We are studio of entrepreneurs with big ambitions.

Curious Office entrepreneur speaking
Two people talking over coffee
Curious Office founder Kelly Smith in interview
Who We Are

After nearly two decades of building, investing, and growing digital products, we're still driven by the same curiosity that started our journey. We're always looking for new ideas that scratch an itch, new problems to solve, and new partners who share our passion for creating purposeful digital experiences.

Founded in 2007 by Kelly Smith in the Pacific Northwest, Curious Office has evolved from a seed-stage LLC into a distinctive hybrid: part venture lab, part digital studio, and part investment firm. We're entrepreneurs who build, fund, and nurture companies that create meaningful digital experiences.

What we do now

Internal Incubation:

Our primary focus is conceiving, building, and scaling our own ideas. We leverage our extensive digital capabilities to transform concepts into market-ready ventures, providing not just capital but the full spectrum of expertise needed to build successful digital businesses.

Seed Investments:

‍We selectively invest in early-stage companies with founders who value hands-on partners. Our approach is distinct from traditional VC—we're builders first, which means we bring practical expertise alongside capital.

Our approach
We build what matters:

We develop purposeful products that solve genuine problems, starting with ones we've experienced ourselves.

We blur boundaries:


Our team thrives at the intersection of design and engineering, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration that leads to more thoughtful, holistic solutions.

We value sustainability:

We believe great products should be self-sustaining. We focus on sound fundamentals and genuine user value rather than short-term growth tactics.


We design for longevity:

Technology trends come and go, but solid products endure. We build digital experiences that remain relevant for years, not months.


We work hands-on:


Whether it's our own ventures or our investments, we roll up our sleeves and contribute meaningfully to product development and strategy.

Capabilities

At Curious Office, we combine deep technical expertise with design excellence to build digital products that stand the test of time. Our capabilities span the full spectrum of modern product development:

Software Engineering

  • Full-Stack JavaScript Development (React, Node.js)
  • Modern Frontend Frameworks and Libraries
  • API Development and Integration
  • Mobile App Development (iOS/Swift, React Native)
  • Cloud Architecture and DevOps
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Solutions

Product Design

  • User Experience (UX) Research and Strategy
  • User Interface (UI) Design
  • Design Systems Development
  • Accessibility Implementation
  • Prototyping and User Testing
  • Brand Identity and Visual Design

Digital Strategy

  • Product Ideation and Validation
  • Technical Architecture Planning
  • E-commerce and Marketplace Development
  • Content Management System (CMS) Implementation
  • Internationalization and Localization
  • Digital Transformation Consulting

Growth and Analytics

  • Performance Optimization
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Digital Marketing Strategy
  • Data Analysis and Visualization
  • User Behavior Analytics
  • Conversion Rate Optimization

Our cross-disciplinary approach means we blur the lines between traditional roles, encouraging designers to think like engineers and engineers to prioritize user experience. This integrated methodology results in cohesive products that excel both technically and experientially.

Whether we're building our own ventures or partnering with founders we invest in, our technical depth allows us to tackle complex challenges while maintaining a relentless focus on creating intuitive, impactful digital experiences.

Kelly Smith smiling confidently with flowers and trees in the background

Kelly Smith

Kelly has served as head of digital for major brands including Starbucks, Athletic Greens (AG1), MGM Resorts, and Hagerty. As founder of Curious Office in 2007, Kelly has built and invested in numerous digital ventures, with successful exits to Amazon, Google, Priceline, and Comcast.His career began during the internet's early days, marketing the first commercial web browser before joining RealNetworks to pioneer streaming technology.

You can learn more about Kelly at: www.kellysmith.com