[Startup] "Transparent Donations with My Money" – Blockchain Donation Platform 'Cherry'

"These days, one of the reasons people hesitate to donate is their lack of trust in donation organizations. By utilizing blockchain technology, we can show exactly where donations are going, solving the issue of transparency."

Cherry is a blockchain-based donation platform startup. It was founded in December 2022 by CEO Sujeong Lee, who had previously launched a fintech company. Lee said, "I am someone who is deeply committed to donations. While working as a fundraiser for donation organizations, I wanted to lower the barriers to donation, which led me to start this company."

According to a 2021 survey conducted by Giving Korea on why people in Korea do not donate, 45.4% responded that they "lack financial resources," while 33.7% cited "a lack of trust in donation organizations." Additionally, 5.5% answered that they "do not know how to donate."

Lee said, "While economic factors cannot be directly addressed, I believed that increasing transparency through blockchain technology and making donations more engaging and accessible via photo booths and kiosks could help reduce distrust and generate more interest."

First, Cherry provides donation services through its application (app). Users can download the Cherry app on their smartphones and donate to various organizations. Cherry provides a four-step process—fundraising, organization, expenditure, and reporting—to show exactly where donations are going. For example, if a user donates 100,000 KRW, the app tracks the flow of funds: 100,000 KRW is sent to Organization A, 50,000 KRW is used for fees and operational costs, and the remaining 50,000 KRW is delivered to Recipient B in need.

Second, Cherry operates the Cherry Photo service. This service integrates donations with a photo booth experience. When users take a four-cut photo, 20% of the payment is automatically donated. For example, if the photo costs 5,000 KRW, 1,000 KRW is donated. The key advantage is that users can donate naturally while taking pictures. Additionally, Cherry has developed a payment system that automatically separates the photo payment (for card deductions) and the donation amount (for tax-deductible donations).

Lee explained, "By simply entering their phone number, users can automatically generate an electronic donation receipt linked to the National Tax Service. Currently, Cherry Photo booths are installed and operating in various locations, including the Marriott Hotel Sejong and Hanwha Resort Geoje, and they are receiving positive feedback."

Third, Cherry operates the Cherry Kiosk service. Cherry also operates kiosks that allow users to donate easily with a single touch. Lee emphasized, "Many people no longer carry cash these days. Cherry’s kiosks offer a convenient way to donate anytime and anywhere, potentially replacing traditional charity donation boxes."

Due to this convenience, Cherry now has over 260,000 users, and total donations have surpassed 17 billion KRW. More than 420 donation organizations are currently running over 2,300 campaigns through the platform.

Cherry’s success has been supported by its blockchain technology expertise. The company has already registered eight blockchain-related patents, with two additional patents currently pending.

Cherry is now expanding its presence globally. The company is establishing branches in the U.S. and Spain, while also partnering with local organizations in Canada and Vietnam to grow its business.

Lee concluded, "Korea is not a country known for high donation rates. In contrast, countries like the United States and Canada have a strong culture of giving. That’s why we plan to aggressively expand overseas with Cherry Photo."