90five is an independent, global creative firm working at the intersection of brand, strategy, design, and development. We partner with growth-oriented companies to reinvent, launch, and amplify how they connect with the world by creating experiences that drive enduring impact
From early-stage startups to established brands, we partner with founders and teams to shape everything from big-picture strategy and creative vision to hands-on design, development, and launch. Our partners share their challenges or aspirations, and we turn them into experiences that connect with their audiences in fresh, engaging, and impactful ways.
Behind every number is a launch, a partnership, or a breakthrough
In 5 years, we’ve built a global team, delivered over 100 projects, and impacted 20 million users with our work. This has been driven by a relentless vision to shape what’s next.
2020
Founding year
9.1+
NPS score
26+
Team member
20m+
Users impacted
Our founding story
Before 90five, our founder Niklas Johannknecht spent years building and scaling his own startups and saw how hard it is to find a creative partner that obsess over outcomes. Too often, agencies prioritized process over outcomes and billable hours over real impact.
After his first exit, Niklas launched a small studio with the mission to rethink how creative partnerships could look. The idea was simple: work like an internal team, think like owners, and ship like their reputation and success depends on it.
He built focused teams that work directly with founders and their teams. No rigid playbooks, no account manager, just genuine collaboration, sharp strategy, and a relentless focus on results. Each team takes on only two projects at a time to protect execution quality and speed, and Niklas remains actively involved in all projects as the CEO and primary contact for each partner, eliminating all layers of politics and bureaucracy.
Now that everyone has access to the same AI models, the edge isn't the tools anymore; it's the design. "The design determines how the audience feels, how they interact, and whether it resonates. That's where our advantage is now," says Niklas.
What began as an experiment over five years ago is now a 26-person firm that works with the startup down the street, the statewide non-profit, and the publicly traded company to create experiences that connect in new, fresh, and engaging ways.
A founder recently told us that working with us felt “like spending time with old friends who value a deep commitment to building a strong future together.” That’s the partnership we aim for at 90five: building the brands, sites, and products that will define what’s next.
We blend remote flexibility with local hubs, fueling global reach and collaboration
Core principles that influence
the way we think and behave
Don't settle for "good"
We believe every project deserves more than "good enough." Move fast, deliver with care, and consistently exceed expectations without sacrificing quality for speed. We're going the long way and ideating until perfection.
Own every decision
We make our thinking transparent and take full responsibility for our choices. Every decision is explained, justified, and shared, so everyone is aligned. We surface problems early and invite honest feedback because openness builds trust.
Obsess over details
We sweat the details that matter: design, data, and user experience. Strip away noise and complexity everywhere else. This keeps our work sharp, effective, and easy to move forward while helping us grow together.
Lead with purpose
Every project starts with a clear mission and focused team working on just two projects at a time. We avoid distractions and keep our process simple so we can adapt quickly and stay true to what matters most.
Our engagement models adapt to your needs, not the other way around
Defined®
Our most common engagement approach typically involves a fixed scope, timeline, and budget. Most of our partnerships adhere to this approach since it provides clarity and predictability for both parties.
Dynamic®
This model offers flexibility and adaptability, serving as your in-house team or an extension of your current team. This model allows us to partner on a rolling monthly basis, which can be paused or canceled at any time.
