In a crowded field of coding bootcamps and online courses, Colin and Roya are taking a different approach. Their latest Build in Public project, TomorrowDev, isn't just another digital product—it's a return to the fundamentals of education with a modern twist. As the coding bootcamp market continues its explosive growth, projected to reach $2.81 billion by 2028 with a 21.17% annual growth rate, TomorrowDev is positioning itself to capture a unique segment of this expanding market.

The Genesis of TomorrowDev

The idea for TomorrowDev didn't emerge in a vacuum. Both Colin and his collaborator Laurent have firsthand experience as coding instructors at Propulsion Academy (now rebranded), where they taught complete beginners how to transition from their existing careers into software development roles. This experience gave them invaluable insights into what works—and what doesn't—in coding education.

"We always wanted to build something ourselves, set up a small developer school," Colin explains in their recent Build in Public episode. "Now we are using Build in Public to do this and taking you along the ride."

The timing couldn't be better. While some major players like 2U have shut down their coding bootcamps, signaling shifts in the market, the demand for skilled developers continues to grow. The key is differentiation—and TomorrowDev has several compelling differentiators.

Understanding the Target Audience

TomorrowDev's target audience is crystal clear: complete beginners with zero coding experience who want to switch careers. These aren't hobbyists or people looking to supplement existing technical skills—they're individuals ready to make a significant life change.

The promise is ambitious but proven: transform from zero coding knowledge to job-ready developer in three months. This isn't just marketing speak—it's based on the founders' track record at Propulsion Academy, where they successfully guided numerous students through this exact transformation.

What sets their target audience apart is motivation. These are people willing to quit their current jobs, invest significant time and money, and commit fully to learning a new skill. This level of commitment creates an ideal learning environment where students are genuinely invested in their success.

What Makes TomorrowDev Different

In a market where coding bootcamps range from $458 to $12,495 in tuition, differentiation is crucial. TomorrowDev has identified several key areas where they can stand apart:

Real Developers as Teachers

Perhaps the most significant differentiator is that students learn from active industry professionals, not just career educators. Colin emphasizes this point: "You will learn how to code from actual developers, not just teachers. Some people are just doing teaching and they are not in the industry anymore."

This approach ensures students learn current industry practices, understand real-world development challenges, and gain insights into the day-to-day life of a professional developer. In an era where AI is rapidly changing the development landscape, having instructors who are actively coding and adapting to these changes is invaluable.

The instructors at TomorrowDev don't just teach—they build. Colin mentions creating software that students actually used during their classes at Propulsion Academy, including desktop applications for data science students to run Jupyter notebooks locally. This hands-on, practical approach to teaching comes from being embedded in the development process.

Live Interactive Learning

While many bootcamps have moved to recorded sessions and asynchronous learning, TomorrowDev is doubling down on live, interactive education. Students can ask questions in real-time, receive immediate feedback, and engage in dynamic discussions about coding concepts.

This approach addresses a common complaint about online education: the lack of human feedback. "We have a specific exercise for you, and then a human will check it and will give actual feedback to them," Roya explains. This isn't just a grade or a pass/fail—it's constructive, personalized feedback that helps students improve.

Online-First Approach

TomorrowDev is designed as an online-first experience, making it accessible to students anywhere in the world. But more importantly, they're scheduling classes for after 6 PM, specifically targeting working professionals who can't attend traditional daytime bootcamps.

This scheduling decision opens up the market to a significant underserved population: people who want to transition to development but can't afford to quit their jobs during the learning process. It's a practical solution to a real problem in the bootcamp market.

Personalized Screening Process

Unlike bootcamps that accept anyone who can pay, TomorrowDev implements a rigorous screening process. Prospective students must have one-on-one sessions with instructors before being accepted. This ensures both that the program is a good fit for the student and that the student is committed to the intensive learning process.

This selective approach serves multiple purposes: it maintains class quality, ensures student success rates, and creates a more focused learning environment. When everyone in the class has been personally vetted, the overall learning experience improves for everyone.

The Strategic Foundation

TomorrowDev's approach to building their business is methodical and strategic, reflecting their Build in Public philosophy of transparency and systematic growth.

Website Structure Planning

Before writing a single line of code for their website, Colin and Roya mapped out exactly what information potential students need:

Hero section highlighting the specific skills students will gain
Clear timeline showing the three-month journey from beginner to job-ready
Transparent differentiation explaining how they're different from competitors
Upfront pricing (still being researched and finalized)
Team information with LinkedIn profiles and photos to build trust

The emphasis on showing real faces and providing LinkedIn profiles addresses a crucial trust factor in online education. When students are making a significant investment in their future, they want to know exactly who they're learning from.

Community Building

TomorrowDev plans to create a Discord community where students can ask questions, get support from peers, and continue learning beyond formal class hours. This community aspect extends the learning experience and creates ongoing value for students.

The community also serves as a support network for career switchers, who often need encouragement and motivation during the challenging transition period. Having peers going through the same experience can be invaluable.

Collaboration Model

TomorrowDev represents Colin and Roya's first major external collaboration in their Build in Public journey. Working with Laurent brings additional expertise and teaching experience, but also introduces new challenges in terms of coordination and shared vision.

This collaboration model could be a template for future projects, showing how to successfully partner with external experts while maintaining the Build in Public transparency and methodology.

Market Context and Timing

TomorrowDev is launching into a complex market environment. While the overall coding bootcamp market is growing rapidly—from $899 million in 2023 to a projected $2.4 billion by 2030—there are also signs of consolidation and quality concerns.

Recent closures of major bootcamp programs signal that not all approaches are sustainable. However, this market shakeup creates opportunities for well-differentiated programs like TomorrowDev. The key market trends they're positioned to capitalize on include:

Increased demand for AI-integrated curriculum: As AI transforms development, bootcamps need to teach students how to work with AI tools effectively
Focus on job placement rates: With General Assembly reporting 96% job placement rates, students are increasingly focused on outcomes
Preference for flexible scheduling: The shift to remote work has created demand for education that fits around existing commitments
Emphasis on human interaction: As AI handles more routine tasks, the human elements of education—mentorship, feedback, and community—become more valuable

The Road Ahead

TomorrowDev is still in its early stages, with several key milestones ahead:

Landing page development with clear messaging and conversion optimization
Branding and style guide creation to establish visual identity
Content creation and curriculum planning to structure the three-month program
Pricing strategy finalization based on competitive analysis and value proposition

The methodical approach they're taking—structure first, implementation second—reflects lessons learned from their previous Build in Public projects. This foundation-first approach should help them avoid common pitfalls in the education space.

Lessons for Entrepreneurs

TomorrowDev offers several valuable lessons for entrepreneurs in any industry:

Build on existing expertise: Colin and Laurent aren't entering the education space cold—they're leveraging proven experience and success.

Differentiate meaningfully: In a crowded market, small differences matter. TomorrowDev's focus on active developers as teachers and evening scheduling addresses real market gaps.

Plan before building: The extensive planning phase, including website structure and target audience definition, sets a strong foundation for execution.

Embrace human connection: In an increasingly digital world, TomorrowDev is betting on the value of human interaction, feedback, and community.

Be selective about customers: Not every customer is the right customer. TomorrowDev's screening process ensures they work with students who are truly committed.

Conclusion

TomorrowDev represents more than just another coding bootcamp—it's a thoughtful response to the challenges and opportunities in modern technical education. By combining proven teaching methods with current industry needs, Colin and Roya are creating something that could genuinely improve how people transition into technology careers.

The success of TomorrowDev will ultimately depend on execution, but the foundation they're building—experienced instructors, clear differentiation, and systematic approach—suggests they're on the right track. As the coding education market continues to evolve, TomorrowDev's focus on quality, human interaction, and practical outcomes could set a new standard for what coding bootcamps can achieve.

For those following along with their Build in Public journey, TomorrowDev offers a fascinating case study in how to enter an established market with a fresh perspective. The next episodes promise to show how theory translates into practice as they move from planning to implementation.

Building TomorrowDev: A New Approach to Teaching Code

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