Last updated
Last updated
The Builders Program is a core component of Roko Network's strategy to drive innovation, foster community engagement, and expand the ecosystem. By providing grants and other forms of support, the RokoDAO aims to empower developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to create decentralized applications, AI models, and robotic solutions that integrate with the Roko Network. The Builders Program ensures that resources are allocated to promising projects that align with Roko's mission to create a collaborative and sustainable development environment.
The Builders Program provides targeted grants to support projects at various stages of development. The program offers three types of grants:
Micro Grants: Micro grants, typically valued at $1,000, are intended for early-stage projects that require initial funding to get started. These grants are designed to help developers and researchers validate their ideas and build prototypes.
Macro Grants: Macro grants, valued at $10,000, are intended for projects that have already completed an initial stage of development and are ready to expand. These grants help developers scale their projects and bring them closer to production.
Venture Grants: Venture grants, which can be up to $25,000 or more, are allocated to larger, ecosystem-enhancing projects. These grants are meant to support groundbreaking initiatives that have the potential to significantly enhance the Roko ecosystem.
The grant application process varies depending on the type of grant. The goal is to strike a balance between community governance and efficient funding allocation:
Community Governance for Micro and Macro Grants: The RokoDAO community plays a key role in approving micro and macro grants. Applications are submitted to the RokoDAO, where community members review, discuss, and vote on funding proposals. This community-driven process ensures that grants are allocated to projects that align with the network's priorities.
Top-Down Oversight for Venture Grants: Due to the larger size and potential impact of venture grants, these applications are evaluated by the Roko Foundation. The foundation provides oversight to ensure that venture grants are aligned with the long-term strategic goals of the network.
The Builders Program focuses on three main areas of development:
AI Development Track: Grants in this track support projects related to artificial intelligence, including AI agents, machine learning models, and intelligent automation solutions. This track aims to foster AI innovation within the Roko ecosystem and provide developers with the resources they need to build advanced AI solutions.
Robotics Innovation Track: The robotics track supports projects related to the development of robotic systems, including simulation tools, physical robotics, and autonomous systems. Grants in this area aim to drive advancements in robotics, leveraging the Roko Robotic Simulation Platform and other resources.
Decentralized Infrastructure Track: This track focuses on supporting projects that enhance the Roko Network's decentralized infrastructure. This includes the development of new protocols, improvements to existing infrastructure, and projects that enhance network security, scalability, and resilience.
To streamline grant management and track the progress of funded projects, Roko Network may employ several tools and strategies:
Gitcoin Aqueduct: Gitcoin Aqueduct is used to provide continuous funding for projects. By leveraging Gitcoin's infrastructure, the Builders Program can ensure that funding is distributed in a transparent and efficient manner.
CharmVerse and Airtable: CharmVerse is used for managing grant proposals, while Airtable helps track applications and monitor the progress of funded projects. These tools ensure that all stakeholders are informed about ongoing projects and that milestones are tracked effectively.
Cubik for Quadratic Funding: Quadratic funding is employed for community-driven funding rounds. This approach helps prioritize projects that have broad community support by allowing small contributions from many participants to have a greater impact.
To ensure that the Builders Program delivers value to the ecosystem, several metrics are tracked to evaluate the impact of funded projects:
Program-Level Metrics: Metrics such as the average time from grant application to approval, the number of active participants in governance, and community engagement are tracked. These metrics help assess the efficiency of the grant program and the level of community involvement.
Project-Level Metrics: The success of individual projects is evaluated based on milestones achieved, continued development beyond the grant period, adoption metrics (such as the number of users and transactions), and contributions to open-source infrastructure. These metrics help measure the sustainability and broader impact of funded initiatives.
The governance of micro and macro grants within the Roko Network is community-driven, with RokoDAO members voting on funding proposals. To encourage participation and ensure efficiency, Roko plans to implement incentives for grant reviewers, such as reputation-based rewards and recognition systems. For venture grants, the Roko Foundation provides oversight, ensuring that larger projects align with the network's strategic goals.
To further enhance scalability, the grant application cycles for macro and venture grants will be batch-processed, allowing the team and community to focus on specific review periods. Micro grants, on the other hand, will be processed on a rolling basis to allow for quick turnarounds for smaller projects.
The Builders Program and Grants Strategy are key to fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and collaboration within the Roko Network. By providing targeted funding to developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, the RokoDAO aims to encourage the development of new applications, tools, and protocols that will drive the growth of the Roko Network.
