Build Labs
Build Labs is a Minneapolis-based custom software development firm that builds full-stack applications, IoT solutions, and data dashboards for Fortune 500 enterprises, mid-market companies, and local nonprofits. It also operates RADAR, a proprietary client-facing project management dashboard.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Build Labs does
Build Labs is a Minneapolis-based custom software development firm founded in 2017 that designs, builds, and ships full-stack software for clients ranging from Fortune 500 enterprises to local nonprofits. The company delivers bespoke solutions across front-end, back-end, mobile (iOS/Android, React Native, Kotlin), UI/UX, IoT/embedded systems, data dashboards, VR/AR business applications, and DevOps/security, with technology stack depth spanning .NET, Python, AWS, PHP, Firebase, Stripe, Adobe Experience Manager, and other enterprise platforms. Notable client projects include an online payment portal for Amplifon's 80+ franchise partners and 6,000+ retail locations, a Cloud Data dashboard for Banner Engineering monitoring tens of thousands of connected IoT devices, reverse-engineering of a billion-dollar SmartGrid platform, a real-time sports-card auction platform for The Clubhouse delivering 20X ROI, and a timesheet compliance application for Real Chemistry that recaptured $20M in revenue.
The firm also operates two branded proprietary products: RADAR, a client-facing project management dashboard providing real-time visibility into project budget, hours, risks, roadblocks, contracts, and invoices; and Outright, an emergency drill management application for tracking fire, tornado, and active shooter drills. Business model is professional services / project-based fees delivered through a sales-led direct engagement model with 'Get Started Today' CTAs and enterprise-level process applied uniformly regardless of client size. The company reports a 95%+ client return rate and operates as a private, independently held entity following its December 2022 merger with DKS Systems, which was structured to expand market presence and capabilities.
Build Labs' go-to-market is horizontal rather than vertical-focused, deliberately serving enterprise (Amplifon, Banner Engineering, Real Chemistry, SharkNinja, SmartGrid, Fortune 500 food manufacturer), mid-market (Beltmann, The Clubhouse, WashCard), and SMB/nonprofit clients (SuperClean, The Hadden, Meals on Wheels Minnesota) in a single Minneapolis-centered operation of 11–50 employees. Geographic footprint remains U.S.-domestic with a Midwest concentration, and the firm relies on direct sales engagement, a portfolio-driven case-study website, and organic social channels (Twitter, LinkedIn) rather than paid acquisition or channel partnerships.
Build Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Build Labs
- Legal name
- Build Labs
- Website
- https://buildlabs.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Build Labs is a Minneapolis-based custom software development firm that builds full-stack applications, IoT solutions, and data dashboards for Fortune 500 enterprises, mid-market companies, and local nonprofits. It also operates RADAR, a proprietary client-facing project management dashboard.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Build Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Software Development Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Engineering Services (54133)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools) (HDAEAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Developer Experience Platforms for Enterprise (IDEs, CI/CD, Dev Portals) (HDAEAKAI), Asset Creation, Pipeline, DCC Integration & Content Management Tools (MPAFAFAL), Build, CI/CD, Version Control & DevOps Tools for Games (MPAFAFAG), Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA), Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI), Software Development (Programming, Frameworks, Dev Tools) (EDABAFAA), Game Engine & Creation Platforms (UGC/Modding) (BPAMAKAE)
Keywords
Where Build Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Build Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Software Development Services: Project-based custom software development services for enterprise and mid-market clients. Services include proof-of-concept projects through enterprise-level customer-facing applications. Revenue generated through project fees, likely with ongoing maintenance and support components.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Build Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Build Labs provides full-stack custom software development services for enterprise and mid-market clients, covering front-end, back-end, mobile (iOS/Android), UI/UX design, IoT/embedded systems, data dashboards, VR/AR business applications, and DevOps/security. The firm also owns and operates RADAR, a proprietary project management dashboard providing real-time visibility into project budget, hours, risks, and roadblocks, and Outright, an emergency drill management mobile application.
Product overview
Build Labs is a custom software development company offering a portfolio of services including front-end, back-end, mobile development, UI/UX design, IoT/embedded systems, data dashboards, VR/AR applications, and DevOps. Their product lineup includes RADAR (project management dashboard with real-time visibility into budget, hours, risks, and reports) and Outright (emergency drill notification system). They maintain an active client project portfolio spanning mobile apps (Amplifon, Beltmann, The Hadden, SharkNinja, WashCard), web platforms (Banner Engineering, Meals on Wheels, Real Chemistry), IoT solutions (SmartGrid, WashCard UWAM), training portals (Fortune 500), and auction systems (Clubhouse).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Radar: A project management dashboard tool designed to keep projects on schedule and provide real-time visibility into project status, including budget allocation, hours accrued, risks, and roadblocks.
- Outright
Products and services
- RADAR RADAR is a proprietary project management dashboard used to keep client engagements on schedule and provide real-time visibility into project status. It provides weekly reports on budget allocation, hours accrued, risks, and roadblocks, with links to the client contract, invoices, and past weekly reports.
- Outright Outright is a proprietary emergency drill management mobile application that tracks completion of Fire, Tornado, Active Shooter, and other drills. It alerts users about emergencies, navigates them to safe locations, and allows users to alert First Responders when safe.
- Custom Software Development Services Build Labs' core service offering is full-stack custom software development for enterprise and mid-market clients, spanning proof-of-concept through enterprise-level customer-facing critical-path applications. Services cover front-end, back-end, mobile, UI/UX, IoT/embedded systems, data dashboards, VR/AR business apps, and DevOps/security, delivered with a five-phase enterprise-grade process and the RADAR transparency dashboard.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 95% of clients choose to work with Build Labs again
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Build Labs
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Build Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration32 records
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
Build Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DKS SystemscoreBuild Labs and DKS Systems announced their merger to form a single company aimed at expanding market presence and capabilities. The merger was motivated by forecasted revenue growth and strategic alignment, with both companies planning to strengthen their service offerings. This represents a significant strategic consolidation of two technology development companies.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Build Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Kelton Global: Minneapolis-based digital and creative agency; though more brand/marketing oriented, it operates in the same regional talent pool and competes for similar mid-market digital engagements.
Direct peers
- Nerdery: Minneapolis-based digital product agency of comparable size offering custom software, mobile, and IoT development to enterprise and mid-market clients. Nearest geographic and capability peer to Build Labs.
- Slalom: US-based consulting and technology services firm delivering custom software, cloud, and digital transformation to enterprise and mid-market clients. Comparable business model and enterprise target segment.
- West Monroe Partners: US-based technology and management consultancy delivering custom software and digital solutions to mid-market and enterprise clients. Similar size and services mix.
- DKS Systems: Minneapolis-based technology development firm that merged with Build Labs in December 2022. Direct capability match across custom software, mobile, and enterprise services.
- Thoughtworks: Global custom software development firm specializing in digital product engineering for enterprise clients. Directly comparable services portfolio with broader international footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Deloitte Digital: Digital arm of a Big Four consultancy offering enterprise-scale custom development, mobile, IoT, and emerging tech. Competes for Fortune 500 custom software budgets alongside Build Labs.
- Globant: Large global digital transformation firm offering custom software, IoT, and emerging tech development. Operates at significantly larger scale than Build Labs but competes for similar enterprise engagements.
- Perficient: Large digital consultancy providing custom software, mobile, IoT, and data services across enterprise verticals. Broader portfolio but overlapping core capabilities with Build Labs.
- Accenture: Global professional services giant with extensive custom software, cloud, and emerging technology practices. Represents the upper bound of enterprise custom development competition.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Build Labs social profiles
Digital presenceBuild Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Build Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Build Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Build Labs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Build Labs
What does Build Labs do?
Build Labs provides full-stack custom software development services for enterprise and mid-market clients, covering front-end, back-end, mobile (iOS/Android), UI/UX design, IoT/embedded systems, data dashboards, VR/AR business applications, and DevOps/security. The firm also owns and operates RADAR, a proprietary project management dashboard providing real-time visibility into project budget, hours, risks, and roadblocks, and Outright, an emergency drill management mobile application.
Is Build Labs a public or private company?
Build Labs is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Build Labs founded?
Build Labs was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Build Labs based?
Build Labs is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Build Labs make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Software Development Services.
Who are Build Labs's main competitors?
Kelton Global is listed as an others. Direct peers are Nerdery, Slalom, West Monroe Partners, DKS Systems and Thoughtworks. Broad incumbents are Deloitte Digital, Globant, Perficient and Accenture.
Does Build Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Build Labs.
What industry is Build Labs in?
Build Labs's product category is Custom Software Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAKAK, Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools), with a secondary code of HDAEAKAI, Developer Experience Platforms for Enterprise (IDEs, CI/CD, Dev Portals). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7371.