🤝 Matchmaking

💡 Introduction

The Matchmaking feature expands beyond offers and requests, enabling direct matching between individuals, between individuals and organizations, and between offers or requests. Users can specify their preferences, such as seeking mentors, coaches, or co-founders, directly on their profiles. This eliminates the need for separate offer and request creation, streamlining the process and providing more flexibility. Admins can define custom attributes for matching, allowing users to input relevant information effortlessly.

👩🏻‍💻 Usage (User)

View matches for an entry

The matching system matches your offer with fitting users or requests based on the attributes you selected during the offer creation. You can find your matches for each a specific offer under the "My Offers" page. Matches are calculated with other users within your platform if activated by the platform admin.

You find the matches within your offer, in the “Matches” tab.

👩🏻‍💻 Usage (Admin)

How do I create a matching?

Recognize the Use Case

Access Matchmaking from the navigation.

Define Matching Types: Determine the types of users or entities you want to match. For example, you can choose to match students with mentors, buyers with sellers, or any other relevant combinations.

Set Matching Attributes: Specify the attributes or preferences that users can match. This could include characteristics such as interests, skills, services offered, or partner preferences.

Use Case: Job Matching User profiles are matched with job offers. You need to set up attributes in user profiles that provide relevant information to match with job offers (e.g., type of employment: full-time, part-time, etc.). Similarly, attributes need to be set up for job offers so that organizations can specify their search criteria (e.g., type of employment: full-time, part-time, etc.).

Configure Matching Values: Define the specific values within each attribute that users can match. For instance, if matching students with mentors, attributes like "seeking mentorship" and "offering mentorship" could be configured.

Adjust Matching Quality: Optionally you may configure parameters related to matching quality, such as setting minimum requirements or weighting certain attributes more heavily in the matching algorithm.

Activate Matching: Once configured, activate the matching feature to make it available to users on the platform.

Review and adjust: Regularly review the matching settings and adjust them based on user feedback or evolving platform needs.

By following these steps, admins can create and manage matching features on the platform, facilitating meaningful connections between Users based on their preferences and attributes.

Only multiple and single-choice attributes are considered for matching.

Create Attributes

We focus on the scenario of job matching. Once you've identified all the essential attributes for users and organizations to complete in their profiles, you'll configure these attributes as Multiple-Choice/Single Choice options.

Navigate to the admin area and locate the “Modules” section, where you'll find options for managing members and organizations. Choose the member type you wish to match. If you're using the default member type, proceed with that.

To manage Offers, ensure you have an appropriate offer type, such as Job Offers. You can either utilize an existing type or create a new one to suit your needs.

Editing both member and offer profiles follows the same process. Create sections within each profile and add the attributes you've previously identified and documented.

Member:

Job offer:

Enable Matching Within the Same Module Type

This feature allows you to match entries from the same module — e.g., to find a suitable project partner within a “Projects” module.

Use Case

"I'm looking for someone who is familiar with XYZ."

Previously, matching identical types (e.g., Projects with Projects) wasn't possible. Now it is!

Step-by-Step Guide

Navigate to the Matching Module

Create a New Match

Click on + Matchmaking to set up a new match rule.

Select the Module You Want to Match

Choose the same module for both sides of the match (e.g., "Projects" ↔ "Projects").

Define Matching Parameters

In the next step, select the attributes you want to base the matching on (e.g., skills, topics, region, etc.).

Activate the Matching Setup

Save and activate the configuration to make it live.

Use the Matchmaking Feature

Users can now find relevant matches within the same module.

For example: Find project partners within the "Projects" module based on shared or complementary attributes.

🤝 Content Management

Allow matches on the platform

As the platform administrator, you can determine the overall matching policy. You have the flexibility to craft tailored matches that align precisely with your platform's objectives. Sample use cases may include:

Matching individuals seeking employment with job offers

Pairing mentors with mentees

Matching offers with corresponding requests

Connecting coaches with companies

To set up a matching process, begin by identifying your specific use case and defining the attributes necessary for matching. For instance:

For job offers: mandatory language proficiency For job seekers: spoken languages

Add these attributes into the relevant sections of both the Offers and Member databases. This ensures that the attributes are synchronized for accurate matching.

To configure your matches, navigate to “Other - Matchmaking”.

Click “+Matchmaking” to initiate your first match.

Choose the two types you wish to match.

Establish pairs for all relevant attributes by selecting “+pair”.

Assign a percentage to each attribute to indicate its importance. In the example below, identical attributes are set to 100%.

Attributes like 3-5 years and <3-5 years are designated 80%, reflecting their compatibility but with a slight variation.

If a match doesn't align logically, such as >5 years and <3 years, omit to create a pair for it.

5. What is the difference between calculation "best quality" and "sum of qualities"?

Best quality: This calculation method is employed when there's a specific number of attributes in a pair that require matching. If at least one attribute in the pair matches, it's considered a complete match and is assigned a given weight for that pair. In this scenario, the total number of matches within the pair doesn't influence the overall percentage.

Sum of qualities: With this setting, the calculator computes the total matching score of all attributes within a pair that are designated for matching.

Example illustration:

Consider a scenario where we are matching Corporations with Investors across three pairs:

Investment Amount (weighted 20%)

Industry and Field for Investment (weighted 60%)

Type of Company (weighted 20%)

Let's examine the matching specifics:

Best quality: Suppose the investor has selected only two out of four attributes related to the industry/field for investment. Despite this, because "Best quality" is chosen, this pair is still assigned a score of 60 out of 60.

Sum of qualities: The investor ticked only two attributes out of four. As the sum of qualities is chosen, he only gets 50%, so 30 out of 60 points.

On the subsequent screen, you can establish conditions, although they may not be necessary at this stage. Feel free to skip this step, as it will gain importance in future updates.

Next, determine the minimum matching quality on the final screen. This allows you to fine-tune matches to be precise or broad.

Click “Next” to activate your matching.

Return to “Matchmaking” to view matches obtained by your match-making.

On the following screen, you can set conditions, which in most cases you will not need. For the time being, we invite you to skip this step, it will become more important with future releases.

On the final screen, you can set the minimal matching quality. This allows you to keep matches very narrow or, on the contrary, rather wide.

Click “Next” and activate your matching.

When going back to Matchmaking, you will see which match-makings have already obtained matches.

Click "Open" and navigate to the "Matches" tab. From there, select "Details" to view more information.

In Details, you find all the information on this match.

Get more advanced control over Matchmaking with the ability to manually overwrite system-generated match quality scores. Effortlessly connect members by defining quality values as you see fit and handpick connections on your own.

Where can I find obtained matches?

In the Matchmaking module

Navigate to the "Other" section on the platform and access the Matchmaking feature. Here, you'll find a list of matchmakings that have already received matches.

Click “Open” and go to the matches tab. Here, you can click on details.

In the details, you will find all the information on this match.

In the Offers section

The matching system matches your offer with fitting users or requests based on the attributes that you selected during the offer creation. You can find your matches for each specific offer under the "My Offers" page. Matches are calculated with other users within your platform if activated by the platform admin. You find the matches within your offer, in the “Matches” tab.

In the User section

Go to your user profile and click “Edit”.

Go to the “Match” tab: here you see the matches you have obtained.

🥇 Best Practices

Provide the most effective matching foundation

Plan Types and Attributes: Before configuring types and attributes in the system, it's advisable to brainstorm and outline them on paper. Consider involving stakeholders who will be using the platform for job search and offers to ensure the setup meets their needs.

Keep the Platform open: Maintain an inclusive platform environment to encourage participation and engagement from a wide range of Users.

Monetization Strategies: Utilize packages and matching features for monetization. While packages currently don't directly influence matching, they can determine who can create Requests and Offers. Consider differentiating between partners and non-partners through package assignments, where non-partners may need to pay to publish requests/offers.

Email Notifications for Matches: Users will receive notifications through the bell icon on the platform when matches occur.

Restrictions for Private Users: Private users cannot be assigned packages; this privilege is reserved for organizations.

Potential Matches Estimation: It's not possible to estimate potential matches beforehand. Matches become visible only after creating a matchmaking.

Required Attributes: Ensure that essential attributes are set as required, which can be managed directly in the types.

Automated Matching Capability: Automated matching is enabled on the platform.

Combining Matching and Applications: Matchmaking and application functionalities can be combined seamlessly. Users can participate in matchmaking while still submitting applications for relevant opportunities.

Application Management: Applications submitted by users are accessible in the admin area of a request, where a dedicated pipeline is created for efficient management.

Allow further matches after a customizable time:

Elevate your matchmaking capabilities with enhanced location-based matching. Refine your connections by incorporating geographical proximity into your criteria, ensuring more relevant and meaningful results.

Location Attribute Integration: Seamlessly include location attributes in your matchmaking pair configurations.

Distance-Based Matching: Fine-tune your matching algorithm by assigning varying quality scores based on a specific geographical range.

Enhanced Relevance: Discover matches that are compatible based on interests and preferences but also conveniently located nearby.

Matching based on Tree-Attributes: It is now possible to match tree attributes. The important point to consider is that the two trees must be identical, and you can only match attribute x to attribute x. Cross-matching for other attributes is not possible. As categories have sub-categories, you can set the matching quality for each level of the category.

The completeness of attributes provided by the creator during submission directly correlates with the accuracy of the matching process

Matchmaking example

Define clear User types: For example, Startups and Volunteers. This clear distinction establishes a solid foundation for effective matching.

Identify relevant attributes: Define Matching-relevant attributes for both groups, considering factors like location, skills, interests, and project requirements, which are essential for creating meaningful connections.

Create targeted onboarding: Develop specific onboarding processes for Startups and Volunteers. This step ensures that all members, regardless of user type, provide the necessary information to enable effective matching.

Create meaningful pairs: Craft pairs thoughtfully to answer the question, "Who should meet who?":

"Theme fields for support" ⇄ "My focus areas as a volunteer"

"Type of support" ⇄ "Form of support"

"Entrepreneur Community" ⇄ "What type of Entrepreneur?" Each pairing is carefully designed to facilitate relevant connections.

Set smart priorities: Apply weighting, giving the highest priority (50%) to matching support themes with volunteer focus areas, ensuring that the most critical factors have the greatest impact.

Enable flexibility in pairing: Some pairs are required, while others are optional, allowing for broad matching while still ensuring core compatibility.

What are examples of matches?

These are use case examples that some of our customers are using Matchmaking for:

Mentor - Mentee

Coach - Start up or companies

Volunteers - Businesses

Job offers - job seekers

Further Matchmaking features

This guide outlines how to make the most of the platform’s Matchmaking features, from creating customized questions to managing sessions.

Your platform supports two Matchmaking formats: Speed Dating and One-on-One Matching. The key enhancement in this version is that each Event can have its own set of customizable Matchmaking questions. Previously, the same questions were used across all events, often leading to mismatches.

You can define specific Matchmaking questions for each event, which must be answered by participants who want to take part. The platform includes default system questions such as:

Who are you?

Who do you want to meet?

What are you offering?

What are you looking for?

Are you seeking funding or offering investment?

You can also create custom questions to gather additional information for your event. For example, at a student job fair, you might ask about job vacancies and match them with students seeking employment. Similarly, for events like investor-startup Matchmaking or mentor-mentee programs, you can tailor questions accordingly. These can be set up as single-choice or multiple-choice questions, depending on your needs.

Once the questions are defined, the platform’s Matchmaking algorithm will use the responses to generate optimal matches. For instance, if you’re hosting a housing fair, you can match renters with housing providers based on custom questions.

Customization and Flexibility

If the default questions don’t meet your needs, you can easily edit or expand them. The platform’s editor allows you to modify existing questions or create new ones to ensure they fit the specific requirements of your event.

A new popup feature for registered users will prompt them to complete the Matchmaking questions upon registration. If participants choose to skip the questions, they will not be included in Matchmaking, though they can return later to fill them out if they wish to participate. This update helps address the issue of "no-shows" in previous Matchmaking events by allowing users to opt out of Speed Dating or other formats.

Matching Quality Calculation

After participants complete the Matchmaking questions, the platform calculates the matching quality based on their answers. This score indicates how well a participant matches with others and will be visible on each participant’s profile. Admins can also see the matching quality to ensure compatibility.

The system allows admins to define the matching criteria and adjust the weighting of certain attributes. If one criterion is more important than another, it can be given more weight in the matching process.

Session Management and Event Settings

Admins have extensive control over how Speed Dating sessions are structured, including:

Setting the event duration and number of slots, which determines meeting lengths (e.g., a 45-minute event with nine 5-minute slots).

Managing the number of tables for in-person events or virtual meeting links for online events.

Restricting certain participant types from meeting others (e.g., preventing startups from meeting each other).

Once the matches are calculated, they are locked, but an upcoming feature will allow admins to recalculate free slots near the event start to fill vacancies or accommodate late registrants.

❓ FAQs

How can I find matches for my requests?

You can find applications and matching offers to your requests under “My Profile > Member > Matches”.

What are the matching criteria?

The platform administrator sets the matching criteria based on member profiles' attributes. Therefore, it's recommended to fill out your profile information to increase your chances of finding suitable matches.

How does the matching algorithm work?

The matching algorithm works on a comparison of values that are set by the attributes.

How can I delete a Match?

A Match cannot be deleted, but you can set the value to 1%. To do this, select “Matchmaking” from the navigation menu and open the Match. Then, go to the top bar and select “Matches.” Click on “Details” and scroll to the bottom of the page. On the left side, you’ll see the option “Override matching quality.” Set this to 1%.