WeLaika
WeLaika is a Turin-based cooperative of approximately 10 members offering custom Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and mobile software development alongside brand identity and advertising services for Italian SMBs, agencies, and non-profits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersTurin, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What WeLaika does
WeLaika Società Cooperativa is a Turin-based technology and creative services cooperative founded in 2010, operating with approximately 10 worker-members (no employees) across two divisions: weLaika web&mobile for custom software development and weLaika advertising for brand identity, packaging, and creative communication. The software division builds custom web applications, e-commerce platforms (on Solidus and Shopify), WordPress sites, iOS/Android mobile apps (native and hybrid via React Native and Ionic), API backends, and enterprise management systems, with Ruby on Rails as the primary framework since inception, supplemented by JavaScript (React, Angular, Vue), Elixir, and front-end tooling (SASS, Slim, ES6, HTML5). The firm maintains an active open-source footprint (WordMove, WordLess, Skuby, Sputnik) and holds four hackathon awards from RailsRumble and SpawnFest.
The business operates on a project-based professional services model delivered through direct client engagement ([email protected], [email protected]) and staff augmentation, using an Agile methodology with TDD/BDD practices. WeLaika explicitly refuses fixed-price offers in favor of time-range estimates and iterative budget control, transferring full code ownership to clients and allowing disengagement at any time. Revenue is derived from custom development projects, staff augmentation to agencies and in-house teams, Agile coaching, and creative/advertising services, with discounted rates offered to non-profits. The firm is bootstrapped (no external investors, €11,430 fully paid-up share capital), GDPR-compliant, and headquartered at Corso Umbria 25, Turin (REA TO-1121353), serving primarily Italian SMBs, agencies, and non-profits alongside limited international outreach via English-language web properties.
Marketing and demand generation are community-led and event-driven: WeLaika co-organized RubyDay 2015 and 2016, sponsors RubyDay since 2019, funds the Torino Coding Society meetup series, and supports Ruby Together, Code Beam Lite, Mupin, Ada Day, Rails Girls, and Django Girls. There are no funding rounds, acquisitions, or rapid headcount expansion disclosed, and no AI/ML product capabilities are evident in the technology stack.
WeLaika firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WeLaika
- Legal name
- weLaika Società Cooperativa
- Website
- https://welaika.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WeLaika is a Turin-based cooperative of approximately 10 members offering custom Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and mobile software development alongside brand identity and advertising services for Italian SMBs, agencies, and non-profits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WeLaika industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Software Development Services
- NAICS
- Advertising Agencies (541810), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Packaging and Labeling Services (561910)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Naming & Verbal Identity (Taglines, Messaging) (MPAAAEAB)
Keywords
Where WeLaika is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Turin
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
WeLaika business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Software Development Services: weLaika builds custom software, websites, web apps, mobile apps, e-commerce platforms, and management systems on a project basis. Services are delivered collaboratively using Agile methods. The cooperative structure means no employees, only members.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
WeLaika product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WeLaika is a Turin-based cooperative that delivers custom software development and creative communication services. Its web&mobile division builds custom web applications, e-commerce platforms, enterprise management software, iOS/Android mobile apps, and integrated API solutions using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and hybrid mobile frameworks. Its advertising division provides brand identity, product packaging, web design, advertising campaigns, and below-the-line materials. Services are delivered via an Agile methodology with direct client involvement, full code ownership transfer to clients, and no vendor lock-in.
Product overview
weLaika is a Turin-based cooperative offering two main divisions: web&mobile software development and advertising/creative services. The software development arm provides custom web and mobile application development using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and hybrid mobile frameworks. The product portfolio includes enterprise management software, e-commerce solutions (built on Solidus or WordPress), websites, iOS/Android mobile apps, API/integrated backend solutions, and staff augmentation services. weLaika also maintains open-source tools including the Skuby Ruby gem for SMS integration, WordPress development utilities (WordMove, WordLess), Elixir crawler Sputnik, and various internal projects. The company organizes community events including RubyDay and Torino Coding Society, and sponsors developer communities through Ruby Together, Code Beam Lite, Ada Day, Rails Girls, and Django Girls.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Web & Mobile Development Services Custom software development service for clients needing tailored web applications, mobile apps, management software, and e-commerce platforms, delivered using open-source tools and an agile methodology.
- Advertising Services Creative studio service providing brand identity development, packaging design, web design, advertising campaigns, and below-the-line marketing materials for clients.
- Enterprise Software Custom web-based management software built to meet specific business requirements, offering usability, economy, and controlled scalability.
- E-Commerce Solutions Online retail platforms built on Solidus or Shopify, featuring payment processing, inventory management, and SEO optimization.
- Website Development Professional website creation ranging from simple showcase sites to complex online magazines, using WordPress or custom solutions with high maintainability.
- iOS and Android Mobile Apps Native and hybrid mobile application development for iOS and Android platforms, using React Native or Ionic frameworks.
- API Server and Integrated Solutions Backend application development with web-service APIs, interfacing with various client applications and integrating external services.
- Staff Augmentation Outsourcing strategy providing external development resources to integrate with client teams for temporary or specialized development needs.
- Agile Consultants Agile methodology consulting services including team optimization, iterative development implementation, and process definition.
- Website Hosting Website hosting services with continuous monitoring of update status and vulnerability management for WordPress sites.
Quantifiable outcome
- Freedom to leave the supplier at any time — the customer is never bound by technological or contractual constraints.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use WeLaika
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
WeLaika technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature10 records
WeLaika partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ruby TogethercoreRuby Together is a non-profit organization that maintains critical Ruby infrastructure such as Bundler and RubyGems. weLaika is a member/sponsor supporting this initiative, believing in its great contribution to the Ruby community. Listed as a Ruby Together supporter on their members page.
- Code Beam LiteminorConference dedicated to the Erlang-Elixir world held in Milan. weLaika participated in the 2018 edition and supported it as a gold sponsor, believing strongly in the future of this technology.
- Torino Coding SocietycoreA series of educational meetups and workshops organized and funded by weLaika to share knowledge about technologies (Ruby, JavaScript, iOS, Android) and methodologies. Participation is always free. weLaika opens its training processes to the public.
- Mupin (Museo Piemontese dell'Informatica)minorMUPIN is an institution dedicated to the history of computing with a collection of over 6000 computers. Since 2018, weLaika has supported the museum as a technical partner for the 'a bit of [hi]story' event.
- Ada DayminorAn event celebrating women's achievements in scientific and technological development, linked to the international Ada Lovelace Day. Organized in Italy by MUPIN since 2012. weLaika has been a sponsor since 2016.
- Rails Girls & Django GirlsminorSupport for both Rails Girls and Django Girls events. weLaika believes strongly in the cultural and social importance of these events as they break down gender barriers and promote greater female participation in coding.
- Ruby DaycoreThe main Italian conference dedicated to Ruby. weLaika was an organizer of the 2015 and 2016 editions (Turin and Florence respectively), together with AssoRuby, Cantiere Creativo, and Nebulab. Since 2019, weLaika has been a sponsor.
- AssoRubycoreItalian Ruby association. weLaika organized Ruby Day together with AssoRuby and other Italian agencies (Cantiere Creativo, Nebulab), collaborating on conference planning and execution for the Italian Ruby community.
- Various development and communication agenciesminorweLaika has collaborated for years with numerous development and communication agencies to deliver web or mobile development projects, providing staff augmentation and specialized development services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
WeLaika competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 8th Light: Software consultancy emphasizing craftsmanship, TDD, and Agile delivery. Comparable to WeLaika in methodology-driven positioning and boutique engineering culture, though with broader multi-language stack exposure.
- Dockyard: US-based consultancy specializing in Ruby on Rails and Elixir/Phoenix development. Closely comparable to WeLaika's Rails + Elixir dual-stack and emphasis on open-source tooling and Agile methodology.
- Hashrocket: US-based Ruby on Rails consultancy known for craftsmanship, pairing, and developer training. Comparable to WeLaika on niche Rails focus, methodology emphasis, and boutique positioning, though geographically distant.
- Nebulab: Italian Ruby on Rails and e-commerce agency headquartered in Italy. Directly comparable to WeLaika on stack, geography, and culture: Nebulab co-organized Ruby Day alongside WeLaika and serves similar SMB and enterprise clients with Solidus/Rails and design services.
- Pragmatic Coders: European software consultancy specializing in Ruby on Rails and React. Comparable to WeLaika on stack focus, boutique size, and craftsmanship-led methodology, though operating primarily in Poland and DACH markets.
- ideato: Italian digital agency offering web development, design, and e-commerce solutions. Comparable to WeLaika on integrated creative + technical service mix and Italian SMB customer base.
- Bottega52: Italian boutique software house providing custom web and mobile development with design capabilities. Comparable to WeLaika on integrated dev + design service offering and Italian SMB/mid-market customer focus.
- Cantiere Creativo: Italian creative and technology agency based in Turin. WeLaika co-organized Ruby Day with Cantiere Creativo, indicating overlapping talent, geographic, and customer segments — both are design-and-engineering boutiques serving Italian clients.
Regional players
- Consoft Sistemi: Italian software house providing custom development, enterprise software, and digital transformation services. Comparable as a domestic Italian competitor for SME and enterprise custom-software work, though typically operating at larger scale.
Broad incumbents
- thoughtbot: US-headquartered Ruby on Rails consultancy with global reach. Directly comparable on Rails specialization, TDD/BDD methodology, and product-development focus, but thoughtbot is significantly larger and offers broader services including design sprints and AI consulting.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WeLaika social profiles
Digital presenceWeLaika compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
WeLaika financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WeLaika leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
WeLaika funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WeLaika 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 WeLaika
What does WeLaika do?
WeLaika is a Turin-based cooperative that delivers custom software development and creative communication services. Its web&mobile division builds custom web applications, e-commerce platforms, enterprise management software, iOS/Android mobile apps, and integrated API solutions using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and hybrid mobile frameworks. Its advertising division provides brand identity, product packaging, web design, advertising campaigns, and below-the-line materials. Services are delivered via an Agile methodology with direct client involvement, full code ownership transfer to clients, and no vendor lock-in.
Is WeLaika a public or private company?
WeLaika is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was WeLaika founded?
WeLaika was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WeLaika based?
WeLaika is headquartered in Turin, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does WeLaika make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Software Development Services.
Who are WeLaika's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 8th Light, Dockyard, Hashrocket, Nebulab, Pragmatic Coders, ideato, Bottega52 and Cantiere Creativo. Consoft Sistemi is listed as a regional player. thoughtbot is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does WeLaika have an API?
No public API is recorded for WeLaika.
What industry is WeLaika in?
WeLaika's product category is Custom Software Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAEAB, Naming & Verbal Identity (Taglines, Messaging). Its NAICS code is 541810 and its SIC code is 7371.