Los Angeles digital product studio specializing in iOS and Android app development with AI integration for startups and Fortune 500 brands.
Wve Labs is a digital product studio that helps businesses harness AI and digital innovation to achieve growth and long-term impact. They partner with organizations to design and build solutions, spanning branding, product strategy, design, development, and AI integration, to create measurable results and deliver digital solutions that accelerate growth and elevate brands.
Our take on Wve Labs
Wve Labs is a digital product design and development agency headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with additional offices in Chicago, Dallas, and New York. Founded in 2015 by USC graduates Dave Shah (CEO) and Ankit Purhoit (CTO), the company has grown from a small mobile app development firm to a comprehensive digital solutions provider serving both startups and Fortune 500 brands.
The agency experienced rapid growth after securing a significant contract with Sony, expanding from 5 employees to a substantial full-time team. In 2016, they launched Wve Ventures, an investment arm partnering with venture capital firms to invest in pre-seed startups. By June 2017, Clutch.com ranked Wve Labs among the top Los Angeles app development companies.
Wve Labs specializes in end-to-end mobile and web development services, encompassing branding, product ideation, development, testing, and marketing. Their technical capabilities include native iOS development using Swift and Objective-C, Android development with Java, cross-platform solutions, and emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and IoT. They have developed particular expertise in on-demand applications across sectors including ridesharing, healthcare, grocery delivery, and home services.
The company emphasizes three core values: speed, affordability, and communication. Their global team structure allows for efficient project execution across time zones while maintaining quality standards. Wve Labs uses a structured development process beginning with a 'pre-heating' consultation phase to define technical environments and user stories before moving into active development.
Wve Labs is well-positioned for startups seeking rapid market entry and established businesses requiring digital transformation. Their integrated approach—combining strategy, design, and development under one roof—makes them suitable for clients looking for a single partner to guide projects from concept to launch and beyond.
Verified credentials and recognition earned by Wve Labs
Verified
This agency has a verified website presence.
LinkedIn Verified
This agency has a verified LinkedIn company page.
Top Rated
This agency has an exceptional AgencyCluster score of 80+.
10+ Years
Established in 2015. Over 10 years of experience.
Mid-Size
Medium (51-200)
Rankings earned on AgencyCluster
Common questions about Wve Labs.
Wve Labs has earned rankings on 4 AgencyCluster lists: Top 50 Mobile App Development, Top 10 Mobile App Development in California, Top 25 Mobile App Development, Top 25 Mobile App Development in California. Their highest AgencyCluster Score is 85/100. Rankings are merit-based and determined by evidence across six evaluation pillars — agencies cannot pay for higher positions.
In our evaluation for Mobile App Development, Wve Labs scores 85/100 overall. Their strongest areas are Category Fit, Freshness, Credibility, Proof of Work & Outcomes, Reputation, Delivery Maturity. A high Outcomes score means they have verifiable case studies with measurable results — the most heavily weighted factor in our methodology.
Wve Labs was founded in 2015, giving them over a decade of experience in mobile app development. In an industry where many agencies are less than 5 years old, 11+ years of sustained operations signals stability, client retention, and the ability to adapt through multiple technology cycles. Today, the team is mid-size.
A single-platform mobile app costs $40K–$200K. Cross-platform apps built with React Native or Flutter range from $50K–$250K. Apps with complex backends (real-time, payments, messaging) can exceed $300K. These are industry benchmarks for mobile app development agencies at the level AgencyCluster curates. Actual pricing for Wve Labs will depend on project scope, timeline, and complexity — contact the agency directly for a custom quote.
Yes. Wve Labs 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 Wve Labs, verified signals include a functioning website, LinkedIn company profile, 11+ years of operating history (founded 2015), 4 earned rankings on curated top lists.
