Modatongue: Building the World's First Heritage SuperApp

Check out platform: https://modatongue.com/

Thesis: Heritage preservation requires technology that amplifies culture, not replaces it. A SuperApp combining language, culture, commerce, and community could capture the US$340B+ converging heritage economy.

Outcomes: 274 beta testers (May 2023) → 5,000+ users (scaling) • 63% weekly active rate • 30+ content partnerships across 5 ethnic groups • Launched August 2025 • Targeting €15K MRR

Before → After: Fragmented heritage tools → Unified SuperApp • Duolingo's missing languages → African mother tongues • Scattered cultural products → Curated marketplace • Isolated diaspora → Connected community


The Problem

"I send £400 a month home to Nigeria, but I can't teach my daughter Yoruba. That must change." – Yinka, Nigerian diaspora, London

The broken experience:
 

 
The gap: No platform combined language, culture, commerce, and community for heritage preservation.


The Solution: A Heritage SuperApp
I co-founded Modatongue with Edem Ahadzi (CTO, PhD AI/Speech), Olivia Akanisey (COO), and Xorse Senanu (Product Lead) to build the world's first heritage SuperApp.

Four interconnected pillars:
1. Learn: Structured language courses for African mother tongues • AI pronunciation practice • 1:1 and group tutoring with native speakers

2. Marketplace: Authentic heritage products (clothing, art, food, crafts) • 200+ vendors planned • $150 average basket • 15% commission

3. Community: Diaspora spaces by ethnic group • Public chat, private messaging • Cultural events (meet-ups, festivals, storytelling circles)

4. Live Sessions: Private and group language classes • Cultural workshops • $10-30/hour, 20-30% platform take

Building from Zero

Validation (May 2023):
Launched waitlist on my birthday and secured 274 early adopters across 5 ethnic groups, validating demand.

Product Design (2023-2024):
I led design across 10 major modules: user management (role-based: Learner, Tutor, Editor, Vendor, Admin), language learning system, cultural content hub (8 categories: History, Food, Clothing), live sessions platform, marketplace system, community engagement, subscription management, ethnic group management, analytics, and administrative tools.

Design principles:
 

Launch (August 2025):
Launched with 5 ethnic groups, 30+ content partners, and 63% weekly active rate.

Our positioning: High heritage/cultural focus + full SuperApp breadth.


Impact

Current metrics:
 

Qualitative outcomes: Cultural preservation (every user saves words, every vendor preserves traditions), community building (diaspora finding connection), economic empowerment (African vendors earning from cultural expertise).


What I Learnt

Heritage preservation is both a mission and a market
This isn't charity—it's a $340B+ economy. But the mission drives authentic product decisions.

SuperApps work when the pieces reinforce each other
Learn Yoruba → Buy Yoruba clothing → Join Yoruba community → Book Yoruba tutor. The flywheel creates stickiness.

Community-driven content scales authentically
Partnering with native speakers and cultural editors ensures authenticity whilst building supply-side network effects.

Validation before building
274 beta testers proved demand before writing code. Building for a real problem ensured product-market fit.


Role: Product, Design, Code, Strategy

Core Team:

Product & Engineering:
 

Content & Creative:
 

Community Network:
 

Timeline: May 2023 – Present
Impact: 274 beta testers → 5,000+ users • 63% WAU • 30+ partnerships • Launched August 30, 2025