How Kontai went from idea to MVP in 3 weeks
Industry:
Industry:
AI & Machine Learning
AI & Machine Learning
Services:
Services:
Product Design, Brand Design
Product Design, Brand Design
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About
Kontai is a startup created within Startup Bakery, an Italian startup studio. The product focuses on helping companies manage and optimize their SaaS subscriptions and invoicing processes. After validating their market concept through research, they needed to develop their first prototype to demonstrate market traction and attract investor interest.
Kontai is a startup created within Startup Bakery, an Italian startup studio. The product focuses on helping companies manage and optimize their SaaS subscriptions and invoicing processes. After validating their market concept through research, they needed to develop their first prototype to demonstrate market traction and attract investor interest.
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Problem
Kontai had a validated idea but lacked a tangible product to demonstrate value to investors and early users. Without a working prototype and clear product definition, they couldn't prove market traction or secure the investment needed to build a full product. They needed to quickly move from concept to a realistic, presentable prototype that could be tested with prospects and shown to investors.
Kontai had a validated idea but lacked a tangible product to demonstrate value to investors and early users. Without a working prototype and clear product definition, they couldn't prove market traction or secure the investment needed to build a full product. They needed to quickly move from concept to a realistic, presentable prototype that could be tested with prospects and shown to investors.
See how it works
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Goals
The primary objectives were to:
— Align on problem space and user needs
— Identify and prioritize unknowns and risks
— Enable rapid iteration
— Define the MVP scope for the initial prototype
The primary objectives were to:
— Align on problem space and user needs
— Identify and prioritize unknowns and risks
— Enable rapid iteration
— Define the MVP scope for the initial prototype
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Results
In just 3 weeks, Kontai moved from a validated idea to a fully designed MVP prototype ready to demonstrate how the product works.
During the process, the team defined a clear value proposition, established the MVP scope, and created an interactive prototype that could be tested with early prospects and shown to investors.
In just 3 weeks, Kontai moved from a validated idea to a fully designed MVP prototype ready to demonstrate how the product works.
During the process, the team defined a clear value proposition, established the MVP scope, and created an interactive prototype that could be tested with early prospects and shown to investors.
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Process
Market research recovery
We started by analyzing the business model canvas and market research previously conducted by the Kontai team.
User research synthesis
We identified all user segments and recovered insights from previous surveys to understand the target audience deeply.
MVP definition
Working in co-design with the Kontai team, we defined the value proposition and created user story mapping to determine what would be in scope for the MVP and what wouldn't.
Proto-branding exploration
We created three distinct style tile proposals:
— Classic digital approach with blue tones
— Calm and gentle aesthetic with green tones and Japanese-inspired ideogram (selected)
— Bold and edgy style with purple and acid green
The team selected "The Gentle Guide," the second option, for its approachable and professional feel.
Market research recovery
We started by analyzing the business model canvas and market research previously conducted by the Kontai team.
User research synthesis
We identified all user segments and recovered insights from previous surveys to understand the target audience deeply.
MVP definition
Working in co-design with the Kontai team, we defined the value proposition and created user story mapping to determine what would be in scope for the MVP and what wouldn't.
Flow design and architecture
We developed:
— Complete navigation structure
— Information architecture
— Key user flows aligned with product goals
— Core journeys for the SaaS spend management tool
UI application and prototyping
We applied the chosen style tile to all flows, creating:
— High-fidelity UI designs
— Interactive prototype
— Landing page with interactive video explaining the platform's key features
Proto-branding exploration
We created three distinct style tile proposals:
— Classic digital approach with blue tones
— Calm and gentle aesthetic with green tones and Japanese-inspired ideogram (selected)
— Bold and edgy style with purple and acid green
The team selected "The Gentle Guide," the second option, for its approachable and professional feel.
Flow design and architecture
We developed:
— Complete navigation structure
— Information architecture
— Key user flows aligned with product goals
— Core journeys for the SaaS spend management tool
UI application and prototyping
We applied the chosen style tile to all flows, creating:
— High-fidelity UI designs
— Interactive prototype
— Landing page with interactive video explaining the platform's key features
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Design
assets
Design assets
The project deliverables included:
— Value proposition definition
— User story mapping
— Proto-branding package (logo, typography, colors, illustrations, naming)
— Complete information architecture
— High-fidelity user flows and UI designs
— Interactive prototype demonstrating all key features
— Landing page with product video
— Presentation materials for investors and prospects
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Challenges
Tight 3-week timeline
Completing comprehensive product definition, branding, and prototype development in just 3 weeks required efficient collaboration and clear prioritization.
Scope definition
Balancing what to include in the MVP versus future iterations while ensuring the prototype was compelling enough for investor presentations.
Stakeholder alignment
Working asynchronously with the Kontai team to ensure the flows and features aligned with their vision and market research findings.
Tight 3-week timeline
Completing comprehensive product definition, branding, and prototype development in just 3 weeks required efficient collaboration and clear prioritization.
Scope definition
Balancing what to include in the MVP versus future iterations while ensuring the prototype was compelling enough for investor presentations.
Stakeholder alignment
Working asynchronously with the Kontai team to ensure the flows and features aligned with their vision and market research findings.
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Solution
We implemented a structured co-design approach that kept the project moving efficiently.
Collaborative decision making
Through asynchronous collaboration with the Kontai team, we continuously validated that the designed flows were the key journeys to present and aligned with their vision.
Strategic prioritization
The user story mapping exercise helped us clearly define what was in scope for the MVP, ensuring we focused efforts on the most impactful features.
Complete package
By delivering both the interactive prototype and landing page with video, we provided Kontai with everything needed to demonstrate value to investors and test with early prospects.
We implemented a structured co-design approach that kept the project moving efficiently.
Collaborative decision making
Through asynchronous collaboration with the Kontai team, we continuously validated that the designed flows were the key journeys to present and aligned with their vision.
Strategic prioritization
The user story mapping exercise helped us clearly define what was in scope for the MVP, ensuring we focused efforts on the most impactful features.
Complete package
By delivering both the interactive prototype and landing page with video, we provided Kontai with everything needed to demonstrate value to investors and test with early prospects.
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Marketing & Sales
Blue.ai provides an omnichannel platform that helps businesses manage customer communications across multiple channels, including email, WhatsApp, SMS, and chat.
They never miss a touch base and timeline expectation.
Abed el Madjid Nehme
Head of Product @ Blue.ai
Marketing & Sales
Blue.ai provides an omnichannel platform that helps businesses manage customer communications across multiple channels, including email, WhatsApp, SMS, and chat.
They never miss a touch base and timeline expectation.
Abed el Madjid Nehme
Head of Product @ Blue.ai
Marketing & Sales
Blue.ai provides an omnichannel platform that helps businesses manage customer communications across multiple channels, including email, WhatsApp, SMS, and chat.
They never miss a touch base and timeline expectation.
Abed el Madjid Nehme
Head of Product @ Blue.ai