Scaffina

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  Greta as a freemium tool to support potential users (limited interactions)

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  Scaffina AI grant writing and proposal development chat tool, Greta

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  Greta analytics and chat tool data tracking (client/user facing)

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  Scaffina AI Progress Tracker - provides users with a high-level overview of their current applications progress

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  Scaffina AI Devpost hackathon team

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  Original version of Greta, built on OpenAI as a ChatGPT

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  Scaffina comprehensive workspace developed on Notion

Inspiration

In 2023 Natalie Poindexter had the opportunity to advocate for technical assistance (grant writing, grant research, proposal development, etc.) for certified small businesses to the US SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman. At that time, the only way to access support for those pursing non-dilutive funding was through high priced contracts or industry exclusive free support. Fast forward to today, Scaffina is currently the only comprehensive technical assistance platform that offers both non-profit organizations, grant dependent systems, and certified small to midsize businesses with AI and 1:1 expert support.

🔥 Core Features:

🧠 Scaffina offers a fully conversational AI assistant that simplifies the grant application process from idea to submission.

✅ Built on the Bolt AI Builder platform for rapid AI assistant integration, API calls, and voice capabilities.

✅ Supports real-time writing assistance, document generation, and expert-backed guidance.

✅ Includes Supabase-powered data handling, ElevenLabs voice integration, and automated deployment via Netlify.

✅ Designed for nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, and startups seeking funding support through government or private schemes.

✅ What it Does:

 • Scaffina offers end-to-end technical assistance to users through:

         ✅ Expert-guided writing templates

         ✅ AI writing support

         ✅ Funding research and matching

         ✅ Live expert support

         ✅ Funding management

         ✅ Partnership support via our user community

✅ How We Built It:

 • Started from a basic  **Google Doc**.

 • Transformed into a fully functional **Notion workspace**.

 • Beta-tested by **15 users** in current MVP stage.

 • Built the conversational assistant & platform integration using the **Bolt AI Builder**.

 • This prototype is a next-phase integration for:

        ✅ Current users

        ✅ New onboarding users

 • Used to collect feedback on:

       ✔️ Usability

       ✔️ Accuracy

       ✔️ Self-efficacy (qualitative)

🔧 Tech Stack:

  • **Frontend:** React + Tailwind CSS

  • **Backend:** Node.js with Express

  • **AI Stack:** Mistral AI (via API) for assistant integration

  • **Database & Auth:** Supabase (auth + storage + data)

  • **Deployment Automation:** GitHub REST API + Netlify

  • **Voice Integration:** ElevenLabs

  • **Builder Platform:** Bolt (for fast prototyping & AI assistant design)

✅ Challenges We Ran Into:

 • Initial challenge: Lack of technical experience (Natalie’s POV)

 • Still wanted to support people in **grant/procurement process**

 • Evolved from:

       📝 Word doc → Fillable PDF → Notion workspace

• Scalability was tough due to:

     ✔️ Each user needing custom data

     ✔️ Expert research per grant

     ✔️ Manual compilation of info

• Hackathon + open-source tools enabled the shift to automation

✅ Accomplishments We’re Proud Of:

  • First MVP users are **actively onboarding**.

  • Incorporating prototype features into next platform phase.

  • **Paying customers** are using the MVP in Notion.

  • Collected nonprofit feedback:

          👉 **75%** are interested.

          👉 Willing to pay subscription pricing.

✅ What We Learned:

  • How to build a **full SaaS platform** from scratch.

  • Integrated tools & tech like:

          ✅ Supabase

          ✅ Netlify

          ✅ ElevenLabs

          ✅ Bolt platform

  • Learned the end-to-end flow:

         🔁 API creation → Database connection → Deployment

 • Gained skills in:

       ✔️ Handling API requests/responses

       ✔️ Debugging & error management

       ✔️ Problem solving with creativity & patience

✅ What’s Next for Scaffina:

  • Continue **prototype development**.

  • Apply to **accelerators & fellowships**.

  • Stay focused on launching the full, scalable product.

Built With

• bolt
• mistral
• netlify
• react
• superbase