Pool | Devpost

BathX Team Photo
Initial Brainstorming of Pool

Inspiration

Our inspiration began from a simple observation: many creative and innovative projects never come to fruition due to financial constraints. We were inspired by the potential of collective funding to break down these barriers, allowing people to support each other's ambitions in a more connected and impactful way.

What it does

Pool is a collaborative finance app that democratises the investment process. It allows users to pool funds together in two main types: Investment Pools, offering returns from interest to contributors, and Friendly Pools, designed for personal and interest-free projects or community support without the expectation of financial returns. This approach not only provides a platform for funding but also creates a sense of community and mutual support.

How we built it

We built Pool using React Native for the frontend, allowing us to create a seamless user experience across iOS platforms. The backend is powered by Node.js and Javascript, with Firebase for cloud services, ensuring scalability and reliability. Firebase integrates real-time data handling and authentication, making the app both dynamic and secure.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges we faced was the learning curve associated with Firebase. Working with its complexity under the pressure of a hackathon timeline was difficult. Additionally, implementing the intricate functionalities required for managing investments and contributions within the app presented significant technical hurdles. Balancing the development of a user-friendly interface with the backend logic needed to support financial transactions tested our problem-solving skills.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite the time constraints and challenges, our team is proud of what we've achieved in just 24 hours. We managed to implement the core functionalities of the Pool app, bringing our vision to life. This includes the ability for users to create, invest in, and manage pools, as well as handle user authentication and data management through Firebase. We maintained a collaborative spirit throughout which lead to our success in integrating these elements within a tight timeframe.

What we learned

This hackathon was a great learning experience for us. We gained valuable hands-on experience with Firebase, exploring its capabilities in user authentication and real-time database management. We also deepened our understanding of JavaScript, particularly in using classes to organise and structure our code more effectively. The challenges we faced forced us to think creatively and adapt quickly, enhancing our problem-solving skills and our ability to work under pressure as a team.

What's next for Pool

Looking ahead, we're excited about the potential to further revolutionise collaborative finance with several new features. One of the key features would be the introduction of Personalised Project Funding, allowing users to request specific funding amounts tailored to their unique project needs. This would enable a more customised investment experience, directly connecting project creators with potential investors based on specified criteria.

Additionally, a future Smart Matching Algorithm could be implemented to intelligently match investors with projects that align with their interests and investment goals. By making the most of advanced data analytics and user preferences, this algorithm would facilitate more meaningful and impactful investments.