Building Block Labs is a founder-led software studio that partners with organizations to design, build, and improve the systems they rely on.
It works with nonprofits, local businesses, and associations to help them wield technology better.
Some organizations come with an idea. Some come with an existing system that needs care, structure, or growth.
Building Block Labs works with both.
Building Block Labs helps organizations design, build, and improve the technical systems they rely on.
This includes:
Whether you are launching something new or strengthening what you already have, the focus is always on clarity, stability, and long-term usability.
Organizations work with Building Block Labs in a few different ways:
The engagement model adapts to what the organization actually needs.
Designing and building custom platforms, tools, and websites.
Providing architectural guidance, planning, and ongoing technical leadership for teams without in-house CTO support.
Working directly with internal teams or solo to implement features, integrations, and improvements.
Founder and Chief Builder
Ben Downey is a full-stack software founder who builds custom software for nonprofits, small businesses, and community-driven organizations.
I’m Ben Downey, the founder and engineer behind Building Block Labs.
I started writing code in 1997 and have been building professional, production software since 2008.
Over the years, I’ve worked with:
I enjoy helping organizations build systems that are clear, stable, and practical.
My work focuses on making technology easier to operate, easier to understand, and easier to grow.
If your organization needs help building, improving, or supporting its technical systems, I’d be happy to talk.
Whether you need a new application, workflow automation, technical planning, or ongoing support, we can design an approach that fits.