The Brief
From building an investor-ready MVP to fine-tuning a growing product
When MapMortar first approached us, they needed an MVP to secure funding and establish credibility in a very difficult market. We were faced with the challenge of creating a product for sustainability professionals who would otherwise take months to manually decarbonise portfolios.
After securing the initial investment and client interest, the team needed a design partner who could evolve the product, adapt it to real-world feedback, and continue delivering value.
Our Solution
Helping MapMortar secure investments and scale up
We approached our partnership with MapMortar as an extension of their team so that every decision was rooted in a true understanding of their vision and users.
1. Setting the direction with collaborative discovery
Our first step was to align with the team’s vision and create a thoughtful roadmap for success.
-> Interactive workshops to explore long-term ambitions and identified the most impactful use cases for their target audience
→ Whiteboarding and discussion to align on product features
2. Really understanding their users
We then embarked on a process of deeply understanding the users, so that we could subsequently build everything to answer their needs.
→ User interviews and team workshops to uncover MapMortar’s target users’ pain points and mental models
We were absolutely delighted with the outcomes. Lumi delivered everything we had hoped for and more, teaching us about product development and helping us prioritise features and ideas.
Josepine Bromley
COO, MapMortar
3. Building an MVP
Armed with deep insights about the team’s goals and their users’ needs, we designed an MVP prototype that showcased the value of data-driven decarbonisation.
The MVP had features like:
- A map and dashboard that give a comprehensive risk/benefit view across portfolios
- An intuitive interface that makes it easy to improve data and simulation accuracy
- Retrofitting suggestions that empower users to evaluate options and take action
As MapMortar gained momentum, we leaned into a dynamic process of refining the MVP – transforming user and market feedback into real-time improvements.
This iterative approach meant the team could move seamlessly from concept to execution, equipping them with a product that grows with real user needs as they evolve.
We were blown away by how they took all the complexity we threw at them and delivered intuitive wireframes.
Josepine Bromley
COO, MapMortar
4. Defining and growing the brand
As we worked on shaping MapMortar’s MVP, the need for a strong, cohesive brand identity goals emerged – something that appealed equally to their diverse audience while reflecting their bold mission to decarbonise the built environment.
→ Brand identity: We worked on a modern, approachable visual brand that communicated trust, ambition, and impact
→ Website design: We designed and built a polished, user-focused website to capture the attention of investors and potential clients
→ Pitch decks and collateral: From investor presentations to conference banners, we created materials that clearly communicated MapMortar’s value, helping them secure funding and build their reputation in the industry
We get a lot of compliments on how the software looks – it usually isn’t pretty in the built environment!
Josepine Bromley
COO, MapMortar
5. Iterating and refining the product
We embraced a highly interactive approach, holding regular meetings to address active issues, share progress, and make swift adjustments based on real-time feedback.
But our work didn’t stop once the MVP was delivered. We collaborated closely with the MapMortar team to refine the product, allowing them to implement, learn, and improve continuously. This iterative process meant the product could evolve alongside user needs and market demands, keeping it aligned with MapMortar’s ambitious goals.
Why? Because from the beginning, MapMortar was looking for more than just a design agency – they needed a product partner. When the team faced new challenges, like creating a fundraising deck that could secure investor confidence, we were there to help. What started as brainstorming sessions full of spontaneous (and scattered) ideas turned into a polished pitch deck that made their vision unmistakably clear.
→ Product design: Creating user-focused designs that turned complex concepts into actionable and intuitive interfaces
→ Product strategy: Helping MapMortar prioritise features and align their product roadmap with user needs and business goals
→ Prototyping and feedback loops: Zeroing in on testing and improving designs based on real-world feedback
We were really struggling to make our vision look nice and clear. We couldn’t put it into visuals – it’s such a skill, and Lumi really helped.
Josepine Bromley
COO, MapMortar
