trau.studio
New Business
( all projects )
trau.studio
New Business
( all projects )
Founder-to-founder venture design studio. We design brands, websites, and products, and invest in founders we believe in.
our clients are backed by
( about us )
Every project we take on, we treat like our own. Founders deserve a real partner, not just a vendor. We've been in that room enough times to know what's at stake, and we get too invested to walk away.
Ondřej Jelínek
Founder, Head of Design
$1.6B+
Capital raised by our clients
30+
Startups accelerated
15+
Years of experience
( how we work )
Discovery
1 week
Get clarity before you commit
We start by building a shared understanding of the problem we are solving. This phase helps align the team around business goals, target audience, and the broader context in which the brand or product operates. By the end, we have a clear direction and defined scope for the work ahead.
Strategy
2-3 weeks
Define how you win
In this phase, we translate insights into a clear strategic direction. We identify opportunities, define positioning, and establish the principles that guide design decisions. The result is a solid foundation that ensures the work that follows is focused and helps achieve the desired goals.
Design
3-6 weeks
Design the experience
This is where strategy becomes tangible. We shape brand identity, product interfaces, and website experiences in a way that communicates your value clearly and supports growth. The goal is to create design that is distinctive, scalable, and consistent across every touchpoint.
Launch
3-6 weeks
Ship fast and start learning
Once the core experience is defined, we focus on bringing it into the real world. This phase turns ideas into working products. We test quickly, ship early versions, and prepare everything for release so the team can start learning from real users.
Growth
Ongoing
Improve what matters
After launch, the focus shifts to continuous improvement. By observing user behavior and testing new ideas, we refine the experience over time to increase engagement, conversion, and overall product performance.
( Flexible pricing models )
Short-term engagement
Prepay a block of hours and use them across design, product or brand workstreams. Ideal for teams that need flexible support without a long-term commitment.
From
$9,600
Ongoing partnership
A dedicated monthly allocation for teams with ongoing design needs. Built for companies that treat design as a continuous growth lever and want consistent access to senior design support.
From
$12,000/Month
Cash + Equity model
Designed for teams who are looking for both financial and design support. We invest in your company and provide strategic design support as part of the partnership.
Get in touch
Haven't found anything that works for you? Get in touch.
( Angel & Incubation )
( Testimonials )
Thier expertise in redesigning our product software and website has been invaluable for our startup. Their innovative approach has significantly enhanced our forecasting solutions in the electricity sector, laying a solid foundation for our future growth.
Matei Stratan
Founder, Ogre.ai
Ogre.ai
TRAU team helped us clarify our story, sharpen our positioning and turn it into sleek brand. Since website launch, traffic has increased 3 times and 96% of new customers now fit our ICP. They asked the right questions and partnered seamlessly with our Head of Design.
Rajeev Behera
Founder, Every
Every
I really like the proactivity the team has demonstrated in terms of bringing several versions and ideas completely on top of what we asked for. All super valuable and appreciated. Also the way of short and quick iterations of the designs and way to go was very convenient for us.
Johana Sindelarova
Co-Founder, Carl for Social
Carl for Social
We’ve been collaborating on projects for over 4 years, and they have really helped elevate the bar for execution and quality of design. It’s been an inspiration to others on the team to have them onboard.
Joana Koiller
VP of design, Luxury Presence
( Clients )
( FAQ )
What do you actually do?
We design brands, websites, and products for founders building something worth noticing. The goal is never just to make it look better. It's to make it work better for your specific situation.
Who do you work with?
Early-stage founders, mostly Seed to Series A. Pre-revenue is fine if the idea is strong. Ambitious team and friendly atmosphere is a must.
When should we reach out?
When something feels off. Your product works but doesn't convince. Your site looks fine but doesn't convert. Or you're about to launch and it needs to land right. We are often approached by startups before their next funding round of right after it.
How are you different from other studios?
Most studios focus on output. Our focus is impact. Traction, clarity, and growth, not just polished screens. After working with 30+ startups, knowledge sharing is built into how we work. And when it matters, doors open too — the right investors, the right people in the ecosystem.
What does a typical project look like?
It starts with Discovery. We get clarity on where you are, what's broken, and what matters most. We continue with a solid a strategy and then design around it: usually brand, website, and product as one system.
How fast can you move?
Fast enough to keep momentum. Careful enough to make the right calls. Most projects take a few weeks to a few months depending on scope. And the longer the partnership, the more meaningful the results.
What does it cost?
Most projects land between $10k and $50k+. Discovery is a $2k workshop where we define scope properly, so you know exactly what you're committing to before anything starts.
What is the difference between Credits, Retainer, and Venture?
Credits is a prepaid fixed time allocation, valid for three months. Retainer is ongoing monthly work. Venture is for founders we believe in enough to take equity alongside, or instead of, a fee. Fixed price and fixed time projects are on the table too. Not sure which fits? Just reach out.
How does the Venture model work?
Each year we invest $25k to $50k into up to four early-stage companies. Half of that goes toward prepaid design credits with us. The other half is yours to use however you need it. Alongside the capital, we design anything you need, from brand to product, and open doors to investors and partners across the US and Europe. We look for strong teams with real technology, clear vision, and early market signal.
Who do you invest in?
Early-stage founders we'd want to work with anyway. We back people over decks, at the pre-seed or seed stage, usually through design acceleration, capital, or both. If you're building something in the US or Europe and want a partner who can shape how it looks and how it grows, let's talk.
Do you also build products?
Design is our core, but we build websites too. For more complex products, we have trusted development partners who can make it happen end to end, without losing quality in translation. Happy to give you an intro.
