About Empat
Product-focused development company with 250+ launches emphasizing user-centric design and strong Clutch reviews for digital product delivery.
Empat
Empat: Empathy-Driven Software Solutions for Your Digital Success
Editorial Review
Our take on Empat
Empat has facilitated over 250 product launches since 2012, accumulating practical experience across the full product development lifecycle from concept through post-launch optimization. Their Chicago base provides Midwest cost advantages compared to coastal markets while accessing talent from strong regional universities and the city's growing technology sector.
The company emphasizes user-centric design methodology, conducting user research, prototyping, and usability testing throughout development rather than treating design as a frontend polish step. This approach helps ensure products resonate with target users—a critical success factor often overlooked by engineering-first development shops.
Empat's technical capabilities span web and mobile development, with teams practicing agile methodologies and modern technology stacks. Their portfolio demonstrates work across B2B and B2C products, from enterprise SaaS platforms to consumer mobile applications, providing perspective on different product contexts and user expectations.
Organizations considering Empat should note their strong Clutch reviews reflecting client satisfaction, user-centered design emphasis, and substantial product launch experience. They're well-positioned for companies building new digital products where user experience significantly impacts adoption, organizations seeking an integrated design and development partner, or businesses appreciating Empat's Midwest location and pricing. The medium size provides stability and established processes while maintaining enough flexibility to adapt to client needs. Best suited for mid-market companies launching digital products, startups post-product-market fit scaling execution, or established businesses building new customer-facing platforms where user experience drives success.
Badges & Credentials
Verified credentials and recognition earned by Empat
5 badges
Verification
Verified
This agency has a verified website presence.
LinkedIn Verified
This agency has a verified LinkedIn company page.
Recognition
Top Rated
This agency has an exceptional AgencyCluster score of 80+.
Experience
10+ Years
Established in 2013. Over 10 years of experience.
Company
Mid-Size
Medium (51-200)
Awards & Recognition
Rankings earned on AgencyCluster
3 awards
About Empat
Common questions about Empat.
Where does Empat rank on AgencyCluster?
Empat has earned rankings on 3 AgencyCluster lists: Top 25 Data Engineering & Analytics in Illinois, Top 10 Staff Augmentation / Dedicated Teams in Illinois, Top 10 Custom Software Development in Illinois. Their highest AgencyCluster Score is 81/100. Rankings are merit-based and determined by evidence across six evaluation pillars — agencies cannot pay for higher positions.
What are Empat's strengths according to AgencyCluster?
In our evaluation for Product Engineering (SaaS), Empat scores 81/100 overall. Their strongest areas are Credibility, Proof of Work & Outcomes, Reputation, Category Fit, Freshness. A high Outcomes score means they have verifiable case studies with measurable results — the most heavily weighted factor in our methodology.
How long has Empat been in business?
Empat was founded in 2013, giving them over a decade of experience in ai/ml development. In an industry where many agencies are less than 5 years old, 13+ years of sustained operations signals stability, client retention, and the ability to adapt through multiple technology cycles. Today, the team is mid-size.
Is Empat a full-service agency or a specialist?
Empat is listed across 4 categories on AgencyCluster: AI/ML Development, Custom Software Development, Data Engineering & Analytics, Staff Augmentation / Dedicated Teams. This indicates a full-service or multi-discipline capability. Multi-service agencies can be advantageous when your project spans several disciplines (e.g., design + development + marketing). However, check their scores per category — an agency may be strong in web development but less specialized in, say, AI/ML. AI/ML specialists know when to build custom models vs. use pre-trained ones, how to set up reliable data pipelines, and how to deploy models that work reliably in production — not just in a Jupyter notebook.
What does a typical ai/ml development project cost with an agency like Empat?
AI/ML proof-of-concept projects cost $30K–$100K. Production ML systems with data pipelines and MLOps range from $100K–$500K+. LLM integration projects typically cost $40K–$200K. Ongoing model maintenance runs $5K–$20K/month. These are industry benchmarks for ai/ml development agencies at the level AgencyCluster curates. Actual pricing for Empat will depend on project scope, timeline, and complexity — contact the agency directly for a custom quote.
Is Empat a verified agency?
Yes. Empat has been vetted and verified by AgencyCluster's editorial team through a rigorous, multi-factor review process. Unlike self-serve directories, AgencyCluster does not accept automated submissions — every agency is evaluated manually before being published. Our vetting covers identity verification (website, LinkedIn, domain age), business legitimacy (years of operation, team size, registered presence), evidence of work (case studies, portfolio, client outcomes), reputation checks across third-party platforms, activeness and freshness of their online presence, and screening for red flags including misconduct, fraud, or misleading claims. Agencies that fail any critical check are not listed. For Empat, verified signals include a functioning website, LinkedIn company profile, 13+ years of operating history (founded 2013), 3 earned rankings on curated top lists.