ThinkApps
ThinkApps is a San Francisco-based on-demand app design and development firm that builds mobile, web, and wearable applications for funded startups, growing businesses, and enterprise clients using a curated network of 1,000+ designers and developers across 25+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ThinkApps does
ThinkApps, legally Plato Works, Inc., is a San Francisco-headquartered private firm founded in 2012 that operates as an on-demand design and development service for mobile, web, and wearable applications. The company assembles bespoke teams from a curated network of more than 1,000 designers and developers across 25+ countries, positioning itself as an outsourced alternative to in-house product engineering for clients that need top-tier talent without permanent hiring. Delivery spans iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Google Glass, Android Wear, and Apple Watch, with a collaborative client platform offering a live dashboard, weekly demo builds, NDA-first engagement, full IP assignment to the client, and 60 days of post-launch bug support.
The underlying technology stack is conventional cross-platform mobile and web engineering (responsive design, REST APIs, cloud architecture) plus a proprietary client-facing collaboration tool that surfaces design files, progress, and live source code. Business model is professional services: project-based engagements priced at $50k–$500k+ tiers, with quotes delivered within 24 hours and typical end-to-end delivery in 10–15 weeks. Go-to-market is direct sales via website contact form and phone, supported by content marketing through the BuildBlog, case studies, and event presence at TechCrunch Disrupt, Startup Weekend, and Launch Festival.
Customer segments are horizontal: funded startups (notably Y Combinator, StartX, Accel Partners, and Techstars-backed companies), growing businesses, serious entrepreneurs, and enterprise clients. Named case-study customers — Watchup (acquired video news aggregator), YogaBuddy (yoga marketplace), Ask a Doctor (15,000+ doctor Q&A platform), PicPlayPost (#1 paid iOS video collage app), Thalamus, NiliApp, and ANX Vault — illustrate the startup-heavy mix. The firm has no disclosed funding, no published revenue, and operates with a small core team that leverages the distributed network as its primary production capacity.
ThinkApps firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ThinkApps
- Legal name
- Plato Works, Inc.
- Website
- https://thinkapps.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ThinkApps is a San Francisco-based on-demand app design and development firm that builds mobile, web, and wearable applications for funded startups, growing businesses, and enterprise clients using a curated network of 1,000+ designers and developers across 25+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ThinkApps industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Mobile and Wearable App Development Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Custom Application Development (Web/Mobile/Desktop) (BPAEAFAA)
Keywords
Where ThinkApps is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
ThinkApps business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- App Development Services: Professional services revenue model providing end-to-end design and development for mobile, web, and wearable applications. Projects are priced based on scope with budget tiers from $50k to $500k+. Typical project delivery is 10-15 weeks for an end-to-end app.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Budget tiers based on project scope |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
ThinkApps product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ThinkApps is an on-demand professional services firm that designs and builds mobile, web, and wearable applications for clients. It assembles specialized teams drawn from a vetted global network of designers and developers, delivers projects end-to-end from design through deployment, and provides transparent collaboration through live dashboards and weekly builds. Typical engagements run 10–15 weeks and include 60 days of post-launch bug support, with clients retaining full intellectual property ownership.
Product overview
ThinkApps is an on-demand app development and design service rather than a product company with proprietary software offerings. The company provides end-to-end design, development, and deployment services for mobile apps (iOS, Android, Windows Phone), web products, and wearable applications (Google Glass, Android Wear, Apple Watch). Their engagement model combines specialized talent from a global network of 1000+ designers and developers across 25+ countries with transparent collaboration tools including live dashboards and weekly demos. Projects are typically delivered in 10-15 weeks with 60 days of complimentary post-launch bug fixes. Notable client applications built and showcased include Watchup (acquired video news aggregator), PicPlayPost (#1 paid iOS app for video collages), Ask a Doctor (doctor Q&A platform with 15,000+ doctors), and YogaBuddy (yoga marketplace).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ThinkApps App Development Services End-to-end on-demand design, development, and deployment of mobile apps (iOS, Android, Windows Phone), web products (responsive design, REST APIs, cloud architecture), and wearable applications (Google Glass, Android Wear, Apple Watch). Delivered via specialized teams drawn from a vetted global network, with typical project delivery of 10–15 weeks, 60 days of post-launch bug support, and full IP ownership transferred to the client.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10-15 weeks typical project delivery for end-to-end app
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ThinkApps
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ThinkApps technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
ThinkApps partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- TechCrunch DisruptminorTechCrunch Disrupt is one of the most anticipated technology conferences of the year. Listed as an event partner, with ThinkApps having presence and involvement at this major tech startup event.
- Startup WeekendminorStartup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Listed as an events & conferences partner.
- Launch FestivalminorLAUNCH Festival & Hackathon is a leading place to launch startups, raise money and learn about starting a company. Listed as an events & conferences partner with ThinkApps involvement.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ThinkApps competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ThinkApps social profiles
Digital presenceThinkApps financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ThinkApps leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
ThinkApps funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ThinkApps M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ThinkApps
What does ThinkApps do?
ThinkApps is an on-demand professional services firm that designs and builds mobile, web, and wearable applications for clients. It assembles specialized teams drawn from a vetted global network of designers and developers, delivers projects end-to-end from design through deployment, and provides transparent collaboration through live dashboards and weekly builds. Typical engagements run 10–15 weeks and include 60 days of post-launch bug support, with clients retaining full intellectual property ownership.
Is ThinkApps a public or private company?
ThinkApps is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ThinkApps founded?
ThinkApps was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ThinkApps based?
ThinkApps is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does ThinkApps make money?
One revenue line is on record: app Development Services.
Does ThinkApps have an API?
No public API is recorded for ThinkApps.
What industry is ThinkApps in?
ThinkApps's product category is Custom Mobile and Wearable App Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAFAA, Custom Application Development (Web/Mobile/Desktop). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7371.