WhereIdeasBecomeProducts
I'm a technology executive by day. This is where I build things I'm curious about. Exploring AI-assisted development, mobile apps, e-commerce, and whatever catches my attention next.
6
Shipped Projects
3
Live Products
Next.js
iOS, Shopify & More
AI
Assisted Development
What is Cash Grab NG?
Cash Grab NG is a free vault heist arcade game for iPhone and iPad, built by Colin Smillie at Idea Warehouse. Players sprint through a high-security vault, snatching cash and dodging robotic cops. The game features global Game Center leaderboards, power-ups like shockwaves and speed boosts, and progressively harder levels. Available now on the App Store.
Download on the App Store →What is Idea Warehouse?
Idea Warehouse is Colin Smillie's personal technology lab based in Toronto. It's where ideas become real, shipped products using AI-assisted development tools like Cursor and Claude. Projects span iOS games, news aggregators, e-commerce stores, and web applications. Every project on the site is live and publicly available.
About the lab →Who is Colin Smillie?
Colin Smillie is a technology executive and product builder based in Toronto. Most recently VP Technology at YMCA Canada, he has over 25 years of experience in digital technology, product management, and marketing. He previously served as VP Digital at Hill+Knowlton Strategies and co-founded Refresh Partners, a social network marketing agency.
colinsmillie.com →The Lab
Idea Warehouse is where I experiment with new tools, frameworks, and ideas. I build e-commerce stores, mobile games, news aggregators, and whatever else sparks my curiosity, often using AI-assisted development with Cursor, Claude, and other emerging tools. Each project is a chance to learn something new and ship something real.
Traffic Duco
A traffic management and urban planning iOS app paired with a WordPress content platform. Delivered real-time traffic data and planning resources for city planners and commuters alike.
2018 · Built with Swift and WordPress
SlashID
A disruptive identity technology startup focused on authentication. SlashID reimagined how users prove who they are online, bringing a fresh approach to digital identity and access management.
2019 · Startup branding and product strategy
Latest from the Lab
What's New
Recent launches and milestones from the lab.
Cash Grab NG launched on the App Store
Full rebuild in Swift with SpriteKit. Global Game Center leaderboards, power-ups, and modernized graphics from the original Cocos2d prototype.
Fresh News goes live
Canadian news aggregator pulling from 75+ media outlets. Built with Next.js and server-side rendering, featuring bilingual support and topic filtering.
Model Trust beta launch
AI model evaluation platform comparing GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and Grok side-by-side with structured benchmarks and trust scores.
Wolf Wednesday storefront opens
Pop-up Shopify store for wolf-themed apparel. Custom theme, conversion-optimized checkout, and bold brand identity.
How I Build
Start with Curiosity
Every project starts with a question I can't stop thinking about. What if I built a news aggregator? What would it take to ship an iOS game? Curiosity drives what I work on.
Lean on AI Tools
I use Cursor, Claude, and other AI-assisted development tools to move fast. AI handles the implementation details I can reason about but haven't built before. I bring 25 years of product judgment.
Ship Something Real
Nothing stays a prototype. Every project on this site is live: on the App Store, on Shopify, on the web. Shipping is the point. That's where you learn what works.
Learn in Public
The Learnings section is where I write up what happened. What the AI tools could and couldn't do, what surprised me, and what I'd do differently. Honest notes, not marketing.
Have an Idea? Let's Talk
I'm always interested in interesting problems and new collaborations. If you have a project, a question, or just want to talk shop, reach out.