Six positioning scores, 1 to 10.
See Methodology.
| Dimension | Score | vs.Entire Market | vs. Revenue Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|
AI-first AI present via AI Integrations service, Disruption Diligence framework, and hot-words (agentic, responsible-ai); thought leadership on AI as change management — but AI is one of several offerings, not the entire pitch (ai_emphasis_raw 45, single niche Miro partner, no AI-specific IP/models). | 5Present | Top 79% | Top 72% |
Consultative partner Strongly outcomes-led: 'validate what's worth building,' Product Strategy, Executive Coaching, Operating Playbooks, explicit anti-staff-aug framing ('not a dev shop that churns code'); positions as a strategic partner who 'stays in the problem with you.' | 8Strong | Top 6% | Top 2% |
Clear differentiator Sharp plain-spoken differentiation contrasting consultancies vs dev shops, with 'stays in the problem with you, tells you the truth, makes you look good' — specific and memorable, though 'humble confidence' edges toward soft language. | 7Strong | Top 28% | Top 38% |
Thought leadership A prolific, varied body of ~157 articles, guides, and case studies across product design and digital transformation gives a credible practitioner program, but sporadic cadence, no visible recency, and no author seniority signal keep it from the strong tier. | 6Present | Top 56% | Top 47% |
Industry specialization Named sector proof in AEC (deep, JE Dunn), cybersecurity/tech (Beazley, Loom), and PE financial services for AI due diligence — multiple industries with named clients, though depth beyond AEC is moderate. | 6Present | Top 53% | Top 41% |
Technology-forward, owns IP Three named owned assets (Disruption Diligence, Product Team Assessments, Operating Playbooks) but all rated low-to-medium substantiveness with no public methodology; no platforms, accelerators, or models surfaced. | 4Emerging | Top 71% | Top 52% |
Size
11 to 50 people
Revenue
$10M to $50M(low confidence)
HQ
Kansas City, MO
AI emphasis
Low
Homepage positioning
“A design & technology consultancy building world-class digital experiences and teams.”
Crema is a design and technology consultancy founded in 2009 and based in Kansas City, Missouri. They help growing service organizations discover, shape, and execute on their greatest opportunities by delivering the best elements of a business consultancy, creative studio, and software agency. Their specialists fit and flex with client needs across strategy, design, engineering, and growth.
Selling points
- Strategy, Design, Engineering, and Growth capabilities under one roof
- Small, cross-functional groups of product experts
- AI integrations and AI disruption due diligence services
- Dedicated industry practices in Construction, Cybersecurity, Finance, Insurance, Management Consulting, and Real Estate
- People of Product podcast connecting with CTOs and innovators
- Official Miro Solution Partner
Named clients
- JE Dunn Construction
- Beazley Security
- Diode
- Loom Security
- High Aspirations
Services and capabilities
Advisory and strategy
Strategy
Helping clients imagine, prioritize, and decide what's next through product strategy, discovery, and early-stage strategic work to ensure the right questions are asked before diving into solutions.
Design and experience
Design / Product Experience
Designing world-class digital products that close the gap between vision and value, from first concept through launch and beyond.
Product engineering
Engineering
Building digital products across web, mobile, APIs, and cloud with AI & machine learning capabilities and rigorous testing.
Advisory and strategy
Growth / Product Practice
Fixing product team systems — not just symptoms — through executive coaching, operating playbooks, team assessments, agile coaching, and ongoing product maintenance.
Advisory and strategy
UX Audits
Equipping product teams with a prioritized list of action items to boost engagement, modernize products, and prepare software for growth.
Advisory and strategy
Product Team Assessments
Assessing product team health and identifying communication failures and systemic issues to improve clarity, accountability, and momentum.
Industries
Manufacturing
Deep focusCustom software for organizations in the AEC space — amplifying expertise of craftspeople and project managers
Financial services
Named focusFintech and insurtech software development for finance and insurance organizations
Technology
Named focusCybersecurity software development — unified portal experiences and next-gen security platforms
Technology
MentionedManagement consulting software development
Retail and consumer
MentionedReal estate / proptech software development
Thought leadership
Crema runs a broad, mature thought-leadership program spanning ~157 pieces across blog articles, guides, and case studies, covering product design, software development, design sprints, and digital transformation. The content reflects a practitioner point of view from an integrated product consultancy, mixing how-to guidance with strategic commentary and client work showcases.
Volume
Prolific
Cadence
Sporadic
- AI Isn't a Tech Problem, It's a Change Management ProblemArticles
- Agency Scar Tissue: Why Digital Transformations Fail and How to Heal the WoundsArticles
- Better Pre-Con Tech Leads to 52% Profitability BoostArticles
- Can Miro Be Used for Project Management? A Comprehensive Guide for Leveraging Miro as a Product ManagerGuides
- Being a Product Manager with Adult ADHDArticles
- 3 Ways to Productize Professional Services and Scale Your Service-Based BusinessArticles
- 10 Traits of a Healthy Integrated Product TeamArticles
- Burned by Your Last Software Project?Articles
- Admin in Tech: Let's Redefine the Desk JobArticles
- AdamsGabbert and Crema Partner to Automate Accounts Payable Headaches and Save Businesses MoneyArticles
Owned IP
Surfaced from what the firm names on its homepage and primary navigation, plus what a quick crawl turns up. Large firms may own more than is shown here.
Better Bets Canvas
FrameworkA tool for product leaders inspired by Annie Duke's Thinking in Bets, helping them tackle everyday challenges effectively.
Our assessment: Named tool introduced via a blog article; light on methodology detail and not described as a standalone product.
ViewPeople of Product (Podcast)
PlatformCrema's podcast connecting with CTOs, innovators, and operators shaping product and construction technology, which directly influences how they approach product concepts.
Our assessment: Active branded podcast with dedicated domain and multiple episodes; functions as thought leadership and industry network asset rather than a productized IP.
ViewHot-words
The buzzword spaces this firm chooses to lean into.
“completely optimized for speed and focus — true agile methods enable us to consistently deliver quality outcomes in a fraction of the time”
“we aren't a 'dev shop' that churns code without regard for the outcomes that follow”
“using AI to amplify creativity, accelerate delivery, and expand what's possible”
“AI Disruption Due Diligence — pressure-test whether software represents a defensible moat or is vulnerable to AI disintermediation”
Contact surface
Ways we found to reach this firm.