StartUp Connect Hub 🚀

A full-stack MERN platform connecting startup founders with potential partners and collaborators.

Features

• 🔐 User Authentication - JWT-based secure login/registration
• 💼 Startup Listings - Post and browse business ideas
• 🔍 Advanced Filtering - Search by category, location, skills
• 📝 Application System - Apply to join startups
• 📊 User Dashboard - Manage startups and applications
• 🎨 Modern UI - Responsive design with premium aesthetics
• 💬 Real-time Chat - Socket.io infrastructure (ready for integration)

Tech Stack

Backend:

• Node.js & Express
• MongoDB & Mongoose
• JWT Authentication
• Socket.io
• bcrypt for password hashing

Frontend:

• React 18
• Vite
• React Router
• Axios
• Lucide Icons
• Custom CSS (no frameworks)

Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v14 or higher)
• MongoDB (local or Atlas)

Installation

1. Clone the repository

git clone <your-repo-url>
cd startup-connect

2. Setup Backend

cd server
npm install

# Create .env file
echo "PORT=5000
MONGO_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/startup-connect
JWT_SECRET=your_secret_key_here" > .env

# Start server
node server.js

3. Setup Frontend

cd ../client
npm install

# Start dev server
npm run dev

4. Access the application

• Frontend: http://localhost:5173
• Backend API: http://localhost:5000

Project Structure

startup-connect/
├── server/              # Backend
│   ├── config/         # Database config
│   ├── controllers/    # Route controllers
│   ├── models/         # Mongoose models
│   ├── routes/         # API routes
│   ├── middlewares/    # Auth middleware
│   └── server.js       # Entry point
│
└── client/             # Frontend
    ├── src/
    │   ├── components/ # Reusable components
    │   ├── pages/      # Page components
    │   ├── context/    # React Context
    │   ├── utils/      # API utilities
    │   └── styles/     # CSS files
    └── package.json

API Endpoints

Authentication

• POST /api/auth/register - Register new user
• POST /api/auth/login - Login user

Startups

• GET /api/startups - Get all startups
• GET /api/startups/:id - Get single startup
• POST /api/startups - Create startup (protected)

Applications

• POST /api/applications - Apply to startup (protected)
• GET /api/applications/my - Get my applications (protected)
• GET /api/applications/startup/:id - Get applications for startup (protected)

User Roles

1. Founder - Post startup ideas, manage applications
2. Partner - Browse startups, apply to join

Features in Detail

For Founders

• Post startup ideas with details
• Specify required skills and investment
• View and manage applications
• Track startup performance

For Partners

• Browse available startups
• Filter by category, location, skills
• Apply with personalized messages
• Track application status

Environment Variables

Create a .env file in the server directory:

PORT=5000
MONGO_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/startup-connect
JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret_key

Development

Running in Development Mode

Backend:

cd server
node server.js

Frontend:

cd client
npm run dev

Building for Production

cd client
npm run build

Security Features

• Password hashing with bcrypt
• JWT token authentication
• Protected API routes
• CORS enabled
• Input validation

Future Enhancements

• Real-time chat implementation
• Admin dashboard
• Email notifications
• File upload for images
• Advanced search filters
• Meeting scheduler
• Premium subscriptions

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch
3. Commit your changes
4. Push to the branch
5. Open a Pull Request

License

MIT License

Support

For support, email your-email@example.com

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Built with ❤️ using MERN Stack