i2Coalition Member Spotlight Q&A: WeVPN

WeVPN provides an affordable Virtual Private Network service that gives users access to cutting edge internet security and an unrestricted browsing experience across a wide variety of platforms. Essentially, whenever and however they connect to the Internet, WeVPN users can feel safe connecting to servers spanning 42 worldwide locations.

WeVPN is also one of the newest members of i2Coalition and its VPN Trust Initiative, and we had a chance to ask a few questions to this new and innovative VPN provider.

i2Coalition: WeVPN was founded in 2019, which makes it a newer player in the VPN scene. Can you tell us about how WeVPN formed?

WeVPN: Previous to WeVPN, the founder was leading one of the market’s largest commercial VPNs, which was later successfully acquired by a larger corporation. Additionally, he was required to respond to a board of directors, whose guidance sometimes diverted from his vision in terms of ethics, product design, and the quality of service provided to the end-users. 

Finally, by founding WeVPN, he could express his entire vision and execute the service exactly how he thinks any VPN service should offer in terms of company ethics, products, QoS, pricing, and customer service.

i2C: With WeVPN officially launching its VPN Service in April 2020 right when the COVID-19 pandemic was shutting down most of the world, what was the internal collaboration like and what was it like to launch a product in this unusual climate?

WeVPN: Despite having our administrative headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, WeVPN embraced a 100% remote working culture since its inception in September 2019. So far, our team members are spread out across seven countries: Spain, UK, Canada, USA, Ukraine, Finland, and Egypt. Due to a remote work culture already ingrained in WeVPN’s managerial practices, our company is very efficient in collaborating with participants remotely. Consequently, our development and launch schedules were not affected by COVID-19.

i2C: Do you think there were advantages to building a VPN product now as opposed to earlier? For instance, were you able to learn from other providers and still provide something unique?

WeVPN: From a technical standpoint, we absolutely believe launching a VPN service in 2020 has its advantages. For instance, we are able to use cutting edge technology and the most recent open-source projects such as the WireGuard protocol. 

From a business standpoint, we are aware the commercial VPN market is one of the most saturated and competitive SaaS markets which makes it highly challenging to penetrate. That being said, in a fast growing 25 billion-dollar market—forecasted to triple by 2026—we are certain WeVPN will build its reputation and eventually become a prominent leader in the industry.

Our vision of WeVPN is of a boutique VPN provider fine tuning its service based on user feedback — a practice that very few leaders in the industry employ. To this extent, we are building a community chat room on Discord with already over 800 members and counting.

i2C: Your site clearly states the company supports civil rights, privacy as a basic human right, and uncensored Internet culture. WeVPN is also an organizational member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Why is it so important for your company to be vocal around these issues?

WeVPN: VPNs are an exceptional software technology — one of the best ever conceptualized and created. This allows us to provide privacy and data protection, to bypass regional network restriction and censorship, and finally to avoid discrimination (such as factors like price). 

The VPN is the true equalizer for all netizens, which provides universal and safe access to the open Internet—how VPN’s founder Tim Berners envisioned it. Our mission is to carry out this vision and extend this legacy. 

i2C: Why do you think it was important for WeVPN to join the i2Coalition and its VPN Trust Initiative?

WeVPN: When a user decides to use a VPN service, they are placing so much trust in the VPN company, and unfortunately we live in world where not everyone is motivated by the greater good. There are probably more than 500 commercial VPNs on the market and 95% of them are either unfit or not well intentioned. In 2020, the commercial VPN product has definitely reached maturity, and we believe the leaders of the market now have a duty to build a standard for VPN companies. After assessing the compatibility on the principles drafted by the VTI working group, we realized our vision is aligned. For a new VPN service like us it is an honor to be able to work in the future with a company such as ExpressVPN and have a voice on the establishment of VPN providers framework, standard, and best practices. 

We are looking forward to working with I2Colation and VTI to shape the future of the commercial VPN market.