Introduction

Design sprints compress months of product strategy, prototyping, and user testing into an intense, time‑boxed sequence that answers critical questions before teams commit budget and engineering time. Originated at Google and popularized by GV’s Jake Knapp, the five‑phase format has since evolved for enterprise, startup, and AI‑accelerated contexts. citeturn11search6turn11search0

How we selected agencies

We prioritized agencies that meet most of the following:

• Demonstrated sprint facilitation with clear curricula or public methods (not only “workshops”).

• Proof of outcomes: prototypes tested with real users, case studies, or recognized training programs.

• Enterprise‑grade facilitation and/or startup velocity; remote and in‑person options.

• Breadth of sprint variants (e.g., problem framing, research sprints, AI‑assisted sprints) and ability to scale internally via training/certification.

• Public evidence as of October 6, 2025 (services pages, case studies, or credible press). citeturn11search6

Top design sprint agencies in 2025

AJ&Smart — Global (HQ: Berlin)

• Pioneers of “Sprint 2.0,” longtime collaborators with Jake Knapp; extensive training footprint and remote sprint playbooks. citeturn0search3turn0search2turn0search5

• Offers comprehensive facilitator education, templates, and certification used by teams at brands like LEGO and Slack. citeturn0search3

Design Sprint Academy — Global (HQ: Berlin)

• End‑to‑end services: problem framing, design sprints, facilitator training, and certification; strong enterprise orientation. citeturn0search0

• Led by seasoned sprint practitioners John and Dana Vetan; programs scale sprint capability across large orgs. citeturn0search1

Voltage Control — Americas (HQ: Austin)

• Change consultancy specializing in design sprints and innovation workshops; runs 5‑day GV‑style sprints, public masterclasses, and facilitation academies. citeturn6search2turn6search10turn6search6

• Active community builder with recurring events and tools (e.g., Sprint Scorecard) to operationalize sprint research. citeturn6search4

thoughtbot — Americas & EMEA (active in San Francisco)

• Product Design Sprints with well‑documented 5‑phase approach; SF practice explicitly offers design sprints plus research and MVP execution. citeturn4search0turn10search9

• Open sprint guides and schedules used by internal teams and clients to self‑run or co‑run sprints. citeturn4search5turn4search7

DEPT® — Global

• Full‑service digital network with a dedicated design sprint offer aligned to GV methodology; five‑day pattern from mapping to prototype validation with customers. citeturn8search2

ustwo — Global

• Veteran product studio applying sprint formats on complex programs; example: a multi‑month design sprint to define a pan‑European payments experience for EPI. citeturn5search2

UX studio — Europe/Global

• Facilitates GV‑based design sprints with integrated research; case experience with HBO, T‑Mobile, and KBC. citeturn2search5

Design Sprint (design‑sprint.com) — Europe

• European pioneers offering Google Ventures Design Sprint facilitation with explicit five‑day agenda and outcomes (prototype + user testing). citeturn1search1

Movade — Europe

• Boutique studio offering fixed‑scope 5‑day sprints (transparent pricing) focused on rapid prototype validation. citeturn2search3

Design Sprints Studio (Martin Backes) — Europe

• Boutique facilitator with multi‑certified sprint credentials (incl. AI Design Sprint); emphasizes de‑risking and repeatable innovation. citeturn2search2

Board of Innovation — Global

• AI‑powered innovation sprints compress weeks of concepting and validation using gen‑AI tooling—useful where scope spans more than a classic 5‑day GV sprint. citeturn11search3turn11search5

Quick reference (at‑a‑glance)

San Francisco spotlight: who actually runs sprints here

• Zypsy — Design team for founders offering sprint‑based engagements across brand, product, and engineering; SF‑born with founder‑aligned “Design Capital” option. See our sprint approach on the Capabilities page and portfolio work such as Captions, Cortex, Robust Intelligence, and Solo.io. Program specifics: 8–10 weeks of design for 1% equity via SAFE (select startups). citeturn0search2

• IDEO San Francisco — The firm actively uses and adapts design sprints and maintains a dedicated SF studio at 320 Florida St. citeturn3search2turn8search4

• thoughtbot San Francisco — Local practice explicitly offers Design Sprints plus downstream build services. citeturn10search9

Design sprint agencies in San Francisco (local shortlist)

• Zypsy — SF-born design team for founders; sprint-based brand, product, and engineering with a services-for-equity option via Design Capital. See our Capabilities and selected Work.

• IDEO San Francisco — Global design firm with an active SF studio; adapts and runs design sprint formats for complex challenges.

• thoughtbot San Francisco — Local product design sprints with a clear 5‑phase approach and downstream build.

When Zypsy is the right sprint partner

Choose Zypsy when you need:

• Founder‑aligned incentives (Design Capital) to access senior brand/product talent without upfront cash; engagements can transition to retainers post‑sprint. citeturn0search2

• Integrated brand, product, and engineering sprints that move from decision → design system → shipping interfaces, with an emphasis on venture‑backed GTM. See Capabilities and Work.

FAQs

What is a design sprint and how long does it take?

A design sprint is a five‑phase, time‑boxed process (popularized at GV) that moves from mapping a problem to prototyping and testing with users—typically in about one workweek. citeturn11search6

Do sprints work for enterprise programs or AI initiatives?

Yes. Firms extend GV sprints with pre‑sprint problem framing, research sprints, and AI‑accelerated concept validation where scope demands it. citeturn0search0turn11search3

What should I look for in a sprint facilitator?

Look for a published method, a plan for recruiting/validating with users, and a clear “decider” model. Training track records and tooling (scorecards, templates) are strong signals. citeturn6search4

Can a sprint be remote?

Yes. Many providers run fully remote or hybrid sprints effectively, with purpose‑built agendas and collaboration tooling. citeturn0search3

How do Zypsy sprints differ?

Zypsy pairs sprint execution with brand/product systems and can invest via Design Capital (up to ~$100k in design for 1% equity via SAFE for select startups). citeturn0search2

Methodology and update cadence

This list synthesizes publicly verifiable service pages, case studies, and press as of October 6, 2025. We review sources quarterly and prioritize agencies that publish their sprint methods and outcomes. citeturn8search2turn4search0turn6search2turn0search0