The Italian startup Helperbit has been recognized as the best startup in Europe in the Fintech category

At the StartUp Europe Awards final in Sofia, Bulgaria

The Italian startup Helperbit has been recognized as the best startup in Europe in the Fintech category

The startup Helperbit, through the creation of a donation transparency platform and using the math-based currency bitcoin, has helped to make clear and visible the flow of money, avoiding the inefficiencies in the management of funds for humanitarian emergencies.

 

Sofia, November 15th, 2018. The Italian startup Helperbit has been recognised as the best European startup in the Fintech category at StartUp Europe Awards (SEUA), an initiative of the European Commission and the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with Startup Europe. After going through several stages and being chosen to represent Italy in this category, Commissioner for Society and Digital Economy Mariya Gabriel handled to Helperbit the diploma that accredits them as European winner, during the Startup Europe Summit 2018 hold in Sofia, in the presence of Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov and several European prime ministers and ministers.

In her speech, Commissioner Gabriel congratulated Helperbit and the rest of the European winners and encouraged them to continue working hardly as they have been doing until now. “Europe wants to have more like you. More of your passion, dedication, talent and energy. We believe in your dream and you have already showcased that progress is made with small steps, and that to become successful it takes a long nights and serious thinking on how to approach the most challenging topics. You showcased that success can come from anywhere in Europe. And you showcased that in order to succeed you must be bold and brave”, she expressed.

Guido Baroncini Turricchia, CEO at Helperbit, stated: “This award represents a great achievement for both our startup and the whole fintech ecosystem. Permissionless blockchain and cryptocurrencies, one of the greatest innovation of this century, are already influencing our life and all together we can boost a positive impact of these technologies in many sectors, with benefits for governments and citizens. The European Commission has a fundamental role in this process and we are glad that it has selected Helperbit as a virtuous example to award during this event”.

StartUp Europe Awards proposes an open innovation methodology through public-private partnerships, “which works to help public entities to find a solution to their local challenges, and also to help startups by testing their innovations on pilots supported with European Union funding” said Juan Manuel Revuelta, director of the StartUp Europe Accelerator by Finnova Foundation.

In addition to Helperbit, Italian Artisan in the Fashion category, and Tommi in E-Health were the other Italian startups that have achieved European recognition, among 134 finalist startups from 16 countries.

Helperbit and the other European winners of the StartUp Europe Awards gain visibility thanks to the Media Partner Alliance, made up of 25 members from Spain, France, Belgium, Latvia, Luxembourg, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Sweden, Mexico, Norway and Denmark, among others. Startups will also have access to a mentoring programme (in internationalisation, European funds such as the €50,000 to €2.5 million non-reimbursable grant SME Facility, international communication, etc.), through the Finnova Foundation’s StartUp Europe Accelerator, which will enable them to boost their projects and make them more viable worldwide.

Helperbit is an Italian startup that brings transparency in charity and insurance sectors using the Blockchain technology. The platform allows people to donate crypto and local currencies to charities and to people in need all over the world, trace their donation and how it is used, offering full transparency of economic flows.
It even reverses the traditional home mutual insurance model for natural disasters, thanks to a service powered by Blockchain that empowers users to customize their premium, allowing also microinsurance, and offers a fast, fair and transparent refund.

Helperbit Launches Crypto Fundraising Campaigns for Individuals, an Alternative to Facebook Fundraisings

300 million dollars. This is the amount donated in a year through the Facebook tool “birthday fundraising”. 750 thousand NGOs benefited from this, with a huge social impact. These numbers indicate the willingness of people to contribute to charitable causes, celebrating an important event in an original way.

But why not extend this possibility to all owners of cryptocurrencies, estimated between 2.9 and 5.4 million people? 1

This is the goal of the “Fundraising Campaigns“, a new service provided by Helperbit, that allows to donate bitcoin and more than 20 crypto to non-profit organizations during special occasions.

We believe that this tool can be a driver for the diffusion of cryptocurrencies in the charity sector. In addition to eliminating intermediaries and bringing more transparency, it empowers individuals to actively contribute to a cause that is close to their heart.

This service is launched few days before the Giving Tuesday and the Christmas period, in order to offer the opportunity to test this new service during such occasions. Stand up, create your Campaign!

 

What is a crypto Fundraising Campaign?
A Fundraising Campaign is an initiative created for an important occasion.
The raised amount is addressed to the cause you care for, in a direct and transparent way. It is possible to donate using Bitcoin and over 20 Altcoins (ETH, DOGE, VTC, LTC ..). Helperbit has also implemented the possibility to donate with a credit/debit/prepaid card: in this case the donated amount is instantly exchanged in bitcoin and sent to the beneficiary.
Find out more about payment methods:Make a Donation using Helperbit

 

When can I create a Fundraising Campaign?
The initiative is open to everyone!

Are you a youtuber? Celebrate the milestone of 10, 50 or 100 thousand members on your channel. Be an example and encourage your audience to contribute to the cause, people will appreciate this gesture!

Are you an influencer? Launch your Campaign during a conference where you are a speaker or when you publish a new book. Let your followers know about this new initiative.

Are you a company? Celebrate the launch of a new product or the anniversary of the company’s foundation with this service. An initiative like this is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, with many benefits for your brand, customers and employees.

Are you a community? Whatever is the interest that connects your group (cryptocurrency, technology, sports or other passions), there are many goals that have to be celebrated: do not miss this opportunity, create a Campaign!

Whoever you are, every event is the right occasion to raise funds. Celebrate special days with this charitable initiative: your birthday, a festivity (Christmas, Easter, Ramadan..), when you achieve an important educational goal (diploma, degree), the marriage or the birth of a child.
The beneficiary of the Campaign can not be a personal cause, only initiatives lead by non profit organizations.

 

How can I create a Campaign?
You have to be registered in order to create a Campaign. In the “settings” page click on “Fundraising Campaigns”, write the title and a brief description, letting visitors know why you are creating this initiative.
If you are an individual and raise funds among your friends, we suggest to set 100 € as a target, because having an attainable goal stimulates more people to donate. You can change this setting according to your preferences, remaining within the goal imposed by the project. Then select the project that will receive the donations you will collect. At the end, let your friends know that you have created a crypto Fundraising Campaign and share the initiative on social networks!

 

How long can a Campaign last?
A Campaign can last minimum 6 hours up to a maximum of one month, since the day of its creation.

 

Who manages the donations?
The donations come directly to the project that is the beneficiary of the initiative: neither the creator of the Campaign nor Helperbit have access to these funds. For more information on donation management read the explanation about Multisignature Bitcoin Wallet.

 

Are there any fees for the donations made through this service?
There are no additional fees for donations in Helperbit. Fees are only charged by the Helperbit partner services (payment acquiring and exchange) and by the Bitcoin network, in order to send transactions.
We have no direct profits from donations, as reported in the Manifesto Page.

 

1 https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/research/centres/alternative-finance/downloads/2017-global-cryptocurrency-benchmarking-study.pdf

Propose Your Non-Profit and Encourage it to Accept Crypto Donations

Through the page “Proposed NPO List” you can vote for your favorite organization. Every vote increases the community’s interest in having more and more innovative organizations!

 

What is the Proposed NPO List

The Proposed NPO List allows users to report non-profit organizations and public bodies that have not yet signed up for Helperbit. Users can also “like” those that have been already suggested, reinforcing the value of the request.

 

Why propose a non-profit organization

When the reports are received, Helperbit will contact the proposed institutions and follow them in their first approach to the bitcoin and blockchain world. The organization has the possibility to create a multisignature bitcoin wallet and launch a crypto charity fundraising with blockchain traceability.

Do you know an organization that could benefit from this platform but that is not yet in Helperbit? Propose it!

Geolocation as a Verification Process to Receive Humanitarian Aid

Helperbit offers different geoverification steps: according to the completed level, when a natural disaster occurs, users can receive direct donations. This does not compromise the user’s privacy, which, on the contrary, is safeguarded through appropriate procedures.

 

Why geolocalize

Helperbit is not only a fundraising platform. In case of a natural disaster, indeed, it allows some additional operations, available if the users have previously registered their geographical position and the platform has verified their correctness before a calamity happens.

  • If the residency address of a user has been voluntarily geolocated, Helperbit associates its bitcoin wallet with those coordinates. Each new earthquake that is recorded by the platform is automatically analyzed by Helperbit, allowing donors to check if there are individuals or entities that fall within the area of influence of the event and make a direct donation to the selected beneficiaries.
  • Users, whose address is geoverified, receive information on the level of risk in their area, in relation to the different types of natural disasters.
  • In case of calamity the platform asks to users, that live in the are and whose address is geoverified, if they are willing to host for a short period people left homeless. This service is still under development.
  • When an event occurs and there are users in the involved area, the platform asks them if they need hospitality or they can offer it.

 

Which methods we use

Helperbit offers many levels of geoverification, which allow to access to different services.

Level 1: The user can self-certify his residency position. This allows him to obtain only information about the risks related to his area.

Level 2: The user can also enable the GPS function of his mobile/browser. Soon this will allow him to be contacted in case of an event nearby to offer or request hospitality.

Level 3: Send a document to certify the domicile. This paper should report the same name of the account’s owner. The accepted documents are:

  • Bill of a domestic utility (electricity / gas / water / telephone line bill)
  • Certificate of residence issued by the General Register Office

Level 4: The user can request the sending of a OTC (One Time Code), which is sent to the user’s home address and which allows full access to all the geographic services of the platform, such as the possibility of receiving direct donations if affected by a natural disaster.

 

How we manage and use user data

User privacy is a very important value for us. Each user, through his own configuration page, can modify the settings related to the public display of his data. With reference to the geographic coordinates that determine the location of the geoverified address, Helperbit automatically performs an obfuscation of the accuracy and defines the user’s position in a more generic way (within a square of 10km of side). This is a sufficiently large dimension to evaluate the intersection with a calamity but too coarse to know exactly the position, protection users’ privacy.

Verification process for a Legal Body

The verification procedure for non-profit organizations, public and private bodies allows these users to start transparent fundraising and receive bitcoin donations.

 

What is the verification of a legal body?

The verification of a legal entity is the procedure used to ascertain the identity and geographical position of an account representing a public/private body that signed up for Helperbit.

 

What is the purpose of verifying a public/private/non-profit body?

In Helperbit we check carefully the documents of the legal bodies that signed up, because in the digital world it is easier to substitute for a different person.
This verification procedure has been structured to protect Helperbit’s users and to prevent fraudsters from operating fraudulently on the platform.

 

Which are the benefits?

The verification of a legal body is mandatory for users that are part of this category and allows them to have access to all the Helperbit’s services, so they have the opportunity to launch transparent fundraisings and create secure bitcoin wallets.

From the donor’s point of view, individuals are aware that only bodies that have completed the verification are visible on the platform and therefore they can donate with more tranquility.

 

Which are the procedures to complete the verification?

Three aspects are taken into account:

  • compliance of the body with the platform policy;
  • verification of the funds Administrators’ identity;
  • verification of information related to the legal body;

There are different procedures for each type of legal body.

  • Non-profit Organizations: this category includes non-profit associations, foundations and non-governmental Organizations. It is required that such bodies are apolitical, are recognized by their home Country and that they are focused on social causes. They have to complete their public profile and in addition the required documents are:
    • Statute of the body
    • Minutes of the last election assembly of a governing body
    • Certification of a Manager who appoints the Administrators of the funds.
      This document must contain the following information:
      • Personal information of the Administrator of the Organization Account (1)
      • Personal information of the Administrators of the bitcoin wallets (3)
      • Administrators’ email

The 3 Administrators of the wallet must then create 3 individual accounts and each of them must provide their own ID. The bitcoin wallets created by Organizations are multisignature (3 of 4) and that means that 3 access keys are managed by the Organization and one is held by Helperbit, as a backup key. More information about the bitcoin wallets: read the article [link wallet].

To complete the geographic verification, a physical letter containing a Unique Code (OTC)  is sent to the user and the Organization have to write this code in a specific form in its profile.

Do you want to sign up as a non-profit Organization? Join the platform in few steps.

 

  • Public Bodies: this category includes Schools, Universities, Hospitals, Municipalities and all the national bodies. This category also includes private schools, universities and hospitals officially recognized by the Country in which they are based. The procedure is similar to the one used for non-profit Organizations and the required documents are:
    • Statute of the body
    • Minutes of the last election assembly of a governing body
    • Certification of a Manager who appoints the Administrators of the funds.
      This document must contain the following information:
      • Personal information of the Administrator of the Account (1)
      • Personal information of the Administrators of the bitcoin wallets (3)
      • Administrators’ email

The 3 Administrators of the wallet must then create 3 individual accounts and each of them must provide their own ID. The bitcoin wallets created by the body are multisignature (3 of 4) and that means that 3 access keys are managed by the body and one is held by Helperbit, as a backup key. More information about the bitcoin wallets: read the article [link wallet].

To complete the geographic verification, a physical letter containing a Unique Code (OTC)  is sent to the user and the body have to write this code in a specific form in its profile.

Do you want to sign up as a Public Body? Join the platform in few steps.

 

  • Companies: this category includes the for profit bodies. They have to complete their public profile and in addition the required documents are:
    • Identity Document of the Chief Executive Officer / Legal Representative
    • Chamber of Commerce Visura

It is not required to create additional accounts. The bitcoin wallets created by this type of user are multisignature (2 of 3), with 2 access keys managed by the company and one by Helperbit, as a backup. More information about the bitcoin wallets: read the article [link wallet].

To complete the geographic verification, a physical letter containing a Unique Code (OTC)  is sent to the user and the body have to write this code in a specific form in its profile.

Do you want to sign up as a Company? Join the platform in few steps.

 

How are the received data managed and stored by Helperbit?

User privacy is a very important value for us. Each Administrator of legal body is able to change the settings related to the public display of their personal data through their Account.
Public data linked with Organizations, Bodies and Companies are not modifiable and remain public, in order to offer the most possible transparency to the stakeholders.

For more information, see the Privacy Policy page.

Verification Process and Trust Level for a Single User

The verification procedure is focused on the identity and geographical location of individual users signed up for Helperbit. This passage allows citizens to be helped in case that they are affected by a natural disaster, receiving direct donations.

 

What is the verification of a single user?

The verification of an individual (single user) is the procedure used to ascertain the identity and geographical position of an individual signed up for Helperbit.

 

What is the purpose of an individual’s verification?

The verification of an individual is a discretionary process, decided by the user. There are different levels of verification, which correspond to specific Trust Levels.
When a calamity happens, the completion of this step allows donors to know the Trust Level of a user that lives near the affected area and that probably needs help. The procedure is divided into several stages and is aimed at preventing fraudsters from collecting non-legitimate donations.

 

What are the benefits?

For donors: directly help those who have been truly affected by a natural disaster.
For beneficiaries: the opportunity to be automatically included in the list of possible beneficiaries affected by a catastrophe, immediately after that the event has occurred.

 

What are the procedures needed to complete the verification?

Two aspects are taken into account: Verification of identity and verification of geographical position.

  • Identity verification: there are several options to verify your identity, each choice with a corresponding score. The possible ways, ordered by increasing reliability, are:
    • Self-certification (write personal information in the specific fields)
    • Connection to one or more social accounts
    • Upload of an Identity Document

 

  • Verification of the geographical position. The options available for this step, ordered by increasing reliability, are:
    • Self-certification (write user’s location in the specific field)
    • Enable browser localization
    • Receive a One Time Code (OTC) to the home address
    • Upload documents (Invoice of a domestic user or certificate of residence issued by the General Register Office)

 

How are the received data managed and stored by Helperbit?

User privacy is a very important value for us. Each individual can change the settings related to the public visualisation of personal data through the own configuration page.
For more information, see the Privacy Policy page.

Create a social project and accept cryptocurrency donations in Helperbit

Cryptocurrency donations are growing exponentially and it is expected that this payment method will become increasingly important for the entire charity sector. In Helperbit, non-profit organizations can learn more about this new tool and create innovative fundraising campaigns.

 

What is a fundraising project?

A project is an initiative started by a non-profit organization, a company or a public body with the aim of raising funds for the execution of one or more social activities.

 

How to create a fundraising project in Helperbit?

A project is created within the user profile: in the “my projects” page you can manage projects that you previously have created or open new ones. Only the 3 mentioned entities are authorized to do this operation.
These are the basic information required to create a new project: Title, Description, fundraising target (in Euros, Dollars or Bitcoins) and link the own Bitcoin wallet where raise funds. All textual materials can be optionally added in Italian, English and Spanish.
If the project is related to a natural disaster, it is possible to link the project with the specific calamity that has already happened. Alternatively, it is required to select one or more countries where the project will be developed.
Subsequently, it is required to detail the list of activities, such as a list of goals, products and services that will allow the realization of the project. It is advisable to upload a document (invoice or quote) for each activity as a proof of spent, as more detailed projects have a greater possibility to receive more donations. Finally, the user has the opportunity to upload multimedia material, providing further elements to donors to evaluate the work.

 

What are the main advantages?

There are still few social initiatives that accept Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies donations. This situation offers the opportunity to get more visibility compared to traditional fundraising channels, as well as focusing on a new target of donors.
Donations are peer-to-peer and the creators of projects can immediately use the raised funds.
Adding this payment method and working with cryptocurrencies allows non profit organizations to offer transparency of the economic flows and have reputational benefits.

 

Who can create a fundraising project?

Non-profit organizations, companies and public bodies can create projects. Projects are not immediately visible in the platform, but they need to be reviewed and approved by Helperbit team.

 

Read also: Make a Donation using Helperbit

Make a Donation using Helperbit

There are several ways to make a donation in Helperbit: you can donate using Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and other 19 cryptocurrencies, but payments by credit, debit and prepaid cards are also accepted.

 

How do the donations work?

In Helperbit it is possible to donate to social projects hosted in the platform or to users affected by a natural disaster. In both cases there is a widget, which provides different payment methods and guides the donor in the procedure.

 

How to donate in bitcoin without being registered?

It is possible to donate in bitcoin by clicking on the “Donate” button, entering the amount you wish to donate and selecting “bitcoin” as the payment method. When this step is complete, the QR Code shows the information needed to make the transaction (bitcoin address of the beneficiary and the amount to be paid); alternatively, you can only copy the bitcoin address and manually set the desired amount using your personal bitcoin wallet.

 

How to donate using other cryptocurrencies?

Thanks to the collaboration with Flyp.me, you can donate using one of the 21 available altcoins: Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash, Zcash, DogeCoin, Syscoin, PeerCoin, BlackCoin, GameCredits, Decred, Flyp Token, Pivx, Basic Attention Token, BLOCKv, Aidcoin, DAI, Groestlcoin, Augur, VertCoin, Ox, VeChain.
When the service receives the cryptocurrency that you choose, the entire exchange operation is carried out automatically and within a few minutes, allowing the donor to follow the change in real time and the subsequent sending of the equivalent bitcoin amount to the final recipient.

More information about this payment method: Helperbit opens to altcoins, from today donations accepted also in Ethereum, Litecoin and many other cryptos

 

How to donate in bitcoin using your Helperbit account?

First of all, you have to create your own multisignature wallet in Helperbit and send bitcoins (or fraction of bitcoin) to the address you generated. When you have a positive balance, the procedure is simple and safe: you can choose the beneficiary and it is only required to enter the passphrase to confirm the sending of the donation.

 

How to donate using a credit card?

The process is very simple, similar to the normal online payment procedures; in the widget you need to click on “credit / debit card” and through an intuitive interface the donor is guided in the next steps. There is no need to buy yourself the bitcoin amount corresponding to how much you want to donate. The local currency is automatically exchanged in bitcoin and sent directly to the chosen beneficiary.

More information about this method of payment: Helperbit enables Bank Card donations with Blockchain traceability

Multisignature Bitcoin Wallet

Description of the bitcoin wallet used in Helperbit and its characteristics for the different types of users.

 

What is a multisignature bitcoin wallet?

A bitcoin wallet is a software created to store math-based currency (also called cryptocurrency) and can be equated to a bank account, where the bitcoin address corresponds to the IBAN and the password (here called passphrase, consisting of 12 words) is unique and generated when the wallet is created.
In Helperbit it is not necessary to download any software, as the procedure for generating the passphrase takes place on your browser (client-side).

The characteristic of this wallet is to be non-custodial and multisignature (M of N): N passphrases are generated, but M passphrases (fewer than generated) are requested to send a transaction. Helperbit manages only one passphrase, which means it has no decision-making power.
This increases the security of the wallet, protecting it from internal mistakes (loss of a passphrase or incorrect backup), and from external attacks by malicious people.

 

Types of bitcoin wallets available in Helperbit

For non-profit organizations and public entities, bitcoin wallets are “3 of 4” type, with 3 passphrases managed by the organization and one in the hands of Helperbit, as a backup. 3 passphrases are required to send transactions, so the User is able to operate independently. Helperbit instead, with only one passphrase, can not access the funds.

For Single Users and Companies, bitcoin wallets are “2 of 3” type, with 2 passphrases managed by the User/Company and one by Helperbit, as a backup. 2 passphrases are required to send transactions, so the User is able to operate autonomously. Helperbit instead, with only one passphrase, can not access the funds.

To meet the needs of structured stakeholders, a bitcoin wallet with a customized number of passphrases can be generated upon request.

 

Wallet security

During the wallet creation process, you are invited to download a backup file. It is important to keep it consciously, as it allows you to recover the funds. Even the 12 words that represent the passphrase must be kept safe, not easily accessible by other people: we suggest to not keep them on your computer, unless in a very safe way, but to write them on several paper copies. If you lose a copy, you are still have the other passphrases copies.

In case that more than one passphrase is lost, the access to the wallet is compromised. Neither Helperbit nor the Bitcoin network have the power to recover the funds, as only the User is the owner of his wallet.

 

How to recover your funds if you have lost a passphrase

Helperbit has developed an open source recovery service that helps Users in case of loss of a passphrase.
Click here and fill out the forms with the requested information. In case of problems, write an email to info@helperbit.com with the subject “Wallet Recovery”.

Read also: Helperbit’s Manifesto

Helperbit’s Manifesto

Introduction to the vision that brought to the foundation of Helperbit, the role of the blockchain technology in the donation transparency platform and the ambitions of the startup.

 

Vision

The cryptocurrencies have challenged many concepts that were considered established, bringing radical changes in many aspects of the society; they have proven that it is possible to overturn secular status and they also help us to redefine the unassailable roles of some institutions.
The concept of trust has a new connotation, bringing people to no longer have to arbitrarily entrust a third party, but to put their faith in mathematics. Yes, as the blockchain, the heart of bitcoin, operates according to mathematical laws.

Helperbit was born due to a precise need: restore confidence in the charity and insurance sector, where the lack of transparency has led citizens to be wary of some institutions.
Helperbit is a startup with a high technological value, with a strong social vision and innovative business aspects.

 

The platform

The platform offers the opportunity to donate to non-profit organizations, companies and public bodies that create charitable projects or to organizations involved in the management of humanitarian emergencies. Even registered individuals can receive donations, but only if they are directly affected by a natural disaster. This is a further benefit for registered citizens, as they can be both donors and, in case of need, beneficiaries.
Through Helperbit NGOs can accept cryptocurrency donations and open to a brand new target of donors. If they spend the received bitcoins they allow supporters to track in real time the path of the money on the blockchain, till the final use.

Bitcoin’s blockchain is the main technology of the platform: it is the unique open tool that offers audit of economic flows without relying on a central authority.
The mutual insurance service, that is focused on the coverage of collateral damages caused by natural disasters, will be released shortly.

 

The Business Model

The combination of social and business aspects is evident in the dual nature of the platform: some services are designed to be free, while there are some premium tools.

The goal is to maintain free access for individuals, non-profit organizations and government agencies, allowing them to use the basic services provided by Helperbit. In addition, as the startup does not intend to have revenues directly from donations, which can be used to help people in need, there are no additional costs on transactions related to donations. This means that, excluding the fees required by the network and service providers, 100% of the money will be addressed to the selected beneficiaries.

How does the startup generate revenue? Keeping the donative section freely accessible, the startup is focused on 3 revenue streams: technological consultancy for financial and industrial players; development of additional premium services for NGOs; development of a premium mutual insurance service against natural disasters.