How do I verify that an Indian development company has real experience with my type of project?

Why Verification Matters More Than Portfolio Pages

Many Indian development companies maintain polished websites with impressive client logos and case study carousels. Some of these are accurate; some are embellished. The goal isn't cynicism — it's due diligence, the same you'd apply to any vendor handling significant budget and IP.

A Practical Verification Checklist

1. Demand Live, Working Demos

Ask the firm to walk you through a live product they built that resembles your project — same domain (fintech, logistics, health, SaaS, etc.) and similar technical complexity. A working demo reveals far more than a Figma screenshot. If they can't produce one, ask why and weigh the answer carefully.

2. Get Direct Reference Calls — Not Just Names

Request introductions to two or three past clients you can speak with privately. Prepare specific questions: How did the team handle scope changes? Were timelines met? Did the delivered product match the proposal? What would you do differently? A firm confident in its track record will facilitate this without friction.

3. Cross-Check Using Public Sources

• App stores: If they claim to have built a mobile app with millions of downloads, search for it on Google Play or the App Store and verify the developer listing and reviews.
• LinkedIn: Look up the engineers and project leads named in the proposal. Do their profiles corroborate the work? How long have they been at the firm?
• MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs): Search the company on mca.gov.in to confirm it is a registered Indian entity, its age, and its filing history.
• Clutch and G2: Reviews on these platforms are moderated and often include client details you can verify independently.

4. Assess Technical Depth in Discovery Conversations

Before signing anything, have a scoped technical conversation with the actual team — not just the sales lead. Ask how they'd approach a specific challenge in your domain. Vague answers or an inability to discuss tradeoffs in your stack (security, scalability, integrations) are red flags.

5. Check IP and Confidentiality Practices

Ask directly: who owns the code, what's the NDA process, and has the firm ever had IP disputes? In India, clear assignment-of-IP clauses in contracts are not always standard — confirm this upfront, in writing.

6. Start Small If You're Unsure

Commission a paid, time-boxed discovery phase or a small proof-of-concept before committing to a full engagement. This de-risks both parties and shows you real working behaviour, not just promises.

Where CodeNicely Fits

CodeNicely publishes verifiable case studies across fintech (GimBooks — Y Combinator-backed, 5M+ downloads), logistics (Vahak — 800K+ trucks onboarded), and health (HealthPotli — 1M+ orders). These are searchable, public products with app store listings and independent press coverage — the kind of evidence the checklist above asks for. That said, always apply the same scrutiny to any firm, including this one.