10
minutes
Floris Schoenmakers

Digital Product Studio Map

01
What is a Product Studio and What Does One Build?

When I tell people I run a product studio, the question inevitably comes up: "What does a product studio do?"

We track public data to ensure this list is up-to-date and relevant. Here's what sets the studios on this map apart:

  • Established Experience: Each studio has been in operation for at least 3 years, ensuring a proven track record of success in the digital product space.
  • Team Size: The studios on this list operate with teams ranging from 10 to 100 FTEs, allowing for the right balance between agility and scalability to handle a wide range of client needs.
  • In-House Product Development: Every studio on this map builds real products in-house, ensuring they have the technical expertise and creative capacity to execute high-quality, fully realized products.

The studios included meet three core criteria that define their excellence in digital product development:

  1. Clean, User-Focused Design: The studios are renowned for their intuitive, user-centric designs that focus on enhancing the user experience and ensuring every product is accessible and engaging.
  2. Enterprise-Level Engineering: With robust engineering practices, the studios offer solutions that are not only innovative but also scalable, secure, and optimized for enterprise-level clients.
  3. Full-Spectrum Product Development: From concept to execution, these studios provide comprehensive services under one roof, covering the entire product lifecycle—from design and development to testing and launch.

By leveraging public data and constantly monitoring industry trends, we ensure that this map remains fresh, reflecting the top digital product studios that push the boundaries of innovation and deliver real-world impact.

The value of a digital product studio

A product studio is a unique kind of agency that operates as a full-stack solution for product development. Unlike traditional agencies or design firms, product studios are deeply involved in the entire lifecycle of a product—from ideation and design to engineering, testing, and scaling. These studios don't just deliver designs or code; they deliver fully functioning products ready to thrive in the market.

At the heart of a product studio is its multidisciplinary team, which typically includes product designers, engineers, strategists, and often, entrepreneurs with deep industry experience. This collaboration allows the studio to approach projects holistically, ensuring that every aspect of a product is optimized, from the technical architecture to the user interface and experience.

Some of the key elements that define what product studios build include:

  • Innovative Digital Products: These studios build cutting-edge solutions across various industries, including fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce. Their focus is not just on functionality but on creating unique, valuable experiences for users.
  • Scalable Solutions: Product studios excel at developing scalable solutions that grow with their clients. Whether it’s an app, a web platform, or a hardware product, the studio ensures that the final product can adapt to future needs and demands.
  • Collaborative Approach: The studio works closely with its clients to understand their business goals, market needs, and user demands. This collaborative approach ensures that the product is tailored to the client’s objectives while also being technically feasible and user-friendly.

The advantage of working with a product studio is the seamless integration of design, development, and strategy. Clients can leverage the studio’s expertise to bring their ideas to life faster and more effectively than they could by relying on multiple separate vendors. With a focus on delivering long-term value, product studios are the ideal partners for businesses looking to innovate and scale.

Floris Schoenmakers
Chief Venture and Growth Officer
current