APAX Software: History, Services and Impact

History

Founded in 2007 in Lexington, KY, APAX Software has become a cornerstone in Kentucky’s tech landscape. Known for our innovative software solutions and commitment to the community, APAX Software has helped hundreds of clients lead the way in their industries.

 

APAX Software’s story began with a startup called Book Exchange, an e-commerce marketplace. Although Book Exchange ultimately didn’t succeed, the venture proved invaluable, laying the foundation for APAX Software. Our team gained critical skills and experience, which we leveraged to offer similar development services to clients. Early on, the work on Book Exchange served as a portfolio piece, helping to build trust with potential clients and secure APAX’s first customers—including the University of Southern California (USC) and even a few early hires.

 

Our three founders, Brian Raney, Justin Raney, and Matt Smith, were on the cusp of graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, shutting down their startup, and heading off to pursue lucrative job offers with a large local tech company. But these talented engineers landed a pivotal meeting with an iconic local tech entrepreneur who encouraged them to take a risk and pursue a different path.

 

“I walked into President Lee Todd’s office at the University of Kentucky, unsure if we should take the first step in starting our own company. In that one-hour meeting, President Todd inspired and encouraged us to pursue a career in entrepreneurship. He didn’t write us a check to be our first investor. He didn’t help us hire our first employee OR even find our first customer. He simply gave us the confidence and permission to try (and fail) at our passion of being an entrepreneur. A few months later, I started my first software company, APAX Software.” Read More.

 - Brian Raney, Co-Founder

 

 

 

 

In its first year, the company originally known as Sfenity Software Development, joined forces with Ryan Hunter, forming today’s APAX Software. Fueled by a desire to make an impact, our founders saw APAX as more than a business venture—it was a pathway to advance Kentucky’s tech scene and to be a trusted software partner for organizations in Kentucky and beyond.

 

Since its inception, APAX has supported hundreds of clients, employed dozens of skilled professionals, and, above all, focused on helping each organization achieve its unique mission through innovative software solutions.

 

 

 

Services and Areas of Expertise

Our team of designers and developers are experts in current and emerging technologies -- mastering many current frameworks like Drupal (PHP), Django (Python), React (JavaScript), and Next.js (TypeScript) allowing us to be an excellent fit for projects that cross multiple platforms.

 

It’s our team's passion to help organizations innovate and grow with custom software that’s secure, reliable, and easy to use. Taking on a software project is a big task. That's why we’ll work with you to mitigate risk, make smart trade-offs, and get the maximum value for your budget. With 17 years of experience, we’ve made custom apps for more than 300 companies empowering them to run smarter, offer more services, and outpace the competition.

 

Take a look at what we can do for you:

 

Mobile Application Development

With expertise in cross-platform and native mobile app development, our team can craft custom mobile solutions for your organization in any industry. Let us help you streamline your goals with a customized mobile app.

 

Full Stack Web Development

Our engineers are fluent in multiple languages and frameworks, enabling them to design, develop, and maintain sophisticated web applications to grow your business.

 

UX/UI Design

We’re dedicated to crafting interfaces that provide a seamless, engaging, and intuitive experience for users. Combining visual creativity with insights into user behavior we can design applications that are not only visually appealing but also functional and easy to navigate.

 

Software Consulting

We know it can be a lot to take on a software project, especially if you’re not familiar with the tech space. At APAX Software, we partner with our clients to assess their technical needs, identify solutions, and provide tailored guidance for digital transformation. Our technical versatility allows it to work with clients over the long term, delivering high-quality solutions that adapt to your organization's evolving needs.

 

 

 

How is APAX Software investing in the Local Tech Community?

Two years after launching APAX Software, Brian, Matt, and Justin's desire to help other tech startups led them to band together with a few friends, Luke Murray, Nathan Fort, Nick Such, and Rachel Cunningham to establish Awesome Inc, a Lexington-based entrepreneur support organization focused on fostering tech startups.

 

“...Luke and I decided we wanted to do for others what President Todd did for us. We started Awesome Inc, to help build an entrepreneurial community in Kentucky so that others could pursue their definition of awesome.”

- Brian Raney, Co-founder

 

Awesome Inc has developed over the years to be an epicenter for entrepreneurship, collaborative co-working space, and a vibrant leader in mentorship through an internship program, and so much more. Check out more about Awesome Inc here.

 

Wondering how Awesome Inc fits into APAX? Our team functions as the primary software development partner for Awesome Inc. This partnership is rooted in APAX’s founders, their vision, and a shared mission to strengthen Kentucky's tech community. Through this collaboration, APAX contributes to various Awesome Inc initiatives, like teaching and hiring professionals through Awesome Inc U coding courses and investing more than $1.7 million dollars in local community development through organizations like the Cherub Fund and the Joy Project.

 

 

 

By actively engaging in these initiatives, APAX has become more than a software development company; we’re a leader in Kentucky’s tech ecosystem, committed to a vibrant future for tech and innovation in Kentucky.

 

APAX’s Lasting Impact on Kentucky’s Tech Future

APAX Software is proud to be a driving force of transformation within Kentucky’s tech community. With a relationship-driven approach, our team has built trust among our clients while continuously investing in the growth and development of Kentucky’s tech ecosystem. For APAX, the journey is ongoing—each project, partnership, and community initiative contributes to a thriving future for tech built in the Bluegrass State.