Thinslices, a product development firm, reports that AI tools have significantly reduced the cost and time required for coding tasks, such as creating frontend prototypes and writing documentation. However, the company emphasizes that the financial risk of building the wrong product remains high, as AI can lead founders to commit to development before critical scope and feasibility decisions are finalized.
The firm recommends a product design phase lasting three to five weeks before development begins. This process aims to define product scope, validate user flows, and establish technical architecture. According to Thinslices, involving a technical lead from the first week and ensuring a decision-maker is present are essential to avoiding costly revisions during the build.
Thinslices has operated since 2010 and has delivered over 220 projects for startups and corporate teams in the US, UK, and DACH regions. The company reported a client Net Promoter Score of 91 for the first half of 2026. Their design process typically results in a prioritized scope, a clickable prototype, and an estimate range for clients.
Case studies cited include a maritime technology venture that tested regulations via interactive prototypes and a digital-asset operations company that transitioned from manual spreadsheets to an automated platform within a single design sprint. Additionally, the firm assisted a telehealth company in reducing maintenance costs by identifying and removing unused features before rewriting the application.
