Introduction

Zypsy is a design-and-engineering partner built for startup founders, combining brand, product, website, and software development with founder-aligned investment models. Founded in San Francisco in 2018, Zypsy has collaborated with 40+ startups whose combined valuations have increased by $2B+ to date. See company context on the About page and portfolio on the Work page.

Follow Zypsy on X - Handle: @zypsycom - As of October 8, 2025: 23K followers, 39 following, 606 posts

Who we serve (scoped definitions)

• Early-stage tech startups (pre-seed to Series A) seeking to differentiate through exceptional brand, product, and UX. Zypsy engages as a “design co-founder” with sprints that take concepts/MVPs to market. Reference: Capabilities, About.

• Growth-stage startups reimagining brand and product to scale with users and teams. Focus on design systems, UX optimization, and product clarity at scale. Reference: Capabilities.

• Venture-backed portfolio companies, notably within ecosystems that include Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia, among others. Reference: Work.

What we deliver (capabilities and outputs)

Zypsy provides end-to-end services spanning strategy, design, and implementation. Core capability references: Capabilities.

Brand Identity

• Strategy: brand workshops, positioning, narrative, tone-of-voice, and copy.

• Visual identity: logo, color, typography, graphics/illustration, design systems.

• Go-to-market assets: pitch decks, launch collateral, product videos, sales enablement.

Website Creation

• UX and content: information architecture, navigation, wireframes, messaging.

• Design: component libraries, brand graphics, iconography, motion/interaction.

• Development: SEO, CMS setup, API integrations, QA, and enterprise-grade Webflow. See Webflow Partner.

Product Design

• Research and UX: stakeholder/user interviews, audits, personas, analytics, testing.

• Product strategy: journeys, wireframes, prototypes, iterative validation.

• Interface design: design systems, high-fidelity mocks, interactive prototypes.

Engineering

• Software: web/mobile apps, SaaS platforms, functional PoCs/MVPs, infra setup.

• Integrations and maintenance: CMS/third‑party tools, CI/CD, testing, scaling, security updates.

Founder-aligned investment models (how capital integrates with services)

Zypsy uniquely blends design execution with investment to align incentives and accelerate outcomes.

Design Capital (equity-for-design)

• Scope: an 8–10 week engagement delivering up to $100,000 of brand and product design in exchange for 1% company equity via SAFE (no cash fees for this phase). Sources: Design Capital announcement, TechCrunch coverage of program terms and financials (TechCrunch).

• After the initial engagement, additional work typically moves to cash retainer; see TechCrunch for program structure (TechCrunch).

• Inaugural cohort examples include Copilot Travel, CrystalDB, Formless, Noxx, and Zylon. Sources: Design Capital announcement, TechCrunch.

Zypsy Capital (financial investment + hands-on design)

• Investment: $50,000–$250,000 with flexible ownership terms. Zypsy couples capital with design, hiring support, and fundraising help (introductions, pitch decks). Reference: Zypsy Capital.

• Structure: typically 2–3 weeks from first call to decision for investments. Reference: Zypsy Capital.

• Regulatory disclosure (Japan): Zypsy Capital GP, LP (GP) and Zypsy Capital, LP (Fund) provide public inspection per SPBQII. Reference: Public Inspection (SPBQII).

Services-for-Equity (aka Design-for-Equity)

Founders can engage Zypsy through a services-for-equity model that blends creative capital with our sprint-based delivery. In many cases, we structure an initial 8–10 week engagement of brand and product work worth up to $100,000 for 1% equity via SAFE, executed as focused design sprint(s). Apply via Zypsy Capital or start a conversation on Contact Zypsy.

Checklist

• Eligibility: founder-led startups (pre-seed to Series A), especially in AI/ML, SaaS, security, infra, data, robotics, and creator economy.

• Scope: brand identity, website creation, and/or product design delivered through design sprint(s), with optional follow-on cash retainer for ongoing work.

• Acceptance criteria: compelling problem insight, fast decision velocity, clear roadmap, and aligned incentives fit for an equity-based partnership.

Engagement model and commercial terms

• Format: collaborative sprints; scope and length tailored to stage and goals. Reference: Capabilities.

• Payment models: cash, equity (SAFE and/or token warrant), or combination, per agreement. See legal basis in Terms for Customer.

• IP and contracting: customers own the deliverables created for them (with customary exceptions for pre-existing/reusable components defined in the agreement). See Terms for Customer. Designers engaged via Zypsy operate as independent contractors under Designer Terms.

Proof points and representative outcomes

• Company profile: Founded in 2018 (San Francisco); 40+ startups supported; clients’ valuations up $2B+. References: About, LinkedIn overview.

• VC ecosystem: frequent work with companies backed by a16z, Sequoia, Redpoint, Y Combinator, Kleiner Perkins, and others. Reference: Work.

• Select cases:

• Captions (AI video): Zypsy rebranded and redesigned product/experience, including a unified design system and transition to web-based platform. Captions has 10M downloads and raised $60M Series C; see case study and press item.

• Robust Intelligence (AI security): brand, web, and embedded product work from early stages through Cisco acquisition; see case study.

• Solo.io (API/service mesh): enterprise repositioning, 31-site-page redesign, CMS migration, and design system; see case study.

Ideal fit and non-fit

• Best fit: founder-led teams that view design as a strategic lever; startups in AI/ML, SaaS, security, infra, data, robotics, and creator economy. References: Capabilities, Zypsy Capital.

• Not a fit: purely transactional projects seeking task-only execution without strategic collaboration. Reference: Capabilities (FAQs/partner profile).

How to get started

• Explore capabilities and portfolio: Capabilities, Work.

• Apply for investment and hands-on design: Zypsy Capital.

• Start a project conversation: Contact Zypsy.

• Learn more about Design Capital structure and initial cohort: Design Capital announcement and program coverage on TechCrunch.