Can you share a few details about Lizard Global’s founding story and the challenges the company had to overcome to get to where it is now?
I met my cofounder Guido van Beek during my first days in University. While I was focused on computer science with an entrepreneurial mindset, Guido had a unique combination of programming expertise and a background in industrial design. We often found ourselves constantly debating what made software truly “good”—not just functional, but also user-friendly, scalable, and able to drive real business value. At that time, the market was full of clunky, overly complex software that frustrated users more than it helped them. But end-users just didn’t know better and accepted it. We had already freelanced together and after our graduation we decided to formalize this and start a company together. The early years weren’t easy. Like any startup, we had to prove ourselves. It wasn’t just about building great software; it was about convincing clients to trust us as a young agency. Operating in both the Netherlands and Malaysia added another layer of complexity, with time zones, cultural differences, and team management to navigate. But these challenges also became our strengths—being international gave us a broader perspective and the ability to adapt quickly. Now we have an excellent team of 55+ and over 100+ clients all over the world and I sleep a lot better too.What is the full process of working with a single client from establishing gaps and defining solutions to generating growth like?
Our process starts well before any contracts are signed because we believe that understanding the client’s business is the foundation of successful software. In the proposal phase, we spend time diving into the business case, asking the right questions, and working alongside the client to map out a product roadmap. This roadmap sets the direction, breaking down the project into Themes and Epics. Themes outline high-level goals, while Epics are more actionable, allowing us to plan and prioritize development steps strategically. Once we have clarity on the scope, we estimate the complexity of each Epic and work with the client to align this with their budget and goals. We invest a lot in new clients and do all of these before the proposal is signed. By the time the contract is signed, there’s already a solid relationship in place—we’re not just their developers; we’re their partners. That upside is much more important to me. From there, we shift to building the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). We believe in starting small. A tightly scoped MVP lets us go live quickly, gather feedback, and validate assumptions. This approach minimizes risk and ensures we’re building something the market actually wants. Once the MVP is live, we analyze its performance, focus on conversion rates, and refine the product for a stronger market fit. We always offer this UI/UX data analytics for free for a couple of sprints with every new application that we build because we want our clients to be successful and this iterative approach is where the real growth happens. Together with the client, we continuously enhance the application based on data and user insights, scaling it in a way that aligns with the evolving business case. This process has led to significant successes for our clients. It’s not just about delivering software—it’s about building a tool that drives real business impact.What is the technology stack behind Lizard Global?
Our core technology stack revolves around JavaScript, specifically the MERN stack: MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. We build on a microservices architecture, which gives us and our clients a significant edge. Microservices come with several advantages: ● Scalability: Each service can scale independently, so as a business grows, its application can grow without unnecessary overhead. ● Fault Isolation: If one service encounters an issue, the rest of the system continues running smoothly. ● Security: Isolated services make it easier to protect sensitive data. ● Team Efficiency: Smaller, focused teams can work on specific services, which speeds up development and enhances quality. Setting up a microservices architecture is complex, but it’s worth it. As an agency, we’ve invested in creating a robust DevOps environment that allows us to reuse and refine this setup across multiple projects. For our clients, this means faster development, reduced long-term costs, and a product that’s built to last. In contrast, a monolithic architecture can be harder to maintain and scale. By embracing microservices, we’re ensuring that the solutions we deliver are not just functional but future-proof.What sets you apart from your competitors?
Our focus on building long-term partnerships with our clients. We’re not just here to deliver a product and move on—we want to be committed to their success. Another thing that makes us unique is our ability to bridge the gap between technology and business. Many companies struggle with this—they focus too much on the tech and lose sight of the business impact. We make sure every feature we develop serves a purpose, whether that’s driving growth, improving efficiency, or solving a specific problem. This holistic approach is why our first client is still with us today, more than 10 years later.Is there anything else about your work that you’d like to share that we haven’t covered?
One recent application that I am super proud of is our work in accessibility-focused application for My New Behavior (mynewbehavior.com). This is an e-learning platform we have built, tailored for visually impaired users. Visually impaired users from all over the world will use this to excel in new skills. When we first met the founder, he had been working with another development company for two years but still didn’t have a functioning application. The desperation was palpable: he had clients lined up but not anywhere close to a working application. We at Lizard Global signed him on and within three months, we rebuilt the platform entirely from scratch and he was able to onboard the first users. Their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Our ability to take on such diverse challenges highlights our versatility and commitment to creating an impact and clients’ success.To learn more about Lizard Global, you can visit www.lizard.global
