Fast forward 5 years to a world where there are no longer usernames/ passwords/security questions, companies no longer store or own people’s data - people own their data, and apps are fun, engaging and work better because they share data, contacts, and groups across all apps. This is the alternative internet and The @ Company has created the underlying technology that app developers are using to make this a reality.
Current Status
Code released as open source, 14 developers building products, 5 products in beta or released. Early revenues of $140k
Market
This fundamental technology is applicable to all people using the internet. The initial apps being developed are fun consumer apps, but we are already talking to enterprises who see the value in implementing the technology as a better way to serve their customers.
Problem or Opportunity
We currently live in a world where our digital footprints are owned by corporations. This data is duplicated across multiple platforms, is difficult to access, is out of date, and is a target for bad actors because the data is housed in large silos. Privacy laws such as the GDPR, CCPA, and 17 US state legislations are being put in place to protect people. But compliance is difficult and expensive, especially for small companies.
Solution (product or service)
The @ Company has created an open protocol that will give people full control of their digital selves. With personalized @signs, they will have the freedom to share, withhold, or retract their information at will. Also, they will no longer be unwittingly entrusting their data to companies. But this isn’t just great for consumers, businesses implementing the @ protocol gain automatic privacy compliance, up-to-date customer information, and deliver a much better, trusted customer experience.
OPPORTUNITY Since the @sign values people’s right to choose, it can fundamentally alter the experience of anyone who uses the Internet. In particular, the @ protocol is an attractive option for app developers, allowing them to easily comply with the complexities of privacy regulation while safeguarding user data.
Competitors
We have a long list of companies that are trying to solve the same problem that we are, Solid/Inrupt being the most visible. But we are the only ones doing this at the protocol level which provides true data privacy.
Advantages or differentiators
By solving this problem at the protocol level, we can guarantee true privacy and true peer-to-peer apps. We have 15 patents pending.
Finance
We are a registrar, as Verisign was in the early days of DNS. We provide free @signs to anyone who wants one (as we want this accessible to all) but we charge a fee for vanity @signs. Our revenue is from the purchase of vanity @signs.
Business model
We pay developers commission on any @signs that are purchased as a result of people using their apps. We also have influencers who will receive commissions on @signs.
Money will be spent on
Joint marketing with developers, infrastructure, and developing the next monetizing strategy.
