Why I'm building Formula 100 (and why I think it works)

I'm 26 years old and Spanish. Four years ago, I left home for Germany in search of a better future. Like everyone else, I tried to learn the language quickly. I bought a book, downloaded popular language-learning apps, and waited for fluency to happen.

It didn't happen.

I could complete lessons and streaks, but when I needed to ask where the salt was in a German supermarket, I froze. The problem wasn't lack of effort (I was putting in the hours); it was the approach. I was collecting facts about the language instead of learning to use it.

A year later, I moved to Sweden to be with my girlfriend and promised myself that I would learn Swedish differently this time. I studied what successful learners do and built my routine around three principles:

1) Listen first

Before reading or explaining, I listened to short, natural dialogues. The goal was to train my ear to the rhythm and sounds, so that new words would have a foundation. Reading came second and was only used to confirm what I had already heard.

2) Spaced review

Instead of random reviews or massive word lists, I used Anki's spaced repetition algorithm to review just a few phrases at the optimal moment, right before I would have forgotten them. This precise timing transformed short reviews into long-term memory. It also kept sessions small and focused.

3) Practice in context

Instead of isolated drills, I practiced connected dialogues, so that each new piece fit into a larger story. It felt like a conversation, not a quiz.

This wasn't easy: the best resources I could find were only in Italian, rather than Spanish (my native language) or English. I had to translate them first. With this approach (about an hour of translation and an hour of practice each day), something surprising happened: after about a month, I could read most everyday Swedish and hold basic conversations. This progress wasn't magic; it was the result of compounding. Listening trained my ear, spaced repetition reinforced what I had learnt, and context made my output sound natural.

This experience changed my view of language learning. The problem wasn't me, but that most tools prioritise engagement or coverage over the simple loop that actually works: Listen → Recall → Speak.

This method felt like an epiphany, but there was one major drawback: the resources were outdated, and many processes that should have been automated weren't.

Why now

I've spent the last year sketching this product in my brain and into the late hours of the night. This summer, I set myself the public goal of shipping an alpha version by the end of the year, which I will use to teach my Thai girlfriend Spanish, so that she can chat with my family at the dinner table. If it works for her, it'll work for anyone.

Around the same time, I joined Ali Abdaal’s $1K Challnege. That was the final push I needed to start building publicly instead of waiting for "someday". Six weeks in, the core loop is running, and releasing an alpha by the end of the year feels realistic.

What I'm building

I'm turning that loop into a guided, branching course, starting with Spanish (my native language).

• Audio-first episodes. Short, natural dialogues you hear before you read.
• Smart spaced review. The right items reappear at the right moment, auto-generated from each lesson.
• Connected story you control. Each lesson continues the last, and you choose what happens next, so practice feels like conversation, not drills.
• Clear plan. About 100 days to everyday conversations (≈45 min/day).
• One-time purchase. Lifetime access; no subscription treadmill.

Science over gimmicks

I'm the technical founder. My brother Quico, who is currently finishing his psychology degree and has previously studied philosophy, economics and politics, leads our learning science work and co-design. He's intelligent, thinks outside the box and constantly challenges assumptions, pressure-testing features and helping to shape the product from start to finish. Together, we design around the principles of comprehensible input, spaced practice and contextual learning, and validate them with quick experiments rather than hunches. There's no pseudo-gamification. There are no endless rules before you speak.

Building in Public

We're sharing our weekly progress, decisions, and small previews on X. If you enjoy seeing how products are developed and want to hold us accountable, follow me at @_onmax.

Here's how you can help and what you'll get:

We're inviting a small cohort of founders (up to 100 people) to help shape the first release.

Founder Access: $10

• Early access to the first cohort
• Lifetime access to the full course at launch
• Direct line to us: Your feedback will shape the roadmap
• Optional: Name in the credits
• Fully refundable at any time before the cohort starts

There will be a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee at public launch.

If you've experienced the same frustrations that I have, I hope this provides you with a faster and calmer path to meaningful conversations. If you join as a Founder, thank you for helping us build it right.