Dr. Akintayo Akinrinsola
13 Jan 2026
"We realised something important: while most people only see polished launches and finished products, there’s real value in sharing the process—not just the outcome."
Introducing Build With Us
For the past couple of months, we’ve been building Nova Matches quietly.
Not quietly because nothing was happening—far from it—but because we were focused on getting the foundations right: understanding the problem deeply, testing assumptions, making decisions we could stand behind, and slowly growing a community of people who believe in what we’re creating.
It’s been a journey filled with trials, challenges, small wins, and a lot of learning.
At some point, we paused and reflected.
We realised something important: while most people only see polished launches and finished products, there’s real value in sharing the process—not just the outcome. The thinking. The trade-offs. The moments of uncertainty. The decisions that shape what eventually gets built.
That reflection is what led to Build With Us.
Why Build With Us Exists
Nova Matches is being built for Africans living in the diaspora—people navigating identity, culture, ambition, distance, and belonging all at once. Building something this personal and culturally specific requires intention.
It also requires honesty.
Rather than wait until everything is “perfect,” we’ve decided to document the journey openly:
what we’re learning,
what’s working (and what isn’t),
the questions we don’t yet have answers to,
and the values we’re protecting as we build.
This series is not about hype or launch noise. It’s about transparency.
A Small Win Worth Sharing
Just recently, we crossed 500 people on our waitlist.
On paper, it’s a small number. In reality, it means over 500 Africans living abroad have registered interest in an app that’s still in development.
For us, that matters.
It’s early validation that the problem we’re trying to solve resonates. It tells us we’re not imagining the need. And yes—if you’ve built or invested in startups before, you already know why moments like this count.
But beyond validation, it reinforces our responsibility to build thoughtfully.
What You Can Expect From This Series
Build With Us will be a weekly build log.
In it, we’ll share:
the decisions we’re making and why,
the trade-offs we’re navigating,
the lessons we’re learning in real time,
and the questions we’re still working through.
You won’t find shortcuts here. You won’t find manufactured excitement.
Just honest insights from the journey of building something intentional, from the ground up.
An Open Invitation
Whether you’re a user, a builder, an academic, an investor, or simply someone curious about how products are built with purpose—we’re glad you’re here.
This is us building in public.
The first official Build With Us entry is coming soon.