Parent-Founder Creating a Tool for Autistic Children — Need Help Prototyping MVP
Building a Tool to Help Autistic Kids Thrive — Looking for a Builder to Join Me (Equity/Future Stake)
Hi Indie Hackers — I’m Bill, a parent and founder on a mission to build something personal and powerful:
BrighterBuddy — a sensory-friendly app and plush system that helps autistic children grow confidence through real-life speech practice, emotional regulation, and joyful play.
I’m building this because of my daughter.
She’s autistic, amazing, and full of life — but navigating everyday things like saying “hi” or asking for something can be overwhelming. Most tools out there are too clinical, too passive, or just don’t get it.
So I created something that does.
What’s Done:
Investor-ready pitch deck + visual brand assets
Plush toy concept designed with sensory features + NFC trigger (Buddy Boost)
Finalized app experience: social scenarios, stimming avatars, calming zone
Outreach to VCs and autism networks already in progress
What I Need:
I’m looking for a passionate no-code developer (Adalo, Bubble, Glide) or frontend builder who wants to join me in bringing the MVP to life — in exchange for equity or a future investment stake.
We’ll build something fun, functional, and meaningful — and open doors to seed funding and early testers.
Who This Is For:
You’ve built an app or MVP before
You care about neurodiversity, education, or mission-driven work
You want to be part of something real and human
You’re excited about joining early, building fast, and making an actual impact
Let’s build something kids and families will never forget.
Email me at murra1wc@gmail.com or drop a reply if this resonates.
Every kid deserves a Buddy who helps them shine — just by being themselves.
Great cause you're building for! What sort of app will this be? (web? mobile?) and how does the plush toy fit into this?
Thanks so much—I really appreciate that! BrighterBuddy will be a mobile app designed to help autistic kids build confidence through guided social scenarios, speech practice, and calming tools—all in a fun, sensory-friendly environment.
The plush toy is a key part of the experience too! Each child gets to pick a Buddy in the app (like a dragon, bear, or bunny), and that same Buddy can be brought to life as a real plush. Some versions of the plush will even include sensory features like weighted bodies or warming/cooling inserts to help with regulation—and a special NFC chip that launches the calming mode in the app with just a tap. It’s all about giving kids a comforting, familiar Buddy they can interact with both on-screen and in real life.
Happy to share more if you’re curious—this means a lot!
Would love to see your deck, Bill! Also interested on learning how you aim to guide different people on the spectrum, because each neurodivergent person are rather different from one another.
Thanks so much! I’d love to send over the deck.
And you’re absolutely right—every neurodivergent person is different, and that’s exactly why BrighterBuddy is built around personalization. Kids can choose their own Buddy, stim behaviors, calming tools, and even the types of real-world scenarios they want to practice. It’s meant to support each child’s unique strengths and needs, not force them into a one-size-fits-all mold.
We’re also incorporating flexibility for different communication styles—whether that’s through speech, scripting, echolalia, or visuals. The goal is to help kids build confidence in how they naturally communicate, rather than mask who they are.
Let me know if you’d like me to send the deck your way!