Inside the Ecosystem Apple Gave Her An Award. Here’s Why.
Jul 26, 2025
Elena Pavon, Head of Product at MonkeyTabs who led the team behind the Apple Design Awards–finalist app Vocabulary. She talks about Vocabulary’s simple, single-purpose design, notifications and widgets that deliver passive value, using AI with simple rules for content curation, cross-app team structure, and why Apple recognized the app for its native feel and storytelling.
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From Bumble To A Small Startup
- Elena Pavon joined MonkeyTabs after leaving Bumble and wanted to work hands-on in a smaller startup environment.
- She knew founder Leo through mutual contacts and moved into MonkeyTabs about a year and a half ago to work on their apps.
Not A Language Course — Vocabulary Booster
- Vocabulary focuses on elevating vocabulary in a user's native language rather than competing with language-learning giants.
- The app also serves non-native speakers who want to improve English or other languages through concise daily content.
Deliver Value Without Forcing App Opens
- Delivering value without forcing app opens is central to Vocabulary's design.
- Notifications and Apple Watch taps let users learn single words in context with minimal friction.