iGivefirst's founder Sharif Youssef sat down with us to chat about his new app for social giving:
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iGivefirst is a new platform, created to revolutionize how you support the causes you care about. We make it easy to find qualified nonprofits, safely contribute when the urge to help feels strongest, and use media to spread the word.
We have created products to integrate a "give" button into mainstream media into digital content. We also have a show the love icon that’s a fb app that’s easily installed onto fan pages and groups – allows user to set up nonprofits and causes they’d like to give to. Also releasing a giving API that allows any company to integrate and raise money safely and securely within their ecommerce and/or website.
How did you come up with the idea for iGivefirst?
During the time of the earthquake in Haiti, I was traveling. I was very disconnected from most media, but when I heard about the earthquake I saw what was happening but felt helpless. The first thing I did was try to figure out a charity that I could give to. I wanted to be able to send medical aid or water. So I went online and tried to search for a way I could give, but I had a terrible experience – there was a huge fraud alert for charitable giving during times of crisis. It felt like there was nothing I could do.
I originally wanted to create an online emergency alert for crisis situations, knowing how out of touch I'd been when I was traveling. But then there’s the "so what" theory – so you know there’s an emergency, now what do you do? I want people to be able to impusively and easily give to a nonprofit, not have to do the research to find it. The majority of giving happens the first week after a crisis, so that's when you want people to quickly and easily be able to give.
What have been the major turning points for your company?
The biggest turning point was being able to get C-level and senior level executives of big companies involved – they believe in the mission. The people we’ve surrounded ourselves with are just amazing.
We are also now working with This Time Foundation and Apl.de.ap foundation. The Apl.de.ap Foundation INternational was started by Apl.de.ap, a founding member of the international recording artists and multi Grammy-award winning group, The Black Eyed Peas. We're sponsoring an event at the Beverly Hills Wilshire on May 18th where Will.i.am and others will be performing. (Read the press release for that event here)
It’s really the people I’ve surrounded myself with. I’ve had great success in having a greater purpose and cause behind the business. That’s really been a great thing for us. Having passion.
Any lessons you've learned?
Find a local technical founder and make sure that you like them. My technical founder and I have learned how to become best friends. Offshoring is so hands-off – they didn’t have skin in the game. We had originally hired a developer who wasn't in the states, and that didn't go well. Now that we've brought everything local, it's running much more smoothly.
What other advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
It’s harder than you think - there are more sacrifices than you know. Remember that it’s about business – not a hobby. Sooner or later all of the business things come into play. Often times entrepreneurs think this is a cool, hip thing to do and forget that they’re still doing business.If someone aspires to be an entrepreneur and are up for the challence, the best advice I can give is DON'T GIVE UP.
Why Denver?
I think Denver has a lot of potential and a lot of talent. I’ve spent the last 15 years working for the data giants and having to travel and commute the majority of the time. We have enough talent that it’s time we internalize rather than outsourcing it out of state.
What do you perceive to be the biggest needs of the startup community?
More collaboration and more money. Denver is shy on tech capital. If you’ve got a great idea, you'll likely need to get funded. There are a few hard-hitting players in Denver, otherwise you have to go to the coasts. We need to figure out how to educate the pools of money that do exist Colorado about technology startups. We’re talking to people in Denver who know nothing about tech – we’re trying to appease their fears. These are oil guys – we have big money in Colorado, but they haven't participated in funding tech startups yet. How do we get the people who have the money in Colroado to participate in the startup community?That's the question we need to answer.
Learn more about iGivefirst in their company profile, visit their website, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter @igivefirst.
This week we also visited PivotDesk and FullContact API. Learn more about the Built in Denver Startup Tour and read past weeks' posts here.
