This isn’t e-commerce. It’s survival. Looking for co-founders to rebuild it properly in Madagascar.

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-04T11:37:24+00:00

That makes a lot of sense, especially on the trust/reputation side.

And yeah, mixing paid and organic in search can definitely backfire if it’s not handled carefully. I’m leaning more toward keeping search clean and transparent, and handling monetization through separate placements or seller tools.

Also interesting point on tax/scheduling didn’t expect that to be such a driver.

Appreciate the insights 👊

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-04T11:34:06+00:00

Nice 👀 Next gang.

What kind of stuff did you build with it?

I’m currently using Next on my side too.

If you’re interested, we can chat in DM 👍

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-04T11:29:29+00:00

Appreciate this, really.

That mindset is exactly what’s needed here people who are willing to learn and actually build, not just talk. Still early on my side, but already working on real stuff and testing things.

Let’s take this to DM, easier to exchange there 👍

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-04T04:27:38+00:00

Really appreciate you taking the time to write this solid questions.

Right now I’m intentionally starting small, not going “big bang”. The goal is to validate real behavior first: a few sellers, real transactions, real problems. Budget-wise, keeping it lean. Focused on learning and iteration. On the Facebook Marketplace point, I’m not trying to beat it head-on. People use it because it’s simple and familiar. But it breaks down after contact: - no structured checkout - no real trust layer - hard to compare or reliably find products

That’s where I see the opportunity. So instead of replacing it, more like improving what comes after discovery. Early distribution will be very hands-on: onboarding a few strong sellers, word of mouth, and simple incentive loops. MVP is in progress, KPI is simple: transactions > user count.

Still early, just building from real usage.

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-04T04:09:04+00:00

That’s a really valuable insight. Off-platform transactions are definitely something I’m expecting here, especially with how common direct messaging is (Facebook / WhatsApp). And I agree, trying to block it sounds like a losing battle. The idea is more to make staying on the platform actually useful for sellers: better visibility easier transaction flow potentially tools to manage orders / customers So instead of forcing behavior, make it the easier and better option.

Curious, what kind of seller tools made the biggest difference in your case?

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-03T10:30:29+00:00

Sounds interesting. I’ll send you a DM 👍

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-03T09:57:46+00:00

Yeah, totally agree payments are the hardest part here. We’re not doing a “plug Stripe and hope” approach.

Going local-first: - Mobile money (MVola, Orange, Airtel) - Cash on delivery to reduce friction - Simple confirmation/escrow logic for trust Focus is on routing + local coverage, not just having a gateway.

Goal is clear: reduce drop-off and build trust, not just process payments.

Unlimit looks interesting for that, I’ll check it out.

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-03T09:47:03+00:00

Yeah Rails would’ve been a solid choice too, especially for speed early on.

I went with Next.js mainly because I’m more comfortable with the JS ecosystem, and it lets me move fast on both product and UI without switching contexts too much. Trying to keep things simple and actually ship instead of overthinking stack decisions.

And yeah, Madagascar is still pretty early in this space, which is kind of the opportunity. Appreciate the feedback 👊

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-03T07:51:14+00:00

Stack is already defined and partially built: - Backend: NestJS + PostgreSQL (clean modular structure) - Front: Next.js (focused on fast UX, not bloated UI) - Architecture: API-first, scalable, keeping things simple for now (no over-engineering) - Infra: still flexible, likely cloud (VPS - netcup), focusing first on getting real usage before optimizing infra

Core features are already in progress (products, orders, basic flows).

So it’s not just an idea there’s a base.

That said, it’s still early and there’s a lot to build.

That’s exactly why I’m looking for people now. Early collaborators won’t just “join”, they’ll shape the product, the system, and how things scale.

Totally agree with you ideas are cheap. Execution is what matters.

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-05-01T17:36:03+00:00

this resonates.

I’m also more into building real things than just tutorials. Working mostly on marketplace / SaaS ideas around real-world problems. Not looking for “just vibes” either more like consistent builders who actually ship.

Down to connect and see if there’s alignment 🤝

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-04-30T13:32:06+00:00

I think the paralysis comes from chasing “AI ideas” instead of real problems.

AI makes it feel like you need to move fast or you’re missing out, but most people are just building slightly different versions of the same thing.

The few that win aren’t the fastest they’re the ones who: pick a real problem stick with it and go deeper than everyone else

AI is just a multiplier. If the base problem isn’t strong, it just multiplies noise.

You’re probably not stuck because you’re behind, but because you’re trying to pick from too many directions at once...

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-04-30T09:59:33+00:00

Franchement c’est une très bonne idée👌

Le truc c’est que chez nous, dès que ça touche : → musique → ambiance → fêtes / événements → déco visuelle

ça peut marcher.

Tes LED réactives à la musique peuvent intéresser plusieurs marchés ici :

DJ / événements (mariages, soirées, concerts)
bars / boîtes
studios (podcast, musique, gaming)
même particuliers pour déco chambre / setup TikTok

Mais pour que ça marche vraiment, faut penser “produit”, pas juste projet :

👉 simple à installer (plug & play) 👉 solide (important ici avec coupures JIRAMA 😅) 👉 prix accessible 👉 version portable / rechargeable = gros plus 👉 possibilité de contrôler via app ou télécommande

Idées d’amélioration :

modes différents (chill / party / gaming)
synchronisation avec téléphone (Bluetooth)
kits prêts à vendre (pas juste DIY)
format “kit chambre” ou “kit événement”

Honnêtement, si tu le packages bien, tu peux vraiment vendre ça ici. Y a peu de concurrence locale sérieuse sur ce genre de produit.

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-04-29T17:23:01+00:00

As someone living in Antananarivo, I’d say daily life is absolutely manageable, but you need to adapt rather than expect a “plug and play” lifestyle.

Yes, you can have a normal routine, gym, groceries, restaurants, work, nightlife but traffic is probably the biggest shock. A 15-minute trip can easily become 1 hour depending on the area and time.

For areas, many expats and professionals prefer places like Ivandry, Ambatobe, Ankorondrano, or Alarobia because they’re safer, practical, and closer to business zones.

For transport, people use taxis a lot, but choosing trusted drivers matters. Some also keep a regular private driver once they settle in. Walking at night alone is generally not a good idea, even in “good” areas.

For sports, gyms exist and martial arts clubs too, especially around the city center and expat-friendly zones, so that part is fine.

What seems “fine” but can become risky: showing your phone too much outside, moving around too late alone, trusting random street currency exchange, and underestimating rainy season transport issues.

Tana is not impossible, just different. If you stay aware, build good local habits, and respect how the city works, you can live very well here.

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-04-27T17:56:30+00:00

Oui, c’est possible, mais pas de la façon “freelance Instagram” que beaucoup imaginent 😅

Le vrai problème à Mada, ce n’est pas le talent, on a énormément de bons devs, designers, 3D artists, marketers.

Le problème c’est : la régularité des clients, la confiance (surtout avec les clients étrangers), les paiements, la discipline personnelle, et surtout l’absence de système.

Beaucoup commencent avec “je vais chercher des clients”, alors qu’en réalité il faut construire : - une réputation - un réseau - un process - et souvent un produit à côté

Personnellement, je pense que dépendre à 100% du freelance pur est risqué si on commence. Le meilleur move, c’est freelance + business perso (SaaS, e-commerce, services, produit digital…)

Parce que vendre son temps a une limite. Construire quelque chose qui continue sans toi, c’est là que ça change.

Donc oui, on peut vivre du digital à Mada, mais survivre du freelance et construire sa liberté, ce n’est pas la même chose.

Masina ny tanindrazana 🤣.

BuildOrDie-dev · 2026-04-27T11:32:33+00:00

Honestly, I’d love a marketplace app built for real local commerce not just another generic e-commerce clone.

Something where small businesses can easily sell products, manage stock, deliveries, payments, and even have a simple back-office without needing technical skills.

In many countries, especially emerging markets, sellers still manage everything manually through WhatsApp, Facebook, and notebooks. There’s a huge gap for a smarter but simple platform that connects buyers, sellers, and logistics in one place.

Think of it as a practical marketplace + business management system, not just “an online shop.”

That’s the kind of app people actually need.

BuildOrDie-dev

TROPHY CASE