From Peer Review to Edif Flow: David Wind's Journey of Building a Collaborative Learning Platform.
Company profile
Company business details
Motivation to build the product
The motivation to create Edif Flow stemmed from a personal necessity when co-founder David faced an overwhelming number of students in a course he taught. This situation prompted him to devise a solution that allowed peer reviews to ease grading workloads and improve learning outcomes.Problem that their product solves
Edif Flow solves the problem of inefficiency in grading and lack of engaging learning experiences in large classes. Its end users primarily include educators and students in academic institutions, and solving this problem is crucial for enhancing educational effectiveness and ensuring that students can learn collaboratively.Their unfair advantage
Edif Flow's unfair advantage lies in its unique focus on collaborative feedback within online courses, leveraging peer review to enhance the learning experience, which sets them apart from traditional course management systems that prioritize instructor-led interactions.Strategies
Idea Validation Stage
Community Engagement and Knowledge Sharing
During the early development of Peergrade, David Crawford engaged with the academic community by presenting novel research and pedagogical insights about peer feedback. This approach allowed him to establish credibility and rapport within the community. Instead of simply selling a software product, he positioned himself as a PhD student and educator who wanted to enhance the learning experience, which resonated with potential users and led to a higher interest in the product. By embedding himself in this community, he leveraged his academic background to connect with professors and university departments, ultimately garnering support and initial customers.
Pre-Launch (Product Development & MVP)
Leveraging Customer Feedback for Product Development
During the development of the peer review product, a feedback loop was established with the initial users—students from courses. Regular interactions were scheduled to gather their feedback on features, usability, and issues encountered. This hands-on approach allowed the team to iterate and improve the product based on real, actionable insights from its primary users.
Iterative Product Development with Feedback
David utilized the feedback from 150 students using Peergrade to quickly iterate and improve the product. In the initial phase, he faced numerous complaints about the product, which provided valuable insights into user needs and expectations. This continuous feedback loop during the first few months allowed him to refine the software based on real user experiences, effectively turning a basic tool into a more competitive product that met the functional requirements of students and professors alike.
Launch Stage
Self-Serve Model for New Users
The launch of Edif Flow included a self-service element allowing potential customers to sign up independently without requiring direct sales interactions. This model catered particularly well to users looking for a cost-effective solution to trial the service. The onboarding process is straightforward, enabling users to explore and set up their courses with minimal limitations, aiding conversion rates and initial user engagement.
Growth Stage
Onboarding Process Improvement
The onboarding process is designed to enhance the user experience by making it easy for new users to engage with the product, focused on fostering love for the product through a smooth entry point. The idea is to allow potential users to 'just try' the product, regardless of its niche nature. This approach aims to improve customer retention and conversion rates by lowering barriers to entry and maximizing user satisfaction.
