
Helm Experience & Design
ReviewDigital product studio specializing in UX-first software development, with portfolio including ACV Auctions.

Clients
About Helm Experience & Design
Helm Experience & Design is a digital product studio in Buffalo founded in 2014 by Jonathan Gorczyca and Nicholas Barone. The studio focuses on UX research, UI design, and custom software development for web and mobile applications. Notable work includes building products for ACV Auctions, which went public in 2021 raising over $400 million, and supporting startups funded through 43North, Buffalo's startup competition.
Who Helm Experience & Design Is Best For
Helm is best for companies that want design and engineering tightly integrated from day one. Their track record with ACV Auctions and 43North-funded startups demonstrates comfort working with high-growth companies at inflection points. The studio's size means clients get senior-level attention throughout the project rather than being handed off to junior teams.
Why Choose Helm Experience & Design
Things to Consider
Helm Experience & Design Services
Selected Work

ACV Auctions β Bringing an Idea From 0β60
ACV Auctions
Helm partnered with ACV Auctions on product design that replaced days-long travel to live auctions with a ~15-minute in-dealership experience β supporting pitch materials that helped raise $350M+ and early app auctions of hundreds of cars.
View case study
43North β Empowering Buffalo's Startup Scene
43North
Helm replaced 43North's inadequate off-the-shelf application tool with a purpose-built digital system for managing thousands of annual startup applications and the accelerator's $5M seed investment workflow.
View case study
ODL Orthodontics β Aligning for Success
ODL Orthodontics
After immersing on-site in ODL's Buffalo manufacturing lab, Helm designed and developed a seamless system for ordering, managing, and iterating on orthodontic aligners for dental professionals.
View case studyReviews from Google
Working with Helm has been absolutely fantastic. From day 1, they were able to seamlessly integrate into our software development lifecycle, and immediately provide value. They brought high caliber UX design expertise and insight to our project, and I couldn't possibly be more pleased.
Having worked with Helm Experience and Design, I would strongly recommend their services to produce innovative, alluring, and highly-functional websites and mobile applications. The team combines high-touch client collaboration with large scale results. Helm exceeded my firmβs expectations by listening and understanding our vision and strategic objectives through comprehensive planning sessions and delivering not only an impressive final product but additive options for future enhancements. The team at Helm worked as if they were members of my own firm β providing value-added services through immediate solutions while keeping in mind long-term considerations.
Reviews sourced from Google
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