Watsi

Chase Adam describes how a bus encounter with a woman seeking donations for her son's medical care inspired him to start Watsi, a global crowdfunding platform for healthcare. He explains how the team launched as volunteers, committed to directing every donation to care, and grew through early publicity, YC, and fundraising. The talk highlights lessons in focus, manual work, team building, efficiency, and the operational challenges of scaling a nonprofit marketplace. Adam closes by connecting Watsi's mission to the belief that everyone matters.

Chase Adam recounts how a bus encounter in Central America inspired Watsi, a nonprofit crowdfunding platform for patients’ medical care. He explains why nonprofits need to scrutinize feedback and unintended consequences, then describes Watsi’s early choices: radical transparency, directing 100% of donations to care, minimal fundraising, and a flat team structure. The talk follows the team from a quiet launch through Hacker News attention, Y Combinator, and fundraising, including the challenge of explaining what donors were supporting. Adam closes by urging founders to work on something they care about more than themselves.