Wooden Blocks with the text Faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know About Naked’s Code Takeover

Take a moment to review this FAQ—it covers what’s included in the Code Takover, how the process works, and what to expect if your project moves forward.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to josh@nakeddev.com

Naked's Project Approval Process

Why is there a “Project Review” process in order to partner with Naked?

We’re not like most agencies that take on every project that comes through the door. Our Approval Process exists for a few key reasons:

1) Ensuring Client Success – Building an app is a massive investment of time, money, and energy. We don’t want Founders sinking resources into something we wouldn’t build ourselves. Our best work happens when we’re passionate about the problem we’re solving, and we only take on projects where we believe in the vision and the Founder.

2) Capacity & Execution – Demand isn’t the issue (we’re ranked #1 in multiple categories), so we have limited capacity each quarter. Unlike other vendors and shops that offshore operations and scale up or down at a whim, we commit our core team to a set number of projects to ensure every client gets the quality, execution, and timeline we promise. Overpromising and underdelivering isn’t in our DNA.

3) Attracting Top Talent – Competing with Big Tech for California-based designers and developers is no small feat. The best talent wants to work on projects that matter—ones with real potential that won’t disappear after launch. Our Approval Process ensures we’re bringing in projects that excite our team and set them up for long-term success.

4) Long-Term Partnerships – We don’t just build apps; we build businesses. Our ideal clients aren’t one-and-done projects but long-term partners. By choosing Founders and ideas with strong Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV), we maximize the chances of ongoing Development, Marketing, and Support engagements—this is why our average client relationship spans ~3 years.

5) Maintaining a High Reputation – Great projects attract great reviews. We’ve built our reputation by working with Founders who are serious, driven, and working on ideas with real potential. That positive cycle fuels everything we do.

Why does Naked have capacity constraints?

Every project at Naked is shaped by our leadership team - starting on day one. Our Co-founder, Jason Martinez, who has designed and architected over $1B in software value throughout his career, personally leads every 4-hour Discovery Day session.

This level of involvement from leadership continues throughout the engagement and is a big reason why we take on a limited number of new clients each quarter. It’s not the most scalable model - but it’s intentional. We believe the best outcomes come from working closely with the right Founders, not from churning out volume.

To maintain this quality, we also carefully vet every designer, developer, and marketer to meet the high standards we set across all projects. Our focus is long-term partnerships and maximizing lifetime value - something our niche clientele values deeply.

Who is on Naked's Approval Board?

John Driscoll (CEO), Jason Martinez (Co-founder, Chief Design Officer), Robby Boyd (Executive Creative Director), Aaron Cash (CTO).

Our Approval Board also includes a rotating representative from equity stakeholders in our sister company, Seven Ventures.

What is Naked's approval criteria?

Our Approval Board evaluates each project based on key factors that determine its viability and potential for long-term success:

  • Business Viability – Is there a clear and sustainable business opportunity
  • Customer Desirability – Do people actually want this solution?
  • Product Marketability – Can this product stand out and attract users
  • Technological Feasibility – Can this be built efficiently and at a high quality?
  • Investor Fundability – Will this concept be compelling for future investment?
  • Founder-Market Fit – Is the Founder uniquely positioned to succeed with this?

The overarching questions we answer are:

1) Is the idea solving a clear problem - or is it a solution looking for a problem?

2) Did this idea recently become possible or necessary?

3) Is there a proven market? Are there any easily searchable competitors or proxies?

4) If an unproven market, can we find people online who have this problem and are searching for this solution?

5) Can we see several paths towards adoption and ultimately monetization?

6) Do we foresee technical and/or app store approval issues that would be high-risk roadblocks?

7) What is the Founder's motivation for creating an app startup?

8) How well does the Founder understand the problem they're solving, and the user their solving it for?

9) Does the Founder have domain expertise or unique market knowledge we can lean on when building solutions?

10) Does the Founder have entrepreneurial experience or has led other ventures in the past?

Ultimately, we’re looking for Founders and ideas that align with our expertise, philosophy, and success criteria.

Money-Back Guarantee

How does the 'Money-Back Guarantee' work?

We invest significant time and effort into auditing your existing code to assess feasibility. If we determine that your codebase is beyond repair and a Code Takeover isn't viable, we won’t proceed with development under false pretenses.

Instead, we’ll discuss alternative solutions, including starting fresh with a clean build. In such cases, we’ll offer a 100% refund, ensuring we only move forward under terms that set us both up for success.

What happens if we can't move forward after choosing the equity-backed payment option?

If we determine we cannot proceed with the Code Takeover, then we are effectively canceling the engagement.

Canceling the engagement means the equity agreement is also canceled—Naked will not invest $5K, and you will not grant us equity. Simple as that.

There are no hidden clauses or surprises here.

Can I have a few client references before signing?

We completely understand the desire for certainty before entering such an important partnership for your app journey. Just as you want to ensure the right fit, we also take great care in approving Founders and projects that align with our expertise and values.

However, we don't send requests for 1:1 client references out of respect for our Founders’ time and privacy. Given how busy they are building their startups, handling individual requests from every potential client would quickly become unsustainable.

That said, we have collected dozens of verified reviews from Founders just like you on Design Rush, GoodFirms , and Clutch.co where clients share their experiences working with us. Additionally, we've personally interviewed several Naked Founders so that you can hear directly from them in Naked's Client Testimonial Video below!

 

Pitch-Investors Guarantee

How does the 'Pitch-Investors Guarantee' work?

As a Code Takeover client, you're guaranteed access to at least one investor-focused opportunity hosted or facilitated by Naked Development or our affiliated partners. This could include a pitch event, founder-investor mixer, or direct pitch review with our sister company, Seven Ventures. While we can’t guarantee investment, we do guarantee exposure and an open door to real investor conversations.

How do I get to pitch at an event?

Stay active in our weekly Founder University Coaching sessions to stay in the loop on upcoming opportunities. If you're interested in pitching, let your Account Manager know. We'll provide prep guidance and assess your readiness. While pitch spots are limited, priority is always given to Design Accelerator clients who are actively engaged and investor-ready.

Even if you're not quite ready, you can still attend to network, learn, and build relationships with investors and other Founders. Every event offers value, even as an observer.

How can I pitch Seven Ventures?

Naked's sister company, Seven Ventures, invests in a small number of early-stage app startups each year. While we can’t guarantee investment beyond the initial equity-backed payment option we provide, all Naked clients are eligible for consideration. Selection is based on a few key factors:

  • John’s direct interest in your project

  • Feedback from our internal team

  • Your engagement in Founder University Coaching and course materials

  • Your responsiveness, execution, and overall coachability

If your project shows strong potential and you stay actively involved, you’ll be on the radar when investment opportunities arise.

How can I get ready to meet investors?

All Code Takeover clients get access to our online Founder University Courses and our Step-by-Step Fundraising Playbook.

If you are in a position where you need to raise funds for the next stage, we will ensure you complete each step of our Fundraising Playbook.

We also highly recommend joining the weekly Founder University Coaching each week to get direct feedback from John and our community of other app Founders!

Founder University Coaching

How do I get invited to the weekly Founder University Coaching?

You will receive an invitation to these weekly Zoom coaching sessions with John Driscoll after you have completed your Discovery Day.

Be sure to ask your Account Manager if you miss the invite! We're excited for you to join our community and give you ongoing guidance on your app journey.

Who runs the Founder University Coaching?

These are conducted by John Driscoll, CEO of Naked and Markus Kalius who spearheads our sister company, Naked Ventures.

What should I expect in the weekly coaching sessions?

These 1 hour sessions are designed to be a collaborative space for Naked's Founders to seek guidance and answers for anything related to your app journey! Nothing is off limits (except specific legal advice, of course).

We recommend all clients to complete their online Founder University Courses in tandem with attending weekly Founder University Coaching.

Need pitch and Pitch Deck feedback? Fundraising advice? How to get market traction and grow your audience? How to stay motivated? You're in the right place!

This is also a space to continuously engage with Naked's Founder community, and we'd love for you to become a part of it.

How many coaching sessions are there?

To provide a space for our Founder community to connect and gain continuous support from John Driscoll, the weekly Founder University Coaching will be every Wednesday of every week (barring John's occasional travel restrictions).

Founder University Course

What is Founder University?

Launching an app company is a complex journey, and success starts with a solid foundation. That’s why CEO John Driscoll created Founder University—a comprehensive online course designed specifically for new app Founders.

With 40+ hours of exclusive content, this course covers everything from creating a compelling pitch deck and building an investor pipeline to gaining early traction and developing the mindset of a seasoned tech Founder. It’s not just about learning—it’s about ensuring that you, your team, and Naked Development are aligned strategically from the start.

We highly recommend starting Founder University before Discovery Day so that we’re all speaking the same language, thinking strategically, and making decisions from a shared understanding. This enhances our ability to collaborate effectively and ensures we’re maximizing every step of the process together.

While not required, completing Founder University prior to Discovery Day will significantly improve your experience and set the stage for a stronger, more effective partnership.

How do I get access to the Founder University course?

Within 2-3 business days of signing you will receive an email invite to join via john-driscoll@y.kajabimail.net - so keep an eye out!

How long will I have access?

Lifetime access, meaning you'll have access to all current and new content John Driscoll uploads to the platform. We also upload all Founder University Coaching sessions to this platform in case you miss any of the weekly sessions.

How do I get feedback on my Pitch Deck?

Join any of the weekly Founder University Coaching sessions, and let John know you'd like his feedback!

It’s incredibly valuable for other Founders to hear that feedback, and for you to hear John's feedback on other Founder's Pitch Decks as well. Becoming "Pitch Perfect" is one of the most underrated aspects of fundraising that most Founders (even seasoned ones) get wrong.

 

The Code Takeover

What is the Code Transfer Prep call?

The Code Transfer Prep Call is a 30-minute kickoff conversation for the audit phase of your Code Takeover, facilitated by our Co-founder, Jason Martinez.

On this call, Jason will:

  • Gain a clear understanding of your current situation and challenges.
  • Align on your goals for the Code Takeover.
  • Strategize the best approach for securing access to your codebase.

Important: We strongly advise against mentioning a Code Takeover to your current developer until after this call. We’ll help you navigate the conversation strategically to ensure a smooth transition.

How long does the Audit Phase take?

The audit phase typically takes 3-4 weeks, depending on how quickly we receive the necessary logins, codebase, and other materials to fully assess and test your code.

A key factor is how responsive your current developers are in providing access—delays on their end can extend the timeline.

What if I'm not on great terms with my current Developer?

We understand that developer relationships can be complicated - many of our Code Takeovers stem from situations like this.

During your Code Transfer Prep Call, we’ll work with you to strategize the best approach for securing access to your codebase. We’ll help craft the right narrative and ensure the transition is handled with the appropriate finesse to keep things moving smoothly.

What happens after the Audit Phase?

Once the Audit Phase is complete, we’ll schedule a meeting to review our findings with you.

  • If we determine that we can’t move forward, we’ll provide guidance on your best next steps and initiate a refund.
  • If we can proceed, we’ll set up a 2-hour Discovery Session to align on the strategic direction of your app and determine the best way to allocate your 80 Code Takeover hours for maximum impact.

What does the rest of the Code Takeover look like?

After the 2-hour Discovery Session together, we’ll plan and execute the next two sprints based on the priorities we’ve aligned on.

In most cases, additional work will be needed to further develop or refine your product. As we progress, we’ll also begin scoping out future features and design changes that extend beyond the initial Code Takeover scope, ensuring you have a clear roadmap for what comes next.

What else can Naked do for my app startup?

We have experts covering most of critical areas a growing startup needs.

Marketing / technical Support & maintenance / Product Demo Videos / Download Funnels / Commercials / Logos / Naming / Brand Books / Mentorship programs and more.

You name it - we likely have some of the best in the biz doing it, or can point you in the best direction.

How does payment & invoicing work?

We offer two payment options for a Code Takeover:

1) Equity-Backed Payment: If your project is approved, our sister company, Seven Ventures, will invest $5,000 into your project.
This reduces the total cost of the Design Accelerator from $25,000 to $20,000 in exchange for 5% equity via a SAFE agreement (executed once your company is incorporated).

If we’re investing, it means we believe in your project’s potential and want to be part of your long-term journey.

2) Full Payment: Pay the full $25,000 cost upfront with no equity involved.

Invoice & Payment Details

  • Invoices are due within 3 business days of signing.
  • ACH is preferred for payment. If paying by credit card, a 3% processing fee will be applied.
  • Payments are facilitated online via Stripe/HubSpot invoice.

What is a SAFE, and how does it work?

If you choose the equity-backed payment option, our sister company, Seven Ventures, invests in your project in exchange for equity via a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity).

A SAFE is a standard agreement used by startups to grant investors equity once the company incorporates and raises future funding. While we can’t provide legal or financial advice, you can learn more about how SAFEs work from Y Combinator’s official guide here and presentation below:

 

 

Additional Development & Support / Maintenance

What do additional Development phases cost after the Code Takeover?

Although it is possible to fix an app within the Code Takeover scope, most Founders want additional features and development.

The cost of additional development depends on the specific fixes and features needed for your app. While we can’t determine an exact number upfront, most clients invest between $40K-$60K over six months as they continue refining and expanding their product.

Note: if we cannot proceed with the Code Takeover, and a full rebuild is recommended, our average MVP development cost ranges from $65K-$95k. We’ll provide clear recommendations based on your app’s state after the Code Takeover audit.

Do I have to pay for the next round of Development in a single payment?

No, you don’t. We primarily work with new Founders and startups, so we understand that cash flow can be tight in the early stages.

Because we’re committed to the projects we approve, we’re comfortable spreading payments over up to 10 months to help make development more manageable.

In most cases, we can kick off development with ~$25K down, allowing us to focus on getting your product to market as quickly as possible—because speed to market directly impacts your odds of success.

Does Naked help with technical Support & Hosting after Development?

Yes! Naked provides 24/7 technical support for your app after launch to ensure your app remains bug-free, and attain the software gold standard of 99.9% uptime as you scale.

Can Naked help with Marketing my app?

Absolutely. Our business model is built on long-term partnerships with Founders who are serious about growing successful app companies. That means marketing isn’t an afterthought—it’s a critical piece of the puzzle.

It’s essential to start strategizing for user growth before launch—and for certain apps, like marketplaces, it’s the difference between success and failure.

With Naked, you’re working with a team that specializes in mobile app growth hacking and already understands your product, target audience, and the dream outcome you’re offering users. This ensures your Marketing Strategy and Download Funnel are set up for maximum traction from day one.

What are the ongoing maintenance costs after launch?

The cost of maintaining and supporting your app post-launch varies based on factors like data requirements, third-party integrations, and overall usage. While every app is different, a conservative expectation for ongoing monthly costs typically falls between $900 - $1,900 per month.

We’ll discuss the specifics of your app’s needs as you get closer to launch so you have a clear understanding of what to expect.