Custom software, apps, and AI agents, built to pay for themselves.
AI-assisted development saves you up to 75% in time and cost. Most builds finish in under two months.
Full ownership. Zero lock-in. Time and materials only.
No pressure, just clear feedback, even if you don't hire us.
Based in Calgary. Serving non-technical business owners worldwide.
You know your business better than anyone.
Our job is to lay out your software options and what each one costs, up front and down the road, so you can choose the one that's right for you. That could mean launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), opening a new revenue stream, or making what you already have run better.
Sometimes a custom build is not financially feasible. If an off-the-shelf tool meets your needs, we'll say so. We once walked away from a $30,000 build because a $100 a month tool did the job.
And when a custom build is the right choice for you, the price is fair: most agencies use AI-assisted development but keep the savings. We pass them on to you.
New Idea Machine is a custom software development company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We build custom apps, MVPs, automations, and AI agents for business.
Stretch your budget
Tell us your bottleneck, the spreadsheets holding things together, or your vision for a new revenue stream. Your business details remain confidential as per our mutual non-disclosure agreement.
Find out if a custom build is right for you. If something off the shelf will do the job, we'll let you know.
Get a real estimate. The App Cost Calculator shapes the build so it scales, instead of forcing a rebuild in two years. The numbers come from our record of real builds, broken out by feature, so you decide what fits your budget.
Protect your budget
We've sat with too many owners who paid twice for the same app, or signed contracts they couldn't leave, so we built a company that protects you.
Know what to ask before you sign
Restrictive contracts, hidden lock-ins and inflated scope are all avoidable, but only if you know what to look for before you sign anything.
Our approach: we published the free Hire the Right Developer checklist that walks you through exactly what to ask any developer, including us.
Handle security and compliance up front
Handled up front, security and compliance costs around $600. Bolted on after the build is finished, it costs $30,000 or more.
Our approach: we bring the right experts in at the point where their advice is cheapest, not after the money is already spent.
Pay once for your app, not twice
Many business owners end up paying for their app twice. Once to build it and once to build it right. There are two reasons this happens. The first is that the developer failed to understand the technical functions required. The second is that the development team fails to notify you as to when to bring in critical third parties such as security and compliance experts.
Our approach: we created the App Cost Calculator to expertly gather the technical features your app needs, which then allows us to give you a realistic estimate.
Own your code, and take it anywhere
Some developers build in proprietary systems that make it expensive, or impossible, to leave. This can mean paying licensing fees for as long as you use your own app.
Our approach: when you hire New Idea Machine, you own every line of code from day one, only pay for time and materials, never pay licensing fees, and can move your software to any provider at any time, for any reason.
These four are just the start. Get the full list:
Get to revenue faster
Most builds finish in under two months. AI-assisted development means one senior developer delivers what used to take a team.
Launch with the must-haves. We prioritize the features that get you earning, and recommend scheduling the rest for later.
Get help paying for it. Canadian companies can qualify for government funding, and we'll show you how.
What this looks like for one of our clients
He was paying a mailing company $8,400 a year just to remain a customer, before a single letter went out.
paid once, for software he owns
saved every year
earned every year, because other companies pay to use it
Picture your business a year from now
Your software is running, the busywork takes care of itself, and you own the whole thing. That's the difference between renting your technology and owning it.
"We've really gone from a small startup with a couple people to 15 people and a $10 million business."
"They really understood exactly what I was looking to do and accomplish, and they have delivered. I'm super happy."
"That lowered the risk. It allowed us to get started tomorrow. We didn't have to commit to a 12-month contract, all those big things that really scared us off from working with other teams."
"[Rea] asked us a bunch of questions that made us think through what we actually wanted. This is really smart advice instead of just jumping into creating our own app."
"The biggest change is not having the over $2,500 a year bill for software I owned nothing [of]. Now I just pay minimal hosting costs."
Start with a call
You'll be meeting with Rea directly.
Rea Hailley, CEO. 20 years in B2B strategy and business development, including growing a Shopify portfolio to $90 million in a single year. She's not a developer and works with technology the same way you do. As she puts it: "I'll never claim to be an expert in your industry, and I'd never expect you to be an expert in mine."
AL Del Degan, CTO. 33 years building software, including work with the Calgary Airport Authority, the City of Calgary, and Travel Alberta. He cuts project timelines by 50 to 75% with AI-assisted development, and passes the savings to you. He guides every project we take on, at no extra charge.
And if the answer is that you shouldn't build at all, that's what you'll hear. Read Vera's story.
Book a Free CallGet it built right the first time, or learn to build it yourself
Get it built right the first time
Bring your idea, or an AI prototype you've built. A senior developer with expertise in exactly what your project needs turns it into secure, scalable, commercial-ready software. You own 100% of everything, from day one.
Book a Free CallNot ready to hire a developer?
Build your own working prototype, internal tool, or website in one day at our AI for Business Bootcamps. No technical experience needed. If you can type, you can use AI to build.
See the bootcamp →The Hire the Right Developer Checklist
We created this checklist to help business owners avoid the mistakes that quietly cost the most, and choose the right development partner from the very beginning.
This checklist helps you understand:
- The questions that reveal whether a developer is the right fit for your project
- How to spot restrictive contracts and hidden lock-ins before you sign
- What to ask to prevent unnecessary features and inflated scope
- How to confirm you'll own your code and documentation
- How developers handle changes, risk, and long-term support
- What separates experienced teams from those learning on your project
The App Cost Calculator
You want to build an app. Before you talk to a single developer, you need a real number, not a guess.
In Canada, a working Minimum Viable Product (MVP) typically costs $20,000 to $60,000, and your number depends on what you actually need. Any estimate without formal requirements gathering is simply a wild guess. Our calculator asks the right questions and gives you developer-ready specs and a realistic cost estimate in about 20 minutes.
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