FDE · Joint Development
FDE / Joint Business Development
Neither outsourcing nor in-house. We get inside your business and grow it with you.
A forward-deployed engineer (FDE) is an engineer who gets inside your operations, understands the work, and keeps designing and improving AI and systems on the spot.
Rather than a one-off contract or a single deployment, we stay involved as the business grows. Where it fits, we can also work as joint business development, sharing the outcomes and the risk.
When this fits you
- You want a structure that keeps improving, not a one-off build.
- You have no one in-house who can handle AI and systems.
- With outsourcing, every change brings a new quote and extra cost.
- You want systems that keep evolving as the business grows.
- You want to launch a new business together with a development partner.
- You want a committed relationship while keeping investment risk in check.
A third option — neither outsourcing nor in-house.
Contract development only starts once requirements are fixed, and building an in-house team takes time to hire and train. FDE is a way of working where we get inside your operations, understand the work, and design and improve AI and systems on the spot.
And beyond a simple ordering relationship, we can take it on as joint business development — sharing outcomes and risk to build new businesses and differentiating areas together.
An engineer inside your business (FDE)
Our engineers work as part of your team — understanding the operation first, then designing and building AI and systems from the inside.
Kept evolving, not delivered once
We don't finish at a single handover. We keep improving in step with real usage and changes in your business.
Joint business development
Beyond a simple vendor relationship, we can share both outcomes and risk — building new businesses and differentiating areas together.
Knowledge transfer to your team
As we go, we leave knowledge inside your organisation — supporting your move toward running it in-house.
What we actually do
From embedded development to continuous improvement, joint development, and in-house enablement — adjusted to your structure and goals.
01
Embedded / semi-embedded AI & system development
We adjust the degree of involvement to fit your structure — from on-site to part-time engagement.
02
Continuous improvement grounded in the work
Based on usage and the voice of the field, we keep working through the highest-priority improvements.
03
Joint development of new businesses & products
From concept to development and operation, we build the business together with you.
04
Designing the engagement & contract form
Quasi-mandate, outcome-linked, revenue share and more — we organise the form that fits the goal (to be discussed).
05
Knowledge transfer & in-house enablement
Through documentation, reviews and coaching, we work toward a state your team can run.
06
Dividing work with existing partners
Where you already have partners, we respect those relationships and design the split of roles.
How we proceed
We align on how we engage first, then start small and expand in step with your business.
The state we aim for
- Systems keep evolving with the business
- Improvement doesn't stall, and work isn't person-dependent
- Knowledge accumulates in-house, closer to self-sufficiency
- New businesses and differentiating areas can be created
- You can take it on while keeping investment risk in check
* Described as the state we aim for, not a guaranteed result. Engagement form and outcomes depend on the agreement.
Trusted By
Our work with over 100 companies in total
A selection of companies who have entrusted us with strategy, implementation and data foundations.
Above is a small selection of the companies we've had the privilege to work with. For details on other engagements, please feel free to get in touch.
Related services
What we design and build together often takes the form of AI agents in operations, or starts from organising what to change. We can connect these as one engagement.
Related service
AI Agent Adoption
Build AI agents into operations, with permissions, responsibility and integration designed in.
View detailsRelated service
Planning AI & Operational Change
Clarify where to start, and define priorities and an execution plan.
View detailsRelated service
AI & Business System Development
Build AI and systems embedded into real operations and used continuously.
View detailsCONTACT
Not sure what form of engagement fits? Talk to us either way.
We'll hear about your current structure and the state of your business, then organise the best way to engage — embedded development, joint development, or in-house enablement.