Your Quest. Our Story.
We exist to help founders like you win.
Since 2009, Eight Bit Studios has been turning imagination into APPlication. The technology has evolved. The hard parts haven't. Today, we focus on a specific problem facing modern founders: the App Builder Wall.
AI tools like Cursor, Bolt, and Lovable make it easier than ever to get a prototype working. But almost every founder hits the same moment—when performance, architecture, scalability, and investor expectations start to matter. That's where Eight Bit comes in.
Led by Don Bora and Steve Polacek, we work hands-on with non-technical founders to turn AI-built ideas into market-ready, production-grade products. We combine Fractional CTO leadership, UI/UX design, and Flutter & Rails development to tackle the hardest technical problems first—so your app is grounded from day one. Because working software in your hands beats something that only looks good on a slide.
The Founders
Don Bora
Co-Founder
Fractional CTO and code-first builder. Don's been shipping apps for 17+ years and sits on multiple startup boards. He's hands-on in the code with you—not managing from the sidelines.
LinkedInSteve Polacek
Co-Founder
Product and design lead. Steve helps founders cut through the noise and focus on what matters. He's in the room with you, making sure strategy aligns with execution and the product feels right.
LinkedInHow We Think
Functional Beats Fictional
We start with code, not concepts—because real in your hands beats pretty on a slide. You'll have working software to react to, not decks.
Ship Early, Learn Fast
The only feedback that matters comes from real users. We optimize for getting you to market, not building the perfect product.
No Lock-In
You own your code. We use standard technologies and document everything. You can take it anywhere—or we can keep building together.
How We Work
We work on retainer, and we meet you where you are. No 6-month discovery phases. No waiting months to see a demo. Just progress—every week.
Advise
For founders who need guidance before building.
Guide
Fractional CTO leadership. Tech R&D. Explore feasibility before you commit to a full build.
Concept
Investor-ready demos and pitch materials. Test your product story before you build the product.
Build
For founders ready to ship.
Core
MVP partner. Lean builds with essential design and code. Flutter, Rails, AI integrations.
Pro
Full-stack product partner. Brand, UX/UI, development, and go-to-market readiness.
Flexible plans. Pause, cancel, or switch modes anytime.
We're also open to skin in the game—Don sits on several startup boards and advisories, and we selectively invest in the founders we believe in.
Where We Work
We're headquartered in Chicago with a presence in Dallas. But we work with founders everywhere—our process is built for remote collaboration.