Software Development for Equity

Some companies are worth building for in exchange for a stake. Here is how equity engagements work with Apprika, honestly and in writing.

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Software Development for Equity

How equity engagements work

Aurakil, our forward-deployed engineering service, can be paid by fee or, for selected companies, by equity or a mix of both. An engineer embeds with your business and builds what it needs: custom software, workflow automation, AI agents and design.

We only ever agree equity in a signed written agreement. Nothing on this website or said in conversation creates an equity relationship.

What the written agreement covers

  • Equity terms. How much, in exchange for what scope of work, and how it vests.
  • Rights. What rights attach to the equity, and what happens on a sale, new round or wind-down.
  • Intellectual property. Who owns the code, designs and models, and how that is documented. Our default promise is: we build it, you own it, subject to the written agreement.
  • Cash component. Whether any fees are paid alongside equity, and how scope changes are handled.

Have your own lawyer review any equity agreement before you sign it.

Who equity engagements suit

  • Early-stage founders with a real market and limited cash who need a technical partner.
  • Companies where the software is central to the product and the upside is meaningful.
  • Teams with a clear plan and the ability to make decisions quickly.

Equity is a commitment on both sides, so we are selective. Many engagements are simply paid by monthly, yearly or up-front fee.

What you get

  • An embedded engineer who learns your business and ships working software every week.
  • Design, engineering, AI agents and growth support from a studio behind them.
  • A custom live dashboard to watch every build happen.
  • Most projects start within 48 hours of the discovery call.

Equity vs fees: how to think about it

Paying by fee keeps your cap table clean and the relationship simple. Paying by equity preserves cash and aligns incentives, but it gives away part of your company. A mix is common. The right choice depends on your runway, your plans for fundraising, and how central the software is to your value.

Questions people ask

Can I pay for software development with equity?

Sometimes. Apprika considers equity for selected companies, only through a signed written agreement covering equity terms, vesting, rights and intellectual property.

Do you take equity instead of cash?

It can be equity, fee or a mix, depending on the company and the scope. We decide case by case after a discovery call.

Who owns the code if I pay in equity?

That is set out in the written agreement for the arrangement. Our default principle is that we build it and you own it, but equity deals can include special terms, so read the agreement carefully.

How do I start the conversation?

Book a 30-minute discovery call. Tell us about the business, the market and what you need built. Most projects start within 48 hours.

Related

Our Process

How we work

1

Discovery call & scope

A short call, a written plan and a fixed first milestone.

2

Roadmap & design

We map the product, the brand and the agent flows together.

3

Ship weekly

Working software in your hands every week. Demos, not decks.

4

Own it, or we run it

Everything is handed over to you, or we keep operating it for you.

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