About Our Chicago Digital Studio Team
Foundation and Vision
Built by Dakic was founded in October 2016 by Zeljko Dakic, based in Chicago with a presence in San Francisco. While we’re rooted in the Midwest, our work spans globally — serving clients who demand clarity, speed, and results. Our mission is simple: deliver exceptional digital products through disciplined, human-centered agile processes — enhanced by smart tools that make us faster, not just “techy.”
Origins and Motivation
The studio was born from years of working inside large organizations — where brilliant ideas got lost in bureaucracy, timelines stretched endlessly, and delivery became a chore rather than a craft. I saw too many talented teams held back by misaligned processes, unclear priorities, and overcomplicated workflows. I wanted to build something different: a lean, responsive studio focused on getting things done well — not just using the latest buzzwords.
Delivery First, Tools Second
We don’t sell AI. We sell results.
Our foundation is a rigorous, adaptable agile process — refined through real-world delivery, not theory. We prioritize iterative feedback, clear scope, transparent communication, and measurable outcomes. Every sprint is designed to deliver value, not just complete tasks.
AI? It’s a force multiplier. We use it to remove friction — not replace judgment.
Automating repetitive documentation so engineers can focus on architecture. Turning rough sketches into structured user stories faster. Helping us spot gaps in requirements before they become bugs. Keeping our backlog clean and prioritized, so we stay aligned with your business goals. We let AI handle the grunt work — so our team can focus on what matters: solving real problems, building intuitive experiences, and shipping software that moves the needle.
What Makes Us Different
At Built by Dakic, great digital products aren’t defined by flashy designs or trendy tech stacks — they’re defined by how well they serve your business. We combine proven agile methodologies with thoughtful execution to deliver solutions that are not only beautiful but usable, scalable, and on time.
Explore our portfolio of successful projects to see how we’ve helped businesses across Chicago and San Francisco turn vision into validated, revenue-driving digital assets.
Our approach includes:
- Clear, Iterative Delivery: We break projects into small, valuable increments — shipping early and often.
- Client-Centered Planning: Your goals drive our roadmap, not internal assumptions.
- Lightweight Process: No unnecessary ceremonies. Just clear roles, regular syncs, and predictable cadence.
- Tool-Augmented Efficiency: AI helps us draft docs, summarize feedback, and automate testing setup — so you get more value per hour.
Our Inspiration
I’m inspired by teams that ship fast without sacrificing quality — by builders who care more about impact than prestige. Built by Dakic is built on that ethos: disciplined execution, honest communication, and relentless focus on outcomes.
Our Core Values and Principles
- Delivery Over Drama: We measure success by what’s shipped — not how many meetings we had.
- Transparency: No surprises. Clear timelines, honest updates, and open access to progress.
- Simplicity: We cut complexity. If it doesn’t add value, we remove it.
- Genuineness: We say what we mean. No fluff. No hype. Just real collaboration.
- Excellence: We don’t settle for “good enough.” We build with pride — because your success is our reputation. We believe the best digital products emerge when process is clean, communication is clear, and the team is empowered to solve problems — not chase tickets.
Our Focus Areas
- Prototyping and MVP Development: We help you validate ideas quickly — with working software, not slides.
- Web and Mobile App Development: Clean, performant applications built for users — not just developers.
- Marketing Automation: Streamlining campaigns and lead capture with integrated, reliable systems that actually work.
At Built by Dakic, we’re not here to show off AI demos. We’re here to help you launch, grow, and scale — with a team that respects your time, your goals, and your bottom line.
Ready to take your digital presence to the next level?
Get in touch with our Chicago team for a free consultation.