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Building from Scratch at Supernova: Laying the Foundation for a Y Combinator Startup

Joined as an early frontend developer to architect the product, scale the codebase, and drive the mission that redefined design-to-code tooling.

Role: Frontend & React DeveloperDuration: 24 monthsStack: React, TypeScript, SCSS/Sass

Quick Results

  • Built core React + TypeScript MVP from the ground up
  • Architected scalable frontend structure in a 4–5 person startup
  • Delivered high-fidelity design-to-code features from Sketch files
  • Set direction for maintainable, scalable frontend architecture
  • Supernova later became the first Czech startup accepted into YC (2019)
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Company & Context

Supernova was a Prague-based seed-stage startup (4–5 people) in 2017–18, focused on automating the process of converting Sketch design files into production-ready React/React Native code—primarily to build an MVP to attract early users and capital.

Challenges / Constraints

  • Small team under time pressure to ship MVP
  • No existing frontend structure—had to build from scratch
  • Need to transform design assets into reusable, maintainable code
  • UI had to be flexible, dynamic, and scalable amidst evolving requirements

Approach

  • Bootstrapped core web app using React + TypeScript from day one
  • Collaborated directly with CEO (front-end & product/UX) to shape the architecture
  • Crafted modular component patterns to handle design-to-code flow
  • Used SCSS for structured styling and maintainability
  • Integrated evolving product feedback into continuous iterations

Results & Impact

  • A functional MVP capable of supporting early testers and investors
  • Scalability—Supernova evolved into a company, later accepted into Y Combinator’s Winter 2019 batch, the first Czech startup to do so
  • Foundation for current product evolution into a sophisticated design system automation platform used by thousands and raising multi-million-dollar funding rounds

Learnings

  • Early architecture choices drive or derail future scale
  • Partnering with product leadership tightens implementation and vision
  • MVP, done cleanly, becomes the launchpad—not the endpoint

Aftermath

Supernova was accepted into Y Combinator’s Winter 2019 batch, the first Czech startup to do so. In 2022, Supernova raised $4.8M in its first seed round and grew to 30+ employees.

Frequently asked questions

What did Alex Devero do at Supernova?

As an early frontend & React developer, Alex built the React/TypeScript MVP from scratch, architected a scalable frontend structure, and delivered design-to-code features from Sketch files — working directly with the CEO on architecture and product direction.

What was the outcome of the Supernova project?

A functional MVP that supported early users and investors and set the architecture for the product’s growth. Supernova became the first Czech startup accepted into Y Combinator (Winter 2019) and raised a $4.8M seed round in 2022.

What technologies were used on the Supernova project?

React, TypeScript, and SCSS/Sass.

What is Supernova?

Supernova is a Prague-founded design-to-code automation platform that converts design files into production-ready code. It was the first Czech startup accepted into Y Combinator (2019).
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