Escrow for API prototypes—clients deposit, freelancers build, no more ghosts.
Freelancers building API tools waste weeks creating unpaid prototypes only for clients to ghost them after demos.
Freelancers propose prototypes; clients deposit funds into escrow. Upon delivery and approval, funds release automatically. Disputes handled via simple reviews, protecting time investment.
Freelance developers building API tools and prototypes
Escrow specifically for prototypes with milestone-based releases, unlike general freelance platforms.
supportive
Freelancers create scoped prototype proposals.
Clients deposit via Stripe into held funds.
Upload milestones for client approval/release.
Funds release after approval period if no dispute.
Simple voting/mediation for issues.
Match freelancers to projects by skills.
Pre-filled escrow agreements.
Tax-ready payout summaries.
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| text | No | |
| skills | text | Yes |
| stripe_id | text | Yes |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| freelancer_id | uuid | No |
| client_id | uuid | Yes |
| title | text | No |
| escrow_amount | int | No |
| status | text | No |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| project_id | uuid | No |
| description | text | No |
| approved | bool | No |
| delivered_at | timestamp | Yes |
Relationships:
/api/projectsCreate project proposal
/api/projects/:id/depositClient deposits escrow
/api/milestones/:project_idDeliver milestone
/api/projectsList open projects
/api/disputes/:milestone_idFile dispute
2% platform fee
5 projects/mo
None
| Month | Users | Conversion | MRR | ARR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 80 | 3% | $105 | $1,260 |
| Month 6 | 700 | 6% | $1,470 | $17,640 |
Deposit upfront, build confidently—funds release on delivery.
Reach out to freelance API devs on LinkedIn/Upwork with beta access; post proposals yourself as seed; incentivize with waived fees for first escrows.
Large userbase
Not prototype-specific, slow
Instant escrow for quick prototypes
Reputation system creating trust network effects.
Increasing freelance scams amid remote API work surge.
Escrow disputes escalate
Clear TOS + arbitration clause
High refund rates
Milestone gating
Cron job failures
Supabase cron + alerts
Success: 70% positive
Success: All complete successfully
Success: 80% completion rate
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