About
Andre Barrett
Founder, Software Startup Academy · Solution Architect & Principal Engineer
London, UK
I help developers and tech founders turn software skills into profitable businesses. I've spent 20+ years building software, from mobile apps used by millions to enterprise cloud and AI platforms, and since 2010 I've run my own software consultancy, iMobilize Ltd.
- years building software
- 20+
- years building software
- founded iMobilize Ltd
- 2010
- founded iMobilize Ltd
- engineering team scaled
- 4 → 50
- engineering team scaled
- of users on products shipped
- Millions
- of users on products shipped
Profile
Most developers are never shown how to run a business. I wasn’t either. Many of the products I built for clients were a technical success, yet the startups behind them still failed. Software Startup Academy is everything I’ve learned since about making a software business work: strategy, marketing, finance and leadership, taught by someone who has built software for startups and household names alike.
- Architect of an enterprise AI gateway and agentic platform: MCP-based access to LLMs and AI services, with identity, guardrails and audit built in.
- Platform engineering for global finance: secure, multi-region cloud architecture at JPMorgan Chase and Kubernetes platform security at Legal & General.
- Founder and advisor since 2010: helped scale an engineering team from 4 to 50 and shipped products used by millions.
- Startup operator: Head of Engineering at a fintech start-up, and founder of two businesses of my own.
Experience
Solution Architect & Principal Engineer
Present
AI gateway and agentic platform, regulated industry
- Leads architecture for an MCP-based AI gateway and agentic platform that gives engineering teams and autonomous agents secure, governed access to LLMs and AI services.
- Defines the identity, data-access controls, auditing and observability for AI agents.
- Works alongside security, risk and compliance teams to take AI applications safely into production.
Founder
Software Startup Academy
- Coaching and training that teaches developers to launch and grow profitable software businesses without outside funding.
- Programs include the Startup Bootcamp, Success Accelerator Masterclass and one-to-one Startup Business ACTION Plan mentoring.
Head of Engineering
Fintech start-up
- Led engineering at an early-stage fintech start-up.
Lead Platform Engineer
Legal & General
- Hardened Kubernetes platforms and service-to-service security.
Platform Engineer
JPMorgan Chase
- Designed multi-region cloud architectures with strong network isolation and identity controls.
iOS Developer
Sainsbury's, iOS Groceries app
- Go-to developer for complex problems on the Sainsbury’s iOS Groceries app, and mentor to the team’s junior engineers.
- Championed test-driven development and software engineering best practice.
Founder & Principal Consultant
2010 – Present
iMobilize Ltd, London
- Runs a London mobile app and web development studio, advising CTOs and founders across finance, retail, gaming and media.
- Portfolio includes work on Sky Go and Sky Q, Onit event ticketing and the Buddy Bounce fan-club platform.
My book
Branding For Profit
How Companies Create Extraordinary Gains From Their Brands – And How You Can Too
My book is a step-by-step guide to creating a strong brand that attracts more customers and outsells your competition, using a simple, repeatable process that anyone can copy.
Many people think the most successful brands won simply by delivering high-quality products. Branding For Profit reveals the psychology that really drives buying decisions, and shows how to build a brand on a low budget without hiring designers or a branding agency. It's written for founders, tech startups, coaches, consultants, agency owners, freelancers and creators.
What you'll learn
- Build a community of loyal, repeat customers
- Charge more and still outsell your competition
- Create persuasive communication that sells
- Become the go-to solution in your industry
- Name your brand for maximum impact
- Launch a low-cost, high-profit brand step by step
“I learnt more about business reading this book than I have learnt my entire life attending other business seminars held by so called "Gurus". I now know exactly what I need to do to make my brand profitable.”
My consultancy
iMobilize Ltd
Mobile app and web development studio, London
iMobilize is the software consultancy I founded in 2010. We build innovative, custom-made mobile apps and web platforms that give clients an edge over the competition, backed by impartial, strategic and practical advice. Mobile apps and mobile-optimised websites are our speciality.
iMobilize was also invited to Twitter's Hello World developer conference, and publishes the Branding For Profit book.
Visit imobilize.co.ukServices
- Mobile app development: cross-platform iOS and Android apps
- SaaS: full-cycle, agile development of cloud-based products
- Web development and responsive web design
- CMS development for video, audio and documents
- UI/UX and graphic design
- Branding: strategy, identity and brand story
- Digital marketing: SEO, content, social, paid and email
- Business and product strategy consultation
How we deliver
- 01
Strategy
Briefings to capture requirements and constraints, then product design.
- 02
Design
Sketches, mock-ups and wireframes informed by best practice and competitor products.
- 03
Development
Agile, data-driven delivery using Scrum and test-driven development.
- 04
Launch
Pre-launch awareness on social media and follow-up after release.
- 05
Life-cycle management
Managing the product from inception through to service and retirement.
Selected work
Sky Go
Live and on-demand video streaming, wherever you are.
Sky Q
Making it simpler to watch your favourite shows.
Onit
Create, promote and sell tickets to any event.
Buddy Bounce
Clubs that connect fans around their celebrity fandoms.
Brands I've built software for
Get in touch
Let's talk about your software business
Ready to build your software business?
Start with the free on-demand training. You'll learn why starting with a business plan sets you up to fail, why so many tech startups don't make it, and my 4-step blueprint for creating and growing a successful software business.
100% free. No credit card required.