Evernym and Sovrin Foundation launch new initiative to bring identity blockchain to non-profits

Evernym, a developer of software solutions that leverage blockchain technology, in collaboration with the Sovrin Foundation, is launching a new initiative to help non-profits get on the identity blockchain.

The initiative – “Identity for Good” – was announced at the Sustainable Development Impact Summit organized by the World Economic Forum in New York.

As part of this initiative, Evernym is opening its Accelerator program to Non Profit Organization (NPOs) applications and will waive the $50,000 membership fee. A panel of judges will select the successful applicants. The first group of awards will be announced before December 2018 and will include 5 organizations. Further NPO cohorts are already planned for 2019.

“Shared learning and innovation across sectors is key to advancing good digital identities that put individuals at the centre”, said Derek O’Halloran, Head of World Economic Forum System Initiative on Digital Economy and Society. “We are glad to support Evernym and Sovrin Foundation’s initiative to equip not-for-profit organisations with innovative tools and capabilities to pursue good identity.”

Evernym is the creator of Sovrin, a platform for every person, organization, or IoT device to have “self-sovereign identity” (SSI) which enables them to control their own identity data (often provided by trusted institutions) on their individual devices. It will help eliminate individual passwords, accounts, and troves of toxic data sitting on centralized, and often unsecure, servers.

“We believe in the idea of digital identity for all,” said Heather Dahl, Executive Director of the Sovrin Foundation. “And so we are thrilled to support this initiative from Evernym, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. It will help open our network to those who can use it to advance identity as an individual right.”