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EU supports 15 startups to fight online disinformation with blockchain
The EU has allocated €1.8 million to 15 startup to help combat online disinformation, fraud and false identities with blockchain-based technologies.
The concession financing is part of the NGI TrustChain initiative, which focuses on creating a more decentralized, trustworthy, and user-centric Internet by supporting innovations in blockchain.
To date, TrustChain has provided over €4.5 million in funding to 43 companies.
Among the initiative’s main goals is the protection of human rights and democratic processes in online spaces. Both are threatened by disinformation and false identities, whether through distorted information, manipulation or even militarization.
“Disinformation and deepfakes are inevitable in this time of elections and conflict. We are funding blockchain and other tamper-proof technologies from top new startups to increase trust in democracy,” Dr Rajarajan Muttukrishnan, professor and director of the Institute of Cyber Security at City, University of London, told TNW. Part of TrustChain’s core team, he is leading the initiative’s funding applications.
Selected from a pool of 162 applicants, each of the newly awarded startups will receive up to €117,000 in funding. The winners come from 10 European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany and France.
Their solutions range from encryption and data aggregation platforms for open source IT tools and Web3 computing.
“These startups are also exploring ways to use the open technical standard C2PA,” said Dr. Muttukrishnan. This allows creators, publishers, and consumers to trace the origin of different types of media.
“The ability to validate images and text to prove the authenticity of media files will help protect against malicious content used for propaganda, political gain or other malicious online activities such as radicalization, online harm and terrorism.”
Below are the 15 finalists:
- ZKorum (France): Create open source tools to make online social interactions more inclusive, promoting inclusivity and democracy.
- AI-MetaBloQ (Greece): It provides IT solutions for the life sciences industry, managing data and offering valuable services to integrate various entities within the industry.
- Compellio (Luxembourg): It offers a global infrastructure to help organizations transition from Web2 to Web3 computing.
- Forkbomb BV (Netherlands): Develop components and solutions to make cryptography more accessible to everyone.
- ENISMARO (Italy): It provides a complete solution to monitor the food production process, ensuring transparency for all parties involved and consumers.
- Arsys Internet (Spain): Create a data aggregation platform to encourage data sharing and create high-quality datasets.
- Acurraent UG (Germany): Helps small and medium-sized businesses restructure, digitize and grow, focusing on UX/UI and Web3 research.
- In Trade 4 You (Italy): Helps micro, small and medium-sized enterprises access international trade opportunities.
- QX by Qpick (Poland): Enhance customer experience and loyalty with a blockchain-based travel wallet and digital identity.
- Digital Democracy World (Sweden): A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting effective democratic organizing at all levels.
- Pavlos Efraimidis (Greece): The goal is to create FLORA, an ovulation tracking app that uses federated learning to prioritize transparency and user privacy.
- City and Me doo Nis (Serbia): Provides digital solutions for interactive and sustainable communities.
- Gheorghe Asachi Tech, Iasi University (Romania): It offers a reliable open source platform for cultivating ideas, projects and business plans.
- SecureOpinion (UK): It uses decentralized blockchain technology to create a secure platform for sharing public opinions on social media, promoting trust and transparency.
- Neuron AI (Greece): Develop AI solutions in the EU and globally.