivery practices, and industries. All of it available from sprint one.
Web Applications
Full-stack web platforms for customer-facing products, internal tools, and complex portals.
UNSW · Coposit · NSW Health
Mobile Apps
iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native — native and cross-platform. 328M+ downloads across our portfolio.
Vodafone · News Corp · Optus
SaaS Platforms
Multi-tenant products with Stripe billing, user management, and admin portals.
$10M+ ARR clients
MVP Development
Production-grade MVPs — not throwaway prototypes. Scoped for market validation with architecture ready to scale.
Caroo · Intro App
AI-Powered Products
LLM integration, RAG systems, document intelligence, and automation workflows built into the product from day one.
50+ AI features in production
Enterprise Systems
Complex platforms for regulated industries with compliance architecture, legacy integration, and formal SOW processes.
AGL · NSW Health · Vodafone
Rescue & Rebuild
Codebase audit, prioritised remediation plan, and fixed-scope recovery. Minimum intervention — rebuild only if warranted.
12 vendors rescued
Progressive Web Apps
App-quality UX on any device — offline capability, home screen install, push notifications — without the App Store.
30–50% lower cost than native
Customer-facing web apps built for real load — not just demos
Full-stack web applications for businesses launching digital products or replacing manual processes. React, Node.js, Laravel, .NET chosen for the project, not for trends.
12–20 Weeks from architecture sign-off to production deployment
App-quality UX on any device — without the App Store
PWAs work offline, install on the home screen of any device, and load instantly. Cross-platform reach without building separate iOS and Android apps.
30–50% Lower build cost vs equivalent native iOS + Android apps
Custom software with AI built in — not bolted on for marketing
LLM integration, document intelligence, AI-powered search, and automation workflows designed into the product architecture from day one.
50+ AI features shipped in production across custom software projects
iOS and Android apps — 328M+ downloads across our portfolio
Native and cross-platform mobile apps from consumer products to B2B tools. Swift, Kotlin, Flutter, React Native. Full delivery chain: UX/UI, development, App Store submission, analytics, post-launch support.
328M+ Total downloads across the EB Pearls mobile app portfolio
App-quality UX on any device — without the App Store
PWAs work offline, install on the home screen of any device, and load instantly — one codebase for desktop, mobile, and tablet. Cross-platform reach without building separate iOS and Android apps.
30–50% Lower build cost vs equivalent native iOS + Android apps
Multi-tenant SaaS products built to reach $10M+ ARR
End-to-end SaaS engineering: multi-tenancy, Stripe billing, user management, onboarding, admin dashboards, and the ongoing engineering to scale from 10 customers to 10,000 without a rebuild.
$10M+ARR reached by SaaS products built on EB Pearls platforms
Custom software with AI built in — not bolted on for marketing purposes
LLM integration, document intelligence, AI-powered search, and automation workflows designed into the product architecture from day one. 50+ AI features shipped in production.
50+AI features shipped in production across custom software projects
Production-grade MVPs — not throwaway prototypes that need rebuilding
Scoped to prove your riskiest assumptions in market, with architecture ready to scale when validation is complete. The fastest responsible path from idea to real user feedback — and investor readiness.
Series AFunding secured post-MVP — Caroo App, automotive marketplace
Complex enterprise systems — compliance, legacy integration, real stakes
Enterprise-scale software for organisations that can't afford failure: regulated industries, legacy system replacement, and platforms where security and compliance aren't optional.
ISO 27001 Independently audited — not self-declared. Required by every enterprise client.
Custom software with AI built in — not bolted on for marketing purposes
LLM integration, document intelligence, AI-powered search, and automation workflows designed into the product architecture from day one. 50+ AI features shipped in production.
50+AI features shipped in production across custom software projects
Project stalled, broke, or abandoned? Audit first — remediate with fixed scope
Full diagnosis before any remediation commitment. Rescued projects from 12 different previous vendors. Starts with a 2-week code and architecture audit, a written diagnosis, and a fixed-price plan you approve before work begins.
2 weeks Code audit to written diagnosis — before any remediation spend is committed
In Their Own Words.
Marketing Manager at Mondial VGL
We’re extremely impressed with EB Pearls’ work, technical skill, and ability to adapt, iterate, and learn new skills. Their high attention to detail and eternally positive attitude make working with EB Pearls a wonderful experience.
Product owner, BAXTA
Co-Founder, Intro Dating App
Founder, Whitebow Gift registry
Co-Founder, Intro Dating App
The First Step Costs Nothing.
In a free 30-minute Discovery Session, you'll walk away with a clear sense of what to build, what it will cost, and whether we're the right fit - no pitch, no obligation.
Optional NDA before we talk — 30 minutes — No obligation to proceed
EB Pearls vs Your Other Options
EB Pearls
Other AU Agencies
Overseas Agencies
Freelancer
Software Development Company.
72 awards across Clutch, Webby, Good Design, Communicator Awards, and more.
We’re The Right Partner For Some Mobile App Builds. Not All Of Them.
We'd rather be clear up front than waste your time, here's where we're the right fit, and where we're not.
Not a good fit When ...
We’re a strong fit when…
If that sounds like you — let's talk.
When You Probably Don't Need Custom Software
You need a website or e-commerce store
You need internal tools quickly
Airtable, Notion, Retool, or Make (Integromat) can solve many workflow automation problems in days rather than months.
You need booking or scheduling
Calendly, Acuity, or HubSpot handle most scheduling needs without custom development.
You haven't validated the idea yet
Your business idea is 100% protected with EB Pearls
The Team You'll Actually Work With.
Michael Signal
Creative Director
Akash Shakya
Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder
Fran Cormack
Agile Coach
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we're asked most often about custom software development, pricing, process, and what it's like to work with us.
Many custom software projects qualify for the Australian R&D Tax Incentive, which returns up to 43.5 cents on every eligible dollar spent. EB Pearls structures builds to maximise R&D eligibility and provides documentation to support claims. Eligibility assessment should happen before the build begins — speak to your R&D advisor before the Discovery Workshop to align the project scope with R&D requirements.
The client owns everything, unconditionally. All code, designs, documentation, and IP created during the project is assigned to the client at the end of every milestone — written into every contract. EB Pearls does not use proprietary frameworks that create vendor lock-in. Clients can take the codebase to any other vendor or bring it in-house after the project. An NDA is signed before any detailed project discussion.
Use a web application when users are primarily on desktop and the product does not require offline mode or device hardware access. Use native mobile (iOS/Android) when you need full hardware access, users are primarily mobile, and App Store distribution matters. Use a PWA when you need cross-platform reach across all devices, offline matters, and you want to avoid App Store constraints. The Discovery Session gives a specific recommendation in 30 minutes — based on your use case, not the option with the highest build margin.
The client owns everything, unconditionally. All code, designs, documentation, and IP created during the project is assigned to the client at the end of every milestone — written into every contract. EB Pearls does not use proprietary frameworks that create vendor lock-in. Clients can take the codebase to any other vendor or bring it in-house after the project. An NDA is signed before any detailed project discussion.
Yes. EB Pearls builds custom software with AI embedded where it creates genuine business value — LLM integration, intelligent document processing, AI-powered search, automation workflows, and predictive features. With 50+ AI features shipped in production and a dedicated GenAI practice, AI can be incorporated into any software project from day one or added to an existing product.
A Discovery Workshop is a structured 2–3 day engagement that defines exactly what is being built before development starts: user personas, feature prioritisation, user flow maps, architecture decisions, integration requirements. Every EB Pearls project requires one. Projects that start without a locked scope typically spend 40–60% more than their original quote. The workshop costs 3–5% of total project budget. Skipping it costs 40–60%.
Discovery and prototype: 3–5 weeks. MVP for a web or mobile application: 10–16 weeks from architecture sign-off to deployment. Full-featured SaaS product (v1): 16–26 weeks. Enterprise platforms with complex integrations: 26–52 weeks. These timelines assume a locked scope and regular client availability for reviews and decisions.
The stack is selected based on what is right for the product — not what's trending. Web applications: Node.js, React, Laravel/PHP, .NET. Mobile: Swift/Kotlin (native iOS and Android), Flutter, React Native. Infrastructure: AWS. The technology is chosen based on the product's requirements, long-term maintainability, and the client's existing ecosystem. We don't use proprietary tools that lock clients into continuing to work with us. You own the code and can take it anywhere.
Yes. Rescue and rebuild engagements are a structured service. The process starts with a full code and architecture audit (2-week engagement) followed by a prioritised remediation plan with fixed costs. Common rescue scenarios: a project abandoned by a previous vendor mid-build, a live product accumulating critical technical debt, or a codebase that needs to be rebuilt to support the next stage of growth. Most rescue projects can be assessed before any remediation commitment is made.
Yes. EB Pearls was founded in Sydney in 2004 and is headquartered at Suite 1A7, 410 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010. Our 320+ engineering team is based in Kathmandu, Nepal — full-time EB Pearls employees, not freelancers. Your Account Manager and engagement lead are Sydney-based. ISO 27001 certified. Clutch #1 global ranking for app development 2021–2024. All client data is processed under Australian Privacy Act requirements.
Yes. Healthcare, FinTech, InsurTech, PropTech, and government are core EB Pearls industry verticals. Regulated industry builds require compliance architecture from day one: data isolation, encryption standards, audit logging, access controls, and documentation for regulatory submissions. EB Pearls has built for NSW Health, EML, Plenti, CoverMore, and Intellihub. Sector-specific requirements (APRA CPS 234, IRAP, HIPAA) are addressed in the Discovery Workshop before sprint one begins.
The right build decision is the one you make with the right information.
Whether you're exploring a first idea, have a project in progress, or have software failing in production — the first step is the same: a straight conversation about what it would actually take to move forward.
What to expect
-
1
Book a time
Pick a slot online. 30 minutes with a senior product strategist — not a salesperson. -
2
NDA signed
Before any project details are shared. Full confidentiality from the first conversation. -
3
Real conversation
Your situation, your product, your risks. Honest assessment of what to build first and what it will cost. -
4
Honest estimate
A realistic cost range and recommended starting point — before any commitment is required. -
5
Discovery Workshop
Fixed scope, fixed price, architecture decided. Development begins only when everything is locked.
What to expect
-
1
Book a time
Pick a slot online. 30 minutes with a senior product strategist — not a salesperson. -
2
NDA signed
Before any project details are shared. Full confidentiality from the first conversation. -
3
Real conversation
Your situation, your product, your risks. Honest assessment of what to build first and what it will cost. -
4
Honest estimate
A realistic cost range and recommended starting point — before any commitment is required. -
5
Discovery Workshop
Fixed scope, fixed price, architecture decided. Development begins only when everything is locked.