Mobile App Development for iOS and Android

I am looking for an experienced mobile app developer or small development team to build a multi-sided mobile platform for iOS and Android. This is a structured, phased project with milestone-based payments. I am not looking for a single lump-sum build. Each phase will be scoped, agreed upon, and paid before moving to the next. IMPORTANT — IP PROTECTION AND CONFIDENTIALITY The full concept, business model, feature roadmap, screen designs, branding, and proprietary details will only be shared after a signed NDA or confidentiality agreement is in place. Do not ask for the full concept before this step. What I can share now: This is a real-time location-based discovery platform with social review features, vendor management tools, and a pickup ordering system. It serves multiple user types and is built around maps, vendor profiles, media content, and community-driven engagement. All work completed under this contract must be 100% original. Upon final payment, I retain full ownership of the source code, design files, database structure, app assets, and documentation. The developer retains no rights, licenses, or access after handoff. --- PROJECT STRUCTURE — PHASES AND MILESTONES This project is broken into four phases. Each phase has its own scope, deliverables, and milestone payments. Phases 2, 3, and 4 will only be discussed and scoped after Phase 1 is successfully delivered. --- PHASE 1 — CORE MVP (Weeks 1–12) This is the first hire and first contract. Full concept details, wireframes, and branding will be shared after NDA is signed. Phase 1 Goal: Build a working, launchable app on both iOS and Android that proves the core discovery loop — users find vendors, view profiles, browse menus, and leave reviews. Milestone 1 (20%): NDA signed. Full brief shared. Figma screens designed and approved by me for all key screens before any code begins. Database schema produced and approved. Milestone 2 (25%): Authentication system complete. Map-based vendor discovery working. Vendor profiles functional. Tested on real devices. Milestone 3 (25%): Menu management, reviews and ratings, favorites, and basic push alerts functional. Tested on real devices. Milestone 4 (30%): Admin dashboard complete. Full QA testing done. App submitted to Apple App Store and Google Play. Source code and assets handed over. Phase 1 Deliverables: * iOS and Android app (cross-platform codebase) * Backend and database * Map/GPS vendor discovery * User and vendor account system * Vendor profiles with menus and photos * Reviews and ratings * Favorites and alerts * Admin dashboard with vendor approval * App Store and Google Play submission * Source code and asset ownership transfer * Technical documentation --- PHASE 2 — SOCIAL LAYER AND ORDER AHEAD (Scoped after Phase 1 launch) Phase 2 adds the social content system and in-app ordering. Scope and payment will be agreed after Phase 1 is live and validated. Scope preview (details shared post-NDA and post Phase 1): * Customer photo and video uploads on vendor profiles * Creator and influencer review integration with transparency labels * Likes, comments, and review interactions * Order-ahead pickup flow with in-app payment (Stripe) * Vendor order management dashboard * Deals and promotions system * Enhanced notifications --- PHASE 3 — ORGANIZER TOOLS AND ANALYTICS (Scoped after Phase 2) Phase 3 expands the platform into event coordination and vendor business analytics. Scope and payment agreed after Phase 2. Scope preview (details shared post-NDA and post Phase 2): * Organizer hub for event creation and vendor booking * Vendor bidding system for events * Full vendor analytics dashboard * Creator campaign management tools * Revenue and subscription infrastructure --- PHASE 4 — GROWTH FEATURES (Future roadmap, scoped after Phase 3) Includes loyalty systems, AI recommendations, group ordering, and platform expansion features. Detailed scope shared only with the selected long-term development partner. --- WHAT I NEED FROM YOU * Confirm you will sign an NDA before receiving full project details * Share examples of similar apps you have built (map-based, social, marketplace, or vendor-discovery platforms) * Recommend a technology stack and explain why * Provide your estimated cost and timeline for Phase 1 only * Confirm you can handle App Store and Google Play submission * Confirm full source code and asset ownership transfers to me upon completion IDEAL CANDIDATE * Experience building location-based, map-driven mobile apps * Experience with two-sided or multi-role platforms (customers and vendors) * Experience with social features, media uploads, and review systems * Experience with App Store and Google Play launch process * Comfortable working with phased milestone payments * Comfortable signing a confidentiality or NDA agreement * Strong communication and transparent project updates OWNERSHIP AND IP All work must be original. After final payment, I own everything: source code, design files, database, documentation, and all app assets. The developer retains zero rights. A confidentiality agreement is required before any proprietary details are shared. To apply, please include your relevant portfolio examples, your recommended tech stack, and your Phase 1 cost and timeline estimate.