
Mobile blockchain voting platform eyes expansion
The Voatz platform uses biometrics, encryption, and blockchain technology to increase convenience, security, and auditability to election systems. The company says it plans to leverage the funds to enhance the accessibility and usability of its technology, and to grow its security footprint as it launches new pilot programs with states, cities, and select international jurisdictions.
“We are delighted and grateful for the continued support of our existing and new investors to help us accelerate the development and deployment of our technology,” says Voatz Co-Founder & CEO Nimit Sawhney. “We are committed to the steady progress of mobile voting backed by blockchain technology to improve our election infrastructure and make remote voting more accessible and safer.”
Last year, the company conducted a successful pilot with 24 counties in West Virginia during the 2018 midterm elections where deployed military personnel and overseas US citizens leveraged the platform to cast their ballots. The pilot represented the first time that mobile voting secured by a blockchain-based infrastructure had ever been used in a US Federal Election.
More recently, in March the company announced a new pilot program with the City and County of Denver, CO to expand absentee voting for deployed military personnel and overseas US citizens during the city’s 2019 municipal elections, which also concluded successfully. In addition to the pilot programs with Denver and West Virginia, the company says it has partnered with state political parties, universities, labor unions, church groups and nonprofits to administer elections using its platform.
The funding round was led by Medici Ventures and Techstars, with participation from Urban Innovation Fund and Oakhouse Partners.
“Voting is a great application of blockchain technology,” says Medici Ventures President Jonathan Johnson. “What Voatz is doing to allow more registered voters to participate remotely in elections in a safe and secure way is important. It bodes well for more widespread adoption of the Voatz application.”
Urban Innovation Fund Managing Partner Julie Lein adds “Voatz has the potential to revolutionize the way we vote. By providing access through a mobile device, Voatz can dramatically increase citizen participation, and the company is committed to ensuring everyone votes safely and securely. We’re excited to back Voatz to make voting more accessible and secure.”
Related articles:
Blockchain partnership enables mobile payments and micro-lending
HTC blockchain phone looks to the decentralized future
Blockchain challenge looks for smart mobility solutions
IBM blockchain momentum growing in EU
