The Problem

Who is affected by this problem? populations and stakeholders you are seeking to serve (Max 250
words)

Most consumers in developing countries are suffering with access to the financial/investment sector.
The citizens from these countries avoid investing or even consider financial capital markets as a savings
option due to the requirements, long process, and lack of understanding. Billvest would be beneficial to
several countries around the world being that our main focus are the developing countries where the
access to the financial sector is almost impossible. The first beneficiaries would be the costumers,
people who want to invest and encounter many barriers like money, knowledge, or regulation in their
current countries. The retail sector companies which currently manage coupon rewards would also be
benefited, as well as financial systems from developed countries which would receive the funds
(liquidity) from clients. The intention is to apply blockchain technology for data security from users so
this sector would receive an additional boost. This idea joins many areas and would be an advantage to
several companies, sectors, and even economies. Billvest seeks to connect many segments creating a
sustainable chain with the main goal of making financial investment in capital markets an option for
everyone.

What is the problem this solution addresses? Be as specific as possible.

(Max 250 words)

The problem is the barrier most citizens in developing countries have in access financial system,
particularly investment sector (capital markets). In high-income economies, almost all adults own an
account or have a more specialized approach to a financial system meaning this problem can
overwhelmingly be found in the developing world. Nearly half can be found in seven countries:
Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Most people do not consider the
stock exchange as a savings or investment option due to the corruption cases and scams that have
occurred in their countries due to the weak regulation. Along with this, the restrictions when opening an
account in a broker and the lack of knowledge creates a pre-conception of fear. The problem is evident
in most households were retirement plans are focused on only pension funds and for those families with
no labor record the illusion to have savings for the future is almost unforeseen. Moreover, through this
solution developing economies would be one step closer to improving social and economic conditions
for their citizens by having higher levels of investment, savings, and by increasing quality of life.

Why have other attempts to solve this problem failed or been incomplete? explanation of barriers and
obstacles (Max 250 words)

An innovative solution that has not been proposed by any financial entity but has not garnered traction;
we have seen many banks and financial education institutions have tried to create the investment
culture, but the barriers of regulation, process, and knowledge have blocked it. One of the main
problems these institutions have faced is the lack of money or savings people have to even consider
invest it, but with Billvest the funds would come from everyday purchases from basic goods and
discretionary purchases. The idea that every time you purchase and receive coupons in certain stores
and are then transformed into investment funds solves the lack of connection between wealth
management and retail customers. Our solution as explained above has not been proposed by anyone
as it involves many sectors, and creates a well-defined chain among them. The attempts in this topic
from institutions such as the IMF, the UN, the WTO or initiatives from governments from undeveloped
countries such as Mexico, China, India or our own country Colombia could be complementary resources
to incorporate into the project.

The New Economy community should embrace solutions to this problem because explanation of why
our community is uniquely placed to act (Max 250 words)

The main interest must be the accessibility to financial capital markets for everyone, creating an
investment culture that potentially would increase volume and interest into stock exchange. Moreover,
the access to investment for retirement plans could reduce somehow the pressure developing economies
have regarding pension plans. Our solution seeks to implement technology solutions such as the
blockchain technology giving the opportunity for costumers to access financial investment in an
innovative way and eliminating the large barriers many of them encounter in their current economies.
Billvest is the solution where technology, consumption, and investment come together creating an
unlimited opportunity for people to save, progress, and have a better quality of life in the future.

The Solution

What promising existing solution to this problem would you like to submit? description of your program,
product, service, initiative, or organization (Max 250 words)

Billvest is a product that would open the financial system of developed countries to emerging economies
through everyday purchases. Every time the costumer purchases at a store they would receive a discount
coupon which could be transform into funds for his investment account. The name comes from this idea,
being able to transform receipts (bills) into your own investment. For example, a mother buys groceries
at Walmart and receives discount coupons, but most of the time they remain unused. These unused
coupons could be converted into money that would be invested into her personal account at a brokerage
firm. Professionals would manage the portfolio by investing in some securities from the stock exchange
to increase her savings over time. For instance, this mother would acquire shares from her favorite brand
Apple through fractional shares method advised by professionals. The innovative part of the solution is
the connection of wealth management side and the retail sector. The first one is represented by a
brokerage firm, a hedge fund or professional advisor who would oversee client’s funds. Meanwhile, the
retail sector would benefit by increasing its revenues as costumers buy more products and signed more
alliances with brands. This process would be complemented by blockchain technology mainly for security
data and in a more advanced stage as an alternative for payment method. For example, by incorporating
Facebook´s Libra cryptocurrency or any other.

How does your solution enable the private sector to uniquely contribute? explanation of the unique
contribution that can come from the private sector, rather than only policy or philanthropy (Max 250
words)

The contribution from the private sector would be a key part of the solution as they would be benefited
in several capacities by investing in Billvest. The retail sector, being one of the largest ones in almost
every country of the world would benefit from this solution by expanding the existing coupon and
rewards programs with more stores, and having more customers purchase their products as they will be
incentivized to increase their investment. Second, the wealth management sector would receive more
clients and funds, by transforming the coupons into “money” invested into their portfolios, translating
into higher AUM and more revenues. The other private sector benefited from this solution is the
technology one, as the initiative to create an application would require a technological development and
the possible inclusion of blockchain technology could come from a startup project or even a more
advance company that seeks to grow along with Billvest.

How does your solution deliberately create and sustain societal good? explanation of its
generosity/positive impact and why it can be sustained (Max 250 words)

Our solution creates a more sustainable and better society as it focuses in a problem that most of the
destitute and underdeveloped countries deal with, the lack of access of their population to an advanced
financial system. The scope is expansive, as it connects several sectors generating employment,
development, and revenues for the private and in a minor grade public sector. This solution would help
bring people access to other financial solutions for their life difficulties such as retirements plans,
household, college, or as simple as saving for any desire or purpose. Billvest would be a step towards
development and connection of the multisector to create a more sustained economy where we all can
work together to grow, expand and benefit people with their services.

What will this solution most benefit from in the coming 18 months? (Choose 2)

 Resources (e.g., funding, staff)

 Visibility for brand building and/or for increased adoption
 Mentorship/ outside expertise
 Public sector partnerships
 Private sector partnerships
 Other

We are Natalia Granados and Agustin Vera two financial professionals from Colombia passionate with
innovation and solutions for everyday problems in our field of expertise. We are currently part of a
financial startup called GTINDICATORS which main product is an own package of technical indicators
published in Bloomberg terminal. This was our first achievement as Agustin was recognized as the first
spanish speaking trader to get published an own-study indicator in Bloomberg. Billvest is our next
project, we want it to become real and help people from emerging countries have more financial access
and options for life goals.