ELI5 —We build industry and work reshaping tech products.

At Eli5, we envision a future where organizations operate with unprecedented clarity and agility, empowered by bespoke software solutions that truly transform how work gets done. Our mission is to architect the future of work by delivering products that combine sharp product thinking, technical mastery, and design precision to fuel competitiveness and speed for forward-thinking enterprises.

We exist to radically redefine productivity and innovation through technology that is not only cutting-edge but also pragmatic and perfectly fit for purpose. By deeply understanding challenges and human experience, we create adaptable solutions that propel businesses ahead in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Our commitment to lean, agile development and close collaboration inspires long-lasting partnerships that continuously evolve with our clients, helping them navigate change and realize their boldest visions with confidence and clarity.

We've been watching Eli5 for a while now, and honestly, this Amsterdam-based product studio keeps surprising us. They're not your typical development shop — instead, they've positioned themselves as the antidote to bloated agencies that take forever to ship anything meaningful.

The "Explain Like I'm 5" Approach That Actually Works

The name isn't just clever branding. Eli5 really does break down complex business problems into digestible, actionable solutions. We love how they've ditched the usual consultant playbook of endless discovery phases in favor of getting products into users' hands within months, not years.

What caught our attention is their deliberate selectivity — they only take on a handful of clients each year. That sounds risky until you realize it means their leadership team is actually hands-on with every project, not delegating to junior developers while charging senior rates.

Why Their AI Roadmap Service Stands Out

Here's where Eli5 gets really interesting. While every agency is slapping "AI-powered" onto their services, these folks created something practical: a four-week AI roadmap that helps companies figure out what they should actually build. No buzzword bingo, just clarity on where AI makes business sense.

We tested their approach with a few portfolio companies, and the results were refreshingly honest. Sometimes the answer was "don't build AI yet" — which is exactly the kind of straight talk startups need more of.

Who Benefits Most From Their Approach

Eli5 works best for companies that are tired of traditional agency theater. If you're a startup that needs to validate and scale quickly, or an enterprise looking to break free from internal bureaucracy, their lean methodology hits differently.

Their client roster — from NXP to smaller ventures like Mobypark — shows they can handle both enterprise complexity and startup speed. That's harder to pull off than it sounds, but their Amsterdam roots in the European tech scene seem to give them the right balance of pragmatism and ambition.