Belief without verification is just hope.
AnyAngel's trust system is what transforms a contribution from charity into an informed act of support. Every startup on the platform is verified before a single campaign can go live.
How verification works
Every startup can earn 4 verification badges, permanently displayed on its profile and campaigns. On top of that, 3 platform-wide safeguards protect every campaign.
4 verification badges — earned per startup
Identity Verified
Identity VerifiedFounder's real identity confirmed via government ID or verified social credential.
- Legal name matches registration
- ID document reviewed
- Live selfie verification
Company Verified
Company VerifiedCompany registration exists and is active in a recognized jurisdiction.
- Certificate of incorporation or equivalent
- Registered address confirmed
- Company name matches founder profile
Product Verified
Product VerifiedThe product actually exists in a demonstrable form — not just a pitch deck.
- Live URL, demo link or published app
- Screenshots or functional prototype
- Product description matches platform claim
Ecosystem Verified
Ecosystem VerifiedThe startup has been verified by a recognized program or institution.
- Accelerator, incubator or university program alumni
- Startup grant or competition participation
- Ecosystem verifier co-sign on AnyAngel
3 platform safeguards — applied to every campaign
Use-of-Funds Declared
Use-of-Funds DeclaredEvery campaign declares exactly how the funds will be used before contributions open.
- Itemized budget breakdown
- Single-purpose milestone
- Proof plan stated upfront
Behavior Tracked
Behavior TrackedFounder's history on the platform is public — campaigns, updates, proof posts, response rate.
- Campaign completion rate
- Update frequency
- Supporter response time
Fraud Prevention
Fraud PreventionAutomated signals and community reporting protect the ecosystem from bad actors.
- Duplicate identity detection
- Suspicious campaign flagging
- Community report system
Founder Trust Score
Every founder builds a public Trust Score over time based on their platform behavior — not their background or network. The score is calculated from:
Campaign completion rate
How many campaigns reached their milestone by the deadline.
Proof-of-use updates
Did the founder post evidence of how funds were actually used?
Supporter satisfaction
Do Little Angels engage with and return to support this founder?
Response time
How quickly does the founder respond to questions from supporters?
Verification depth
How many of the 4 verification badges has this startup earned?
Give Forward participation
Has this founder pledged to support the next generation?
The AnyAngel Promise
Every startup verified. Every campaign reviewed. Every proof required.
GoFundMe's Giving Guarantee refunds fraud after it happens. We prevent it before it starts. No startup campaign goes live on AnyAngel without clearing identity verification, company verification and product evidence — and no milestone closes without a proof-of-use update.
Pre-campaign verification
Identity, company, product and ecosystem review before any campaign accepts contributions.
Mandatory proof of use
Founders must post evidence of how funds were spent.
Dispute resolution
Platform Operations reviews fraud and misrepresentation claims.
Important: Non-equity contributions are not insured or legally refundable in the same way a regulated financial product would be. The AnyAngel Promise is a verification and accountability commitment — not a financial guarantee. We rely on transparency and verification, not post-facto recourse.
What happens when something goes wrong?
AnyAngel is transparent about risk. Non-equity support is not insured, guaranteed or refundable in the way a financial investment might be. The safeguards are transparency and verification, not legal recourse.
- If a founder fails to deliver proof of use, their Founder Trust Score drops and future campaigns require additional review.
- Community reporting allows supporters to flag suspicious behavior for platform review.
- Verified startups who fail to deliver may be suspended from creating new campaigns.
- Dispute resolution is available through Platform Operations for cases involving fraud or misrepresentation.
How AnyAngel is funded
A flat 5% operational fee — the rest goes straight to the founder.
AnyAngel is not a non-profit, so a flat 5% operational fee keeps founder verification, campaign review and the platform running. It matches the closest platforms (Kickstarter is also 5%) and is never higher. We never hold your money — the rest of every contribution goes to the founder right away.
The lowest fee we can operate on
A flat 5%, matching the closest platforms like Kickstarter and never above them. It funds founder verification and keeps AnyAngel running — we are not a non-profit.
We never hold your money
No escrow and no waiting for a campaign to "succeed" — the rest of your contribution reaches the founder right away.
Note: separately, the payment processor charges its own standard fee on each card transaction, as with any online payment. That fee is the processor's, not AnyAngel's, and we add nothing on top of our flat 5%.
Support with confidence.
Every verified startup on AnyAngel has cleared a process designed to make your support meaningful and your belief well-placed.