Week of 24 Feb — Endorsements, Role Applications & Expert Rename

Endorsements

Helpers (coaches, domain experts, volunteers) can now endorse each other. An endorsement dialog is available on the Helpers page and user profiles, letting community members vouch for one another's contributions.

Startup Directory Improvements

The Startup Directory has been refactored with a cleaner layout — logo rendering is simplified, the Rocket icon removed, and stats display streamlined for a more polished view.

Role Applications System

A full Role Applications system has been introduced. Users apply for roles (Founder, Coach, Expert, Investor, Volunteer), and applications go through an admin review workflow. Role-specific connection emails are sent on approval.

Role Rename: Mentor → Expert

The "Mentor" role has been officially renamed to Domain Expert across the entire platform — UI labels, API routes, database models, and email templates.

S3 File Upload Improvements

A dedicated S3 URL construction utility has been added for more reliable and consistent file upload URL generation across profile and startup assets.

Blog & Content Organisation

Blog categories and seed data have been updated for better content organisation. The Learning page button copy and section labels have been revised for clarity.

Homepage Refinements

The homepage now checks authentication state and conditionally renders the hero CTA. Section IDs and button text have been updated for improved navigation and messaging.

Profile & Settings Improvements

Profile edit and role registration pages have been refactored for improved form handling, validation, and user flow.