Whether you’re in America, Albania, or the UK applying for government documents often feels overwhelming and confusing. The long forms, complex requirements, and unclear instructions cause delays, problems, and stress for people everywhere.
It’s an issue that’s exacerbated by outdated application technology and a focus on box-ticking over usability. A recent study by ITIF in the US found that 92% of the most popular U.S. federal government websites “fail to meet basic standards for security, speed, mobile friendliness, or accessibility”.
And while many European countries’ digital application platforms perform better than the US with an average e-government maturity score 70, some countries are lagging behind and the latest eGovernment Benchmark report shows that “less than half of cross-border services are available online.”
But a US-based startup has recently launched with plans to make interacting with the government easier, wherever you are in the world.
Recently launched in the US with plans to launch across Europe soon, AI startup HelloGov is using artificial intelligence to make government applications significantly easier and less stressful and drastically reduce wait times.
The platform is an AI layer between applicants and governments that streamlines the entire application process. While currently only operating in the US, the company’s mission is to make applying for government documents worldwide as simple and stress-free as possible.
Understanding the Problems with Government Application Platforms
Government applications are known for being complicated and confusing. Even online government portals prioritize precise requirements over ease of use, leading to mistakes and delays.
Applications often have confusing instructions and require careful reading of detailed information, which can be challenging for applicants to understand and provide. This complexity causes stress and makes the application process seem overwhelming.
Another issue is the lack of support for applicants. Many government agencies do not provide enough guidance or assistance, often only a support email or helpline with long wait times. This leaves applicants to figure out the complex processes on their own, which leads to errors. These errors can cause significant delays, adding to the stress and frustration experienced by anyone trying to complete their applications.
Using First-Hand Experience to Simplify Government Processes
Adam Boalt’s journey with HelloGov started in 2007. He needed to renew his passport quickly for an international trip. Finding no easy way to do this, he turned to a courier service that expedited his application. This experience made him realize how inefficient the traditional process was and inspired him to find a better solution. He wanted to create a service that could help others avoid the same problems he faced.
After spending decades founding and investing in various gov-tech and AI companies, Boalt teamed up with Steven Fox and Brian LaBasco. Fox has extensive experience in the government document space and brought valuable insights into the challenges applicants face, while experienced entrepreneur Brian brings his long history of Wall Street and private equity investing to his role as CFO. Together, they launched HelloGov with the goal of simplifying and streamlining the application process using AI.
Their combined expertise in government technology and AI provided a strong foundation for their startup. Their mission was to create an AI layer that makes interacting with government agencies easy and efficient, automates and speeds up the application process, reduces errors and guarantees faster approvals.
Simplifying and Streamlining Government Document Applications
HelloGov uses AI to transform the application process. Their AI assistants are trained on the nuances and granular details of government applications and are trained to help applicants with every step, from filling out forms to gathering necessary documents. This automation reduces the chance of human error, which is one of the biggest causes of delays.
“We saw huge numbers of applications getting rejected for small reasons like the wrong date on a check or using the wrong color ink. With all the complicated guidelines these mistakes are so easy to make – I even made one myself last time I renewed my passport! – we trained our AI to scan the documents before they’re sent to make sure they hit the government requirements and avoid unnecessary delays,” added Boalt.
The intelligent application checker is just one of the key features of HelloGov’s end-to-end support. The specialized AI assistants guide users through the entire process, from completing the applications for customers to checking passport photos to making sure customers provide all the necessary additional forms and documentation they need first time.
LaBasco explains, “Our AI is designed to handle the complexities of government applications, making the process as easy as possible for the user. It provides end-to-end support, answering questions, checking documents for accuracy, and even finding appointments at government agencies quickly.”
By offering comprehensive and user-friendly assistance around the clock, HelloGov aims to get rid of the stress, frustration, and wait times associated with applying for government documents.
Expanding HelloGov to help more people apply easily
Currently, HelloGov only operates in the USA, but it has plans to expand worldwide, starting with Europe, the UK, and Australia, and then rolling out globally.
People everywhere face the challenges of applying for government documents, and HelloGov aims to simplify these processes on a global scale. They already help international customers with applications for US immigration and travel visas and plan to extend their services to other countries in the coming years.
By providing a streamlined application process, HelloGov is on a mission to reduce the common frustrations and delays experienced by applicants worldwide. This not only benefits individual travelers but also has the potential to improve the overall efficiency of government agencies by reducing the number of incorrect or incomplete applications they receive.
Adam Boalt wants HelloGov to become the go-to platform for anyone needing to apply for government documents, regardless of their location. “Our ultimate goal is to create a global solution that can simplify all government interactions for everyone, everywhere,” says Boalt.
By using AI technology, HelloGov is set to completely change the way people interact with their governments, making the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
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