A small studio in Raleigh

We started Hemlock East LLC in 2026 to make the kind of software we kept wishing already existed: apps that are quick, do what they say, and don’t try to run your life. Staying small is a choice. It lets us take our time and fuss over the details instead of chasing growth for its own sake.

What we believe

We like apps that are quiet. They open fast, ask for only what they actually need, and don’t nag you or keep tabs on what you’re doing. That’s the bar we hold ourselves to, and it decides a lot, from the tools we build with down to the data we choose not to touch.

• On-device first. Whenever we can, your data stays on your phone. We build things so the useful work happens right there, not on a server somewhere.
• No tricks. No manipulative prompts, no fake urgency, no selling your attention. When an app needs permission for something, it tells you why in plain language.
• Native by default. We write our apps in Swift and SwiftUI, so they feel at home on an iPhone and play nicely with everything else you use.
• Sweat the details. The empty screens, the error messages, the small animations. That last stretch of work is tedious, and it’s also what makes an app feel trustworthy, so we don’t skip it.

How we build

Every app starts as one small idea and mostly stays that way. We started off by solving problems that we faced ourselves, creating apps that work with us and don't get in the way. We lean on Apple’s own frameworks instead of stacking up dependencies, and we test the parts that would actually hurt if they broke. We’d rather ship one feature that works really well than a pile of half-finished ones.

What we’re working on

Right now we have two apps in progress: a private workout tracker, and a stargazing app called NightGlass. You can read about both on the apps page. If you’d like to hear when they’re ready, drop us a line.