# Watsi

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/watsi

- Industry: Healthcare IT
- Headquarters: San Francisco, US
- Website: www.watsi.org
- Total disclosed funding: $1.2M
- Latest round: Seed (Jul 25, 2013)
- Investors on record: 3

## About

Watsi is a nonprofit organization that connects donors directly with patients in need of life-saving surgeries, enhancing access to healthcare for underserved communities globally.Watsi provides a platform for funding healthcare for individuals requiring urgent medical attention. Founded by Dhillon Persaud, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, US. It has raised USD 3.5 mn through its most recent funding round in November 2015, with investors including Tencent Investment, Ron Conway, and Paul Graham.Watsi operates a platform dedicated to funding healthcare for individuals in need across various global regions. The core service involves connecting donors with patients requiring life-saving surgeries, encompassing a range of medical conditions that significantly impact their quality of life. The platform facilitates direct donations, ensuring that 100% of contributions go towards individual healthcare needs, thereby addressing critical gaps in access to medical services. Watsi's primary client base consists of patients from underserved communities in countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya, who lack the financial resources to cover necessary medical treatments. By leveraging partnerships with local healthcare facilities and medical professionals, Watsi not only supports patients but also fosters a sense of community involvement among its donors, promoting transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds.Watsi generates revenue primarily through individual donations made directly to support specific patients' healthcare needs. The transaction structure is based on a direct-to-consumer model, where donors can contribute varying amounts to fund surgeries and treatments for patients listed on the platform. Each patient’s funding goal is clearly outlined, allowing potential donors to see the financial requirements for their care. Watsi utilizes a monthly donor program, encouraging long-term commitments from supporters who join the Universal Fund to assist new patients each month. The organization emphasizes its commitment to transparency, ensuring that donors are informed about the impact of their contributions through updates on patients' healthcare journeys. By maintaining a straightforward donation process, Watsi effectively mobilizes resources to address the urgent healthcare needs of vulnerable populations.Watsi plans to utilize the recent funding of USD 3.5 mn to enhance its platform and expand its services. The organization aims to launch new features that streamline the donation process and improve donor engagement. In addition, Watsi is targeting expansion into new regions with significant healthcare needs, specifically looking at countries in Southeast Asia by 2024. This growth strategy focuses on leveraging existing partnerships while establishing new collaborations with local healthcare providers.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, Jul 25, 2013, $1.2M — Tencent Investment, TSVC
- Seed, Jan 25, 2013 — Y Combinator

## Investors

- Y Combinator (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/y-combinator) — Seed
- Tencent Investment — Seed
- TSVC (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/tsvc) — Seed