Through accelerator programmes, co-build services, and a fast-growing community, NoCodeLab.ai has trained and supported almost 2000 non-technical professionals in less than a year. And, as that community grows, so does the support around it.
For builders creating tools for internal company use, deployment is often straightforward. But for those taking products to a consumer or external audience, particularly in finance, healthcare, and regulated industries, the rigour of a last-mile technical audit is vital.
This is where COCO Software comes in. A valuable partner within NoCodeLab's growing ecosystem, COCO specialises in auditing vibe-coded prototypes and guiding the formal next steps to external deployment.
The partnership came about organically. Claire Owen and Robert Bilsland, the founders of COCO Software, joined NoCodeLab's accelerator programme in 2025 as participants. As seasoned technical professionals, they were really surprised by the methodology's rigour and by what non-technical professionals were building in a matter of weeks.
"We came in as technical people and still had that wow factor moment. Seeing what non-technical founders were building was extraordinary. It confirmed everything we believed about where software development is heading." Claire Owen.
Sara Simeone built NoCodeLab after two decades leading digital strategy at WPP, Dentsu, Vistaprint, and Oriflame. She doesn't just train non-technical professionals how to build - she builds alongside them, using the same methodology and tools her community uses.
What does COCO bring to the NoCodeLab community?
Sara: What Claire and Robert offer is very specific. They audit vibe-coded prototypes and guide builders through the formal steps to external deployment. For builders deploying internally, it is also a great option for peace of mind. Knowing that someone with deep technical expertise has reviewed your code and confirmed it is solid makes a real difference. Our builders asked for this kind of support and COCO was the right team to deliver it. They understand what our community builds because they have been through the programme themselves. That matters.
Claire Owen founded COCO Software in 2022 to accelerate the next generation of software builders. Prior to this, she and Robert Bilsland developed the mapping system behind planning Royal Mail's first drone delivery route. Claire is currently building the first AI-driven data platform for objective, biometric early indication in the classroom, powered by immersive VR experiences.
When a product is ready to go to market, what should builders be thinking about?
Claire: Vibe coding lets people who have never written a line of code create real, working products. That is remarkable, and it should be celebrated. But when you are moving to external deployment, especially in regulated sectors, there are things that need checking. Security, data handling, performance under load, compliance. That does not mean the product is bad. It means it needs a professional review before it goes live. We audit it thoroughly and make sure it is ready without taking ownership away from the builder. The product is always theirs. We are just making sure it can stand up in the real world.
Robert Bilsland has worked with and supported COCO for many years, but formally joined as CTO in 2025. Robert brings 35 years of software experience as CTO and Head of AI Enablement, from architecting mission-critical systems managing over 33 million spatial polygons to running one of the world's longest-running Code Clubs.
What does a code audit actually involve?
Robert: We go through the entire codebase methodically. We look at structure, efficiency, security, and performance. AI generates code quickly but not always consistently. You might have duplicate functions, unnecessary complexity, or dependencies that could cause problems down the line. We also check how the product handles data, whether the authentication is robust, and whether there are any vulnerabilities that could be exploited. The builder keeps their product and their vision. We make sure the foundations are solid and that everything is ready to deploy with confidence.
Is this something every builder needs?
Robert: Not necessarily. It depends on where your product is going. For internal use, many builders deploy comfortably on their own and that is absolutely fine. But if your product is customer-facing, handles sensitive data, or operates in a regulated industry, a last-mile audit gives you that assurance. It is not about questioning anyone's ability. It is about having an experienced pair of eyes confirm that the product is deployment-ready. Think of it like a surveyor checking a house before you complete the sale. The house might be perfect. But you want to know for sure.
Sara, how does this fit within the wider NoCodeLab ecosystem?
Sara: We have brilliant developers and partners across our ecosystem, and COCO fills a very specific gap. What makes it work is that Claire and Robert genuinely believe in what our builders are creating. They are not coming in to rewrite everything. They are coming in to validate it, tighten it up and secure where needed, and give our builders the confidence to deploy externally. That is a very different relationship to hiring a traditional development agency. It is collaborative, respectful, and always in service of the builder.
Claire, what made NoCodeLab the right fit for COCO?
Claire: There is a real alignment in values. We are both obsessed with empowering builders. We are not trying to take the product away from the founder and build it for them. We want to work alongside them, teach them, and help them maintain ownership of what they have created. That collaborative approach is at the heart of COCO, and it is exactly how Sara, Deborah and the team operate. When we went through the NoCodeLab programme ourselves, we saw that first-hand. The quality of the methodology, the ambition of the builders, the culture of the community. We knew immediately that this was where we wanted to support.
Robert, what is the most common thing you find in an audit?
Robert: Honestly, it is usually small things. Redundant code, inconsistent naming conventions, a few security settings that need tightening. The products themselves are often impressive. What we are doing is polishing and hardening, not rebuilding. That surprises people sometimes. They expect us to find major problems and we rarely do. The NoCodeLab methodology gives builders a strong foundation. We are just adding the final layer of assurance.
What would you say to someone who has built something and is wondering what to do next?
Sara: Keep building. You are not on your own. We have an incredible ecosystem of support around you, and COCO is now part of that.
Claire: You bring the vision and the passion. We will help you make sure the technology can keep up.
Robert: The tools are there. The support is there. The only thing missing is you getting started.
To find out more about COCO Software and their audit services, visit cocosoftware.io or speak to the NoCodeLab team.