Hackathon Requirements Document - Day 1

Overview

The goal of this hackathon project is to build a minimalistic startup-oriented social platform where users can create and manage startup profiles, interact through posts and messages, and search for startup information. Participants are advised to write modular, scalable code to accommodate additional requirements on Day 2.

Core Functionalities

1. User Management

• Sign Up/Sign In: Users can register or log in using basic credentials.
• User Profile:
  • Fields: Username, Email, Bio.
  • Link to Startup: If the user is part of a startup, their profile should display:
    • Associated Startup Name.
    • Position/Title in the Startup.

2. Startup Profile

• Startup Creation: Users can create a "Startup" Organization.
• Startup Profile Setup:
  • Fields:
    • Logo.
    • Display Name.
    • Description.
    • Industries.
    • Funding Raised.
  • Timeline Feature:
    • A timeline UI component to represent the startup’s journey (e.g., “Ideation” stage).
    • Hardcoded Milestones (common events such as "Founded," "First Funding Round").
    • Customizable Milestones (users can add their own events).

3. Feed

• Post Creation:
  • Post format: Text with optional image attachment.
  • Supports Markdown formatting for posts.
  • Posts can be made on behalf of a Startup Profile.
• Interactions:
  • Like, comment, save, and share posts.
  • View list of users who liked or commented on a post.
• Feed Visibility: All users can view the feed.

4. Search

• Startup Profile Search:
  • Basic search functionality with filters:
    • Industry Type: Service-based, Product-based, or Hybrid.
    • Location.
• Anonymous Mode: Anonymous users can search and view startup profiles.

5. Anonymous/Guest Mode

• Access:
  • Anonymous users can browse the feed and startup profiles.
  • Only a username is required for tracking purposes.
• Restrictions:
  • Anonymous users cannot:
    • Comment on posts.
    • Message other users.
  • They can:
    • Like posts.
    • Save posts (tracked anonymously).

6. Messaging

• Direct Messaging:
  • Users can send basic text messages to other users.
  • Share posts in DMs.
• Restrictions:
  • Anonymous users cannot access the messaging feature.

Business Context: The Story Behind

In today’s competitive landscape, startups often struggle to find visibility, connections, and meaningful engagement. This platform is envisioned as a place where entrepreneurs can showcase their journey, achievements, and vision while connecting with like-minded individuals and potential investors. By providing features like detailed startup profiles, an engaging feed, and easy-to-use messaging tools, the platform aims to empower startup ecosystems to thrive and innovate.

Imagine a user, Sarah, an aspiring entrepreneur who has just founded her tech startup. She wants to highlight her startup’s milestones, from securing initial funding to onboarding her first employees. Using this platform, she creates a visually appealing timeline, posts updates to her feed, and engages with a community of users who can like and comment on her journey. She also connects with potential collaborators via direct messaging, fostering relationships that help her startup grow.