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Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

ycombinator.com

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Re: Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

#11

Post by danvideo »

pg wrote: post #3
SoftwareMaven wrote: post #2

This is really cool, but I'm curious how an investment in this is different than a charitable contribution. The contribution is awesome for the network it introduces Watsi to, but I can't imagine there will ever be a return on this kind of investment. (This is not meant to sound negative. I am truly excited to see it, interested to see what the YC network can bring to it, and very curious about the investment thinkin…

There is no difference; it is simply a charitable contribution.

Site and mission sound great, I'm looking forward to contributing.

Hopefully it'll quickly join the ranks of the larger crowdfunding non-for-profits like Kiva.org, Donorschoose, etc...

Re: Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

#13

Post by dreamdu5t »

eduardordm wrote: post #6

pg, I wrote this minutes ago in a thread about the 3rd world. If you ever come across a startup that solves this please fund them: "The biggest problems right now involve education and health. Example: 60-80% health problems follow the same pattern: you see a doctor, he asks for blood/urine tests, you get the results, go back to the doctor for a prescription. Build something that the poor can explain their symptoms a…

This would be illegal in the US AFAIK. The law and the US government are the biggest barriers to medical innovation right now.

Re: Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

#15

Post by clicks »

SoftwareMaven wrote: post #2

This is really cool, but I'm curious how an investment in this is different than a charitable contribution. The contribution is awesome for the network it introduces Watsi to, but I can't imagine there will ever be a return on this kind of investment. (This is not meant to sound negative. I am truly excited to see it, interested to see what the YC network can bring to it, and very curious about the investment thinkin…

> The contribution is awesome for the network it introduces Watsi to, but I can't imagine there will ever be a return on this kind of investment.

The model of charityfund-operationsfunding separation is quite enticing. This kind of transparency fosters trust. If they ask for donations on the side to keep their operations running, by golly they've got access to my wallet alright.

Re: Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

#16

Post by irollboozers »

PabloOsinaga wrote: post #10

We (masporloschicos.com) have been doing roughly the same since 2005. (instead of health we focus on malnutrition) Note- site is in spanish - targeted to the Argentine audience We are a bit less granular though - instead of matching against an individual, we match a specific soup kitchen. But we keep donors updated with newsletters, pictures, letters from the kids and so on. edit: this level of udpates keeps donors e…

The issue of administration and bureaucracy is definitely one the best questions and hardest challenges for new startups trying to tackle these kinds of peer-connected problems. There are entire systems of middle-men built up over long periods of time that up until the internet have been how systems like medical treatment, education, and research funding operate. The biggest factor of inertia in these systems is the system itself.

Sites like Watsi are now making people realize two things: which inefficiencies we can cut away, and that simple experiences like funding medical treatment can be enhanced. Those are two very big revelations that will fuel so much of peer-to-peer funding.

Re: Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

#18

Post by josh2600 »

This is awesome.

I think this model of achieving more direct distribution through technology could profitably be applied to a number of for-profit and non-profit endeavors.

This seems like it could also be a better way of addressing hunger, contributing food to individuals but using a managed distribution system.

What a cool idea :).

Re: Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

#19

Post by kalvin »

Watsi is awesome. Kiva and donorschoose made "direct" p2p lending/giving popular long ago, but Watsi is the first that feels like, well, a YC startup (just from the site-- product, team, mentality).

Also be sure to check out givewell.org for very HN-friendly (rational/research-driven) tips on how you might think about giving in general.

Re: Meet Watsi, Y Combinator's First Nonprofit

#20

Post by abraininavat »

Really great project. Some thoughts: 1. In the interest of 100% transparency, what do you think about being 100% transparent with your tech? Would it make sense to open-source your technology stack?

2. I really wish you had the ability to donate on behalf of someone else, either to fund Watsi or to fund medical treatment. On Amazon I set up a wishlist that people can easily access for ideas of what to buy me on Christmas or my birthday. If I could set up something like that on Watsi instead, I probably would. And if your tech was open source, I might even implement the feature myself!

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