Yuvarla

Yuvarla operates as a social-purpose financial technology enterprise, ingeniously integrating micro-donation capabilities into everyday payment transactions. Founded in 2014 by co-founders Emre Danacı and Erdi Yerebasmaz, the venture originated from their experiences as civil society volunteers seeking solutions to the economic challenges faced by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Turkey. Danacı's background includes a Master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, which provided a strong foundation for this social initiative.

The core of Yuvarla's business is a system that allows consumers to round up their purchase totals to the nearest whole figure at the point of sale, with the difference being automatically donated to a selected NGO. This model primarily targets the e-commerce sector, embedding its functionality into online shopping websites, and also extends to physical retail environments, effectively digitizing the traditional transparent donation box. The business generates impact by channeling these small, aggregated amounts into significant financial support for its partner civil society organizations, which numbered 15 and received approximately 2 million TL from over 300,000 contributors as of earlier reports. The company's innovative approach has garnered international recognition, including awards from institutions like Harvard University and MIT.

The service provides a frictionless way for individuals to contribute to social causes, fostering a culture of giving through minor, almost unnoticeable, financial acts. For its clients, which are e-commerce platforms and retailers, Yuvarla offers a simple integration that provides their customers with a value-added feature, enabling them to support various social and environmental causes. Since its inception, the platform has facilitated over 1.1 million micro-donations. The company was later acquired by Papara Elektronik Para, marking a significant milestone in its journey. This acquisition points to the scalability and appeal of its model within the broader fintech landscape.

Keywords: micro-donations, social enterprise, fintech, online giving, donation platform, charitable giving, e-commerce donation, round-up donations, civil society fundraising, NGO support, Emre Danacı, Erdi Yerebasmaz, Turkey, social impact, financial technology, philanthropy tech, digital fundraising, retail donations, point-of-sale donations, Papara