Jugo

An intro to Jugo

Jugo enables genuine human connection by empowering people and brands to create meaningful moments in unique, engaging spaces, wherever they are. Their mission is to transform online meetings into opportunities for innovation and collaboration, all within a secure environment. Founded in 2022, Jugo is headquartered in Bristol, UK, with offices across North America and Europe.

The Challenge

Jugo, part of the GDS Group, set out to revolutionise the virtual events landscape by creating a next-generation Software-as-a-Service platform. This ambitious greenfield project required building both an innovative product and a complete technology function from the ground up. The challenge was twofold: rapidly developing a cutting-edge platform while establishing a permanent engineering capability to support long-term growth.

The Solution

We deployed our Amplify model, a comprehensive approach that accelerated product development while building sustainable internal capabilities.

Strategic Leadership Our Principal Consultant provided CTO-level guidance, shaping Jugo’s technology strategy and architectural decisions. This foundation ensured the platform would leverage the most effective technologies, including AWS, Java, React, Kafka, and 3D gaming technology to create immersive virtual experiences.

Rapid Product Development We deployed a high-calibre engineering squad to build the initial proof of concept, enabling Jugo to move quickly while permanent team recruitment was underway. This approach protected their first-mover advantage in the market while validating the product concept.

Team Building Excellence Working in partnership with Jugo, we created a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy that included market analysis and salary benchmarking, targeted employer branding campaigns, and community engagement through events like Leeds Digital Festival. Our consulting teams maintained development momentum throughout the permanent team’s formation, ensuring continuous progress while managing smooth transitions.

The Impact

The engagement delivered success across multiple dimensions:

Product Achievement The initial proof of concept successfully validated Jugo’s innovative approach to virtual events, leading to accelerated product development and establishing robust technical foundations for scaling.

Team Development We helped build and onboard a complete permanent engineering function, delivering seamless knowledge transfer throughout the transition. This created sustainable internal capabilities that positioned Jugo for continued innovation and growth.

Strategic Value By combining rapid execution with strategic planning, we helped Jugo protect their market opportunity while building a foundation for long-term success. The platform now stands as a testament to what’s possible when innovative product development meets strategic team building.

This partnership demonstrated how combining technical expertise with talent acquisition can accelerate ambitious digital initiatives while creating lasting organisational capabilities.