Travel Connection Platform Developer

About the Project I am the founder of a new technology platform focused on helping travellers build meaningful connections. The product has been through a substantial product-planning and specification phase, and the core product specification and development brief are already prepared. I am now looking for an experienced senior developer or small specialist development team to help take the product through technical architecture, development, testing and launch. This is not a simple app-development project. I am looking for someone who can understand the wider product, challenge assumptions where appropriate, make strong technical recommendations and build a scalable foundation for future growth. At a high level, the platform involves * iOS and Android mobile applications * User registration, authentication and profiles * Community-based functionality * Real-time messaging and conversations * Events and event-specific communication * Connections between users * Notifications * Location-based functionality with privacy controls * Voice and video functionality * Virtual and hybrid experiences * AI-supported functionality * Safety, moderation, reporting and blocking * Privacy and data-management controls * Administrative/backend functionality * Scalable backend architecture and APIs The detailed product specification, user journeys, UX/UI and technical requirements are confidential and will only be shared with shortlisted candidates following an NDA. What I need from you I am looking for someone who can: * Review an established product specification * Recommend an appropriate technical architecture and technology stack * Identify technical risks, dependencies and opportunities for improvement * Develop the mobile application(s) and supporting backend * Build secure, scalable and maintainable infrastructure * Integrate real-time functionality and third-party services where appropriate * Implement appropriate testing and QA processes * Support deployment and launch * Communicate clearly with the founder throughout the project * Provide realistic estimates rather than optimistic sales timelines * Potentially continue supporting and developing the platform after launch Experience required You should have substantial experience delivering production mobile applications, ideally involving some combination of: * React Native / Flutter / native iOS / native Android * Backend development and APIs * Real-time messaging * Social or community platforms * Voice/video functionality * Location-based functionality * AI integrations * Authentication and security * Scalable cloud infrastructure * App Store / Google Play deployment Experience building a consumer-facing social, community, travel, events or marketplace product would be particularly valuable. What I want to see in your proposal Please do not send a generic “I can build your app” proposal. Please provide: 1. Two or three relevant products you have personally worked on 2. What your specific responsibility was on each project 3. Whether you worked independently or as part of a team 4. Your experience with real-time messaging, video/voice, location and AI 5. Your recommended technology stack for a platform of this type, and briefly why 6. Your current availability 7. Your hourly rate 8. Whether you use subcontractors or other developers 9. Your approach to technical discovery and architecture before development begins 10. One example of a technical decision where you challenged a client’s original approach and recommended something better Please answer the questions above directly. I am particularly interested in how you think, not simply a list of technologies you use. Confidentiality Detailed information about the product will only be provided to shortlisted candidates following execution of an NDA. I am looking for a genuine development partner who can contribute technically and strategically to the project, rather than simply execute predefined tasks. If you believe your experience is a strong fit, I would be interested in hearing from you.