Toptal Blog

The Toptal Blog is the top hub for developers, designers, management consultants, executives, and entrepreneurs, featuring key technology updates, tutorials, freelancer resources, and management insights.

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Toptal core team members share their experience, expertise, and perspectives on the Toptal Edge Blog

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Exploring Evergreen Funds with a VC Investor Who Raised One

VC and PE fund structures are traditionally raised in the closed-ended manner, through limited partnerships with end dates. A less common alternative to this is an open-ended/evergreen fund, an ongoing structure that continues indefinitely. In this article we discuss the nuances of open-ended funds with a GP from B37 Ventures, who raised and operates one.

15-minute readContinue Reading
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Toptal Talent Network Experts

Typeface Styles for Web and Print Design

No matter what design discipline you are working in—whether it’s visual design, UX, or traditional print—typefaces are essential elements of virtually every bit of design produced.

12-minute readContinue Reading
Cameron Chapman

Cameron Chapman

Cameron comes from a design background and is the author of two web design books: Color for Web Design and The Smashing Idea Book.

UI Design Best Practices and Common Mistakes

The most progressive and interesting designers steer clear of visually stale design solutions and ditch restrictive rules by learning UI design best practices and avoiding common design mistakes. 🔊

10-minute readContinue Reading
Micah Bowers

Micah Bowers

Micah helps businesses craft meaningful engagement through branding, illustration, and design.

Chatbot Technology: Past, Present, and Future

Chatbots are among the most visible applications of AI technology. This article explores how chatbots have evolved into important tools for consumers, businesses, and entire industries.

7-minute readContinue Reading
Rick Birkenstock

Rick Birkenstock

Rick brings over 20 years of professional services experience on enterprise solution delivery and talent acquisition for the Fortune 500.

Risk vs. Reward: A Guide to Understanding Software Containers

Software delivery has come a long way. And, somewhere between the transition from physical media to software containers, we have changed the way we try to manage them.

In this article, Toptal Freelance Software Engineer Johnmicah Potter explores how software containers have motivated us to treat servers as more dispensable, and the risks and rewards involved.

< 5-minute readContinue Reading
Johnmicah Potter

Johnmicah Potter

Johnmicah Potter is a senior platform and DevOps engineer with 18 years of experience building and scaling web applications across frontend, backend, infrastructure, and cloud environments. He specializes in performance engineering, automation, and containerized systems. Johnmicah brings a pragmatic, hands-on perspective to modern software delivery, helping teams balance speed, reliability, and operational risk in DevOps-driven architectures.

Estimating WACC for Private Company Valuation: A Tutorial

The discount rate is a critical input in any discounted cash flow valuation analysis. How does an analyst estimate a reasonable discount rate for a private company that has no publicly traded debt or equity?

This article focuses on best practices for estimation of the WACC in the context of a private company valuation. The discussion begins with an overview of the WACC, background on the components of the WACC, methods to estimate the WACC components for private companies, and an example of how to apply this framework to estimate a privately-held building materials company.

16-minute readContinue Reading
David Turney

David Turney

David specializes in managing complex/unique projects for C-Suite executives at Fortune 500 companies. He has managed transactions > $1.5Bn.

How to Conduct an Effective Design Sprint

A design sprint is a methodology used to validate ideas through design, prototyping, user testing, and collaboration in only five days, offering a more structured, effective approach to creative thinking.

9-minute readContinue Reading
Ondřej Dostál

Ondřej Dostál

For the past five years, Ondřej has worked as a designer, specializing in helping companies with their UX and UI designs, mostly mobile.

Who Knew Adobe CC Could Wireframe?

Wireframing is a major step in designing any user interface, whether a website, application, or software product. Apps in the Adobe CC suite can be used to create wireframes for an efficient workflow.

16-minute readContinue Reading
Ivana Miličić

Ivana Miličić

Ivana is a visual designer with over 15 years of experience, an Adobe Certified Instructor, and Algebra University College Asst. Lecturer.

Product Strategy: A Guide to Core Concepts and Processes

In this age of lean startups, designers often find themselves in stretch roles where they are in charge not only of a product’s design but also of coming up with the type of product to build.

8-minute readContinue Reading
Tanya Junell

Tanya Junell

Tanya is a product design and UX strategist bringing human-centered design solutions to high-growth edtech, lifestyle, and financial brands.

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