Introduction
Please note: This is a first draft and is subject to change. Feedback is appreciated.
- Introduction
- Introducing a Revolutionary Funding Mechanism
- The Fractal Development Fund
- The Fractal Fellowship Program
- Testing a New Model for Funding Public Goods
- Strategic Implementation
- Growing Together
- Your Thoughts and Perspectives
Introducing a Revolutionary Funding Mechanism
Building on the foundation of Eden Fractal Epoch 2, I'm excited to introduce a groundbreaking mechanism for accelerating fractal ecosystem development: the Fractal Fellowship program and Fractal Development Fund. This initiative represents more than just a funding mechanism — it's a pioneering experiment in capital allocation that could transform how communities support public goods development.
For nearly three years, Eden Fractal has fostered innovation through volunteer efforts and occasional grants. While this approach has created remarkable progress, achieving our mission at transformative scale requires sustainable funding mechanisms that align incentives for contribution. The Fractal Fellowship provides this critical infrastructure, creating clear pathways for builders to earn while growing the fractal ecosystem.
The Fractal Development Fund
At the heart of this initiative is the Fractal Development Fund — a capital pool specifically designated for supporting contributors to the fractal ecosystem. I'm planning to commit an initial $1,000 to seed this fund, with plans to increase this investment over time based on success metrics and available resources. The fund will be open to contributions from anyone who believes in our mission, creating a community-powered engine for ecosystem growth.
This approach draws inspiration from Dan Larimer's pioneering work with Eden on EOS, where an initial $10,000 allocation catalyzed contributions from hundreds of participants. While our starting investment is more modest, it creates the same essential pattern: a mechanism for retroactively rewarding value creation that incentivizes contribution toward shared goals.
The Fractal Fellowship Program
The Fractal Development Fund will be distributed through the Fractal Fellowship program — a democratic, game-based mechanism that rewards builders based on their demonstrated contributions to the fractal ecosystem. The program will leverage our governance infrastructure to ensure fair, transparent allocation while maintaining democratic principles:
- Application Process - Community members can apply to become Fractal Fellows, with applications evaluated by the Eden Fractal Captain's Council
- Respect-Based Distribution - Fellows earn funding based on their Respect earned during regular Eden Fractal events, with multiple distribution mechanisms:
- Monthly distributions based on Respect earned in the previous month
- Season-end distributions based on total Respect earned
- RetroPolls or AlloPolls for community-directed allocations
- End-of-season recognition for sustained contribution
- Minimum Qualification - To be eligible for funding, Fellows must maintain an average Respect score of at least 13 (equivalent to Level 3) during each distribution period
The program doesn't just provide funding — it creates a comprehensive support structure for builders contributing to the fractal ecosystem:
- Educational opportunities through participation in regular events
- Networking with pioneering builders across the ecosystem
- Promotional support for contributions and projects
- Access to implementation guidance and technical support
- Potential group chats and communication channels for fellows
Testing a New Model for Funding Public Goods
Beyond its immediate benefits, the Fractal Fellowship represents a pioneering experiment in capital allocation that could benefit many communities. By integrating the Respect Game with transparent funding mechanisms, we're creating a model that:
- Democratically evaluates contributions through peer assessment
- Creates transparent records of value creation onchain
- Distributes funding based on demonstrated impact rather than promises
- Maintains genuine human connection through regular events
- Scales naturally with community growth
This approach could be adapted by any community or organization seeking to foster contribution toward shared goals — from Open Source Software development to creative collaboration, from educational initiatives to governance innovation. The Fractal Fellowship provides a working example of how the impact=profit equation described in the Fractally whitepaper can be implemented in practice.
Strategic Implementation
The timing of this initiative aligns perfectly with our planned launch of Eden Fractal Epoch 2. By implementing the Fractal Fellowship alongside our new governance infrastructure, we create a complete system for democratic coordination and resource allocation. This implementation will:
- Test Our Research - Provide a practical test of the fund distribution research I've been developing
- Generate Valuable Data - Create insights that can inform larger implementations
- Accelerate Development - Direct resources toward our highest-priority initiatives
- Attract Contribution - Create clear incentives for participation in Eden Fractal
- Support Optimism Fractal - Strengthen the tools and infrastructure that benefit the entire ecosystem
Growing Together
I'm excited about the transformative potential of this initiative, but I recognize it's just a beginning. Over time, with demonstrated success, we can grow the Fractal Development Fund significantly — potentially reaching to much greater amounts per season if the model proves effective. This would enable us to support dozens of contributors working on high-impact projects across the ecosystem.
The Fractal Fellowship represents a natural evolution in our journey — applying the principles we've developed through years of experimentation to create sustainable funding mechanisms that align with our values. By implementing this initiative alongside Eden Fractal Epoch 2, we create a complete system for democratic coordination and resource allocation.
Your Thoughts and Perspectives
I'm deeply interested in your perspectives on this initiative. During our upcoming event, I'd particularly value your thoughts on:
- The structure and rules of the Fractal Fellowship
- The distribution mechanisms for the Fractal Development Fund
- The application and evaluation process
- Additional benefits we could provide to fellows
- Your interest in participating or contributing
Your input will help refine this framework before implementation, ensuring it genuinely serves the needs of our community while advancing our shared mission.