Building bespoke success: Codevate’s journey from incubator to industry standout

When it comes to software, too many businesses find out the hard way that ‘off the shelf’ just doesn’t cut it. That’s where Codevate comes in.

Born out of Birmingham’s tech start-up scene and the BSEEN incubator, Codevate has built a reputation for rescuing failing projects, delivering tailored software solutions, and helping ambitious businesses thrive. Their approach is simple but powerful: educate clients, focus on quality, and deliver complex projects that actually work.

Why Codevate? Quality over quick wins

While some software agencies focus on short-term revenue, Codevate took a different path. Founded by Samuel Jones and David Bennett, they’ve spent over a decade prioritising long-term partnerships and a deeper understanding of what clients need.

Samuel says:

We don’t compete on price, we compete on quality – on delivering solutions that work where others haven’t.

And it’s paid off. Codevate has achieved a 100% project completion rate – a notable achievement in a sector where the average is closer to 25%. Clients come to them after failed attempts with other developers, looking for someone who can finally get the job done.

Solving complex problems, delivering real results

From early-stage start-ups to public sector bodies and established enterprises, Codevate’s work spans healthcare, logistics, finance and education. A standout example: their 11-year relationship with a telecoms firm, where they continue to support a bespoke SaaS platform critical to the client’s operations.

Over the years, they’ve helped clients:

• Grow revenues by more than 600%
• Boost productivity by up to 800%
• Integrate seamlessly with dozens of third-party APIs and services

The common thread? Each software solution they develop is uniquely tailored, designed to protect competitive advantage and scale with the business.

The legal support behind the software

When Codevate needed legal support to match the complexity of their projects, they turned to us. As an Enable client, they benefit from a legal team that understands how their business works – and how to structure client contracts, intellectual property rights provisions and engagement models in a way that supports growth.

Samuel spoke about his experience:

From day one, Harper James made everything straightforward. Sarah Gunton and the team are on hand when we need them, and their advice has been invaluable – particularly when it comes to engagement letters, IP assignments and investor requirements.

Flexible models that protect client outcomes

Whether clients need to own their IP from the start or are better served with a licensing model, Codevate – supported by our legal team – ensures everything is clear, structured and fit for purpose. That includes engagement letters covering consultancy, software development, licensing, retainer models and more.

Some clients use Codevate as a developer-for-hire service, where IP is assigned upon project completion. Others prefer a licensing route, which allows them to operate at a lower cost while still protecting what makes their business unique. Either way, Codevate’s role often expands beyond development, with clients seeking ongoing strategic input across other areas of their business.

Looking ahead: software, AI and the next chapter

As AI continues to evolve, Codevate’s focus on solving high-complexity problems that machines can’t yet handle puts them in a strong position for future growth.

AI will handle more standardised tasks – but complex, bespoke challenges still need deep human insight,” says Samuel. “That’s where we come in.

And with a flexible legal framework behind them, they’re ready to keep building – better.