What Utility does

Utility is a New York-based custom digital product agency that designs, builds, and operates mobile applications, web platforms, and AI-integrated software for enterprise clients and emerging startups. The firm organizes delivery across four practice areas — Technology (mobile app, web, AI & innovation, backend & infrastructure, emerging tech/IoT), Experience & Design (product vision, user research, UX, visual design, design systems), Strategy & Consulting (digital transformation, product validation, AI strategy, planning & roadmapping, technical audits), and Product Growth (ongoing management, data & experimentation, user acquisition/retention, staff augmentation) — with named marquee engagements spanning Airbnb, Forbes, Coca-Cola, Samsung, NBA, Verizon, DirecTV, Warner Music Group, Buzzfeed, Care.com, GIA, Jenny Craig, South Street Securities, Bleacher Report, and NYC Health + Hospitals.

The underlying technology stack centers on modern mobile (iOS/Android) and web frameworks, scalable backend and API architectures, augmented reality experiences, and third-party AI integrations including generative AI, computer vision, NLP, and recommendation systems applied to client products. Utility does not disclose proprietary models, patents, or a dedicated AI research function; AI is positioned as a delivery capability layered onto custom builds rather than a packaged product. Award recognition (Webby Awards Agency of the Year 2024, Best Mobile App Awards, Awwwards, Clutch Top Agencies) reflects the agency's reputation for design quality and execution.

The business model is professional services, quote-based and project-driven, with revenue generated from custom development engagements, strategic consulting, and newer recurring offerings in staff augmentation and ongoing product management. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales via 'Start a Project' and 'Work with us' CTAs, supported by content marketing across LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, a blog, case studies, and educational resources. Utility is a privately held, founder-led company (CEO & co-founder David Cohen, co-founder Chris Cuddy) with 100-250 employees, no disclosed institutional funding, no parent company, and no recorded M&A activity; 12+ years of operation and 150+ projects delivered indicate a stable, mature agency rather than a venture-backed growth-stage firm.

Name

Utility

Legal name

Utility

Website

https://utilitynyc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Utility is a New York-based digital product agency that designs, builds, and operates custom mobile apps, web platforms, and AI-integrated software for Fortune 500 enterprises, emerging startups, and public-sector clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile App Development Agency

akta.pro primary industry

Web Directories & Link Indexes (BPAMAAAK)

Keywords

• Mobile app development
• Web application development
• UX/UI design services
• AI integration services
• Digital product design

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Project Based: Custom digital product development services billed on project basis. Includes mobile app development, web development, AI solutions, and design services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Utility is a New York-based digital product agency that designs, develops, and ships custom mobile applications (iOS and Android), web platforms, AI-driven experiences, and supporting backend infrastructure for enterprise and emerging-venture clients. Engagements span strategy, product discovery, UX/UI design, design systems, engineering, AI integration, and ongoing product growth services, delivered on a project basis.

Product overview

Utility is a mobile app design and development agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of 20 professional services organized across four practice areas: Technology (Mobile App Development, Web Development, AI & Innovation, Backend & Infrastructure, Emerging Technology), Experience & Design (Product Vision, User Research, UX Design, Visual Design, Design Systems), Strategy & Consulting (Digital Transformation, Product Validation, AI Strategy, Planning & Roadmapping, Technical Audits), and Product Growth (Ongoing Management, Data & Experimentation, User Acquisition, User Retention, Staff Augmentation). The company crafts award-winning custom digital products driven by strategy, design, and technology, serving both enterprise clients (Fortune 500 brands) and emerging startups through collaborative product development partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile App Development Services End-to-end iOS and Android mobile application design and development services, producing AI-driven, custom apps for enterprise and startup clients.
• Web Development Services Custom web application development building scalable, intuitive digital products using modern frontend and backend frameworks.
• AI & Innovation Services Artificial intelligence integration and innovation services powering client products with machine learning, generative AI, and advanced data capabilities.
• Backend & Infrastructure Services Server-side development, API architecture, and cloud infrastructure services ensuring scalable and reliable application performance.
• Emerging Technology Services Internet of Things (IoT) and cutting-edge technology integration services for innovative product experiences (e.g., AR-driven Coca-Cola engagement).
• UX Research & UX Design Services User research, UX design, and visual/UI design services creating intuitive, engaging, brand-aligned interfaces optimized for usability and user satisfaction.
• Design Systems Services Comprehensive design system development establishing consistent design languages, component libraries, and documentation for scalable client products.
• Digital Transformation Services Strategic consulting to modernize and digitize business operations through technology adoption, process optimization, and new digital product introduction.
• Product Discovery & Strategy Services Strategic product discovery, vision, validation, AI strategy, planning/roadmapping, and technical audit services that establish clear direction and reduce risk before full-scale build.
• Ongoing Product Management Services Continuous product management and evolution services supporting post-launch growth, iteration, and feature development for client digital products.
• Data & Experimentation Services Data analytics and product experimentation services enabling data-driven decision making, rapid iteration, and user behavior insights across client products.
• User Acquisition Services Digital marketing and user acquisition strategies driving product adoption and growth through targeted campaigns for client digital products.
• User Retention Services Digital marketing strategies focused on user engagement, retention, and lifetime value optimization for client digital products.
• Staff Augmentation Services Engineering staff augmentation providing skilled technical talent (mobile, web, backend, AI) to extend client in-house development teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12+ years of agency experience delivering digital products
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• R/GA: R/GA is a globally recognized digital product and design agency with a similar enterprise-focused model spanning strategy, design, and engineering. It is the closest large-scale direct peer to Utility in terms of client caliber, mobile/web expertise, and award positioning.
• Huge: Huge is a digital experience agency offering strategy, design, and technology services to enterprise clients. Its model of integrated product, brand, and engineering delivery closely mirrors Utility's full-stack studio positioning.
• Work & Co: Work & Co is a product-focused digital agency known for building flagship mobile and web experiences for Fortune 500 brands. It competes head-to-head with Utility for premium enterprise product engagements.
• frog (Capgemini Invent): frog is a design and innovation consultancy focused on product design, brand, and digital experiences for global enterprises. It is directly comparable to Utility's design and strategy practice, particularly on design-led digital transformation work.
• AKQA: AKQA is a global design and innovation agency serving enterprise brands with digital products, campaigns, and platforms. It shares Utility's emphasis on award-winning digital craftsmanship and enterprise client targeting.
• Metalab: Metalab is a design and product strategy agency building digital products for ambitious companies. Its product-design-led, smaller-boutique model is highly comparable to Utility's emphasis on design quality and premium enterprise delivery.
• ustwo (now ustwo studio): ustwo is a digital product studio known for award-winning mobile experiences and design-led engineering. It overlaps directly with Utility on mobile app development, UX/UI craft, and enterprise/startup client mix.

Broad incumbents

• Thoughtworks: Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy delivering custom software, digital platforms, and AI engineering. It competes with Utility on the engineering and AI integration portions of enterprise engagements at greater scale.
• Deloitte Digital: Deloitte Digital is the digital arm of a Big Four firm offering strategy, design, and engineering services to Fortune 500 enterprises. It competes for the same large-scale digital transformation mandates Utility pursues, with broader scope and procurement advantages.
• Accenture Song: Accenture Song is Accenture's digital creative and engineering business covering design, product, and marketing at enterprise scale. It is a primary broad-incumbent competitor for Utility's enterprise digital engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/utility-agency
• Instagraminstagram.com/utility.agency
• Xtwitter.com/utilityagency
• Facebookfacebook.com/utilitynyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Utility