What Ship Shape Consulting does

Ship Shape Consulting LLC is a privately held, remote-first boutique software consulting firm founded in 2017 by Robbie Wagner (CEO) and Chuck Carpenter (COO), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. The firm provides senior-level, full-stack engineering services with deep specialization in JavaScript frameworks—Ember.js, Nuxt.js, Next.js, Astro, Tailwind CSS, Serverless, and cloud-native architectures. It serves enterprise clients across fintech, cybersecurity, entertainment, retail/beauty, e-commerce, and nonprofit verticals. Named customers include Netflix, Sephora, Outreach, Expel, Acquia, Whitepages, Mariana Tek, Jebbit, Enigma, and the Center for Open Science, indicating an enterprise-heavy engagement mix spanning both large incumbents and growth-stage companies.

The company's technology footprint extends beyond consulting into packaged software. Ship Shape created Shepherd.js in 2018, an open-source JavaScript library for building step-by-step application onboarding tours now used by Google and Ally. It also maintains Swach, a cross-platform desktop color management tool supporting MacOS, Windows, and Linux. Ship Shape is an official Nuxt.js sponsor/partner and sponsors the Astro framework via Open Collective, and it operates the Ember.js DC meetup and the Whiskey Web and Whatnot podcast as community-building assets. Core delivery is characterized by a "no-handoffs" model where the engineers who plan also write the code, paired with team upskilling and knowledge transfer to reduce client dependency on the firm.

Ship Shape operates a professional services revenue model with project-based and retainer consulting engagements. Disclosed budget tiers span $25,000–$50,000, $50,000–$100,000, $100,000–$250,000, and $250,000+, with multi-year contract cadences and at least one documented long-running retainer (Sephora). All engagements are sourced through direct website contact and enterprise field sales—there is no self-serve product, marketplace listing, or channel partner. With a stated headcount of 1–10 employees and four named senior practitioners (CEO, COO, Lead Engineer, Senior Engineer), Ship Shape operates as a high-expertise, low-headcount consultancy rather than a scaled services platform, and is bootstrapped with no disclosed venture or private equity backing.

Name

Ship Shape Consulting

Legal name

Ship Shape Consulting LLC

Website

https://shipshape.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ship Shape Consulting is a remote-first boutique software consultancy that provides senior-level JavaScript framework development (Ember.js, Nuxt.js, Next.js, Astro) for enterprise clients in fintech, cybersecurity, retail, and entertainment. It also maintains the open-source Shepherd.js library and the Swach color tool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Software Consulting Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Vendor & Contract Management (Software/Cloud) (BPAEAOAD)

Keywords

• Software consulting services
• Javascript framework development
• Ember js consulting
• Custom app development
• Team upskilling training

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Consulting Services: Professional consulting and development services providing senior-level engineers for custom app development, code reviews, team training, and project acceleration. Billed on project or retainer basis with minimum engagements starting at $25,000 as indicated in contact form budget options.
2. Team Training and Upskilling: Ongoing team coaching and knowledge transfer services alongside engineering engagements, helping clients sustain and improve products after consulting engagements end.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ship Shape Consulting is a full-stack software consulting firm that provides senior-level engineers for custom application development, legacy app modernization, architecture consulting, and team upskilling, with deep specialization in JavaScript frameworks including Ember.js, Nuxt.js, Next.js, Astro, Tailwind CSS, Serverless, and Cloud-Native architectures. The firm bills on a project or retainer basis with minimum engagement budgets starting at $25,000, and complements its services with open-source contributions such as the Shepherd.js library and the Swach color management tool.

Product overview

Ship Shape Consulting is a full-stack software development agency that operates as a professional services firm rather than a software product company. Their portfolio consists of consulting and development services centered around JavaScript frameworks (Ember.js, Nuxt.js, Next.js, Astro) paired with open-source products and content media. Their primary open-source product is Shepherd.js, a JavaScript library for application tours. They also offer Swach, a cross-platform desktop color management application. The company provides specialized consulting services across multiple technology areas including Tailwind CSS, Serverless frameworks, and Cloud-native development, along with the Whiskey Web and Whatnot podcast as a content initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shepherd.js: Open source JavaScript library for creating step-by-step application tours and feature introductions, created and maintained by Ship Shape.
• Swach
• Whiskey Web and Whatnot

Products and services

• Custom App Development Services Full-stack software consulting services for enterprise clients, covering frontend, backend, and system design across JavaScript frameworks including Ember.js, Nuxt.js, Next.js, Astro, Serverless, Cloud-Native, and Tailwind CSS implementations. Billed on a project or retainer basis with minimum engagement budgets starting at $25,000.
• Ember.js Consulting Expert Ember.js development, consulting, and training services for enterprise applications, complex apps, and dashboards. Includes specializations in Ember Data, Glimmer components, and Ember Octane migration.
• Nuxt.js Consulting Nuxt.js application development and consulting services leveraging the Vue.js framework with server-side rendering and static site generation capabilities.
• Next.js Consulting Next.js development and consulting services using the React framework with server-side rendering, TypeScript support, and route pre-fetching.
• Serverless Consulting Serverless framework solutions enabling scalable applications with pay-per-use billing and reduced maintenance requirements.
• Astro Consulting Astro framework development leveraging an HTML-first approach with support for multiple JavaScript frameworks and a zero-JS-by-default architecture.
• Tailwind CSS Consulting Tailwind CSS implementation and training services for rapid UI development with a utility-first CSS approach.
• Cloud-Native Consulting Cloud-native application development for scalable solutions with transparent software delivery cycles and rapid scalability.
• App Tours Service Application tour implementation using Shepherd.js for new user onboarding, feature introductions, and step-by-step onboarding workflows in web applications.
• Shepherd.js Open-source JavaScript library for creating step-by-step application tours and feature introductions to help new users get up to speed quickly with web applications.
• Swach Cross-platform desktop color management tool that allows users to pick colors, arrange them into palettes, get color suggestions, and check WCAG contrast scores. Available for MacOS, Windows, and Linux.
• Team Training and Upskilling Ongoing team coaching and knowledge transfer services delivered alongside engineering engagements, helping clients sustain and improve products after consulting engagements end.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ software developers coached and trained
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Nuxt.js / NuxtJScoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial Nuxt.js partner and sponsor. Ship Shape sponsors the Nuxt team to support framework development and maintain close ties with the Nuxt team, enabling them to stay up-to-date with framework developments and provide expert Nuxt.js consulting services.
• AstrocoreTechnology or IntegrationFinancial sponsor of the Astro framework via Open Collective. Ship Shape believes Astro is the future of web development and sponsors the team to support continued framework improvement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Software House: A JavaScript, PHP, and React development agency delivering custom software solutions to enterprises. Comparable web development consulting model and senior-engineer delivery focus.
• Infinite Red: A React Native and full-stack JavaScript consultancy with strong remote culture and developer-community involvement. Comparable agency model, technical depth, and content marketing approach.
• FullStack Labs: A JavaScript, React, and Node.js consultancy delivering custom web applications to enterprise clients. Similar project-based consulting model with comparable tech stack specialization.
• 8th Light: A polyglot software consultancy with deep JavaScript capabilities and a craft-focused culture. Comparable in boutique size, professional services model, and senior-engineer positioning.
• Monterail: A JavaScript-focused development agency specializing in React, Node.js, and full-stack web applications. Similar boutique agency positioning with comparable tech stack and enterprise client base.
• Very Good Ventures: A React Native specialized consultancy and core contributor to the framework. Comparable boutique model built on framework specialization and high-end enterprise client delivery.
• DockYard: A digital consultancy specializing in Ember.js, React, Phoenix, and Elixir development with significant open-source contributions. Closely comparable to Ship Shape in framework specialization, boutique size, and developer-community positioning.
• Thoughtbot: A Ruby on Rails and JavaScript consultancy known for premium engineering and developer-focused content. Comparable professional services model with strong content marketing and senior-engineer positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Toptal: A large freelance talent marketplace with deep JavaScript/React expertise that competes for enterprise JavaScript consulting engagements, though Ship Shape competes on boutique specialization rather than marketplace scale.
• BairesDev: A large nearshore software development firm with significant JavaScript/React capabilities. Competes for enterprise JavaScript consulting at scale, though Ship Shape competes on boutique specialization rather than nearshore volume.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shipshapecode
• GitHubgithub.com/shipshapecode
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ship-shape
• Facebookfacebook.com/shipshapecode

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 Ship Shape Consulting