We asked HelloGuru founder, Felipe Abello, about building an educational app that teaches people how to build software by using no-code tools, like Bubble. Felipe received his Undergraduate degree in Business, and was the first employee at a Columbia-based start-up called Rappi. He has always been fascinated by technology and computer science. Frustrated with his non-technical experience, he searched for alternatives. He chose Bubble because the no-code platform empowers him to use all of the tools and knowledge that developers have, without having a technical background.

Tell us about your app and what it does.

Felipe: HelloGuru aims to democratize the creation of digital solutions in the world. It is a virtual school that teaches people how to build software by using no-code tools, like Bubble, instead of using traditional coding. HelloGuru provides step-by-step courses where you learn how to use different No-Code platforms. You can also use the app for mentorship and 1-on-1 support in building your next big idea.

After successfully completing a course, you receive a certificate and a profile page where people can see your achievements. Although we are focused on bringing the no-code movement to Spanish speaking countries, all of our content is provided in English as well.

How does your app work?

Once you create an account, you are redirected to your personal dashboard. You can search for courses and start learning immediately without having any previous knowledge or experience of coding or no-coding platforms. You can also request support and have access to certificates that you have earned.

HelloGuru’s method of teaching is more recipe-based than video focused. We want our students to actively be involved in the learning process, instead of just passively watching people doing things. This is why we prefer written instructions aided by images, gifs, and short videos that create interaction through guided steps. We find that this method works better in terms of understanding the topics that users are interested in learning about.

Tell us a little about your background and how you discovered no-code tools like Bubble.

I do not have a technical background. However, all my life I have been fascinated with technology and computer science. I studied business as a major. After finishing my Undergraduate degree, I started working at a startup called Rappi. Rappi is a Latin American delivery-app that has become Colombia’s first unicorn app.

As a matter of fact, I happened to be Rappi's first employee, which gave me a lot of experience and leeway to work alongside the technical team. I was frustrated with not being able to code and with how much time I needed to invest in order to become a proficient developer. So I searched for alternatives.

After searching for a while, and reading different posts, I stumbled upon Bubble. I used it for a while and immediately knew that Bubble would give me all the superpowers that developers have and that I want. I took the knowledge I learned from Bubble and applied it to my work at Rappi.

I also learned how to use other no-code tools to compliment Bubble. No-code tools allowed me to make real software inside the company, while teaching non-technical people how to build as well. I saw people without a tech background creating their own tools with Bubble and impacting the organization without any knowledge of traditional development or code. That was when I decided to build a big company out of this idea, and that’s how HelloGuru was born.

Why did you build your app on Bubble?

Bubble’s endless options and your ability to go very deep into the tool makes it the best platform to build anything. So far, I have not faced any major barrier when using Bubble. I believe that the e-learning experience that HelloGuru offers has a level of complexity that other no-code tools would not be able to handle as well as Bubble does.

What have your successes or milestones been so far?

We currently have almost 4000 students signed-up on our platform. We have also had several shoutouts from the no-code community, which is something that we really appreciate.

What are your next steps or future plans for your app?

We’re seeing a rising demand for no-code skills in companies and startups. We want to fill the gap between people that know nothing about software development and companies and entrepreneurs who are willing to hire people with skills in no-code platforms. We’re aiming to become a “factory of no-coders,” where we teach people how to use several no-code platforms so that then we can connect them with entities willing to hire their services.

Learn more about HelloGuru: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

About Bubble

Bubble is a leader in the no-code movement. Bubble offers a powerful point-and-click web editor and cloud hosting platform that allows users to build fully customizable web applications and workflows, ranging from simple prototypes to complex marketplaces, SaaS products, and more. Over 400,000 users are currently building and launching businesses on Bubble - many have gone on to participate in top accelerator programs, such as Y Combinator, and even raise $365M in venture funding. Bubble is more than just a product. We are a strong community of builders and entrepreneurs that are united by the belief that everyone should be able to create technology.

Join the no-code movement today.

Do you want your app featured by Bubble? Reach out to us and tell us about your app. In addition to this series, we sometimes select our best apps to showcase on our website.