Hello everyone,
I’m excited to put forth my nomination for the “New Protocol Ideas” domain.
- Name: Marc
- Your forum username: @marc_blockshard
- Twitter: @BumpyTale
- What is your experience in the interested domain? Please share links and supporting information. Do you have experience running in any other grant programs?
I’m the CEO and co-founder of Blockshard, an infrastructure provider in the blockchain space. I’ve been working in crypto since 2018, since 2021 full time. My professional role has allowed me to collaborate closely with various blockchain teams, assisting them in testing their protocols. Through this, I’ve been able to provide valuable feedback and insights, aiding them in refining and strengthening their products.
Beyond my crypto involvement, I possess a rich background spanning over a decade in grant proposal writing and fundraising. This was a pivotal aspect of my responsibilities in my previous non-crypto career. Over the years, I’ve crafted and contributed to over 100 proposals, ranging from modest amounts to multi-million USD figures. This extensive experience has endowed me with a profound understanding of the intricacies of the grant process.
Furthermore, I currently serve on the grants committee of the SSV DAO, where I’m evaluating proposals from teams building on the SSV protocol, and guiding successful grantees through the project’s building cycle until its completion.
My dual experience, both in crafting and evaluating grant proposals, equips me with a unique vantage point. I understand the nuances of what constitutes a compelling proposal and the practicalities of executing it successfully.
- What would you like to see built on Arbitrum in your domain and what a good grant proposal looks like for you?
My aim is to support teams that use Arbitrum’s capabilities in innovative ways. The nature of the idea is secondary. The primary criteria for me are its novelty and originality. I am on the lookout for concepts that not only showcase creativity but also have the potential to drive user growth, usage and liquidity to Arbitrum. Importantly, I maintain a broad perspective, ensuring I don’t fixate on any one particular concept and remain unbiased and open to novel ideas that might be unprecedented in the space.
A standout grant proposal, in my view, is marked by its clarity and precision. It’s articulately written, succinctly presenting the core idea. The background of key team members should be detailed, showcasing their expertise and assuring their capability to execute the project. The proposal must convincingly demonstrate the product’s market fit and its unique edge. A clear go-to-market strategy is vital, indicating the project’s potential for traction post-launch. Milestones should be measurable for transparent progress assessment, with realistic timelines and a well-justified budget that aligns with the RFP’s scope. In essence, it’s about blending a compelling idea with viability, team capability, and tangible impact potential.
- Time commitment - You need to commit at least 15 hours of your time per week as a domain allocator, and what is the expected Turn Around Time (TAT) that the builders can expect from you?
I am prepared to dedicate a minimum of 15 hours weekly as a domain allocator, with the flexibility to extend my availability during particularly demanding weeks. Builders can anticipate a TAT of 48 hours from me.
- Declaration of Conflict of Interest
I declare that I have no conflicts of interest.