Question 1

What is Hortensia?

Accepted Answer

A software studio I started in 2020 and registered in 2021. We build apps, platforms and ERPs for clients, and put the margin into products we own, like Sparkia, Stellify and Driva.

Question 2

What does a product lead actually do here?

Accepted Answer

Decide what gets built, in what order, and what gets cut. Across our own ventures that means roadmaps, scope and the trade-offs between them. For clients it means the same thing, on their product.

Question 3

Do you work with founders outside Tunisia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The team works across countries, and we have built for clients in eleven countries across Europe, North America, the Gulf and Australia.

Question 4

How do you price?

Accepted Answer

By the result, not the hour. Builds are fixed price and we carry the risk of our own estimate. Advisory work is scoped on the first call.

Question 5

Do you ever take equity?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, in place of part of the fee, when we believe in the product and the founders. It is a conversation, not a default.

Question 6

Do you still write code?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Less than before, but enough that my opinions about scope and estimates come from doing the work.

Question 7

What happens after I book a call?

Accepted Answer

You tell me what you are building and where it is stuck. I reply personally, with questions or a straight no if I am not the right person.

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