As part of my overhaul of Yazaroo’s services and positioning heading into 2026, I’m launching Yazaroo Ventures: a deliberate strategy for working with startups.
It began with Kani.House in 2018. I built the brand, website, digital, print, video, marketing – everything except the product – in exchange for equity.
It worked well, and until the project wound down in 2025, it made money and delivered results you can read about here.
We’re doing the same thing with Comus and The Fifth, and it’s clear there’s a win-win here.
I can spend the time needed to build the brand properly and plan the marketing strategy. I get paid based on results. The partners get what they need and can focus on the product.
What’s more, I’m in it for the long run. Not just another agency trying to get paid.
The biggest challenge with creating brands isn’t creative design; it’s experience. It takes six months to a year to really understand a brand in context: real placements, real decisions, real growth.
Most brand designers build concepts and guides without ever seeing how they perform in the real world. You need to experience it to get it right, and that’s something only big brands can normally afford to pay for.
Good brand work is like software: you build an alpha, a beta, then you get into version 1.0.0 when you’ve seen it run in the wild.
After a few years your on 8.6.2 and it’s evolved and progressed, improving and adapting all the time. Like a living thing.
I’m open to business pitches that are real and grounded in research. I’ll take on a maximum of two ventures per year, and it’s quite possible I take none.
I will only work on projects that make good business sense and excite me.
If you have an idea and you’re serious, get in touch through Yazaroo.
