FounderMatch: AI-driven co-founder matching
FounderMatch: AI-driven co-founder matching
FounderMatch: AI-driven co-founder matching
FounderMatch: AI-driven co-founder matching
My Role
My Role
My Role
My Role
Wore the solo-designer hat, I partnered with founders and engineers to bring the Foundermatch platform from idea to reality.
Wore the solo-designer hat, I partnered with founders and engineers to bring the Foundermatch platform from idea to reality.
Wore the solo-designer hat, I partnered with founders and engineers to bring the Foundermatch platform from idea to reality.
Wore the solo-designer hat, I partnered with founders and engineers to bring the Foundermatch platform from idea to reality.
Team
Team
Team
Frontend Developer, AI Engineer, Product Manager
Frontend Developer, AI Engineer, Product Manager
Frontend Developer, AI Engineer, Product Manager
Tools • Techniques
Tools • Techniques
Tools • Techniques
Tools • Techniques
Figma, Mural • UX Research, Visual Design, Design Thinking, Product Stratergy
Figma, Mural • UX Research, Visual Design, Design Thinking
Figma, Mural • UX Research, Visual Design, Design Thinking
Figma, Mural • UX Research, Visual Design, Design Thinking, Product Stratergy
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
This concept originated during an intensive 3-day hackathon, where our team set out to help solo founders find the right co-founders. My role in the team was to brainstorm solutions, conduct rapid user research, and build MVP prototypes.
This concept originated during an intensive 3-day hackathon, where our team set out to help solo founders find the right co-founders. My role in the team was to brainstorm solutions, conduct rapid user research, and build MVP prototypes.
This concept originated during an intensive 3-day hackathon, where our team set out to help solo founders find the right co-founders. My role in the team was to brainstorm solutions, conduct rapid user research, and build MVP prototypes.
This concept originated during an intensive 3-day hackathon, where our team set out to help solo founders find the right co-founders. My role in the team was to brainstorm solutions, conduct rapid user research, and build MVP prototypes.
Our AI-powered matching solution was highly praised by stakeholders and product managers, laying the foundation for what became FounderMatch AI (connects entrepreneurs with their ideal co-founders, fostering successful startup ecosystems).
Our AI-powered matching solution was highly praised by stakeholders and product managers, laying the foundation for what became FounderMatch AI (connects entrepreneurs with their ideal co-founders, fostering successful startup ecosystems).
Our AI-powered matching solution was highly praised by stakeholders and product managers, laying the foundation for what became FounderMatch AI (connects entrepreneurs with their ideal co-founders, fostering successful startup ecosystems).
Our AI-powered matching solution was highly praised by stakeholders and product managers, laying the foundation for what became FounderMatch AI (connects entrepreneurs with their ideal co-founders, fostering successful startup ecosystems).
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
Solo founders often struggle to find co-founders who share their vision, offer mutual trust, and align on values, goals, and work ethic. Existing solutions are time-consuming and inefficient, often failing to foster true alignment.
Solo founders often struggle to find co-founders who share their vision, offer mutual trust, and align on values, goals, and work ethic. Existing solutions are time-consuming and inefficient, often failing to foster true alignment.
Solo founders often struggle to find co-founders who share their vision, offer mutual trust, and align on values, goals, and work ethic. Existing solutions are time-consuming and inefficient, often failing to foster true alignment.
Solo founders often struggle to find co-founders who share their vision, offer mutual trust, and align on values, goals, and work ethic. Existing solutions are time-consuming and inefficient, often failing to foster true alignment.
Leading to:
Leading to:
Leading to:
Leading to:
Delayed startups
Teams that don’t work well together
Even startup failure
Delayed startups
Teams that don’t work well together
Even startup failure
Delayed startups
Teams that don’t work well together
Even startup failure
Delayed startups
Teams that don’t work well together
Even startup failure
Solving this problem is critical to helping more startups launch successfully.
Solving this problem is critical to helping more startups launch successfully.
Solving this problem is critical to helping more startups launch successfully.
Solving this problem is critical to helping more startups launch successfully.
GOALS
GOALS
GOALS
HOW WE PLANNED TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM?
HOW WE PLANNED TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM?
HOW WE PLANNED TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM?
As a team, we collaborated on Mural to outline the process for our MVP and kickstart the project. My role began with conducting user research to ideate and design hi-fidelity solutions.
As a team, we collaborated on Mural to outline the process for our MVP and kickstart the project. My role began with conducting user research to ideate and design hi-fidelity solutions.
As a team, we collaborated on Mural to outline the process for our MVP and kickstart the project. My role began with conducting user research to ideate and design hi-fidelity solutions.
As a team, we collaborated on Mural to outline the process for our MVP and kickstart the project. My role began with conducting user research to ideate and design hi-fidelity solutions.
USER RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
USER RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
USER RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
User Interviews & Surveys
User Interviews & Surveys
User Interviews & Surveys
User Interviews & Surveys
Spoke with founders through surveys and interviews, we uncovered key challenges they face when searching for a co-founder. Many first-time founders experience a different reality than expected, making them ideal candidates for a solution that addresses these issues
Spoke with founders through surveys and interviews, we uncovered key challenges they face when searching for a co-founder. Many first-time founders experience a different reality than expected, making them ideal candidates for a solution that addresses these issues
Spoke with founders through surveys and interviews, we uncovered key challenges they face when searching for a co-founder. Many first-time founders experience a different reality than expected, making them ideal candidates for a solution that addresses these issues
Spoke with founders through surveys and interviews, we uncovered key challenges they face when searching for a co-founder. Many first-time founders experience a different reality than expected, making them ideal candidates for a solution that addresses these issues
Spoke with founders through surveys and interviews, we uncovered key challenges they face when searching for a co-founder. Many first-time founders experience a different reality than expected, making them ideal candidates for a solution that addresses these issues
Competitor Evaluation
Competitor Evaluation
Competitor Evaluation
Competitor Evaluation
Evaluated competitor platforms to identify growth opportunities, address potential challenges, and inform strategic design decisions.
Evaluated competitor platforms to identify growth opportunities, address potential challenges, and inform strategic design decisions.
Evaluated competitor platforms to identify growth opportunities, address potential challenges, and inform strategic design decisions.
Evaluated competitor platforms to identify growth opportunities, address potential challenges, and inform strategic design decisions.
Evaluated competitor platforms to identify growth opportunities, address potential challenges, and inform strategic design decisions.
HMW STATEMENT
HMW STATEMENT
HMW STATEMENT
How might we develop an effective matchmaking filtering system that allows founders to easily specify and find potential co-founders with the desired skills, values, and goals, enhancing the precision and relevance of the matchmaking process?
How might we develop an effective matchmaking filtering system that allows founders to easily specify and find potential co-founders with the desired skills, values, and goals, enhancing the precision and relevance of the matchmaking process?
How might we develop an effective matchmaking filtering system that allows founders to easily specify and find potential co-founders with the desired skills, values, and goals, enhancing the precision and relevance of the matchmaking process?
IDEATION & PLANNING
IDEATION & PLANNING
IDEATION & PLANNING
This whiteboard brainstorming session helped in defining key user flows, prioritizing essential features, and shaping the overall user experience to best address the identified needs.
This whiteboard brainstorming session helped in defining key user flows, prioritizing essential features, and shaping the overall user experience to best address the identified needs.
This whiteboard brainstorming session helped in defining key user flows, prioritizing essential features, and shaping the overall user experience to best address the identified needs.
This whiteboard brainstorming session helped in defining key user flows, prioritizing essential features, and shaping the overall user experience to best address the identified needs.
For building the MVP platform, as a team we didn't want to overload ourselves with too much. So, we collaborated (product managers, front-end developer, AI engineers) on FigJam to prioritize features to work on by categorizing them.
For building the MVP platform, as a team we didn't want to overload ourselves with too much. So, we collaborated (product managers, front-end developer, AI engineers) on FigJam to prioritize features to work on by categorizing them.
For building the MVP platform, as a team we didn't want to overload ourselves with too much. So, we collaborated (product managers, front-end developer, AI engineers) on FigJam to prioritize features to work on by categorizing them.
For building the MVP platform, as a team we didn't want to overload ourselves with too much. So, we collaborated (product managers, front-end developer, AI engineers) on FigJam to prioritize features to work on by categorizing them.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Site Map
Site Map
Site Map
Site Map
Leveraging our data insights, mapped out the site’s content and structure. This allowed us to define key pages, streamline information, and design a clear navigation flow.
Leveraging our data insights, mapped out the site’s content and structure. This allowed us to define key pages, streamline information, and design a clear navigation flow.
Leveraging our data insights, mapped out the site’s content and structure. This allowed us to define key pages, streamline information, and design a clear navigation flow.
Leveraging our data insights, mapped out the site’s content and structure. This allowed us to define key pages, streamline information, and design a clear navigation flow.
User Flow
User Flow
User Flow
User Flow
Using site maps, I developed user flows to shape our Low MVP. These flows broke down the journey from sign-up to AI-powered matching, allowing us to iterate on multiple paths. By collaborating closely with engineers, we ensured the experience was both smooth and intuitive, balancing user needs with technical constraints.
Using site maps, I developed user flows to shape our Low MVP. These flows broke down the journey from sign-up to AI-powered matching, allowing us to iterate on multiple paths. By collaborating closely with engineers, we ensured the experience was both smooth and intuitive, balancing user needs with technical constraints.
Using site maps, I developed user flows to shape our Low MVP. These flows broke down the journey from sign-up to AI-powered matching, allowing us to iterate on multiple paths. By collaborating closely with engineers, we ensured the experience was both smooth and intuitive, balancing user needs with technical constraints.
Using site maps, I developed user flows to shape our Low MVP. These flows broke down the journey from sign-up to AI-powered matching, allowing us to iterate on multiple paths. By collaborating closely with engineers, we ensured the experience was both smooth and intuitive, balancing user needs with technical constraints.
CONCEPTUALIZATION
CONCEPTUALIZATION
CONCEPTUALIZATION
Before jumping into high-fidelity designs, I sketched out rough ideas to explore different layouts and interactions. These early explorations helped refine the user experience before moving into final hi-fidelity prototypes.
Before jumping into high-fidelity designs, I sketched out rough ideas to explore different layouts and interactions. These early explorations helped refine the user experience before moving into final hi-fidelity prototypes.
Before jumping into high-fidelity designs, I sketched out rough ideas to explore different layouts and interactions. These early explorations helped refine the user experience before moving into final hi-fidelity prototypes.
Before jumping into high-fidelity designs, I sketched out rough ideas to explore different layouts and interactions. These early explorations helped refine the user experience before moving into final hi-fidelity prototypes.
DESIGN CHALLENGES
DESIGN CHALLENGES
DESIGN CHALLENGES
Mobile-First Design Approach
Mobile-First Design Approach
Mobile-First Design Approach
Mobile-First Design Approach
I prioritized a mobile-first design to create an intuitive user experience on smaller screens before adapting it to the web.
However, several challenges arose along the way before finalizing the design.
I prioritized a mobile-first design to create an intuitive user experience on smaller screens before adapting it to the web.
However, several challenges arose along the way before finalizing the design.
I prioritized a mobile-first design to create an intuitive user experience on smaller screens before adapting it to the web.
However, several challenges arose along the way before finalizing the design.
I prioritized a mobile-first design to create an intuitive user experience on smaller screens before adapting it to the web.
However, several challenges arose along the way before finalizing the design.
Challenge #1: How to display information in card components across web and mobile while representing different states without clutter?
Challenge #1: How to display information in card components across web and mobile while representing different states without clutter?
Challenge #1: How to display information in card components across web and mobile while representing different states without clutter?
Challenge #1: How to display information in card components across web and mobile while representing different states without clutter?
Challenge #1: How to display information in card components across web and mobile while representing different states without clutter?
Developed flexible card layouts and presented them to the team, finalizing a design that prioritizes key information (profile picture, name, role, match compatibility, introduction).
Developed flexible card layouts and presented them to the team, finalizing a design that prioritizes key information (profile picture, name, role, match compatibility, introduction).
Developed flexible card layouts and presented them to the team, finalizing a design that prioritizes key information (profile picture, name, role, match compatibility, introduction).
Developed flexible card layouts and presented them to the team, finalizing a design that prioritizes key information (profile picture, name, role, match compatibility, introduction).
Challenge #2: How to display match accuracy scores?
Challenge #2: How to display match accuracy scores?
Challenge #2: How to display match accuracy scores?
Challenge #2: How to display match accuracy scores?
Challenge #2: How to display match accuracy scores?
Our second challenge was figuring out how to present match accuracy. We tackled this through early user testing—bringing founders into usability sessions where we collected valuable insights that guided our design decisions
Our second challenge was figuring out how to present match accuracy. We tackled this through early user testing—bringing founders into usability sessions where we collected valuable insights that guided our design decisions
Our second challenge was figuring out how to present match accuracy. We tackled this through early user testing—bringing founders into usability sessions where we collected valuable insights that guided our design decisions
Our second challenge was figuring out how to present match accuracy. We tackled this through early user testing—bringing founders into usability sessions where we collected valuable insights that guided our design decisions
Insights:
Insights:
Insights:
Insights:
Founders preferred simplified match accuracy (High / Medium / Low) over detailed compatibility scores.
Location was identified as the most important factor when evaluating matches.
Quick access to email and LinkedIn was highly valued for faster outreach.
Concerns around profile accuracy led to the integration of LinkedIn verification to build trust.
Founders preferred simplified match accuracy (High / Medium / Low) over detailed compatibility scores.
Location was identified as the most important factor when evaluating matches.
Quick access to email and LinkedIn was highly valued for faster outreach.
Concerns around profile accuracy led to the integration of LinkedIn verification to build trust.
Founders preferred simplified match accuracy (High / Medium / Low) over detailed compatibility scores.
Location was identified as the most important factor when evaluating matches.
Quick access to email and LinkedIn was highly valued for faster outreach.
Concerns around profile accuracy led to the integration of LinkedIn verification to build trust.
Founders preferred simplified match accuracy (High / Medium / Low) over detailed compatibility scores.
Location was identified as the most important factor when evaluating matches.
Quick access to email and LinkedIn was highly valued for faster outreach.
Concerns around profile accuracy led to the integration of LinkedIn verification to build trust.
FINAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS
FINAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS
FINAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Pain Point 1 : Research highlighted that early founders mostly rely on personal networks or chance meetings, limiting their options. A structured, real-time way to discover co-founders doesn’t exist.
Pain Point 1 : Research highlighted that early founders mostly rely on personal networks or chance meetings, limiting their options. A structured, real-time way to discover co-founders doesn’t exist.
Pain Point 1 : Research highlighted that early founders mostly rely on personal networks or chance meetings, limiting their options. A structured, real-time way to discover co-founders doesn’t exist.
Pain Point 1 : Research highlighted that early founders mostly rely on personal networks or chance meetings, limiting their options. A structured, real-time way to discover co-founders doesn’t exist.
Solution: To make networking more effective, we introduced event-based matching. Attendees join using a unique event code, answer targeted questions about their skills and preferences, and receive matches with the most compatible participants.
Solution: To make networking more effective, we introduced event-based matching. Attendees join using a unique event code, answer targeted questions about their skills and preferences, and receive matches with the most compatible participants.
Solution: To make networking more effective, we introduced event-based matching. Attendees join using a unique event code, answer targeted questions about their skills and preferences, and receive matches with the most compatible participants.
Solution: To make networking more effective, we introduced event-based matching. Attendees join using a unique event code, answer targeted questions about their skills and preferences, and receive matches with the most compatible participants.
Pain Point 2: Co-founder fit isn’t just about skills—it’s about compatibility. With no structured way to assess alignment, founders often rely on gut instinct, leading to mismatched partnerships and friction.
Pain Point 2: Co-founder fit isn’t just about skills—it’s about compatibility. With no structured way to assess alignment, founders often rely on gut instinct, leading to mismatched partnerships and friction.
Pain Point 2: Co-founder fit isn’t just about skills—it’s about compatibility. With no structured way to assess alignment, founders often rely on gut instinct, leading to mismatched partnerships and friction.
Pain Point 2: Co-founder fit isn’t just about skills—it’s about compatibility. With no structured way to assess alignment, founders often rely on gut instinct, leading to mismatched partnerships and friction.
Solution: Using High, Medium, and Low compatibility scores removes the guesswork and brings clarity to co-founder matching. It’s like a compass for startups—pointing founders in the right direction with simplicity and confidence.
Solution: Using High, Medium, and Low compatibility scores removes the guesswork and brings clarity to co-founder matching. It’s like a compass for startups—pointing founders in the right direction with simplicity and confidence.
Solution: Using High, Medium, and Low compatibility scores removes the guesswork and brings clarity to co-founder matching. It’s like a compass for startups—pointing founders in the right direction with simplicity and confidence.
Solution: Using High, Medium, and Low compatibility scores removes the guesswork and brings clarity to co-founder matching. It’s like a compass for startups—pointing founders in the right direction with simplicity and confidence.
Pain Point 3: Founders often struggle to find co-founders who bring both complementary skills and aligned visions. This challenge usually arises from limited personal networks and an overemphasis on technical expertise, while critical factors like work style, values, and long-term goals are overlooked.
Pain Point 3: Founders often struggle to find co-founders who bring both complementary skills and aligned visions. This challenge usually arises from limited personal networks and an overemphasis on technical expertise, while critical factors like work style, values, and long-term goals are overlooked.
Pain Point 3: Founders often struggle to find co-founders who bring both complementary skills and aligned visions. This challenge usually arises from limited personal networks and an overemphasis on technical expertise, while critical factors like work style, values, and long-term goals are overlooked.
Pain Point 3: Founders often struggle to find co-founders who bring both complementary skills and aligned visions. This challenge usually arises from limited personal networks and an overemphasis on technical expertise, while critical factors like work style, values, and long-term goals are overlooked.
Solution: Our solution was to design onboarding flows that go beyond the basics. Founders share their skills, articulate their vision, and specify what they’re looking for in a co-founder—laying the foundation for meaningful matches
Solution: Our solution was to design onboarding flows that go beyond the basics. Founders share their skills, articulate their vision, and specify what they’re looking for in a co-founder—laying the foundation for meaningful matches
Solution: Our solution was to design onboarding flows that go beyond the basics. Founders share their skills, articulate their vision, and specify what they’re looking for in a co-founder—laying the foundation for meaningful matches
Solution: Our solution was to design onboarding flows that go beyond the basics. Founders share their skills, articulate their vision, and specify what they’re looking for in a co-founder—laying the foundation for meaningful matches
DEVELOPER HANDOFF
DEVELOPER HANDOFF
DEVELOPER HANDOFF
After finalizing the high-fidelity prototypes, I prepared the developer handoff by organizing design specs, component anatomy, layout guides, and spacing details to ensure a smooth transition from design to development.
After finalizing the high-fidelity prototypes, I prepared the developer handoff by organizing design specs, component anatomy, layout guides, and spacing details to ensure a smooth transition from design to development.
After finalizing the high-fidelity prototypes, I prepared the developer handoff by organizing design specs, component anatomy, layout guides, and spacing details to ensure a smooth transition from design to development.
After finalizing the high-fidelity prototypes, I prepared the developer handoff by organizing design specs, component anatomy, layout guides, and spacing details to ensure a smooth transition from design to development.
REFLECTION & IMPACT
REFLECTION & IMPACT
REFLECTION & IMPACT
Led end-to-end flow development, working with cross-functional teams from research to execution.
Onboarded 200 new users post-launch
Led end-to-end flow development, working with cross-functional teams from research to execution.
Onboarded 200 new users post-launch
Led end-to-end flow development, working with cross-functional teams from research to execution.
Onboarded 200 new users post-launch
Led end-to-end flow development, working with cross-functional teams from research to execution.
Onboarded 200 new users post-launch
Let's Work Together?
Now that you've come this far, let's work together on your next product?
Let's Work Together?
Now that you've come this far, let's work together on your next product?
Let's Work Together?
Now that you've come this far, let's work together on your next product?
Let's Work Together?
Now that you've come this far, let's work together on your next product?
Let's Work Together?
Now that you've come this far, let's work together on your next product?