Talk about fund shortage and almost everyone instantly relates to it. It doesn’t matter if you’re running an NGO, organising an event, or even seeking medical treatment, an endless cache of funds is nearly impossible. But thanks to technology and, of course, a few benevolent people, crowdfunding comes to the rescue. Impact Guru is one such platform, but it’s a cut above the rest for a couple of reasons.
“Through our campaigns, we enable people to use technology, create an impact and change lives,” says Piyush Jain, the co-founder and CEO of Impact Guru. He believes that crowdfunding is the next big thing in the finance sector. “Crowdfunding platforms these days raise more money than venture capitals,” he says.
Having worked in the finance sector for almost a decade, Piyush’s dream of bridging technology and social service blossomed into this crowdfunding platform. “I learnt to code when I was a teenager. I worked with a women empowerment portal. Since then, I always wanted to connect the fields of social service, finance, and technology. Crowdfunding turned out to be the most appropriate option,” he says.
Impact Guru was the official crowdfunding partner of Project Inspire, a project by MasterCard and the United Nations Women’s Project, last year. In order to stand apart, the website is aiming for more medical crowdfunding and are targeting NRIs and PIOs, says an enthusiastic Piyush.
He recalls a few stories that featured in the platform that made a difference in people’s lives. “We have crowdfunded and helped a family to pay the hospital bills to claim their son’s body. We also helped a father-daughter duo who had kidney failure, raise money for their treatment,” says Piyush. Aimed primarily in social service, the platform ensures that those who donate for non-profit campaigns are exempted from tax.
