Lubavitch bochurim Mendel Lipszyc of North Miami and Moishe Rosenzweig of Toronto, who are currently living in Crown Heights, were among the 20,000 people that descended on Denver, Colorado for the annual ETH Denver Hackathon and Conference held from Feb 24-March 5th this year.
The Hackathon Event is an international annual occurrence that focuses on emergent applications and software development within the blockchain space. In addition to international companies including many Israeli firms such as Starkware and Zksync giving presentations and manning booths, a competition runs throughout the backdrop of the conference for the rapid development of the most impactful apps.
When it came to the final day of the conference, Mendel and Moishe were thrilled to have been chosen as one of the winning teams from among the 250 teams that submitted projects, and in addition to the cash prize were given the opportunity to present on the main stage their decentralized finance application – Tribe.Credit.
With their kippas and tzitzis proudly displayed, they were able to attract and approach fellow yidden and Israelis to engage with them and talk Yiddishkeit, Shabbos meals at the local Shluchim, etc.
However, after winning and presenting on stage as proud frum yidden, even the more “self-conscious” yidden felt comfortable approaching them and saying “hey, I’m Jewish too!”
In addition to winning as top three finalists for “best-decentralized finance application” and being a part of the top 15 projects to present on the main stage, earlier this week the judges from attending companies nominated Tribe.Credit with three additional awards and cash prizes for Social Impact (creating safety nets for individuals and families facing financial emergencies).
What is the app?
Tribe.Credit is an entirely revolutionary approach to credit and spending via credit cards. The application uses social networks (tribes) for anyone to receive or contribute to a credit line for people they trust. Inspired by current community gemachs and the ideal highest level of tzedakah that halacha describes, Tribe allows people to borrow anonymously and distributively from those in their “tribe” that have authorized their credit line. The app aims to use social graphs similar to Facebook paired with the ease of use of CashApp to facilitate credit.
An additional aspect that the co-founders are excited about is the way that their application creates an entirely new way to support Chabad Houses and non-profits. Currently, the only way to show financial support is through a donation. Tribe.Credit empowers people with another way to support – contributing to the non-profit’s credit line.
What’s the future of the app and how can I learn more?
After the overwhelming support and validation from the ETH Denver community and everyday people, the co-founders are currently fine-tuning their code and business plan with the intention to pursue Venture Capital / Startup Incubator opportunities.
To learn more you can follow and connect to Mendel and Moishe through their Twitter account @TribeCredit (https://twitter.com/TribeCredit) or email them at [email protected]
Leave some feedback and join the mobile app beta release waitlist here
https://forms.gle/UHvpQeoMkWb55jyu8
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I remember Moish from my days in TO! Super mentch and friend. Congrats to both of you!
Very impressive product and of course the way you both carry yourself in front of such big crowds. Bihatzlcha!
Best bachurim in Lubavitch!
Such a huge kiddush Hashem and Chabad. May you have much hatzlacha in your efforts
we don’t know each other but as a fellow frum jew i feel so proud of you guys!
Incredible Bochurim and incredible app. THIS IS GOING FAR!
bh. Mazel tov to Mendel and Moishe outstanding job. May hashem bless you both in all your endeavours. To you my grandson Mendel lipszyc extremely proud grandma
Go get ‘em moshie!!!
This is the most inspiring and incredible thing I’ve seen all week. Our Bochurem are above all others! Brains and looks!
Thank you for all the support we have received so far! It’s amazing how people resonate with the idea.
Special thank you to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Serobranski @University of Denver and Rabbi and Rebbetzin Scheiner of Boulder CO, for hosting us for Shabbos and providing a home away from home while we were in Colorado! We so very much appreciate you!
– Moishe and Mendel
Will this put a stop to the loan sharks/cash advance- charging 30+ % interest to locals who are in need of help too or only for shluchim?
This clearly said helping shluchim is a bonus. Not the only goal.
If I understand correctly, you would need thought to have people who trust in you. They would not know that you borrowed, only that someone did. But they have to approve you as someone that they trust to access their own credit line.
These are the stories I love to read on COL!
What a Kiddush Hashem!
Kiddush Lubavitch!
No doubt the Rebbe’s Nachas, Brachos, and your new Shlichus!
Wouldn’t it be nice if The New York Times picks up on this story?
They could make up with some Kiddush Hashem stories like this one.
Hatzlacha Rabba!!!
Such a kidush Hashem great job guys!!!
Absolutely incredible stuff! So impressed by and proud of my friend Moishe and his partner Mendel. So many wins.
1. Kiddush HaShem
2. Kiddush Lubavitch
3. Beautiful Cause
4. Cutting-Edge Tech
Can’t wait to see the extraordinary things you guys accomplish! Please post link for those who would like to be Beta testers 😉
-Dovid
#TakingRebbesInspirationBeyondExams
Added it to bottom of article! Thanks!
Mazal Tov on your award. Love how you stand proud with your Yarmulka, Tzitzis and beard. May you always remain so and go mchoyil el choyil, and in turn inspire others.
What a kiddush hashem and kiddush Lubavitch. Thanks for sharing this COL
Mendel ur amazinggggg!!!!
Such a huge kiddush Hashem and such an incredible idea! So proud!
Mazal tov,Mendel and Moise,two of Chabad’s finest, hard working entrepreneurs and mentschen.
May you have much Hatzlacha going forward, and rememberyou are always welcome to come back to Colorado!!!
You treated us like family and were pivotal for our success. Thank you!
-M 🙂
Moishe, I remember you from Oholei Torah Zal as being a first-class mentch. So happy for you and Mendel. Wishing you much Hatzlacha with this brilliant all!
Go Moishe!!!!!!!!!
Mendel !!! Absolutely proud of you! Shout to your friends as well 👏
Such a beautiful kiddush hashem, so proud of you moish!!!!
Why don’t you spend more time worrying about the illiterate, truant, dysfunctional public school students instead of hounding our yeshivahs and their students? They’ve done well without your misdirected “direction” and will continue to do so in the future. A few days of tutoring is enough for them to cover what the inner city public school students covers in half a school year. Bravo, our bochurim!!!