Meet Habiba Alami, CEO at Happy Pot GmBH

Please tell us about Happy Pot

HappyPot.ch is Switzerland’s leading crowdfunding platform, simplifying group fund collection and management for gifts, events, and charitable initiatives. Whether for birthdays, farewells, or charity events, our Swiss-made solution makes it easy to collect contributions securely and efficiently. In just a few seconds, organizers can create a shared pool of financial resources and easily invite friends, family, or colleagues to contribute online by simply using their bank cards or Twint – no upfront costs, no hassle.

The idea for Happy Pot GmbH was born between 2020 and 2021, when I frequently found myself organizing group gifts for birthdays or farewells. I was constantly receiving contributions directly into my bank account, manually tracking payments, and constantly following up with people—a time-consuming process that felt outdated. I wondered, “Why isn’t there an easier way to do this in Switzerland?”. The existing solutions were foreign platforms often designed for businesses rather than individuals, and they rarely supported contributions in Swiss francs (CHF).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for a Swiss-based group fund collection platform became even more urgent as in-person collections were no longer feasible. This inspired me to create the initial version, www.PotSolidaire.ch, which quickly gained traction due to its simplicity and reliability.

Encouraged by the positive feedback from early users, I decided to take it to the next level. I seized the opportunity of a long leave at my work to build a professional, automated platform with cutting-edge technology and a refined design. After months of hard work and countless sleepless nights, the new Happy Pot platform was launched on 20 November 2024. It’s been an incredible journey to transform a simple idea into a sophisticated solution that fills a unique gap in the Swiss market.

Today, Happy Pot stands as a testament to Swiss innovation, with a platform built, hosted, and secured entirely within Switzerland. We are proud to offer a solution that prioritizes Swiss quality and data security, giving users peace of mind.

Tell us more about your plans for 2024 and what is your long-term vision.

In November 2024, we launched a new and improved platform that is faster, simpler, and more secure. New features, such as direct money requests and automatic identity verification, ensure an even smoother experience for our users. We will continue to enrich the platform with new features that elevate the user experience.

Our long-term vision is to establish ourselves as the number one crowdfunding platform in Switzerland, recognized for its Swiss-made quality, simplicity, and security. Our goal is to empower people to collaborate and achieve their goals together while staying true to our core values of transparency, trust, and excellence.

What has been the biggest success that you have achieved in your startup?

For me, the greatest success has been earning the trust of people, brands, and organizations, even in the early days when I was just starting out. Without investing into any marketing activities, Happy Pot was chosen by reputable companies, associations, and event organizers who appreciated its honesty and reliability. This was back when it was a very basic, amateur version of what Happy Pot is today.

What truly matters to me is the confidence people feel when using the platform and the positive feedback they share. Building this trust, especially in the beginning, has been my proudest achievement and the foundation for everything we’ve done since.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?

Looking back, I don’t regret starting small. Launching with a minimal version allowed me to test the waters, validate the idea, improve based on real user feedback, and adapt the platform to meet their needs. It allowed me to build something stronger over time. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that taking time to validate your idea can save you from bigger risks later on.

What motivates you to continue your business every day?

What drives me every day is making users happy and seeing the positive impact HappyPot.ch has on people’s lives. I love connecting with users, hearing their stories, and learning how the platform has made organizing events and contributions easier. Their trust, feedback, and appreciation remind me of why I started this journey and inspire me to keep improving.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?

My advice is simple: start small and test your idea before making big investments. Focus on validating your concept and collecting feedback to understand what your users truly need. Each small step helps you build a stronger foundation, and your ability to adapt and remain consistent will be key to long-term success.

What does it mean to you to be a member of the Swiss Startup Association?

Being a member of the Swiss Startup Association for me is really about connecting with people who truly understand the journey. Meeting others, sharing experiences & ideas, and learning from their stories is what makes me happy. It’s also great for visibility, but what I value most is the opportunity to learn and grow through these connections.

Would you recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association? Why?

Absolutely! The Swiss Startup Association is a fantastic platform to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and access helpful resources.

Have you ever visited the events of the Swiss Startup Association? If yes, which ones? Would you recommend them?

I haven’t attended any events yet, but I’m looking forward to participating in the future. It seems like a great way to connect with others and gain valuable insights.

Is there anything that we haven’t asked you that you would like to share the community?

I’d like to share how proud I am that Happy Pot is 100% Swiss-made, with all its operations, data, and systems securely based in Switzerland. This commitment to Swiss quality and trust is at the heart of everything we do. I’m excited to continue growing and collaborating with the amazing community of entrepreneurs here!