diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 555c4cb66ee..3f1efe60333 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -60,6 +60,74 @@ Finally, we take licensing and the right of all teams in and outside the ecosyst We also try to enforce our [code of conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) and, based on this, may [block users](https://github.blog/2016-04-04-organizations-can-now-block-abusive-users/). +### What We're Looking For + +We're excited to support projects that align with our vision for a thriving Web3 ecosystem. Here's what makes us particularly enthusiastic about an application: + +**💡 User-Centric Innovation** +- Projects that focus on real user needs and can serve a broad user base +- Solutions that address practical challenges and improve user experiences + +**🔄 Dogfooding & Practical Value** +- Projects that can be actively used and tested by Web3 Foundation, Parity, your team, and the broader ecosystem +- Tools and applications that solve problems we face ourselves + +**🪙 DOT Token Alignment** +- Projects that create tangible demand and usage for the DOT token +- Solutions that strengthen the Polkadot ecosystem's economic foundation + +**💰 Sustainable Business Models** +- Teams demonstrating strong financial discipline and clear planning +- Projects with a realistic path to financial independence within 12-24 months +- Evidence of thoughtful resource management and business strategy + +**⚖️ Regulatory Awareness** +- Projects that understand and comply with regulatory requirements in their target markets +- Teams that proactively consider compliance and legal considerations + +**🌟 Exciting Verticals** + +We're particularly interested in (but not limited to) these areas: +- **Cross-border payments & stablecoins**, especially serving Latin America and Southeast Asia +- **AI applications** like content authentication and verification systems +- **DePIN/IoT solutions** with concrete, marketable products +- **Proof-of-personhood** implementations and identity solutions +- **Web2 to Web3 bridges** - bringing familiar concepts (think HackMD, Spotify-like experiences) to Polkadot + +### What Doesn't Fit Our Program + +To help you determine if our program is the right fit, here are types of projects we typically don't fund: + +**❌ Generic Approaches** +- Projects based on generic talking points from other ecosystems without Polkadot-specific innovation +- Applications that could apply to any blockchain without meaningful differentiation + +**🪙 Token-Only Focus** +- Projects focused primarily on token sales rather than providing genuine utility +- Applications where the main value proposition is speculative trading + +**📈 Marketing Without Substance** +- Pure marketing efforts without concrete technical deliverables +- Projects aimed at "saving" or promoting other projects through marketing alone +- Generic promotional activities without defined use cases + +**💸 Financial Sustainability Concerns** +- Teams without clear financial planning or path to sustainability +- Projects that don't demonstrate responsible resource management +- Applications lacking realistic business models or revenue streams + +**🔒 Limited Usability** +- Products that we and the community cannot meaningfully test or use +- Solutions that exist in isolation without practical application + +**🌐 Misaligned Objectives** +- Projects that don't create meaningful demand or usage for DOT tokens +- Solutions that could easily exist on any blockchain without leveraging Polkadot's unique features + +**⚖️ Regulatory Blindness** +- Projects that ignore or are unaware of regulatory requirements in their target markets +- Teams that haven't considered compliance implications for their solutions + ### Project Ideas An overview of existing projects in the Web 3.0 Technology Stack, along with broad project ideas we would potentially be interested in funding, can be found [here](https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/build-open-source), as well as a list of previously accepted applications [here](https://github.com/w3f/Grants-Program/blob/master/applications/index.md).