Docaroo Has Landed: Our First Product Launch and the Power of Building Fast, Together

We’re excited to share a major milestone at NEXT ORBIT Venture Studio - the launch of our very first product, Docaroo. In just four months, and with a full MVP build delivered in only eight weeks, our team has proven what’s possible when the right people, processes, and purpose come together. Powered by our unique Gates process and a passionate, cross-functional team, Docaroo is more than just a product - it’s a showcase of what NEXT ORBIT stands for: speed with intention, design that solves real problems, and a commitment to building solutions that matter.

Our Revolutionary Gates Process

At the heart of our success lies our proprietary Gates process – a streamlined approach to conceptualisation, discovery, design, and development. This methodology enabled us to move with unprecedented speed and precision.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the timeline: just 4 months from concept to launch, with the software development MVP build (web app, iOS, and Android applications) completed in only 8 weeks! This represents an extraordinary accomplishment in the product development world.

Our process included:

• Intensive workshops with industry specialists
• Collaboration between ideation teams, technical experts, and legal advisors
• Multiple validation rounds to prove our concept before building
• A rigorous and immersive design process that continues to evolve

Throughout this journey, our stakeholders – the NEXT ORBIT board comprising Vuyo Mpako, Tramayne Monaghan, Amit Ramdath, and Martin Ras – provided invaluable guidance and vision, keeping us aligned with our mission to address real-world problems in South Africa like protecting income, managing debt, and creating jobs.

A Tribute to Our Team

None of this would be possible without our incredible team. The studio is headed up by two exceptional leaders: Lara Prasad (LinkedIn) and Elizabeth Ras (LinkedIn). This female-run team brings extensive experience in fintech and product development, creating an environment where innovation thrives.

Behind these leaders stands a remarkable group of talented individuals whose combined efforts brought Docaroo to life. Our product designers meticulously crafted user journeys that address real-world pain points, while our UI designers transformed complex functionality into an intuitive, beautiful interface that welcomes users of all technical abilities. Meanwhile, our development team performed nothing short of magic, building a robust, cross-platform solution in an incredibly compressed timeframe without compromising quality.

What made this project special wasn't just the technical achievement, but the spirit in which it was accomplished. The team embraced challenges with creativity and determination, often finding innovative solutions that exceeded our initial expectations. The collaborative atmosphere created a space where ideas flowed freely, and everyone's contribution was valued.

Perhaps most importantly, the team genuinely enjoyed working together. From intense problem-solving sessions to celebrating milestones, there was a palpable energy and camaraderie that fueled our progress. This positive environment allowed for rapid iteration and the confidence to push boundaries.

The journey has provided invaluable learnings that we'll carry forward to future projects: the importance of early user validation, the power of cross-functional collaboration, the value of maintaining technical flexibility, and the impact of clear communication channels. These insights have already strengthened our approach and will enhance how we tackle our next MVP.

The energy and passion they've brought to this project exemplify everything NEXT ORBIT stands for. This team hasn't just built a product; they've created a blueprint for how effective collaboration can transform ambitious ideas into market-ready solutions in record time.

Join the Document Management Revolution

Ready to transform how you manage your important documents? Visit Docaroo today to learn more and be among the first to experience this revolutionary platform.

As we celebrate this milestone, we're more determined than ever to continue creating digital solutions that challenge convention and create lasting value across Africa and beyond. Our work on developing the best document management app for security is just beginning.

Stay tuned for more updates on Docaroo and future NEXT ORBIT ventures. This is just the beginning!