2020
HOCKEYSTICK
MATCHMAKING
Product design
user research
user testing
responsive design
metric analysis
strategy
SITUATION
Startups need funding. Funders need a better way to build deal flow. The matchmaking platform set out to shortcut the discovery process, helping startups match with funders through preferences and company details that feed a recommendation engine.
TASK
Design a matchmaking experience that could reliably work for startups of every shape and size, without needing a human matchmaker behind every introduction.
ACTION
My role was to lead the entire design process: user research, interviews, personas, interface design, prototyping, and user testing, while mentoring junior designers throughout.
The team first hypothesized that automated matchmaking would not suit every type of startup, so we set out to understand their fundamental characteristics. We interviewed startup CEOs and landed on three segments: dreamers, idea-oriented, and disciplined. From there, the ML engine surfaced a set of potential investors primed for introduction.
The goals were clear: encourage users to act on their recommendations often so match quality improves over time, guide and educate less experienced users, and build an interface optimized for efficiency that delivers immediate value.
Results
0+
Startups onboarded0+
Connections made0
In funding secured
