The World’s Largest Insurers Have ESG Blind Spots, According to ShareAction 18 Apr 2024, 10:30 am

ShareAction, an organization that promotes responsible investment, carried out a classification of the 65 largest insurers in the world according to the climate and social responsibility strategies they implement. The evaluation of these companies showed that most of them have ESG blind spots, since they do not have the necessary restrictions for clients who are not sustainable.

This study puts the spotlight on companies that provide life, property, accident and health insurance services to show the enormous area of ​​opportunity that this type of organizations must address in order to improve their performance in terms of environmental care, a common challenge for humanity that requires the efforts of everyone, not only individuals, but, mainly, industries. Find out what the sector’s deficiencies are.

Insurers have ESG blind spots

The assessment managed by ShareAction to measure the ESG parameters of the world’s largest insurers analyzed the companies’ organizational governance structure, as well as the ESG commitments they have to their clients. In addition, ShareAction reviewed whether companies had a comprehensive plan to measure their environmental, social and natural impacts with their current and potential customers and what the service exclusions were.

The assessment consisted of thirty metrics, and half of the companies earned overall grades of E or F, the lowest grades achievable. The lowest scores were those of Lloyd’s of London, Sony Financial Group and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.

ShareAction stated that insurer results were really weak across the board, making it clear that this sector has a number of operational changes to make to align with climate goals.

Regarding the insurers’ results, Claudia Gray, head of financial sector research at ShareAction, stated that the ratings reveal the “abject failure of the insurance sector to meet its responsibilities to protect both people and the planet.” » and called for urgent measures to be implemented.

The failures of the insurance sector according to ShareAction

In addition to showing that insurers are not collaborating efficiently in caring for the environment through their operations, the study also allowed us to conclude that:

There are blind spots in ESG: although most insurers have signed commitments that consider net zero as an investment requirement, the activities carried out are not consistent with this goal and eight out of 10 companies do not have climate objectives for 2030. Nor do they have They have eliminated investments in thermal coal, gas and oil.

Lack of preparation for the climate transition: The analysis indicates that less than a third of insurers published a climate transition plan and most insurers have forgotten to promote their alliance with companies that carry out low-carbon activities.

Climate transition planning required: Insurers are required to publish climate transition plans aligned with net zero, based on climate science and capable of detecting greenwashing.
Regulatory interventions are required: if the insurance sector does not take action regarding its activities, it will be necessary to create and apply measures to regulate this industry.

CSR as a parameter of association

The evaluation of the 65 insurance companies carried out by ShareAction confirms the need for constant evaluation of the sustainable performance of companies in any industry, as this will allow us to detect failures, inconsistencies and opportunities for improvement in compliance with sustainability agreements and measure adherence to ESG criteria.

ShareAction reminds us that, if we want a greener world, it is necessary that every type of association includes a prior evaluation of the activities of the company, client, supplier or service provider to which we are considering joining, since only when sustainable actions of a company are an unavoidable requirement to invest, buy, hire or provide a service, we will achieve a change at the height of the current climate crisis.

On the other hand, the role of the regulation of activities in all industries is crucial in the advancement of sustainable objectives, since not only must companies commit to ensuring that their operations do not harm the environment, but there must be entities dedicated to sanction and align organizations that are not taking seriously the urgency of a green economy.

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(Featured image by kalhh via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in expok. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

Spending on R&D in Biotechnology Increased by 13% in 2022 and Reached 2.56 Billion 18 Apr 2024, 9:30 am

Spending on Research and Development (R&D) in biotechnology increased by 13% in 2022 and reached 2.56 billion. In companies, this item grew by 17.8%, to 1.22 billion (47.7% of the total), according to data from the Statistics Institute (INE). This expense accounted for 13.3% of total spending on internal R&D activities and, by execution sector, company spending increased by 17.8% and that of the higher education sector by 10.8%.

In relation to the total expenditure on internal R&D activities in biotechnology, companies presented the highest percentage (47.7% of the total). Behind were public administration (30.2%), higher education (21.6%) and private non-profit institutions, with 0.4%.

Internal R&D activities related to biotechnology were financed in 2022, mainly by companies (44.4% of the total) and the public administration sector (40.1%).

Spain has a workforce of 35,301 people, 22,325 of whom work full-time in R&D

Regarding the group of researchers, it has a staff of 35,301 people, of which 22,325 were dedicated full-time to R&D activities in biotechnology . 54% of this staff were women.

Among the areas of final application of the products obtained from the use of different types of biotechnologies, human health and food stood out, with 48.7% and 32.4% of the total units , respectively.

Data by autonomous communities

The autonomous communities that spent the most on internal R&D activities in biotechnology in 2022 were Catalonia (with 31.5% of the total), Community of Madrid (26.9%) and Andalusia (9.6%), Valencian Community (7.8%), Basque Country (5.9%), Galicia (5%), Castilla y León (2.9%) and Navarra (2%).

Below 2% are Murcia (1.8%), Aragon (1.6%), Castilla La Mancha (1.4%), Asturias (1%), the Canary Islands (0.8%), La Rioja (0 .4%) Cantabria (0.3%) and Extremadura (0.2%).

The majority of Spanish companies invested in R&D

84% of Spanish companies in the health and biotechnology sectors say that in 2024 they have increased their research and development (R&D) budget compared to 12% that have maintained it and 4% that have cut it. These are data for PlantaDoce from the V International Barometer of Innovation of the consulting firm Ayming, resulting from a survey of one thousand R&D and innovation directors, financial directors and executive directors of companies in 17 countries . Of these, a quarter correspond to Spanish companies.

The most recurrent sources of financing among those surveyed are public aid from state and regional administrations and self-financing, both with 58% . These R&D financing channels are followed by debt and equity and tax deductions (50% each) and international subsidies (23%).

The weight of financing via public aid grows 14 percentage points compared to the previous barometer, when these represented 44%, and tax deductions 17 points compared to 2023. According to the general director of Ayming in Spain, this is due to strategic projects to economic recovery and transformation (Perte) such as Vanguardia Health , designed specifically for the development of R&D in this area.

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(Featured image by  Louis Reed via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in PlantaDoce. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the articles from the originals. In case of discrepancy, the originals will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

Consolidation in Sight in the Italian and European Crowdfunding Sector 18 Apr 2024, 8:30 am

The European Union’s recent regulatory crackdown, combined with the typical fragmentation of the Italian crowdinvesting market, will likely lead to a wave of consolidation and extraordinary operations in the crowdfunding sector. This would allow large and medium-sized platforms to obtain cost synergies, but also to withstand the competitive push deriving from European portals.

Of the 114 crowdinvesting portals registered in Italy, in fact, only 25 at the beginning of April have successfully completed the process necessary to continue operating, while among the new portals authorized in Europe there are 21 platforms that have already declared they want to work in Italy (French and Spanish in particular).

The Spanish company Urbanitae announced its entry into Italy at the end of March with the aim of financing 50 million in real estate equity projects in the first year of activity.

Regulatory settlement and implications for crowdfunding operators

In October 2020, the EU introduced European Regulation 2020/1503 , called ECSP (European Crowdfunding Service Provider), which establishes new elements regarding the authorization, organization and supervision of “crowdfunding service providers.” The regulation, which all platforms had to comply with by November 10th, 2023 , introduced more uniform rules at community level, and provides that:

All crowdfunding platforms comply with the new rules in terms of internal controls, governance, internal member suitability, as well as the due diligence process on new initiatives;

All key details of investments and initiatives are disclosed in a standardized prospectus called KIIS (Key Investment Information Sheet);

You have a European passport to operate in other EU countries;

Platforms will be able to offer mini-bonds to retail investors, while they will not be allowed to sell units of Collective Investment Undertakings;

Access to raising capital through equity crowdfunding should be extended to all types of companies (whereas previously it was reserved only for SMEs and innovative start-ups).
As regards the Italian market , Legislative Decree March 10th, 2023, n. 30 amended the Consolidated Law on Finance (TUF), dictating the principles for the creation of a uniform regulation for lending-based crowdfunding and investment-based crowdfunding at a local level.

Furthermore, in compliance with the harmonized regime dictated at European level, Consob and the Bank of Italy have been identified as competent national authorities and their respective supervisory responsibilities have been divided. In particular, the former deals with all authorization procedures and the supervision of the transparency and fairness of the portals, while the latter deals with the adequacy of capital, governance, risk mitigation and internal controls.

The entry into force of the regulation and its implementation in Italy was not without difficulties, both due to the more stringent requirements required by the competent national authorities and due to delays in the assignment of licenses .

According to some, the combination of these factors has in fact created, albeit indirectly, a more streamlined authorization process for foreign platforms, which can benefit from a “single passport” to also operate in the Italian market.

The benefits introduced by the European crowdfunding regulation, however, are clear and include greater transparency and protection of investors (especially non-professional ones), as well as the promotion of a single, cross-border market .

The problems raised by Italian operators concern the additional guarantees required by national bodies on the profile and eligibility of investors and the need to have a balance sheet certified by an auditor (which makes them financial intermediaries in all respects).

Added to this is the fact that the secondary market is not currently authorized in our country (which significantly reduces the liquidity of investments) nor the possibility for retail investors to subscribe to debt securities such as minibonds.

The dematerialization of LLC shares

In correlation with what has been described so far, the provisions introduced by Law 5 March 2024, n. 21 (so-called “DDL Capitali” ), envisaged to facilitate access to the capital market and reduce the costs linked to the issue and transfer of shareholdings in small and medium-sized enterprises , introduce the faculty to dematerialize the shares of limited liability companies, which fall into the category of SMEs, using the centralized management regime provided for by art. 83-bis et seq. of the TUF.

Therefore, SME LLCs are allowed to offer their shares to the public for subscription in accordance with the general legislation provided by the TUF or through equity crowdfunding portals.

In this regard, it is necessary to specify that the new regulation is limited only to innovative start-up LLCs and SMEs, resulting in the exclusion of large LLCs from the dematerialization system.

To determine which SMEs are included or not, reference is made to the definition in the “European Recommendation 2003/362/EC”, according to which a company, to be defined as an SME, must have an average number of employees during the financial year of less than 250 and one of the following conditions: annual net turnover not exceeding 50 million euros or total balance sheet not exceeding 43 million euros.

Given this, this exclusion could in practice lead to an obstacle to the initial aim of allowing the development of a secondary market of shares, in this case, for those limited companies that have a greater interest in accessing dematerialisation, given the greater number of shareholders and the better organizational capacity .

If these additional constraints partly risk breaking the competitive balance and therefore causing a loss of resources abroad, the additional requirements required of Italian platforms also represent an additional value and imply greater solidity and attractiveness for investors , even outside the ‘Italy. Another opportunity is represented by the removal of the requirement of a minimum of 5% of the collection invested by professional investors.

Future prospects and challenges

In a fragmented and polarized market like the Italian one, in which a few players are responsible for the majority of fundraising (eg, Mamacrowd alone covered 60% of the equity crowdfunding market in 2023), the main successful options for platforms of smaller dimensions pass through the diversification of the range of products and services offered, to be achieved through specific initiatives and the offer of innovative products .

In this sense, new opportunities could derive from the introduction of Security Token Offering (STO) mechanisms , which allow the investor to keep the securities himself through the issuance of a token (representative of the capital share) based on technology blockchain.

Tokenization offers undeniable advantages to the platform and to the investor: the latter, in fact, has the possibility of accessing alternative forms of investment, which are more liquid, highly profitable and with more streamlined and rapid bureaucratic processes. Naturally, we add to this the technological enablement for a possible secondary market of quotas .

Among the opportunities for business growth and diversification, a specific mention must also be made regarding the possibility of formalizing partnerships . A well-known example is that between Ener2Crowd and Walliance , which offers investors a new asset class by combining the energy proposal with the real estate one such as green redevelopment of buildings.

Regarding inorganic growth, it is reasonable to expect a new wave of extraordinary operations further favored by recent regulatory developments . As already described, the new constraints could in fact make it impossible for some platforms to operate, since they would not have the financial resources and means necessary to comply with the new rules and procedures.

The introduction of ESCP constraints, combined with the polarization and fragmentation of the current market, creates favorable terrain for a natural process of consolidation, coinciding with the growing maturation of the crowdfunding sector. Funding flows from Venture Capital funds, interest in M&A transactions, hybrid business models and partnerships confirm these trends.

The aggregative phenomenon

Looking at the European context, the Dutch market can be taken as a point of reference , positioning itself in first place according to the CMRI (Crowdfunding Market Readiness Index), developed by the Crowdfunding Research Center of the University of Agder.

This index takes into consideration various parameters, including the number of active platforms in the area based on the population, the volume of investment per capita, the average number of investors and the general level of awareness of citizens regarding crowdfunding. The other positions on the podium are occupied respectively by Norway and Denmark, while Italy occupies the twelfth and penultimate place (followed only by Poland).

It is precisely by looking at recent market developments in the Netherlands that we can observe a representative case study and potentially precursor of trends also arriving in the Italian market: it is a merger into a ” super platform ” of three crowdfunding players, which took place in end of November 2023. The Dutch Kapitaal op Maat , Max Crowdfund , and Capital Circle have in fact announced their desire to unite to operate in multiple European countries and different business areas, leveraging the single ECSP license obtained by Kapitaal op Maat. The new group thus obtains 20,000 registered users and a total collection of over 200 million euros.

The trend towards the creation of “super platforms” could materialize well beyond a single isolated case: according to the European Crowdfunding Market Report 2023 of the University of Agder, in fact, only a minority of platforms of all models have carried out mergers and acquisitions in the past , but a greater share of them instead plans to be involved in M&A activities in the future (specifically, 42% of equity platforms and 53% of lending platforms).

The aggregation phenomenon has apparently already begun in Italy too, with the best-known cases involving the acquisition of Trusters by CrowdFundMe and the French Lymo Finance by Walliance. The aggregation of Opstart and BackToWork is also very recent, with the acquisition of 60% of the latter by the former in a card-for-card operation that aggregates around 60,000 users and more than 600 campaigns launched.

Other operations have involved large financial companies investing in stakes of various sizes in Crowdfunding portals: Azimut in Mamacrowd , Intesa Sanpaolo in BackToWork and Credit Agricole in Ener2Crowd.

The harmonization of legislation could also lead to the formation of so-called “super platforms” in Italy to leverage a single license and the adoption of economies of scale, even with a European dimension that looks beyond national borders.

The European Union as a whole is also becoming more attractive to overseas players, with platforms that already operate in other geographies and can now acquire a single license to operate in all member states, whereas in the past they would have had to follow rules and authorization processes specific for each state.

By way of example, we can mention the US companies Wefunder (which received the green light to operate in the EU in 2023) and Republic. The latter has created a trans-continental super-platform thanks to the 2021 acquisition of Seedrs , an English platform whose Irish branch was recently authorized under the ECSP.

Conclusions

In conclusion, it is expected that in the coming months the transformative process of the crowdfunding market will continue with a further push towards the consolidation and formation of super-platforms with a potentially pan-European scale.

On the one hand, greater concentration risks transforming small players into fundraising platforms, with standardized processes to manage the volume of transactions and increase commission revenues by the larger players, who control the majority.

On the other hand, a growing fragmentation into highly specialized niches by geography, type of user, financing model and type of operation is expected, in the direction of an increasing modularity of the platform in order to satisfy the unique needs of the different types of investors.

Since these market developments are simultaneously likely, we can expect a standardization of operational processes within platforms on universal needs such as fraud protection, tax clarity and education, and strong competition at the level of specific use cases , type of transactions and investors.

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(Featured image by hpgruesen via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in Crowdfunding buzz. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

JuicyFields – the Largest Investment Fraud in the Cannabis Industry 18 Apr 2024, 7:30 am

JuicyFields has introduced itself as an innovative crowdsourcing platform that offers a unique opportunity to invest in the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes.

The assumption was simple: investors, called “e-growers”, by paying a minimum amount of 50 euros, had the opportunity to become co-owners of hemp plants and derive financial benefits from their sale on the drug market. Moreover, the platform was encouraging, promising up to 100% annual return on investment, which made the offer seem extremely attractive.

In fact, as police discovered, JuicyFields had no actual cultivation operations. Instead, a complicated pyramid structure was built in which funds obtained from new investors were used to finance payments to previous participants. This structure is unsustainable and doomed to an eventual collapse, which has threatened the financial stability of thousands of people.

The platform used clever marketing strategies, including advertising on social media and popular websites, to attract investors from around the world. It was claimed that the investments were secured by real crops and genuine contracts with medical marijuana distributors, but this was never the case.

The impact and scale of the JuicyFields scam

Digging further into the scale of the scam, it turned out that JuicyFields may have misled approximately 550,000 people around the world. Of this number, 186,000 chose to transfer funds to the scheme, which netted the fraudsters huge amounts of money. The total losses suffered by investors are estimated at approximately 645 million euros, but this figure may be significantly underestimated because many people may not have reported their losses, either unaware of the fraud or for fear of legal and social consequences.

The dramatic impact of fraud was not limited to direct lost investments. Many people lost their life savings, which had far-reaching consequences, including loss of financial stability, mental health and confidence in legitimate investments. The fraud received wide media coverage, raising public awareness of the risks associated with online investing and the need for more stringent regulation of this type of activity.

The course of the investigation and international coordination

The investigation into JuicyFields began when numerous reports from injured investors began to flow to law enforcement agencies in various European countries. In response to the growing scale of the fraud, Europol took the initiative to coordinate international activities to investigate and solve the case. As part of this coordination, an international investigation team was established, led by experienced units from the German and Spanish police, with the support of Eurojust and cooperation with agencies from other Member States.

A key element of the investigation was the collection and analysis of large amounts of digital data, which allowed the identification of key people involved in the scheme and their methods of operation. The work of digital detectives, financial analyzes and tracing transaction paths allowed us to precisely set operational goals and plan international repressive actions.

Arrests and asset security

On April 11th, 2024, as part of a large-scale international operation, coordinated arrests of 9 suspects were carried out. At the same time, 38 searches of homes and offices in 11 countries were carried out, which was evidence of the enormous scale and complexity of the operation.

During these activities, assets worth over 8 million euros were seized, including cash, cryptocurrencies, real estate, luxury vehicles and works of art. These safeguards were intended not only to limit the ability of fraudsters to continue operating, but also to recover assets that could be used to compensate injured investors.

Market implications and future directions

The JuicyFields scam has sparked a wide debate on the regulation of the cannabis market, especially in the context of investing in its medical use.

The scandal exposed a gap in regulatory oversight and investment education, forcing policymakers to rethink how to better protect investors from similar risky schemes. We may see more stringent regulations on advertising and conducting investment activities in this sector in the future, which may include greater transparency and reporting requirements.

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(Featured image by Kindel Media via Pexels)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in FaktyKonopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the articles from the originals. In case of discrepancy, the originals will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

AI Will Revolutionize Mental Health, Generating 2.5 Billion in Spain 17 Apr 2024, 11:30 am

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is also reaching the mental health sector. During the last two years, new start-ups have been appearing in Spain that share the same objective: to create technological solutions that take advantage of this new tool to introduce improvements in this area, both for patients and professionals.

“Artificial intelligence will improve the management of chronic diseases, the effectiveness of treatments, the reduction of side effects and the early detection of pathologies,” summarized Francesc Saigí, an expert in digital health linked to the World Health Organization ( WHO) and professor at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC).

In the case of mental health, the range of possibilities that Artificial Intelligence can offer the sector is very large. At Dartmouth University, in New Hampshire (United States), a group of scientists has created MoodCapture. It is an application that, using AI, can help detect mental health diseases by analyzing several facial photographs of the patient. The creators assure that it can warn them even before the person themselves realizes that they may be suffering from one.

The use of AI in the field of mental health will move almost $10.3 billion in 2032, according to a report

With proposals like this flourishing in the minds of scientists and entrepreneurs around the world, consulting firms predict great growth in the sector’s business volume. If in 2023 the use of artificial intelligence in the field of mental health generated about $920 million, in 2032 it will move almost $10.3 billion according to the recent study by Polaris Market Research.

The report does not detail the figures for the Spanish market, but, there, Artificial Intelligence is also expected to make a strong impact. In Spain, the application of this technology to the generic health market will have a business volume of 2.5 billion euros in 2030, according to the specialized firm Insights10.

The ecosystem is already boiling

With these good prospects on the horizon, several start-ups focused on finding AI solutions for mental health are appearing in Spain. One of the startups that is getting the most attention is Aimentia. Created in Catalonia, the company has developed technology that facilitates the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients with some of the most common mental health disorders: from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorders, phobias or suicidal thoughts.

The result has been translated into a platform that, thanks to Artificial Intelligence, provides tools and services 24 hours a day to primary care centers, schools and companies in countries such as Spain, Argentina, Chile or Mexico. In 2023, it closed a financing round of 500,000 euros.

Aimentia, Eholo, Brain and Joy are some of the Spanish projects that use Artificial Intelligence in the mental health segment

“With the latest advances in Artificial Intelligence, we are definitely entering a new era in mental health, which is characterized by a much more holistic and personalized approach when providing care for mental disorders,” Enric Mourin, CTO and co-founder of Aimentia said.

According to him, one of the most important protagonists of this new era of mental health are chat bots. These are tools prepared to recognize patterns of stress or emotional distress and provide strategies to deal with them immediately. “In fact, it is one of the main technologies provided at Aimentia to alleviate the burden on clinical professionals,” Mourin specified.

However, the application of AI in mental health is still in an early phase . “In the near future we will not replace human interventions with Artificial Intelligence: they continue to be a crucial factor in an area such as mental health, which requires closeness,” the expert clarifies. Even so, the panorama has already begun to change. “Artificial Intelligence can serve as a bridge to reach this emotional help or, at least, as a cushion in these specific moments of stress,” said the entrepreneur.

The Spanish boom

Aimentia is not the only project that is making its way into the sector from Spain. There is also Thera4All , which has developed Brain, a psychological self-assessment solution to determine the need to see a healthcare professional. The user goes to a kind of virtual visit with a metahuman therapist, powered by the Artificial Intelligence ​​engine. The main objective of its founders is to help democratize access to quality mental health for everyone, regardless of their economic level.

Along with Aimentia and There4All, there is another Spanish adventure: that of Eholo. The technology company based at the TecnoCampus of Mataró , in Catalonia, has created a platform focused on psychologists to facilitate the management of administrative tasks. Helps professionals optimize time so they can focus more on patients. In July 2023, it closed a financing round of 200,000 euros , contributed by several SeedRocket business angels .

Apart from applications for the general public and mental health professionals, developers such as the Spanish company Prisma have created Joy Software , a product with Artificial Intelligence aimed specifically at the business segment. “Through a method that measures the organizational climate and the connection with specialized professionals, we help companies prevent common problems such as stress, work overload or dissatisfaction of their collaborators,” explained the company.

Spanish entrepreneurs in the sector are aware of the good prospects for the sector. “We are seeing an increase in the creation of new companies that seek to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence to address mental health challenges,” corroborates Enric Mourin, co-founder of Aimentia. “The potential is enormous, but there is still a lot of ground to cover,” he warned.

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(Featured image by Alex Knight via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in PlantaDoce. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the articles from the originals. In case of discrepancy, the originals will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

What Is Frontech, the Acceleration Program of CDP Venture Capital 17 Apr 2024, 10:30 am

With an endowment of 7 million euros, CDP Venture Capital announced the launch of Frontech, an accelerator dedicated to the growth of startups that develop innovative digital solutions in the AI, web 3.0 and metaverse fields.

In recent days the National Innovation Fund presented the 2024-2028 Industrial Plan “Shaping Future.” Frontech represents the first piece of this new investment strategy. You have until May 19th to nominate your startup, with the selection open to Italian and international companies that intend to open a registered office in Italy.

The institutional partner is Fondazione Sardegna which, thanks to its innovation hub Innois, is growing the ecosystem on the island. The Frontech accelerator will be based in Sardinia, with a reference base in Cagliari in the spaces of Opificio Innova, inside the former Manifattura Tabacchi.

“The project confirms the commitment of the Sardinia Foundation in the field of innovation, both in terms of investments and potential impacts on the territory – declared Giacomo Spissu , President of the Sardinia Foundation. “The frontier technologies on which the Frontech Accelerator focuses will have an increasingly greater impact on people’s way of living and working and the skills and talents present in Sardinia will make their contribution to this new digital revolution.”

The Frontech accelerator will be based in Sardinia

SIOS Sardinia 2024, scheduled in Cagliari on May 23, will offer a new opportunity to meet the main protagonists, including founders, VCs and stakeholders. In Sardinia, Frontech will position itself as an integral part of the National Accelerator Network that CDP Venture Capital is developing by focusing on the sectors with the greatest growth potential and which today has 19 operational hubs.

“The AI ​​sector and in particular generative AI represents one of the major transformative technologies of the coming decades, comparable to the advent of the Internet and the cloud – commented Agostino Scornajenchi, CEO and General Manager of CDP Venture Capital. ” The impact will be able to transform entire markets through the development of new products and services enabled by the creation of “intelligent agents.”

Frontech: who manages the acceleration program

The total 7 million euros provided for Frontech will be directed towards initial investment tickets and subsequent post-acceleration follow-ons. Of these, 5.6 are allocated by the Accelerator Fund of CDP Venture Capital and the remaining part comes from the co-investors GELLIFY and Cariplo Factory , who will operationally manage the program.

“Frontier technologies are radically transforming our economic and social landscape, promoting a new era of transformation,” said Michele Giordani, Chief of Strategy, Client & Ecosystem at GELLIFY. «We are very proud – added Carlo Mango , Managing Director of Cariplo Factory – to contribute to this new accelerator of the CDP Venture Capital National Network dedicated to the so-called “frontier technologies” which more than any other innovation are impacting, in a transversal way, everyone the productive sectors”.

Frontech’s technological verticals

Frontech is looking for startups that operate within categories that represent the new frontiers of innovation. These are enabling technologies for digital transformation, with applications such as digital identity, blockchain, intellectual property authentication, generative AI models, gaming, AR/VR, digital art, new publishing.

Every year, for three years, ten startups in the seed and early stage phase will be selected and will have access to an initial investment ticket of 120 thousand euros and a six-month acceleration path. The program envisages a hybrid mode of use by accelerated startups.

The startups will focus on strengthening their business proposal through sessions focused on four key areas: vertical technology workshop, product development & service design, business development, fundraising, up to the implementation of a POC (proof-of-concept) with companies partner. Frontech also counts on the support of technical partners such as Algorand and Microsoft – through its AI LAB program – and corporate partners Bper, Banco di Sardegna and FPZ.

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(Featured image by Depistotele via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in StartupItalia. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

The Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms Recrowd and BuildAround Sign a Commercial Agreement 17 Apr 2024, 9:30 am

Recrowd, a leading real estate lending crowdfunding platform in Italy, has signed a strategic collaboration with BuildAround , one of the first real estate equity crowdfunding platforms to obtain authorization under the old Consob regulation in 2019.

Recrowd entered the market in 2019 and, to date, has raised over 136 million euros, while BuildAround had raised more than 3.2 million for 6 financed projects thanks to a base of over 180 investors and more than 1000 subscribers .

BuildAround has waived its right to request authorization under European regulation no. 2020/1503, while Recrowd obtained the license last November 30th. A situation that pushed the two platforms to agree to share experience and contacts in Italian real estate crowdfunding.

The partnership between Recrowd and BuildAround

Projects already financed in the past by BuildAround will be managed independently and separately from this agreement, which lays the foundations for an enrichment of the activities and operations hosted on the Recrowd platform.

Also thanks to this collaboration, and the continuous innovations proposed, the platform aims to make the tool increasingly known, while introducing additional protections compared to the regulatory requirements in force from the end of 2023.

This partnership offers a number of benefits. First of all, it will enrich the offer of projects available to investors, maintaining the focus on lending crowdfunding. Furthermore, the projects, proposed on Recrowd, will be subject to the new quality and delay prevention standards and to the new investor protection contracts ( see another Crowdfunding Buzz article here ).

Gianluca De Simone. Co founder and CEO of Recrowd, commented: “The BuildAround team did an excellent job in selecting real estate operators and related projects, reasons why we immediately found synergistic elements to create a valuable collaboration. Through this agreement we demonstrate, once again, our desire to increase our presence in the Italian market, as a point of reference for operators and investors who want to rely on the real estate crowdfunding tool.”

Granting of power of attorney by the investor

First and foremost, Recrowd will continue to provide free legal support to investors directly or through designated companies, albeit with a new contractual framework.

If until now, in fact, the contracts between beneficiary and investors were simple “peer-to-peer” agreements, now, when an investor opens a wallet on the Recrowd platform, he automatically grants a power of attorney to a debt collection company, allowing it, if necessary, to contact the proponent on behalf of all investors.

On the other hand, the proposer must provide either a promissory note or a debt recognition deed , of his choice, to the debt collection company indicated by Recrowd so that it has the tools to act as the legal representative of the investors.

To encourage the subscription of one of the two guarantees, when an operation presented on the Recrowd platform is financed, Recrowd holds the funds for four days until the proposer releases the bill of exchange or debt recognition to the debt collection company.

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(Featured image by satheeshsankaran via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in Crowdfunding buzz. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

Hong Kong Approves Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs: A New Chapter for Cryptocurrencies 17 Apr 2024, 8:30 am

On Monday, Hong Kong marked a notable step forward in its ambition to become a central cryptocurrency hub in Asia by approving the first batches of spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This move highlights the region’s ambition to take a leading role in the global crypto financial sector.

A breakthrough in asset management

The Hong Kong unit of the major Chinese asset manager, China Asset Management, received approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to offer retail spot crypto ETFs. In collaboration with OSL and BOCI International, the company plans to launch both Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. OSL will act as the “first virtual asset trading and sub-custodian partner”, ensuring precise and reliable management of the underlying assets.

Further approvals and collaborations

Harvest Global Investments is also close to issuing two spot crypto ETFs after receiving in-principle approval from the SFC. The cooperation with OSL is intended to help effectively address problems such as excessive margin requirements.

Bosera Asset Management and HashKey Capital have also announced conditional approval for their joint spot crypto ETFs, although details of the “conditional approval” were not initially further explained. This partnership plans to launch a Spot Bitcoin ETF and a Spot Ether ETF under the names Bosera HashKey Bitcoin ETF and Bosera HashKey Ether ETF, whereby investors can invest directly in the ETFs using Bitcoin and Ether.

Strengthening Hong Kong’s financial market

The launch of these ETFs not only expands asset allocation options for investors, but also reaffirms Hong Kong’s position as an international financial center and virtual asset hub. Unlike mainland China, which has severely restricted cryptocurrency trading and mining, Hong Kong has officially welcomed crypto firms. In June 2023, Hong Kong launched a licensing regime for crypto trading platforms, allowing licensed exchanges to offer retail services.

The importance of Ether ETFs

The upcoming Ether ETFs could particularly attract a lot of attention. “I think the ETH ETF could be more significant and important compared to that of Bitcoin, as investors can already get Bitcoin exposure through stocks of mining companies, but there are currently no ETH-related stocks,” explained Adrian Wang, CEO by Metalpha.

Angela Ang, former regulator at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and senior policy advisor at TRM Labs, noted: “The approval of Ether ETFs in Hong Kong, ahead of a decision in the US, is an important milestone in Hong Kong’s journey to becoming a leading crypto hub With fewer alternatives for Ethereum exposure, these ETFs could actually attract more investor interest.

Conclusion

Hong Kong’s approval of spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs not only signals growing confidence in cryptocurrencies as legitimate investment options, but also represents a strategic move to act as a global leader in the crypto space. This could have far-reaching positive effects on the global crypto landscape, creating safer and regulated investment opportunities while opening the door for widespread institutional engagement.

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(Featured image by amhnasim via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in BLOCK-BUILDERS.DE. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

Oktoberfest Without Cannabis: German Authorities Are Considering Introducing a Ban 17 Apr 2024, 7:30 am

Despite the recent legalization of cannabis for personal use, the German state of Bavaria is considering introducing restrictions on its use during the famous Oktoberfest.

The Bavarian government plans to create cannabis-free zones at public events such as Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest in Munich is the world’s largest beer festival, serving approximately 6 million liters of beer and presenting traditional Bavarian music and cuisine during the two-week festivities. The festival ends on the first Sunday of October.

However, even though Germany’s new cannabis legalization law came into effect on April 1, Bavaria is seeking to limit its consumption in public places in line with the new regulations. Although a decision has not yet been made at the last government meeting, according to Florian Herrmann, head of the Chancellery and Minister of State of Bavaria, the search for additional options to limit cannabis consumption is ongoing. A decision on this matter is expected to be made next week.

Markus Söder, Prime Minister of Bavaria and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), has clearly opposed the legalization of cannabis in Germany, stating that Bavaria will not become a “smokers’ paradise” and announced that cannabis laws will be applied strictly.

A week before officially legalizing cannabis for personal use, Bavaria published a catalog of penalties for its consumption in public places. Currently, local authorities have the power to impose fines for violations of the law, with maximum penalties of up to €1,000 for smoking cannabis in unauthorized public spaces or in the presence of children and young people, and up to €30,000 for activities related to the advertising and distribution of cannabis.

Moreover, in addition to Oktoberfest, restrictions on cannabis use may also apply to beer halls and outdoor areas of restaurants, as well as places such as Englischer Garten, one of the largest and most famous public parks in Germany.

Herrmann also promised to give local governments the ability to create cannabis-free zones, as Germany’s new cannabis law does not include specific provisions for public festivals such as Oktoberfest. However, many organizers emphasize the need to ban smoking cannabis near children and teenagers, especially considering that folk festivals are family events.

Both before and after the government meeting, critical voices appeared on social media, drawing attention to the hypocrisy associated with the ban on the use of cannabis at events where alcohol is widely consumed. Critics point out that state authorities allow mass alcohol consumption while imposing restrictions on cannabis use, despite its legalization for personal use.

Since the ruling coalition took power in late 2021 following elections, it has pledged to legalize cannabis for recreational use

That became a reality on April 1st, when cannabis was partially legalized, allowing personal use and the creation of cannabis social clubs, but prohibiting sales.

Despite the approval of the new legislation, it was met with criticism and opposition from many parties, especially several federal states. Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saarland voted to send the bill back to the compromise committee of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat for renegotiation.

The announcement of an assessment of the feasibility of restricting cannabis consumption at Oktoberfest therefore reflects a broader restrictive approach that is likely to be adopted by those federal states that have disagreed with the coalition government’s initiative to legalize cannabis for personal use. It also suggests that other federal states may adopt a similar restrictive approach to the use of cannabis in public spaces at various future events.

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(Featured image by motointermedia via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in FaktyKonopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the articles from the originals. In case of discrepancy, the originals will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us

4fund.com, a Polish Crowdfunding Portal Which Has Raised 275 Million Enters the Italian Market 16 Apr 2024, 11:30 am

A new international fundraising platform (donation crowdfunding) arrives on the Italian scene to give the possibility of collecting and donating money in a safe, easy and fast way. This is 4fund.com, which, with its transparent and free model and multilingual interface, opens the doors to Italians to make their dreams come true and support the causes that are close to their hearts.

The Italian donation crowdfunding market

According to Osservatoriodono.it, after a decline in donations in 2021, 2022 brought the first signs of recovery in terms of monetary donations and volunteering in Italy. The number of people who declared having donated money to an association at least once during the year rose to 12.8%. The average donation also appears to have increased from 61 euros to 69 euros per year.

The choice can also be seen in terms of collection through crowdfunding. According to statista.com , the crowdfunding market in Italy is expected to reach a total transaction value of $14.3 million in 2024. Which shows a recovery after the market slowed down in 2020 and 2022. According to analysts at Statista , “ Italian consumers have shown a growing interest in supporting innovative projects and startups through crowdfunding platforms .”

And precisely the growing interest in donations through crowdfunding was the driving force that pushed the new international crowdfunding platform – 4fund.com – to focus on expansion into the Italian market.

Who is 4fund.com

4fund.com is a crowdfunding platform launched in the European Union in 2023. But the experience behind it is much deeper.

4fund.com was in fact created by zrzutka.pl, one of the largest crowdfunding platforms and the one that started the fundraising phenomenon in Poland, thanks to which, in 10 years, people have started over a million campaigns and raised more than 276.5 million euros .

This success in Poland laid the foundation for 4fund.com’s ambitious expansion plans. The experience gained provides the platform with a solid foundation to explore new markets.

On 4fund.com, citizens of the European Union can easily raise funds for any cause: dreams, projects, birthday gifts, needs or charity. Furthermore, the platform uses all European languages, so not only is it easy to use for everyone, but it also opens up horizons for “ cross-border ” fundraising, where people using different languages ​​can donate to one cause and every donor he will do it in his own language.

The platform is very easy to use: users can create a fundraiser, go through a short verification and start raising funds in Euro currency within minutes. Best of all, it’s 100% free , with no commissions or fees, and fundraisers can withdraw funds in a snap!

What makes 4fund.com unique

The team of experts at zrzutka.pl decided to offer European citizens, and Italians in particular, not only their experience in crowdfunding and all the features that help raise money and make it more attractive for supporters, but also a unique model and safe with immediate withdrawal and no commissions for organizers and donors.

4fund.com is in fact the holder of an EU payment service provider license , and therefore guarantees the safety of funds, quickly processing all payments and withdrawals with various payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, Google Pay and Apple Pay for deposits and Visa Direct and MasterCard for withdrawals.

“ We follow the crowdfunding business around the world and have always been amazed by one simple fact: the ‘players’ of this sector, including the most recognizable ones, charge high commissions (from 5% to 15%), and on top of that the Fundraiser organizer can wait up to 14 days to withdraw the funds raised. This is why we are targeting all collectors in the European Union with our model, which has worked so well in Poland ,” says Krzysztof Ilnicki , CTO and vice president of 4fund.com.

The verification procedures at 4fund.com are very extensive, which is crucial for the safety of the funds and data of thousands of users. There is no room for fraud or unclear situations. Thanks to this policy, users can always be sure that the cause they want to support is legitimate and organizers can be sure that no one is impersonating them.

The features of 4Fund.com

4fund.com also offers all possible forms of collection to allow you to engage donors in the way best suited to the type of campaign in a way that is not only easy, but also pleasant.

Rewards and auctions

In the opinion of an analyst on statista.com, “ One of the key trends in the crowdfunding market in Italy is the rise of reward-based crowdfunding .” This is why it is so important to take this into account when organizing a fundraiser. And 4fund.com gives its users the ability to add prizes and even auctions to their crowdfunding campaign.

Rewards can be of various types, such as: physical rewards such as craft or celebrity autographs, tickets, books or CDs, books and CDs that will be created thanks to the money raised through this fundraiser, virtual rewards, subscriptions or unique content. This will definitely make the fundraising idea more attractive and people more likely to support it.

Additionally, 4fund.com allows not only fundraisers to add rewards, but also people who want to support their efforts.

Recurring fundraising

A recurring fundraiser allows the organizer to receive regular monthly donations in addition to a one-time donation. The organizer of such a fundraiser has the opportunity to create a constant and recurring source of income, and donors can receive regular rewards for their donations, that is, access to the author’s content.

Recurring fundraisers are a great option for online creators, such as YouTubers, bloggers, streamers, musicians, podcasters or photographers, but also for NGOs.

Widget – Payment gateway

Payment gateways as a service that enables online payments are much needed solutions. It’s hard to imagine an NGO website without an easy way to donate. Unfortunately, it often comes at a price that can be overwhelming. 4fund.com offers a free alternative.

Any organizer can create a free widget for their fundraiser. The widget acts as a payment gateway which can be customized as per your needs. You can include it in a blog, website, or press release.

Money boxes

The piggy bank on 4fund.com works like an online donation box: friends, family, employees of a particular company, fans of a particular celebrity or people gathered in a Facebook group can donate and see how much money they have raised. The person who creates the piggy bank appears as the organizer and can edit its description, link, and thank you message. All funds collected in the piggy bank are added to the main fundraising balance.

Free and safe crowdfunding across borders

With the free model and the freedom of choice of the fundraiser’s cause, the 4fund team believes that “ this platform is redefining the future of fundraising in Italy and across Europe, and more and more people will be able to achieve their goals, large or small as they are. Because the willingness to help and the satisfaction that comes from it know no boundaries.”

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(Featured image by Tomasz_Mikolajczyk via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in Crowdfunding buzz. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us