DATUM
A decentralized funding platform that utilizes tokenisation and blockchain.
By Joannah Varghese, Akanksha Mahanti and Shrishti Sahani, MS Strategic Design & Management, Class of 2026
Project Description
Problem
Early-stage fundraising relies on subjective pitch rooms and relationship access rather than verifiable achievement. Founders without networks struggle despite strong execution, investors lack transparency and liquidity with no clear milestones or exit flexibility
Target users
Founders seeking to raise capital through verifiable progress rather than pitch performance, plus investors wanting to browse startups through clear data and clear rules with ability to enter or exit at any time
Core solution
Founders set milestones, upload evidence, and raise capital through transparent token-based rounds with milestone-based releases. Investors browse through visible progress with guardrails that protect both sides, all inside a system designed to be fair, transparent, and inclusive from the ground up with simple onboarding and liquid secondary market
Stage
Early stage prototype with UX frames demonstrating how a founder can confidently build and how an investor can confidently support with workflows for milestone tracking, evidence upload, token-based funding mechanics, and secondary market functionality.
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