Watsi
Web and SaaS
crowdfunding platform
SHOW HN2012
462points
183comments
#13of 1,677 in 2012
Top 1%of 2012 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
44 positive, 34 neutral or asking, 3 mixed, 15 critical, out of 96 comments about the project. Thread score +0.27.
Idea: 19 for, 8 againstExecution: 4 for, 4 againstDesign: 6 for, 0 againstPricing: 3 for, 2 againstDocs: 3 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Fast, seamless funding process
From 1 comment
This is excellent. The funding process is fast and seamless. It took me literally less than 30 seconds to fund a treatment. Kudos for an amazing idea and excellent execution.
adriand on HN
Good cause and good idea
From 3 comments
brilliant idea, specially with the update on the outcome of the treatment. hope this succeeds
bezaorj on HNAmazing non-profit and website! Truly for a great cause.
mborries on HNAll in all this is a really great idea! Keep going and keep improving!
tsahyt on HN
Objections
Bidding on patients by profile feels like death panels
From 1 comment
This is "Death panels" in a fancy suit. Bid on life saving medical treatment from a thumbnail? By someones looks? and a possibly fabricated story? So now we the internet get to…
alexanderh on HN
Lack of transparency and scam risk
From 1 comment
The one thing you need to focus on above all else is transparency and preventing scams. Video of the actual person who needs the treatment would go a long way, as would video…
brittohalloran on HN
Relying on donations is unsustainable
From 1 comment
I'm typically against organizations that need to live off donations. I think it's an impractical and unsustainable model. Your cause is very close to my heart and I would love to…
mehulkar on HN
PayPal workflow is cumbersome
From 1 comment
Awesome site! One point of feedback: the PayPal workflow is so bad it almost made me stop my donation. It would be much easier with a standard CC payment option. Good luck!
runako on HN
Requests
Video of patients and treatment updates
From 1 comment
The one thing you need to focus on above all else is transparency and preventing scams. Video of the actual person who needs the treatment would go a long way, as would video…
brittohalloran on HN
Recurring donations
From 2 comments
These are great points. We would love to enable recurring donations. For example, you could allocate X% of your income every month to "Watsi Credit." We also think that a program…
chaseadam17 on HNWe can't wait to enable recurring donations. It's at the top of our list!
chaseadam17 on HN
Credit-based donation option
From 1 comment
Exactly. I think that's where the "Watsi Credit" idea comes in. You could allocate $X per month, then head over to Watsi and spend your credit whenever you like. The donation is…
chaseadam17 on HN
Switch away from PayPal
From 1 comment
We hope to switch away from PayPal asap. Trust us, that's the first update we're going to make. Braintree is looking pretty good right about now.
chaseadam17 on HN
Questions
How are patients selected and verified
From 2 comments
Awesome site, congrats on making the world a better place. I would suggest that you integrate directly with reputable organizations - it will place an abstraction between you and…
salman89 on HNAll great questions brador. 1) We work very closely with our Medical Partners to identify the lowest-cost, highest-impact profiles possible. Their Doctors identify the patients…
chaseadam17 on HN
How is the organization sustained financially
From 2 comments
The one thing you need to focus on above all else is transparency and preventing scams. Video of the actual person who needs the treatment would go a long way, as would video…
brittohalloran on HNGreat points. Transparency is huge, and we have done everything possible to put as much info on our site as we can. We love the app idea, and building an app for the MP's to…
chaseadam17 on HN
Alternatives named
Kiva
From 2 comments
I'm typically against organizations that need to live off donations. I think it's an impractical and unsustainable model. Your cause is very close to my heart and I would love to…
mehulkar on HNYeah! Kiva is rocking and rolling. We love them :)
chaseadam17 on HN
GlobalGiving
From 1 comment
Like I said above, transparency and accountability are our two strongest values, and we've spent a very long time making sure our operations are as legit as humanly possible.…
chaseadam17 on HN
Wishbone
From 1 comment
Definitely! That's a great suggestion rkwz. There is a new crowdfunding site called Wishbone that actually has a "profile" that serves as a general fund. Would something like…
chaseadam17 on HN