Software that helps government serve people better.
We build citizen-facing tools and internal software for state & local agencies. Small team, fast delivery, no nonsense.
Why Stoa?
No translation required
Most vendors need the procurement process, compliance framework, and user constraints explained to them. We already know. That saves weeks of scoping and produces software that actually fits how government works.
Built to be used, not shelved
Government tech has a notorious failure rate. We build for the people who actually have to use it: the resident filing a permit at 11pm, the staff member who's already overwhelmed. Adoption is the measure of success.
Law, policy, and code — under one roof
The same expertise that reads the statute also understands the accessibility requirement and writes the implementation. No handoff, no lost context. Just faster delivery and less time explaining the same thing twice.
What we build
Citizen-facing tools
Portals, dashboards, and search tools that make public services easier to use, built around how residents actually behave, not how agencies assume they do. Fast load times, plain language, and mobile-first — because a resident who can't find their permit status calls the front desk instead.
Example: City of Campbell PortalPublic data access
Open data, budget transparency, and records search, including AI-powered retrieval over dense government datasets like meeting minutes, recalls, and permit archives. We turn FOIA-worthy information into searchable, linkable public interfaces — reducing staff burden while improving accountability.
Example: Budget DashboardADA Title II & WCAG 2.1 AA
DOJ's 2024 Title II rule requires state and local government websites to meet WCAG 2.1 AA digital accessibility standards — with deadlines hitting in 2026 and 2027. We build accessible by default, not retrofitted. Keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and proper contrast from day one.
Example: Product Recall SearchHow it works
Government procurement doesn't have to be slow. Here's how a typical engagement goes.
Brief us
Tell us what you're building, who it serves, and what's in the way. A paragraph is enough. No formal RFP required.
Scope together
Get a clear proposal with a fixed scope, timeline, and price. No vague estimates or bloated statements of work.
Build and ship
Tight sprints, regular check-ins, clean handoff. You own the code, documentation, and deployment. We don't disappear.
Portfolio
Product Recall Search
Search and filter consumer product safety recalls from the federal recall database
- Federal agency
- Live demo
- WCAG 2.1 AA
City of Campbell Portal
Modern resident portal for city services, departments, and community news
- Municipal
- Live demo
- Zero CMS dependency
311 Service Requests
Report neighborhood issues, track service requests, and view community activity
- Municipal
- Live demo
- Real-time status
Bay Area Budget Dashboard
Interactive budget explorer comparing spending across Bay Area cities
- Regional
- Live data
- 11 cities · FY 2024-25
Council Minutes Search
AI-powered search across council, commission, and board archives, with an 11-city South Bay public demo layered over an archive spanning 45 California cities and 9,610 meetings.
- Municipal archive
- AI search
- 11-city demo · 45-city archive
Parks & Facilities Map
Interactive map of parks, recreation facilities, and public spaces
- Municipal
- Live demo
- No mapping library costs
Start a conversation
Stoa takes on a small number of projects at a time. If your work fits, we move fast.
Good fits
- Citizen-facing tools: resident portals, service request systems, public-data search
- Open data and transparency tools: budget dashboards, council minutes, public records
- AI-assisted government search: permits, policy documents, meeting archives
- ADA Title II compliance: WCAG 2.1 AA audits and retrofits for state & local government systems
Get in touch
Tell us what you're building and where you're stuck. A paragraph is enough to get started.
Send us a messageOr email directly: stephen@stoa.works
Stoa is led by Stephen Stanwood, a lawyer and developer based in Campbell, CA. He studied public policy at the University of Chicago and earned his JD from Georgetown and Santa Clara. He has worked at law firms and in government, and now builds the software he thinks public agencies should have.