WordProof is one of the 23 finalists selected out of the 178 applications received for the 5 x €1.000.000 EIC Horizon Prize on ‘Blockchains for Social Good’. Monday, February 10th, was Finalists’ Day. 23 initiatives gave a pitch and demo. Here’s the full transcript of WordProof’s pitch, presenting the impact of our solutions on social good aspects and the underlying economic model.
Problem Outline / WordProof’s Mission
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The internet has a deep-rooted issue: trust.
- 29% of Europeans are suspicious of the internet, and 86% have fallen for fake news.
This causes fewer online purchases, people using fake IDs and decreasing usage of the internet. The internet was built on fundamentally insecure rails.
The mission of WordProof’s Timestamp Ecosystem is to bring a layer of trust over the internet:
- What I read is real, and I can verify who wrote it.
- What I create is mine, and I have proof.
- I am protected and leveraged in disputes.
This is true for content, social, e-commerce, and every other corner of the internet. Trust is what we build. WordProof timestamps content on the blockchain.
WordProof Timestamp Ecosystem
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We’ve been able to integrate blockchain technology in a way that even non-tech savvy individuals can use WordProof. We serve the entire internet via an API, and already 35% of the web with our user-friendly plug-and-play solutions.
Often blockchain is not used for the right reasons, but for independently building trust for European consumers, it’s the only way.
But there is more:
- For internal governance, our Multi-Signature timestamps are essential.
- For increased accountability, transparency ánd to fight fake news, Self-Sovereign Identities and Tier Levels are needed.
WordProof combines both and is the only timestamp oriented company in doing so.
Embedding the WordProof Timestamp Ecosystem
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We build a unique, global, inclusive timestamp ecosystem, by being open source, leading standardization via ISO, Schema.org and Dublin Core and by being blockchain agnostic, strongly focusing on public chains.
An opinion in a leading Dutch legal magazine shows how WordProof also focuses on advocacy and science to embed the Ecosystem.
Adoption and WordProof’s Business Model
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In just half a year, massive community support emerged and over 171 thousand timestamps were placed.
Further adoption will be both experts- as consumer-led:
- 67% of those with knowledge of blockchain encourage wide adoption, and
- 85% of the Europeans support education on fake news
As a business model, WordProof will offer free and premium Software-as-a-Service plans for all major platforms and has a partnership program in place.
Social impact
![](http://sebastiaans.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/EU_Pitch_WordProof_Social_Good5-1024x576.jpg)
So, to summarize:
Transparency and accountability lead to a more trustworthy internet. Our Timestamp Ecosystem protects Europeans and tackles the issues they face today.
Europe now has tools:
- to fight the resistance of tech giants,
- decrease the impact of fake news,
- bring blockchain into the daily life of its inhabitants and
- offer a level playing field in case of disputes.
With WordProof and its multi-signature and identity innovations, Europe will meet its goals while leading the way to a more trustworthy internet.
Let’s fix the broken web together 🇪🇺!
WordProof Live Demo (2 min)
After the 3-minute pitch, I demoed a few elements of our timestamp ecosystem.
Q&A after the Pitches in our category ‘Quality Content’
After the presentation, Frank van Dalen and I answered five questions from the on- and offline audiences:
- Why would tech giants adopt WordProof?
- How to Embed Blockchain Timestamps in Open Standards?
- An Example of WordProof’s Impact on SME business owners
- How Powerful are Blockchain Timestamps?
- What’s WordProof’s Business Model? What’s the road to Mass Adoption?