A Putti AI proof of concept takes 2 to 4 weeks, and most cost between $5,000 and $15,000 NZD plus GST. Putti, an Auckland AI and software agency, builds a real, working version of your idea and tests it on your own data, so you know whether it's worth a full build before you fund one.
What is an AI proof of concept?
It's the working version of an idea, built before the full project, not a slide deck about it. You bring the problem, such as invoices that take hours to key in or a support inbox nobody can keep up with. We work alongside you to build something real that your team can log into and use, using modern AI-driven development with the discipline of an engineering team behind it.
It earns its name only if people use it. So we help you put it in front of the staff or customers who'd actually rely on it, and you find out early what works, what's missing and what has to change.
Why test it on real data?
Because a demo on tidy inputs proves very little. A proof of concept runs on curated examples and looks wonderful. Live work brings messy, ambiguous ones, and that's where AI tends to stumble. We build the test set from real examples from your business, awkward ones included, so what you see is how the idea behaves where it'll run.
If you're not sure your data is in a state to try this, is my business ready for AI covers the checks.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
2 to 4 weeks, depending on scope. Most proof-of-concept projects run between $5,000 and $15,000 NZD plus GST. Where yours lands depends on how complex the idea is and how much consulting it takes to settle on a solution design.
That's a fraction of a production build. If you're weighing a project that runs into six figures, a few weeks spent proving the concept is the cheapest risk reduction you'll buy. Our post on what AI implementation costs in New Zealand covers the larger picture.
What happens when it's done?
You get a straight answer. If the idea proves out, our senior engineers take it from working demo to secure, scalable, properly maintained software, with the same rigour we bring to every custom build. If it doesn't, you've spent a few weeks and a small budget finding out, instead of a few months and a large one.
A proof of concept isn't production software, and we won't pretend it is. It's the first step, and the full proof of concept service page sets out how it fits in.
Is it right for you?
It suits New Zealand mid-market businesses and startups with a process or tool idea they want to validate before committing serious budget. If you're still working out where AI fits, how to start using AI is the place to begin, and adding AI to existing software explains how a first feature connects to what you already run.
Putti has delivered 100+ projects since 2010 with zero failures, for clients including Spark, Hilton and Fletcher Building. Tell us the idea and we'll tell you whether a proof of concept is the right first step.
Frequently asked questions
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What is an AI proof of concept?
A real, working version of an AI idea, built quickly so people can use it and judge it before anyone funds the full build. It isn't a mockup or a slide deck. Your team, or your customers, can log in, try it on real examples and tell us what works. Putti builds them for New Zealand businesses in 2 to 4 weeks.
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How long does an AI proof of concept take?
Typically 2 to 4 weeks, depending on scope. Speed is the point, because something real in front of your team quickly means you learn fast and cheaply. A requirements process that runs three months has already cost more than the proof of concept would, and it still leaves you guessing about whether the idea works.
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How much does an AI proof of concept cost in NZ?
Most Putti proof-of-concept projects run between $5,000 and $15,000 NZD plus GST. Where yours sits depends on how complex the idea is and how much consulting it takes to land on a solution design. That's a fraction of a production build, which is the point. You find out whether it's worth funding before you fund it.
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Is a proof of concept the same as a finished AI product?
No. It proves the idea and gets feedback, but it won't have the security, scalability, integration depth or support processes production software needs. We won't pretend otherwise. If the idea holds up, our senior engineers take it on to a production-ready build. If it doesn't, you've learned that for very little.
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Why test an AI idea on real data?
Because a demo on tidy, curated inputs proves very little. Real customers and real records are messy and ambiguous, and that's where AI most often stumbles. We test against real examples from your business, including the awkward ones, so the proof of concept shows how the idea behaves where it'll actually run.
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What happens after the proof of concept?
Either it proves the idea, and our senior engineering team takes it forward to a secure, scalable build with proper support, or it doesn't, and you've found out for a fraction of the cost of a full build. Either answer is worth having early. You decide what happens next, with evidence in front of you.