Mango (Now Acquired by Kindred) - Transforming Online Dating with Brix
Introduction
Bryan Li, founder of the intentional dating app Mango, now serves as the Chief Technology Officer at its parent company, Kindred.
Mango, an intentional dating app founded by Bryan Li, aimed to revolutionize the online dating industry by using AI for efficient matchmaking. With a strong background as the Director of Engineering at Tinder and LinkedIn, Bryan brought valuable expertise to the table. In 2023, Mango was acquired by Kindred, a home swapping network, and Bryan assumed the role of Chief Technology Officer at the parent company. This case study explores how Mango, in partnership with Brix, achieved significant cost savings and expanded its engineering team with top talent.
Background
Brix Partnership:
Initiated in 2021
Industry:
Online Dating App
Number of Brix Hires:
4 developers
The Challenge
As a startup,Mango faced the daunting task of hiring top-notch talent while keeping costs in check. Research indicated that the average monthly cost of hiring an engineer in the United States amounted to a substantial $11,658, a significant financial burden for a budding company. Additionally, transitioning to a remote working model brought its own set of challenges, including limited face-to-face interactions, difficulties in team building, and the need to convey team culture to remote hires. Establishing and nurturing relationships with potential candidates also proved to be a challenge.
The Solution
In pursuit of a cost-effective solution,Bryan Li discovered Brix, a platform connecting companies with global talent. Partnering with Brix provided Mango access to a diverse talent pool, enabling Bryan to successfully onboard four skilled engineers who became valuable additions to his remote team. This strategic move resulted in substantial savings in research and development costs for the startup. Moreover, the efficient onboarding and offboarding processes offered by Brix reduced HR-related hassles significantly.
“
Bryan expressed his satisfaction, saying, "Brix has provided excellent support throughout the acqui-hiring process, and I've already recommended them to many of my friends." The success of this partnership has led to the ongoing expansion of Mango's engineering team, with the onboarding of their fifth member, demonstrating the long-lasting impact of their collaboration with Brix.
Addressing Remote Work Concerns
Time Zone Compatibility:
Bryan addressed concerns about the time difference by emphasizing that overlapping working hours and their West Coast location mitigated potential issues when collaborating with remote developers.
Bryan addressed concerns about the time difference by emphasizing that overlapping working hours and their West Coast location mitigated potential issues when collaborating with remote developers.
Benefits of Brix:
Bryan highlighted the key advantages of working with Brix, including the high quality of talent, excellent retention rates, and streamlined onboarding and offboarding processes. He underscored how Brix alleviated HR-related concerns, allowing him to focus on his core business goals.
Bryan highlighted the key advantages of working with Brix, including the high quality of talent, excellent retention rates, and streamlined onboarding and offboarding processes. He underscored how Brix alleviated HR-related concerns, allowing him to focus on his core business goals.
Openness to Remote Work:
Bryan noted that there were no strict requirements or limitations for developers applying for remote jobs. He encouraged individuals interested in remote work to embrace the opportunity, as adapting to it could be a rewarding experience.
Bryan noted that there were no strict requirements or limitations for developers applying for remote jobs. He encouraged individuals interested in remote work to embrace the opportunity, as adapting to it could be a rewarding experience.
Conclusion
Mango's collaboration with Brix played a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of talent acquisition and remote team building. The cost-effective partnership allowed Mango to thrive, delivering exceptional matchmaking experiences and contributing to its acquisition by Kindred. This case study demonstrates the power of strategic collaboration in achieving success in the competitive world of startups.