// insights · field notes

Notes from the workshop.

Guides, breakdowns and unfiltered takes on AI agents, automation, engineering, security and growth — written by the team that ships in NYC, Tel Aviv and Podgorica.

What is an AI agent? A practical guide for founders (2026)

Skip the hype. An AI agent is just three things stitched together — and once you see the shape, you can decide if you actually need one. With concrete examples of where agents earn their keep versus where a Zapier flow is enough.

n8n vs Make vs Zapier vs Lindy: when to choose each (2026)

A decision tree for SMBs, not a feature matrix. We've built on all four — here's how we pick.

How much does it cost to build an AI agent in 2026?

Real numbers from our pipeline. POC, MVP, production — what each phase looks like, and where the money actually goes.

Что такое ИИ-агент: гид для основателя в 2026

Без шума. ИИ-агент — это три простые штуки, соединённые вместе. Когда он нужен, а когда хватает обычной автоматизации.

From design to deploy: how one studio replaces a five-agency stack

Most "AI agencies" do one thing. Most design studios don't ship code. Most dev shops can't write a brief. What we do differently — and why it changes the math for founders trying to launch fast without herding five vendors.

RAG architecture for B2B SaaS: 5 patterns that actually work

Vector DB + LLM is the tutorial. The patterns that survive contact with real users are different.

SOC 2 readiness for AI startups: a 90-day checklist

Auditors hate AI vendors. Here's the prep that gets you to Type II without bleeding cycles.

Voice AI receptionist: build vs buy in 2026

Retell, Vapi, Bland — or roll your own on Twilio + GPT-Realtime? The honest decision matrix.

AI development agency NYC vs Tel Aviv vs EU: where to outsource in 2026

Hourly rates, time zones, IP law, culture. We work in all three — here's the unsentimental tradeoffs.

How to choose a brand identity agency in 2026

Half the agencies pitching you don't ship for software. Here's the filter that saves a month.

Penetration testing pricing in 2026: what's reasonable

$5k web app pentest vs $50k red team — what you're actually paying for, and what to skip.

B2B SEO for SaaS: the 2026 playbook

LLM search killed half the old tactics. The ones still working — and the ones replacing them.

Сколько стоит MVP в 2026: реальные цифры по 40 проектам

Не «зависит от задачи». Конкретные диапазоны: $8k / $25k / $60k — и что в каждый входит.

Бренд для AI-стартапа: 5 примеров, что работает в 2026

Не градиент с роботом. Разбираем айдентику Lovable, Cursor, Anthropic, Replit и одного нашего клиента.

SEO-стратегия для стартапа: что работает в эру LLM-поиска

ChatGPT и Perplexity забрали часть трафика, но открыли новый канал. Как туда зайти прямо сейчас.