Frequently Asked Questions¶

General¶

What size projects do you take on?¶

We work on projects ranging from 2-week integrations to multi-month platform development. Our sweet spot is projects where you need senior engineering expertise without the overhead of hiring full-time.

Minimum engagement: Typically 2-4 weeks. For smaller tasks, we can discuss as part of a retainer.

Do you work with startups?¶

Yes. We've worked with pre-seed startups building MVPs and established companies scaling their platforms. We're comfortable with:

Equity + cash arrangements (case-by-case)
Deferred payment schedules (for funded startups)
Milestone-based payments

What are your rates?¶

Our rates depend on project scope, duration, and engagement model. Contact us for a detailed quote.

Rate tiers:

Growth rate: €40-55/h for portfolio building, emerging markets, long-term retainers
Standard rate: €65-80/h for EU/international projects (most work)
Premium rate: €90-120/h for US clients, specialized Elixir/DevOps, urgent/complex projects

Other models:

Daily rates available for longer engagements
Fixed-price projects quoted based on estimated effort with value-based pricing
Retainers offer better value for ongoing work

We're transparent about costs and provide detailed estimates before starting work.

What timezone do you work in?¶

Based in Tallinn, Estonia (EET/EEST, UTC+2/+3). We're comfortable working with clients across Europe and can accommodate US East Coast hours when needed.

Typical working hours: 9 AM - 6 PM EET, with flexibility for meetings.

Technical¶

Do you only work with your preferred tech stack?¶

No. While we specialize in Elixir/Phoenix, TypeScript, and Python, we adapt to your existing stack when it makes sense.

We're comfortable working with:

Most modern web frameworks
Your existing infrastructure and tools
Legacy codebases that need maintenance

We'll recommend changes if:

There are clear technical or business benefits
The current stack creates significant risks
You're starting fresh and want our expertise

Can you help with our existing codebase?¶

Absolutely. We regularly:

Debug and fix issues in existing applications
Add features to established codebases
Refactor legacy code
Optimize performance
Conduct code audits and reviews

Do you do mobile app development?¶

Not native mobile apps (iOS/Android). We build:

Responsive web applications that work on mobile browsers
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) for app-like experiences
Backend APIs that mobile apps can consume

If you need native apps, we can integrate with mobile developers you work with.

Can you scale our application?¶

Yes. We've helped scale applications from hundreds to millions of users. This includes:

Database optimization and sharding
Caching strategies (Redis, CDN)
Load balancing and horizontal scaling
Background job processing
API rate limiting and optimization
Infrastructure cost optimization

Process & Workflow¶

How do you handle project management?¶

We're flexible and adapt to your workflow:

Your tools: We work with GitHub, GitLab, Linear, Jira, Asana, etc.
Your schedule: Weekly demos, daily standups, or async updates
Your process: Agile, Kanban, or whatever works for your team

Default approach:

1-2 week iterations
Regular progress updates (weekly demos or reports)
Transparent task tracking
Direct Slack/email communication

Do you offer maintenance after delivery?¶

Yes. Options include:

Retainer agreements for ongoing support and feature development
Ad-hoc maintenance - contact us when you need help
Handover + training - we document everything and train your team
No support - you take full ownership (we provide comprehensive docs)

We never leave you stranded. Even without formal support, we're responsive to critical issues.

How do you handle IP and code ownership?¶

Simple answer: You own everything we build for you.

Details:

All code, documentation, and assets transfer to you upon final payment
We can sign NDAs and IP assignment agreements
We may use generic, non-proprietary code in our portfolio (with your approval)
Open-source contributions are discussed upfront

Do you sign NDAs?¶

Yes, we're happy to sign reasonable NDAs and confidentiality agreements.

What if the project needs to pause or be cancelled?¶

We understand priorities change.

Time & Materials: Pay only for work completed. We can pause anytime.

Fixed Price: We work out a fair settlement based on work completed and committed resources.

Retainer: Typically requires 30 days notice to cancel or adjust.

We always deliver usable code and documentation, even if a project ends early.

Availability & Capacity¶

Are you available for full-time work?¶

We typically work on 2-4 projects concurrently. For exclusive, full-time engagements, we can discuss:

Dedicated capacity (e.g., 4-6 months exclusive)
Premium rates for exclusivity
Minimum 3-month commitments

How quickly can you start?¶

Depends on current workload. Typically:

Small projects: 1-2 weeks
Large projects: 2-4 weeks
Urgent work: We can sometimes accommodate rush requests

Can we hire you permanently?¶

We're focused on consulting, but we're open to conversations about:

Long-term partnerships (multi-year retainers)
Advisory/fractional CTO roles
Referrals to talented engineers we know

Still have questions?¶

Email: hello@minnova.io

We typically respond within 24 hours (business days).