This is a neat idea. I work with 250 caving clubs that each have individual websites (generally wordpress) and need a way to collect annual membership dues and one time donations.
Most of these clubs have been around for decades, are not growing fast, but have a small very engaged membership. The only time these clubs work with developers is if a member happens to be one and volunteers the time. This really sucks for the member who happens to be the developer. (I stop telling people I can build stuff.)
Most clubs are collecting cash or check in person and at best are using Paypal which sucks because of the off-site experience. I would never set a club up with Stripe because I know if I leave no one will be able to maintain the code, but I would try this out.
Unrelated to this post, but related to dinosaurs if you like dinosaurs and want to dig some up this summer with me get in touch. I'm inviting roughly 100 people. We found a triceratops two years ago. It's been in the ground for over 65 million years.
One way we got around this in Seattle is we threw rooftop parties at our apartment. I went to all the networking events in Seattle, I found the good people. Then, I invited all the people I thought were good over for drinks and bbq. If you have a good filter for good people, the good people will appreciate it.
When first getting into engineering I went to a rails meetup group twice a week. You're right that there are a lot of founders trying to recruit at these types of meetups, which is annoying. Try to go to the meetup with a specific thing you're working on and then see if someone wants to pair with you. When you're pairing it will be hard for someone who is recruiting "technical founders" to bother you. If you don't like the current meetups, start your own.
FWIW, I was very explicit with investors that we would never flip the company. Our intention is to build a company that will last forever. I also acknowledged that things change. If Denny and my opinion changed would let our investors know right away. So far it hasn't changed. If you are planning on partnering with an investor make sure they understand your values and your intention. To clarify this I put it in writing in an email and have the person confirm they understand.
I always make myself available to chat about this with scientists. Drop me a line by email.
Every research project has an existing community that wants to support it. The challenge is connecting the two. In a truly efficient world all projects would be 100% funded.
In my opinion reproducibility is a technical problem. Once research is published and peer reviewed in real time, all studies should be reproducible. If they are not reproducible, we should have insight into exactly why they are not and propose a solution.
Most of these clubs have been around for decades, are not growing fast, but have a small very engaged membership. The only time these clubs work with developers is if a member happens to be one and volunteers the time. This really sucks for the member who happens to be the developer. (I stop telling people I can build stuff.)
Most clubs are collecting cash or check in person and at best are using Paypal which sucks because of the off-site experience. I would never set a club up with Stripe because I know if I leave no one will be able to maintain the code, but I would try this out.