T-Shaped Developer to Tech Founder: What It Costs to Launch in 2023
If you're a developer dreaming of launching your own tech product or company in 2025, here's a no-fluff breakdown of what it really takes — technically, legally, and financially.
🚀 My Journey — From Code to Company
Like many developers, I always wanted to build something of my own — something that solved a real-world problem while leveraging the tech stack I loved working with.
In 2025, I finally took the leap. I registered a company, launched a tech product, published it on both Android and iOS stores, and integrated essential business tools like WhatsApp and SMS-based OTP login. The result?
- Web app: Wind Ninjas
- Android app: Play Store
- iOS app: iOS Store
💰 Cost Breakdown: What It Really Takes to Start
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Android Developer Account | $25 (one-time) | Google Play Console access |
| iOS Developer Account | $100/year | Apple Developer Program |
| Business Email (Gmail Workspace) | $3/month | Support/contact email |
| Domain Name | ~$9/year | AWS Route 53 |
| Pvt Ltd Registration | ~$100 | Professional service |
| GST Registration | ~$100 | Optional |
| Trademark Registration | ~$100 | Brand protection |
| CA/CS Fees | ~$400/year | Legal filings & compliance |
💡 Total Estimated First-Year Cost: ~$900 (excluding variable usage like SMS/WhatsApp)
🧠 Prerequisites: What You Need to Know Before Starting
- T-Shaped Developer: Deep expertise in TypeScript/JavaScript with working knowledge of related frameworks like React, Next.js, and Node.js.
- AWS Cloud: Developer-friendly and scalable cloud platform with tools like Amplify, Lambda, and S3 to simplify full-stack deployment.
- PWA Expertise: Build once and deploy seamlessly across Web, Android, and iOS using Progressive Web Apps.
- DevOps Basics: Familiarity with Git, CI/CD pipelines, version control, and automation tools for efficient development workflows.
- Publishing Skills: Know how to publish, update, and maintain apps on the Play Store and App Store, including provisioning profiles and app metadata.
- Low-Code/No-Code Understanding: Ability to evaluate and integrate LCNC tools to speed up prototyping and non-core feature delivery.
- Storybook: Use Storybook to build and test UI components in isolation, improving reusability and team collaboration.
- Next.js: Master this React framework to build scalable, SEO-friendly full-stack applications with SSR and API integration.
- React.js: Proficient in React to create dynamic and responsive UIs with reusable components and efficient state management.
- Node.js: Use Node.js to handle backend logic, REST APIs, and real-time services using a single language across the stack.
- Domain Knowledge: A deep understanding of the industry you’re targeting to ensure product-market fit and real problem solving.
💡 What Did I Actually Build?
- PWA app deployed across Web, Android, and iOS using one codebase
- WhatsApp integration for business messaging
- Passwordless SMS OTP Login
- Full company registration, GST, and trademark protection
- AWS-powered backend with serverless/pay-as-you-go model
🎯 Key Takeaways for Developers
- You don’t need millions to launch — $1,000 and the right skills are enough
- PWA saves cost and simplifies cross-platform development
- Handle legalities early to avoid issues later
- Your skills are your greatest investment
✨ Final Thoughts
Starting a tech company as a developer is no longer just a dream. With tools, platforms, and legal help more accessible than ever, you can go from "just coding" to owning a product and a company in less than a year.
🔁 And the rest? It's all about marketing — building your audience, crafting your brand, creating meaningful content, and forming strategic partnerships that drive visibility and trust.
👉 Need help or want to collaborate? Contact us here
👉 Or connect with me on linked in
📬 Curious about my stack, SMS provider, or the PWA-to-App conversion process? Drop a message — I'm happy to share insights from the journey.
💻 Check out my GitHub for more tech projects and contributions