Custom AI Development Services

Tecla delivers custom AI development services for startups and growing companies. From AI-powered products and ML models to chatbots, agentic systems, and integrations into existing platforms.

The engagement takes the shape the team needs: embedded AI talent when the gap is capacity, a managed pod when the gap is delivery.

Over 10 years building with senior AI and engineering talent for US companies.
Full AI stack
Agentic, generative, ML, and transformation
2 to 4 weeks
To a usable first version
10+ years
Building for US companies
Trusted by leading companies

What Tecla builds

AI software development services across agentic AI, generative AI, machine learning, NLP, computer vision, recommendation engines, and more. Here is some of what we build.

Agentic AI Development

Custom AI agents for security triage, financial workflows, customer support, and repetitive tasks across operations. Systems that plan, act, and report back.

Generative AI Development

LLM integrations, AI chatbots, and generative applications built into products. From RAG systems to production-grade assistants.

Computer Vision

AI and ML Development

Machine learning models, computer vision, real time recommendation engines, and AI-powered features embedded into existing software.

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AI Transformation

Consulting and services that redesign how the business operates. Strategy, workflow redesign, and managed AI systems.

From AI-powered products to ML models and agentic systems.

Tell us what you need and we scope the build.

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The typical AI dev agency vs Tecla

The difference shows up in how the work gets scoped, how quality gets measured, and what happens after the code ships.

Typical AI dev agency

Standard
Scope
Grows as the invoice does
First deliverable
Months of billable hours to a prototype
Evaluation
Quality issues surface in front of users
Team
Staffed by availability, not continuity
After launch
Codebase handoff, support ends at delivery

When to engage an AI development partner

Here are some common scenarios where custom AI development delivers real value.

THE SITUATION

The roadmap has AI on it, the team has no slack, and hiring ML engineers takes months the roadmap does not have.

WHAT TECLA DOES

Embedded AI talent or a managed pod, contributing within days instead of quarters.

THE SITUATION

The proof of concept works, and production is a different job: real world integrations, real users, real constraints.

WHAT TECLA DOES

Evaluation suites, latency and cost tuning, and the engineering depth the pilot was not built for.

THE SITUATION

The platform needs AI capabilities without a rebuild of the core.

WHAT TECLA DOES

LLM integrations, RAG over proprietary data, and ML features inside the current architecture.

How we deliver

Discovery before code, evaluations before scale, managed support after launch.

Discovery & scoping

We map the project scope, the technical environment, and what the first deliverable has to solve.

Build & evaluate

Architecture and prototype scoped to deliver a usable first version. Every build ships with evals before production.

Deploy & manage

Launch, monitoring, and a clear path forward: expansion sprints, managed operations, or handoff.

Built to ship, managed after launch

The transition from prototype to production is where AI software development services earn their keep: real data, real users, real constraints. Tecla's engagements are designed around that transition, with evaluations and integration depth built into the scope.

Every build ships with a clear scope and a path forward, whether that means expansion sprints, managed operations, or handoff to the internal team. The engagement moves companies from AI roadmap pressure to shipped AI capability.

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Industries we serve

AI technology takes a different shape in every industry. The data driven constraints, the compliance environment, and the technical requirements are different. We adapt every engagement to the business behind it.

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SaaS & B2B Software

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Fintech & Financial Services

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E-commerce & Retail

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Healthtech

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Cybersecurity

Manufacturing

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Logistics & Supply Chain

Insurance

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Professional Services

The two people you'll work with

Every Tecla engagement is supported by two roles, both included from day one.

AI Solutions Lead

Owns the commercial relationship. Involved in qualification, kickoff alignment, business outcomes and scope decisions, final delivery, and expansion discussions.

AI Systems Lead

Owns discovery, system definition, architecture, buildout, delivery, and future-phase recommendations. Your technical point of contact throughout the engagement.

Start a conversation
Tell us what you need: a custom build, a proof of concept, AI embedded into an existing product, or a team to scale what you have already started. We scope the engagement from there.

From the teams we've worked with

Eleven years, 500+ companies, 50,000+ vetted professionals. What they say about working with us.

Tecla is organized and provides a strong partnership experience. From hiring multiple engineers within weeks to maintaining consistent communication and feedback, they've shown real professionalism. Their follow-up and collaboration made the entire staffing process efficient and enjoyable.

Kristen Marcoe

Director @ Credo AI

I’m very happy with Tecla. Their support has improved our QA process, reduced bug reports by half, and made our onboarding process twice as fast. The team is responsive, cost-effective, and delivers high-quality candidates on time. Tecla has truly become a trusted extension of our internal hiring team.

Meit Shah

Principal PM @ Stash

It was a pleasure working with Tecla. Their team quickly understood our hiring needs and found candidates that matched our technical requirements perfectly. Communication was seamless, and they were always quick to respond and deliver results. Tecla’s attention to quality made the entire experience smooth and efficient.

Mayya Bozhilova

Manager @ Three Space Lab

Tecla successfully found candidates for our team and handled the entire process from scheduling to interviews. They were timely, responsive, and always kept communication flowing through email and messaging apps. I was really impressed with Tecla’s follow-up and thoroughness throughout the process.

Jessica Warren

Head of People @ Chowly

Tecla's business model and team set our company up with engineers that we have the real possibility of working with long-term and can grow with our business. Tecla came in highly recommended, and their pace from introduction to engagement to presenting candidates was very fast.

David Bradley

Founder @ QPilot

Internally, we're moving much faster than we were without the remote engineers Tecla recruited for us and we've been able to implement far more features. Once we brought on our first full-time designer in South America, it made the quality of our user interface, product, and marketing efforts increase substantially.

Drew Batshaw

CTO @ Waggl

When we started our recruiting initiatives for LATAM developers, it was crucial for us to rely on a company that could provide deep local expertise to help us identify the best software developers in Latin America. The teams at Tecla really go the extra mile to understand our needs, which is what has made our partnership so successful!

Douglas Santos

Lead Tech Recruiter @ HomeLight
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Beyond AI development

AI development is one shape of how Tecla works with companies. When the need is AI transformation, senior AI leadership, or AI talent, we cover what comes next.

AI Transformation

AI transformation consulting and services for growing companies. Strategy, workflow redesign, and managed AI systems that change how the business operates.

Agentic AI Development Services

Custom agentic AI systems for security triage, financial workflows, customer support, and business operations. White-label, end-to-end.

Fractional Chief AI Officer

Executive AI leadership at part-time hours. Strategy, governance, and technical direction before a full-time hire is justified.

Frequently asked questions

What types of AI does Tecla build?

Tecla builds custom AI solutions across agentic AI, generative AI, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, recommendation engines, AI chatbots, conversational AI, predictive analytics, and custom model fine-tuning. Each practice area has its own engagement model and technical depth.

How is Tecla different from a typical AI development agency?

Tecla runs fixed-scope sprints with a dedicated AI Systems Lead and managed operations after launch. The typical AI development services company bills hourly, rotates developers, and hands off a codebase without ongoing support. Tecla's engagement is built to avoid all three.

What stack does Tecla work with?

The stack depends on the project. Common choices include Claude, GPT, and Gemini for features built on language models; LangChain and LlamaIndex for orchestration and retrieval; and Python-based ML frameworks for custom AI model development. We choose based on the environment, not the framework of the moment.

What does custom AI software development include?

Custom AI software development services at Tecla include scoping, architecture, framework and model selection, prototype build, evaluation suite, integrations with existing systems, deployment support, and ongoing management. The software solutions delivered depend on whether the engagement is a product build, an integration, or a managed system.

How long does an AI development engagement with Tecla take?

A usable first version typically ships in two to four weeks through a fixed-scope AI Systems Sprint. Production deployment ranges from six weeks to several months depending on complexity, integrations, and evaluation depth.

Does Tecla build AI proofs of concept and MVPs?

Yes. AI proof of concept development services and AI MVP development services are a common starting point. Many engagements begin as a POC, prove the idea, and then move into production-grade AI development with the same team.

Can Tecla add AI to an existing product or platform?

Yes. AI product development services include embedding AI capabilities into existing software. That covers LLM integrations, AI-powered features, recommendation engines, and adaptive AI development services that evolve with the product.

Does Tecla also staff AI engineers?

Yes. Tecla runs a network of senior AI engineers across the US and Latin America with a top 3% acceptance rate and first candidates in 3 to 5 business days. When the need is talent rather than a managed build, Tecla places engineers by specialty across the full AI stack.

What AI development services provider should I choose?

Look for a provider that runs structured discovery before quoting, delivers fixed-scope engagements with clear milestones, and manages the systems after launch. Before committing an AI initiative to any vendor, ask for their experiment-to-production ratio and whether they include a data readiness assessment.

Who owns what Tecla builds?

The client. Everything Tecla builds runs on your infrastructure, with your data, and the code belongs to you. Tecla manages the engagement end-to-end, but ownership stays with the client.

Does Tecla work with startups?

Yes. AI development services for startups typically start with a proof of concept or MVP sprint and scale from there. The engagement adapts to the stage, the business goals, and the technical capacity the company already has, whether the build is a quick validation or a long term investment.

How much do Tecla's AI development services cost?

Tecla starts AI development engagements with a fixed-price AI Systems Sprint. Cost varies by scope and sprint format. The assessment call establishes the scope before any commitment.

How do I get started with Tecla's AI development services?

Start a conversation at tecla.io/onboarding. Tecla looks at what you need, scopes the engagement, and comes back with a plan. No commitment until the scope is confirmed.

Have any questions?
Schedule a call to discuss in more detail.
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