Ten years ago, an introduction brought together three innovators from different corners of business and technology, sparking a collaboration that would transform how organisations manage their data.
Today, as Agilebase marks a decade since the merger of Mark Garrett’s Chilli Software and Oliver Kohll and Cliff Calcutt’s Agilebase, the founders are reflecting on what’s made their partnership so enduring — and what lies ahead.
The beginning
In 2014, Mark Garrett, then leading Chilli Software, was developing bespoke software solutions for food manufacturers. His clients needed systems that could evolve with their products — but the technology was not meeting his ambitions.
That’s when an acquaintance introduced him to Cliff Calcutt and Oliver Kohll, the founders of Agilebase — a modern, cloud-based platform that was pioneering no-code long before it was mainstream.
“I saw Agilebase and realised it would let me leapfrog the technology I was considering for Chilli Mark II,” Garrett recalls. “It was a chance to skip a generation of tools and build something future-proof.”
The merger combined Garrett’s deep food industry expertise with Calcutt and Kohll’s technical and business acumen — leading to the creation of NPDtech, a product developed on the Agilebase platform, designed specifically for the food industry.
A strategic union at the start of the cloud and no-code era
The timing couldn’t have been better.
Cloud technology was just gaining mainstream acceptance, and “no-code” was still (and still is) an emerging idea. “People were sceptical,” says Calcutt. “But NPDtech proved that our platform could handle the complexity of the food industry — and it was validation that we could scale into other sectors.”
That technical credibility became a cornerstone of the company’s growth. “We proved we wouldn’t hit a ‘technical ceiling,’ adds Kohll.
Complementary strengths
The founders describe their partnership as a three-legged stool — each essential to the balance.
- Cliff Calcutt drives business strategy and commercial focus.
- Oliver Kohll leads on technology and platform innovation.
- Mark Garrett brings industry knowledge and deep client relationships from the food and manufacturing sectors.
“Many start-ups have a single founder who has to wear too many hats,” Garrett says. “We’ve been able to cover all the bases from day one.”
Learning, adapting, and growing together
Over ten years, the business has evolved steadily rather than explosively — a deliberate approach that’s prioritised sustainability over speed.
Kohll points to a key milestone: “The professionalisation of the business — introducing mature processes for billing, procurement, and project delivery has meant we can comfortably handle a rapid increase in customers.”
This year, Agilebase has seen a step change, onboarding a record number of new clients — far beyond the usual — and seamlessly handled the increased demand. “AI probably tipped us over the edge,” Calcutt observes. “It’s driven customers to modernise faster, and our systems have scaled right along with them.”
Culture, collaboration, and the value of difference
The early days weren’t without friction. “We had different ideas about direction,” Garrett admits, “but we gradually aligned around shared goals — like focusing on growing our monthly recurring revenue and building a company that lasts beyond us.”
Their collaboration thrives on open dialogue — whether during structured strategy sessions or informal pub lunches and walks. “We make time to talk about the future, not just the next task,” says Kohll.
That philosophy extends to how they work with their network of contractors and partners. Rather than building a large permanent team, they focus on cultivating long-term relationships with specialists who share their entrepreneurial mindset.
As Calcutt puts it, “We give people agency — the ability to deliver real value toward a goal — rather than just autonomy. That’s how we turn contractors into true partners.”
Innovation for all: The democratisation of development
Looking ahead, one theme excites the founders most — democratisation.
Garrett envisions expanding the pool of developers beyond traditional IT professionals. “Our platform shows that you don’t need a computer science background to build powerful business solutions,” he says. “That’s how we unlock untapped potential in teams everywhere.”
Kohll agrees: “We see people in every organisation with the curiosity and problem-solving skills to build — they just need the right tools.”
Looking forward: building beyond the founders
Ten years in, the founders remain as passionate as ever — but with an eye toward the future.
“We want to make the company viable beyond us,” Garrett says. “That means continued growth, professionalisation, and showing our customers and partners that we’re a robust, reliable business that’s here to stay.”
Their shared vision is not just about profit or scale, but about values. “We want to be a decent company,” Garrett adds. “Not one that operates at all costs — but one that’s proud of how it does business.”
A decade down, a bright future ahead
From a bold merger to an enduring partnership, the story of Agilebase is one of curiosity, trust, and evolution.
What began as a collaboration between three professionals from different worlds has become a thriving business with a global outlook — one that continues to redefine what’s possible with no-code technology.
As the founders celebrate ten years together, one thing is clear: their journey is far from over — and the next chapter may be their most exciting yet.