11 UI UX design companies for startups you don’t want to miss

BetterHelp didn’t reinvent therapy. They reinvented access to it through smart UX/UI design. What began as a startup offering online counseling evolved into a global leader, all thanks to strategic digital presence. The signup flow feels less like a medical intake form and more like a friendly quiz. Therapist matching happens invisibly in the background. There are no awkward calls and no waiting lists. And with the mobile-first interface, therapy became as natural as messaging a friend. 

That’s the playbook every ambitious founder should study. Smart design is often the difference between a promising startup and an industry leader. In this article, we’ll highlight the best UI UX design companies for startups and guide you toward choosing a partner who can turn ideas into trusted products.

Key takeaways 

• Design is survival. With 305 million startups launched annually and 90% failing, user experience is what determines success.
• Trust is visual. 94% of users judge credibility by digital presence, making strong UI/UX a startup’s first trust signal.
• Investors watch design. 73% expect AI adoption, and intuitive AI UX is critical for securing funding.
• Proven results. Case studies from Lazarev.agency’s portfolio show UI/UX directly drives retention and acquisition.

High stakes of UX/UI: why finding the right design partner matters more than ever

Every year, over 305 million startups are created worldwide. Yet, 90% fail within the first 2 to 5 years. In markets this crowded, the best user experience is a business-critical lever that separates products people try once from those they can’t live without.

Here’s why the right design partner matters:

• Attention is scarce. With millions of apps and platforms competing for clicks, intuitive design keeps users engaged from the very first tap.
• Digital presence defines trust. Around 94% of users decide whether a business is credible based on the quality of its online presence.
• AI UX fuels investor trust. 73% of investors say companies should deploy AI solutions at scale, with 66% of investors expecting the companies they back to deliver productivity gains from AI within 12 months.

The numbers above prove that startups don’t survive on ideas alone. They succeed on experiences that earn user trust and attract investor confidence. And strategic startup web design is the solid foundation that turns a risky venture into a product people and markets believe in.

Pick your best-fit startup UI/UX design agency from a lineup of 11 best partners

The startup world doesn’t reward second chances. When your product hits the market, design decides whether users stay or bounce in seconds. That’s why founders need the expert assistance of the leading startup UI/UX design agency.

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Choosing a UI/UX partner isn’t about picking a name off a list. In the next section, we’ll dive deeper into what makes each agency unique. With this insight at hand, you can make a well-informed decision about what partner to reach out to for the best-fit collab.

1. Lazarev.agency

• Strengths: Deep AI UX expertise, design thinking, and a proven track record of assisting startups in scaffolding from market entrants into industry leaders.
• Watch for: Emphasis on ongoing collaboration, works best with engaged, hands-on partners.
• Industry recognition: over 120 global design awards, including 3× Webby Awards Winner & 2× Honoree, 5× Red Dot Awards, and CSS Design Awards Nominee. 
• Ideal use cases: Startups looking to improve product strategy and achieve high-growth digital presence. 

💼 Explore our portfolio 

2. Goji Labs

• Strengths: Strategic balance of UX and product development.
• Watch for: Smaller team size may limit bandwidth for enterprise-scale projects.
• Ideal use cases: Nonprofits, healthcare, and early-stage startups needing MVPs.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio 

3. Neuron

• Strengths: Specializes in enterprise and B2B UX, with deep expertise in complex software systems.
• Watch for: Less focused on branding and marketing design.
• Ideal use cases: SaaS companies and enterprise startups tackling multi-layered workflows.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

4. Momentum Design Lab

• Strengths: Over two decades of design experience, trusted by Fortune 500s, excels at design systems.
• Watch for: Premium costs and slower timelines for smaller startups.
• Ideal use cases: Startups with the business goal to reach enterprise-level markets.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

5. Arounda

• Strengths: Versatile team with rich SaaS and fintech portfolios.
• Watch for: Limited track record in large-scale enterprise projects.
• Ideal use cases: Fintech or SaaS startups on the hunt for both sleek and highly functional MVPs.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

6. Rossul

• Strengths: Longstanding expertise in enterprise UX specifically for the healthcare industry.
• Watch for: More focused on usability testing than creative branding.
• Ideal use cases: Healthcare startups, enterprise SaaS tools, and businesses with products that rely heavily on compliance frameworks.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

7. Orbix Studio LLC

• Strengths: Agile, startup-friendly pricing, proficient in mixing branding strategy and innovative digital design.
• Watch for: Smaller portfolio compared to established firms.
• Ideal use cases: Early-stage startups needing fast MVP launches.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

8. Slide UX

• Strengths: Research-driven design process, emphasis on testing and validation.
• Watch for: Limited global footprint compared to larger firms.
• Ideal use cases: SaaS platforms and B2B startups prioritizing usability of their digital presence.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

9. Darly Solutions

• Strengths: Full-stack development plus UX, ideal for end-to-end builds.
• Watch for: Heavier focus on development than branding or creative facet.
• Ideal use cases: Startups that need both product design and more technical engineering.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

10. Spaceberry Studio

• Strengths: Startup-oriented with experience across MVPs and marketplaces.
• Watch for: Lean prod team best suited for focused projects.
• Ideal use cases: Early-stage products.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

11. Simple Thread

• Strengths: Custom software UX, digital transformation expertise.
• Watch for: Industry focus is narrower than broader agencies.
• Ideal use cases: Manufacturing, energy, and SaaS startups seeking modern UX for complex tools.

💼 Check out the company’s portfolio

3 cornerstones of exceptional UI UX design for startups: insights from Lazarev.agency cases

Great UI/UX design is about making products effortless to use and aligned with both user needs and business goals. The following cases show how these principles play out in practice.

1. Complex tools need clarity

When a product handles vast datasets or technical workflows, design must strip away complexity. 

🟩 Case in point: At Lazarev.agency, an AI product design agency, we helped Accern turn its AI-driven research platform, Rhea, into something analysts and investors could actually use. We built a hybrid GUI + prompt interface, an adaptive language system, and tools like report creator mode. Instead of overwhelming the target audience, Rhea guided them through tasks. That clarity helped Accern secure $40M+ in funding and transition from Series B to acquisition.

2. User engagement depends on daily return

Startups can’t thrive on one-time use. They need to design experiences that pull users back every day. 

🟩 Case in point: WellSet, a digital wellness platform, had valuable content but struggled with retention. Lazarev.agency UI/UX experts redesigned it around personalized dashboards, live session integration, and tailored recommendations. The shift turned a passive library into an active hub. As a result, WellSet grew to 500K+ active users, boosted retention by 30%, and raised $3.1M+ to expand.

3. Habits are built through design

The most successful products shape behavior. 

🟩 Case in point: For the Happiness app, our goal was to help people build new routines over six weeks. We applied behavioral psychology and gamification: progress calendars, leaderboards, badges, and consistency rewards. These mechanics made the process enjoyable and sticky, raising retention by 42% and generating millions in revenue. 

Build the startup users believe in with the right UI/UX partner

Every startup begins with an idea. Few survive long enough to make it a movement. That’s why choosing the right UI/UX design company for startups is one of the most strategic decisions you’ll make. 

At Lazarev.agency, an AI UX design agency, we’ve helped founders boost retention and secure millions in funding. If you’re ready to give your startup the true business advantage it deserves, let’s talk. The next category-defining product could be yours.