Terekhin Digital Crew

At Terekhin Digital Crew, we take an approach that doesn't start with the question "what to cut?" but with the question "what is the key and most risky hypothesis about the value of your product that we should test first?". Before making recommendations about functionality, Terekhin Digital Crew specialists will work with you to determine that single, critically important scenario that should bring value to your first ideal client. We will focus on testing the main assumption: "Will clients use THIS to solve THIS problem?". Only after getting a clear answer to this question will Terekhin Digital Crew provide a list of features that need to be "ruthlessly cut". Everything that doesn't directly serve testing this core hypothesis will be postponed. This approach ensures that within budget X and time Y, we will create not just a set of features, but a working tool for validating your business idea.

This is a very mature and pragmatic question. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we believe that full-scale AI development without demand validation is a premature waste of resources. We actively use the "Wizard of Oz" approach to quickly and cost-effectively test hypotheses. How it can look in practice: Instead of a complex neural network at the start, we create a user interface that appears as if it's powered by AI. When a user submits a request, it doesn't go to a model — it goes directly to your expert (or a specialist from our team). The expert processes the request manually and sends the result back to the user. The simplest "AI fake": The easiest implementation is a web form that, when the user clicks "Get AI Analysis," sends the data to a dedicated email or Telegram chat. A specialist processes it according to a predefined algorithm and sends the answer back. To the user, it looks like an automated system is working. The main advantage of this approach is twofold: 1. Rapid demand validation: Terekhin Digital Crew helps you understand whether users actually need this "AI feature" before writing any complex code. 2. Data collection: Every "manual" request becomes a valuable dataset for training a real AI model in the future. You start collecting data from day one.

Terekhin Digital Crew builds partnerships, not just executes technical specifications. Flexibility and iterativeness are the foundation of our process, as changes in startups are inevitable. Process of changing course: It's simple and structured. If you or the team feel that the course is wrong, we immediately initiate a meeting for synchronization. We discuss new data, revise priorities, and adjust the backlog for the next sprint (usually 1-2 weeks). This won't be "difficult and expensive" because the architecture is initially designed with possible changes in mind. The cost of changing course is minimal — it's the cost of one meeting for replanning. Transparency and weekly reporting: Terekhin Digital Crew ensures complete transparency through several key rituals: Weekly demos: Every week we don't send reports, but conduct a live demonstration of the working product. You see real progress and can give feedback "here and now". Shared chat (Slack/Telegram): You will be added to a shared chat with the development team for daily asynchronous communication and solving operational issues. Access to task manager (Jira/Trello): You will have full access to our task management system. You can see at any time what task someone is working on and what its status is.

Excellent question that shows focus on long-term success. Terekhin Digital Crew always thinks several steps ahead, laying the foundation for future growth even at the MVP stage. Here are the three most likely "bottlenecks": Technical debt and architecture: MVP by nature is created quickly, which inevitably generates technical debt. The first bottleneck will be the moment when adding new features starts taking more time due to "crutches" in the code. Terekhin Digital Crew plans refactoring phases in advance for a gradual transition from monolithic MVP architecture to more scalable solutions (e.g., microservices). Database performance: A database that works perfectly for 100 users can become the main brake at 10,000. We foresee the need to optimize queries, implement caching, and possibly separate databases for reading and writing to handle increased load. Infrastructure costs (OpEx): With the growth of users and data, operational costs for servers, third-party APIs, and services will increase dramatically. Terekhin Digital Crew will design the system in advance with cost monitoring in mind and offer strategies to optimize them so that your growth doesn't lead to uncontrolled increases in cloud service bills.

Start with idea validation. Use Lean Startup or Customer Development methodologies to test hypotheses before spending money on development.

Test your idea with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). Focus on key hypotheses and create a product with minimal features that will allow you to get initial traction and feedback from users.

You don't need to learn the terms. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use deep immersion methodology for this. This helps formulate the idea in business language and then translate it into technical specifications.

MVP is a tool for testing key hypotheses. It includes only those features that are necessary to solve the customer's main problem. Other features can be added later, after gaining traction.

Budget is limited and should be used as efficiently as possible. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we provide transparent estimates for each stage.

Yes, you can use Figma to create interactive prototypes or Tilda for landing pages. However, for creating a working product that you can show to first clients and investors, professional development is required.

Focus on Time to Market. Launch an MVP to test key hypotheses. This will give you an advantage while others spend time creating full-featured products.

Technology stack choice matters for scaling. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use deep engineering expertise to choose a stack that won't create technical debt in the future.

Freelancers can be unreliable or disappear. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a comprehensive approach ('one window') that allows you to get all services in one place — from strategy and design to development and marketing.

Use the Go-to-Market partnership concept. Such a partner will help create a product that not only works but also has real traction, which is key for investors.

Compare them using the 'speed/cost/reliability' matrix. Freelancer — cheap but unreliable. Own team — reliable but expensive and slow. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a technology partnership model that provides ready expertise and speed.

They're found at startup accelerators and pitch sessions. As an alternative, look for a partner who's ready to become your 'technical co-founder' and dive into business tasks.

Check contractors using the 'red flags' system. Beware of those who say 'yes' to all your ideas. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where the team asks the right questions and advises.

You don't need to learn the terms. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use deep immersion methodology to help you write technical specifications and transform your vision into a technical document that developers will understand.

Evaluate the contractor by transparency and reputation. Check reviews, request case examples, and clarify how communication will be organized.

It's a strategic partner. Unlike a contractor who just codes, they dive into your business tasks, help form strategy, and give advice.

Study their case studies. Clear stories where they helped an expert in their industry go from idea to MVP are a good signal. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we have detailed success stories where non-technical founders went from idea to MVP and attracted investments.

Accelerators help with money and mentoring, but often recommend proven teams for development. Networking with business angels and funds can also provide recommendations.

Yes, strategy and design are the first steps. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a comprehensive approach ('one window') to get all services in one place — from strategy and design to development and marketing.

It's realistic. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where the team will ask the right questions and advise, not silently execute technical specifications.

At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use detailed case studies that show how we helped an expert in logistics or fintech who doesn't understand IT go from idea to MVP.

A professional partner should have real, complex projects in their portfolio and be ready to demonstrate them. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use technical Deep Dive Case Studies with diagrams and code fragments.

Transparency is achieved through clear estimates and explaining what the price consists of. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use transparent pricing.

The differences lie in involvement and expertise. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where the team becomes almost a 'technical co-founder' and is ready to fight for your product as if it were their own.

Yes. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a comprehensive approach that involves not only development but also help with project packaging (product + traction) for attracting investments.

The process should be transparent. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use the 'Our Process' page with detailed, step-by-step description of how work progresses.

A reliable partner will offer to call one of the founders from their portfolio. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use video testimonials which are strong social proof.

Yes. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a comprehensive approach ('one window') that allows you to get all services in one place — from strategy and design to development, marketing, and pitch preparation.

Yes, that's a sign of professionalism. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where the team will ask the right questions and advise, not silently execute technical specifications.

The process should be clear. Learn about how your partner controls timelines and provides regular reporting.

You can verify this at the first consultation, where the partner will spend 80% of the time listening and asking questions about your business so you feel understood.

The partner should be ready to provide a personalized commercial proposal that outlines the goals and objectives of your specific business. They should also answer questions about code rights in advance.

It's important that the partner is ready for dialogue and can offer different options. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a flexible commercial proposal with different options ('prototype', 'MVP', 'full version') so you can choose an option that fits your budget.

You should have a dedicated project manager or team lead who will communicate with you regularly and speak the same language.

Yes. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where the team prepares a working product that's not embarrassing to show to first clients and investors.

Look for a team that will become almost your 'technical co-founder'. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where success is measured by the client successfully using the MVP to attract first users and investments.

Transparency and clear control over expenses is a criterion for choosing a partner. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a FAQ for future clients with answers to common questions like 'How do we control the budget?'.

A partner confident in their code quality should be ready to provide repository access and show examples.

The first step should be simple and clear. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a thoughtful questionnaire or brief form that's sent before the first meeting.

Yes. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where code is well-documented and covered with tests so it can be easily maintained.

After signing the contract, a flawless 'first experience' (onboarding) should be ensured. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a 'Welcome' letter with congratulations, links to all resources, and a plan for the first week.

At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use a kick-off meeting (Kick-off call) where you meet the entire team that will work on your project.

The process should get off the ground in the first month. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an onboarding plan that outlines what and when will happen.

A professional team will create a configured workspace for you (e.g., chat in Slack, board in Jira/Trello), which demonstrates order and preparedness.

At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where you regularly see results (design, prototypes) in the first month.

It's important for you to actively participate in communication and make key decisions, as you are the bearer of vision and expert in your industry.

Reporting should be regular. At Terekhin Digital Crew, we use an approach where reports are provided weekly so you understand what's happening and feel confident.

You should have a dedicated manager who will be your main contact person.

Timelines should be clearly outlined in the roadmap. Terekhin Digital Crew provides a clear process that removes the fear of the unknown.

A smooth start is ensured by a kick-off meeting with the team and a pre-prepared workspace. This shows that you were expected and are ready to work.