Back to Ventures

Case Study: Merry Berry Açaí

From student project to a study in motivation and remote collaboration.

Case Study
Teamwork
Motivation
Lessons Learned

Merry Berry Açaí began as the final group project in Coder Academy’s Full-Stack Development Diploma — a simulated startup designed to take a product from concept to launch. While the app itself was a prototype, the project became something far more valuable: a real-world experiment in distributed teamwork, motivation, and accountability.

The Challenge

A Test of Intrinsic Motivation

The team was fully remote, with members balancing coursework, part-time jobs, and personal commitments. With no external funding and no formal manager, the project depended entirely on intrinsic motivation and peer accountability.

The Learning

The Need for Structure and Incentives

The project highlighted a universal truth: when working in remote or volunteer environments, clear structure and aligned incentives are as important as technical skill. Even talented contributors lose momentum without shared ownership, measurable progress, and a strong feedback loop.

How It Shaped Axion

Merry Berry Açaí directly informed Axion’s team-building philosophy:

Aligned Motivation

Every contributor, from designer to data engineer, understands their stake and outcome.

Accountability by Design

Lightweight systems for tracking progress and recognition ensure follow-through without micromanagement.

Autonomy within Structure

Contributors have freedom to build, but within a transparent framework that keeps momentum steady.

This case study became part of Axion’s DNA — proving that successful collaboration isn’t about perfect ideas, but resilient systems and motivated teams.

Explore Our Approach