CleverApply
Transforming a B2B admissions platform from a Bubble.io MVP to enterprise-grade SaaS serving 6+ universities, achieving SOC2 compliance and scaling to $100k ARR through strategic technical leadership.
The Founder's Challenge
The founder approached us with a mostly functional MVP built on Bubble.io — a B2B admissions platform for international education. While the no-code solution proved the concept, several critical challenges were blocking growth:
Initial Blockers
- • DocuSign integration needed for contracts
- • No enterprise-grade security compliance
- • Limited scalability on Bubble platform
- • Lack of technical team to execute growth
Growth Potential
- • Strong product-market fit proven
- • University interest in the solution
- • Opportunity for enterprise contracts
- • Clear path to $100k+ ARR
Fractional CTO Strategy
Phase 1: Immediate Revenue (Months 1-3)
Focus on quick wins to generate initial revenue while building foundation for scale.
- DocuSign Integration: Enable contract signing for first sales
- MVP Enhancement: Polish Bubble platform for university demos
- Sales Support: Technical guidance for first 3 school contracts
- School Integrations: Custom connections for early customers
Phase 2: Enterprise Foundation (Months 4-8)
Build enterprise-grade infrastructure while maintaining business momentum.
- SOC2 Compliance: Security frameworks for enterprise sales
- Architecture Planning: Design React/Node migration strategy
- Team Building: Hire and onboard development team
- Service Integrations: Postmark, Twilio, Veriff, Tipalti
Phase 3: Platform Migration (Months 6-12)
Migrate from Bubble to custom React/Node platform while scaling business.
- Custom Platform: React frontend with Node.js/Express backend
- Data Migration: Seamless transition from Bubble database
- Analytics Dashboard: Custom Metabase implementation
- AI Features: Intelligent matching and recommendations
Technical Evolution
Bubble.io Foundation
Started with a functional no-code MVP that proved product-market fit but lacked enterprise capabilities.
Enhanced Bubble Platform
Added critical integrations and enterprise features while building on Bubble foundation.
Enterprise Platform
Custom React/Node platform with enterprise security, analytics, and AI capabilities.
Building the Team
Hiring Strategy
- Full-Stack Developers: React/Node expertise for platform migration
- Junior Developers: Recent graduates for feature development
- Interns: AI/ML students for intelligent features
- DevOps Support: Infrastructure and deployment automation
Onboarding Process
- Technical Training: Platform architecture and codebase walkthrough
- Domain Knowledge: Education sector and admissions processes
- Development Process: Git workflow, code review, testing practices
- Mentorship Program: Pairing with senior developers for growth
AI-Powered Features
Smart Matching
AI algorithms match students with optimal university programs based on academic profile and preferences.
Predictive Analytics
Machine learning models predict application success rates and recommend optimization strategies.
Automated Support
Intelligent chatbot handles common inquiries and guides students through application processes.
Transformative Results
Integration Ecosystem
Technology Stack Evolution
Phase 1: Bubble.io Foundation
Phase 2: Enterprise Platform
Ready to scale your startup?
Let's discuss how fractional CTO leadership can help you migrate from MVP to enterprise-grade platform while scaling your team and revenue.
Discuss Your Scale-Up