Gugu Globally – Premium Freight Exchange Platform Seeking Full-Stack Developer / Development Team

EQUITY PARTNERSHIP WITH BUYBACK OPTION.
COMPENSATION IS 10% EQUITY IN THE COMPANY.
EQUITY IS FULLY BUYABLE WITHIN 45 DAYS OF LAUNCH AT THE AGREED MVP DEVELOPMENT PRICE.

WHAT IS GUGU GLOBALLY?
Gugu Globally is a premium freight exchange platform connecting companies that need to move goods (shippers) with verified transport operators (carriers) across the UK and Europe. Direct loads only, real-time matching, Shipper Credit Score, Dead Miles Calculator, Digital CMR, live tracking, and the largest warehouse directory in Europe. The platform is fully designed and specified. We need the right developer or team to build it.

WHAT WE NEED TO BUILD
— Full-stack web application — React/Next.js frontend + Node.js backend
— Real-time load board with WebSocket (NO polling accepted)
— Complete quote and booking system with counter-offer flow
— Real-time messaging system with job-linked conversations
— Stripe subscription system (£2,500/6mo or £4,000/12mo plans)
— Admin panel for full platform management
— Warehouse directory with Google Maps scraping and unlock system
— JWT + 2FA authentication with Redis for security
— PostgreSQL database with 20+ tables
— DigitalOcean hosting setup
— Full technical specification provided — nothing left to guess

REQUIRED TECH STACK
React + Next.js / Node.js + Express / PostgreSQL + Redis / WebSocket (Socket.io) / Stripe / DigitalOcean Spaces / Google Maps API / SendGrid / DigitalOcean hosting / JWT + refresh token rotation + TOTP 2FA

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
— Experienced full-stack developer or team — a team is preferred for faster delivery
— Proven SaaS or marketplace projects in portfolio
— Strong Node.js and React experience — not just tutorials, real production experience
— Experience with WebSocket / real-time applications
— Experience with Stripe subscriptions and webhooks
— Understands JWT security, Redis, and proper authentication patterns
— Clean, maintainable code — not spaghetti that breaks after launch
— Communicates clearly and delivers on time
— Able to work independently from a detailed specification without hand-holding
— Remote work. UK/EU timezone preferred but not required

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR
— Developers who need to be told what to build — the spec is complete, read it
— Developers who want payment upfront — this is an equity deal
— Developers who will use polling instead of WebSocket
— Developers who skip security requirements to save time
— Anyone who cannot show real previous work
— Anyone who cannot commit to this as a priority project

COMPENSATION — READ CAREFULLY
This is an equity-based engagement. There is no upfront payment and no payment before delivery. The developer or team receives 10% equity in Gugu Globally in exchange for building the complete MVP. The equity comes with a full buyout right:
— Developer or team receives 10% equity in the company upon project completion and launch
— Platform owner has the right to buy back this 10% equity within 45 days of launch
— Buyback price = the agreed MVP development price (agreed upfront before work starts)
— If buyback is exercised within 45 days: developer or team receives full cash payment for their work
— If buyback is NOT exercised within 45 days: developer or team retains 10% equity permanently
— Agreement formalised in a proper legal contract before work begins
In plain English: you build the platform, you get 10% of the company. Within 45 days of launch, the owner can pay you the agreed price and buy the equity back. If they do not pay within 45 days, you keep your 10% forever. You are protected either way.

DELIVERY TERMS
— GitHub repository access granted to platform owner from Day 1 — every commit visible
— Hosting and all credentials accessible to platform owner from Day 1
— All source code and IP belongs to the platform owner upon completion
— Milestone-based delivery — full specification available for review before agreement
— Platform cannot be held, locked, or withheld for any reason
— No local file storage — all files must go to DigitalOcean Spaces
— No polling anywhere — WebSocket required for all real-time features

HOW TO APPLY
To be considered, your application must include ALL of the following:
— Links to 2-3 real production projects you have built (GitHub or live URLs)
— Brief description of your experience with WebSocket / real-time applications
— Your estimated timeline for this project
— Your proposed MVP development price (this becomes the equity buyback amount)
— Confirmation that you have read and understood the equity terms
— Any questions about the spec — a developer who asks good questions is a good sign
Applications without portfolio links will not be considered. Generic proposals copy-pasted from templates will be ignored. Show us real work and we will respond quickly.