**BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and what you do there. I am the founder of Gaggle, an online startup focused on apartment rental searches, similar to Zillow and Apartments.com but tailored specifically for roommates. We provide unique tools and features that facilitate smoother group searches for our users. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What issue were you seeking to resolve with Aloa? We engaged Aloa to assist with the initial Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of our website, as we needed to outsource vendors due to our unfamiliarity with the technology space. Aloa acted as an intermediary, linking us with a firm that helped us develop our platform. **SOLUTION** What was the extent of their involvement? Aloa functioned as consultants for us, offering project management tools and facilitating our communication with the outsourced software developer. I approached Aloa with a rough outline of our objectives. Their representative held meetings with us to better understand the project before connecting with their outsourcing partners. Based on our project summary, Aloa suggested 2-3 suitable outsourcing firms. We then engaged in initial discussions with these partners about their capabilities, teams, and pricing, which led us to make an informed decision on our choice of partner. **What is the team composition?** Aloa assigned us a client relationship partner who led our engagement with them and the outsourced development team. As the project progressed, we were also paired with a QA analyst from Aloa, who assisted with debugging and provided additional quality checks on our technical milestones. **How did you come to work with Aloa?** A friend, who had previously collaborated with Aloa on a smaller project, recommended them to me, sharing positive feedback about their team. We sought a genuine partnership rather than just a service connection, and Aloa was able to offer the kind of consultative relationship we desired, which was crucial for us, leading to our decision to hire them. **How much have you invested with them?** Our investment ranged from $10,000 to $15,000, which included milestone payments that were divided between Aloa and the outsourced developer. **What is the status of this engagement?** The development period spanned from February to October 2021. While the engagement has concluded, we maintain open communication lines with Aloa for any future collaborations. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? Although Aloa did not handle the technical work directly, they acted as a highly responsive intermediary. If I posed a question, I could expect a response and a discussion on potential solutions within 30-45 minutes. **How did Aloa perform from a project management standpoint?** Aloa utilized their proprietary project management software, Aloa Manage, as the primary platform for communication and tracking milestones. All parties—our team, the outsourced developer, and Aloa—had visibility on this platform. For daily interactions and informal tracking, we relied on Slack, with all three groups included in the channels. **What did you find most impressive about them?** Aloa significantly alleviated our concerns about outsourcing. We were unsure of our needs and potential challenges, but their team clarified the process. They collaborated with vetted providers, ensuring we felt secure in our partnerships. Aloa's oversight protected us from being taken advantage of, ensuring that deliverables were met. Additionally, the outsourced team was also responsive. Aloa’s presence was invaluable, making the overall experience much more comfortable and trustworthy. Furthermore, their milestone-based payment structure enhanced our confidence, as we only paid upon approving completed work, allowing us to witness progress in real-time without committing large sums upfront. **Are there any areas they could improve?** Aloa could strengthen its relationships with service providers in the pre-seed startup ecosystem. Many of their clients are new companies looking to establish themselves, and having connections to resources for small, early-stage firms could greatly enhance the value they offer. **Do you have any advice for potential customers?** I recommend partnering with Aloa. During the initial scoping phase, push your team to clearly define the project scope. This will encourage the outsourced team to stay committed to the project.