Product Discovery
Clarify your product vision, target users, technical needs, revenue model, and roadmap before development begins, reducing risk and aligning the build with real business goals.
Turn your Chicago software idea into a scalable web, mobile, or AI-powered product with Founders Workshop. Our seasoned founders, product strategists, designers, and developers guide startups and SMBs from discovery through launch and support, helping teams compete in the city’s fast-moving business environment without giving up equity or overbuilding too early.
End-to-end product strategy, design, development, AI, launch, and support for scalable web and mobile applications.
Clarify your product vision, target users, technical needs, revenue model, and roadmap before development begins, reducing risk and aligning the build with real business goals.
Create detailed specifications, user flows, clickable prototypes, and human-centered interfaces that help stakeholders validate the product experience before engineering begins.
Build robust web and mobile applications through an agile development process focused on scalability, performance, maintainability, and practical business outcomes.
Integrate generative AI, custom GPTs, conversational AI, automation, vector databases, and AI consulting into software products to improve efficiency and user experience.
Launch products with scalable cloud hosting, AWS support, 24/7 server monitoring, database backups, disaster recovery planning, and release support.
Keep applications healthy with monitoring, performance optimization, code reviews, feature enhancements, usability audits, app store maintenance, reporting, and ongoing product consulting.
We begin by understanding your Chicago market, business model, users, integrations, and short- and long-term goals. This 2-4 week discovery phase turns ideas into an actionable budget, roadmap, and development plan.
See how strategic product development helps startups and SMBs launch, scale, and improve software products.
"We created fashionable, versatile and purposeful "I believe in you" bracelets that are designed to be given away to others to let them know you believe in them."
Partner with a software team built by founders for founders, operators, and growing businesses.
Our field-tested 5D Process reduces risk from discovery through launch for Chicago founders.
Seasoned executives and entrepreneurs bring decades of product, business, and investment experience.
Same-timezone Latin American teams cut costs by two-thirds while keeping Chicago collaboration smooth.
We integrate AI-first thinking to accelerate development and create smarter product experiences.
Experienced founders guiding strategy, delivery, and growth.
CEO / Founder
Vincent Serpico is the CEO and Founder of Founders Workshop, the Arizona-based software innovation firm he established in 2008. With over 30 years of experience as a business leader, founder, and entrepreneur, Vincent has guided the company through major technological shifts — from the rise of the web and mobile to today's AI-driven landscape. Under his leadership, Founders Workshop has delivered more than 200 custom B2B and B2C software solutions for startups and SMBs across Arizona, Latin America, and the Western Hemisphere. Vincent is passionate about helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into market-ready products without sacrificing equity, bringing both strategic vision and deep entrepreneurial expertise to every client engagement.
CPO / Cofounder
Wayne Neale serves as Chief Product Officer and Cofounder of Founders Workshop, bringing a seasoned entrepreneurial perspective to the company's product strategy and development process. With more than 30 years of experience as a business leader, investor, and product visionary, Wayne plays a central role in shaping the firm's field-tested 5D Process — a proven framework that reliably translates business ideas into market-ready MVPs. He works closely with founders and SMBs across Arizona and Latin America to ensure that every software solution aligns with real market needs. Wayne's deep understanding of both the startup journey and enterprise product development makes him a trusted guide for clients at every stage of growth.
COO / Cofounder
Michael Vanderslice is the Chief Operating Officer and Cofounder of Founders Workshop, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations that power the company's delivery of high-quality software solutions. With over 30 years of experience as a business owner, executive, and entrepreneur, Michael ensures that Founders Workshop's team of 25 senior developers, designers, testers, and project managers operates with precision, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. He oversees the company's nearshore staff augmentation model across Latin America and the Western Hemisphere, enabling clients to access top-tier technical talent at a fraction of U.S. costs. Michael's operational expertise and entrepreneurial background make him a cornerstone of the firm's consistent, client-focused delivery.
Custom software development is the process of designing, building, launching, and maintaining software around your specific business goals instead of forcing your operations into an off-the-shelf tool. Founders Workshop helps define the product strategy, user experience, technical architecture, development roadmap, deployment plan, and ongoing support model for web, mobile, and AI-enabled applications.
Talk with our team about your product goals and next steps.
Four solutions recognized in major competition.
Long-standing software innovation partner.
Proven custom software delivery record.
Share your idea, product challenge, or existing application needs. Founders Workshop will help clarify the best next step, from discovery and UX design to development, AI integration, launch, and ongoing support.
To help us assist you faster, please include the reason for your message so the relevant team can reach out as soon as possible.
To help us assist you faster, please include the reason for your message so the relevant team can reach out as soon as possible.