Thanks for the thoughtful questions about our FundAlign proposal. We’re happy to clarify things. Here’s a more detailed look:
1. Is the proposal funding the platform? Or is FundAlign an existing platform (meaning already live if so, can you link to it?)
FundAlign is currently an advanced prototype. We’ve built the core engine for grant discovery and the AI-driven insights to help teams craft strong applications. The basic user interface is also in place. We’ve been testing a local version internally and with a small circle of builders to validate the core concept.
This grant is key to taking that functional prototype and launching it as a public, robust platform that’s well-integrated with the Arbitrum ecosystem. Specifically, the funds will help us:
- Complete the final development sprints for Arbitrum-specific features and refine the UI/UX.
- Conduct thorough testing and security reviews.
- Deploy the platform publicly and cover initial server costs.
- Manage the initial operational phase, with a strong emphasis on serving and promoting the Arbitrum community.
Since it’s not publicly deployed yet, we don’t have a live link to share at this stage. This grant is what enables that public launch, with Arbitrum as a flagship ecosystem.
2. How will you actively promote grant programs beyond inclusion in the platform?
We plan to do more than just list Arbitrum grants. Our promotional strategy includes:
3. Can you detail how the amount requested will be used or how you arrived at the amount requested? The amount detailed seems quite high, especially if the platform is existing.
Totally get why you’d ask for the nitty-gritty on the budget, especially with a prototype already in hand. The $50,000 isn’t for maintaining the status quo; it’s for a dedicated effort to build out, integrate, and actively promote Arbitrum within FundAlign. This is about active development and community engagement, not just passive listing.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown, emphasizing the Arbitrum-specific work:
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Product Development & Dedicated Arbitrum Integration (50% - $25,000):
- Focused Engineering (Approx. 2 engineers x 2 months x $5,000/mo each = $20,000): This covers dedicated development sprints for:
- Creating intuitive UI/UX flows for Arbitrum grant discovery (e.g., smart filters for “Stylus,” “AI on Arbitrum,” “Developer Tooling RFP,” “Gaming,” “DeFi”).
- Integrating with Arbitrum data sources or APIs (where available/sensible) for real-time grant information and ecosystem metrics.
- Developing and refining AI models to provide insights specifically aligned with Arbitrum’s Strategic Objectives (SOS) and individual RFP requirements.
- Ensuring robust security, scalability for public launch, and deployment on reliable infrastructure.
- Design & UX (Approx. 1 designer x 1 month x $5,000 = $5,000): Refining the user experience for Arbitrum users, creating clear onboarding materials, and ensuring the platform effectively highlights the benefits of building on Arbitrum.
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Targeted Marketing, Arbitrum Community Engagement & Onboarding (30% - $15,000):
- Content Creation & Technical Writing (Est. contractor/part-time x 3 months x $2,000/mo = $6,000): For producing high-quality, Arbitrum-focused blog posts, in-depth tutorials on applying to Arbitrum grants, and clear platform documentation.
- Community Management & Direct Outreach (Est. part-time x 3 months x $2,000/mo = $6,000): Dedicated personnel for active engagement in Arbitrum forums, Discords, social media, and personalized outreach to Arbitrum projects.
- Modest Marketing & Promotion Budget ($3,000): For targeted advertising (e.g., Twitter ads to Arbitrum developers) and potentially sponsoring small community events or hackathons focused on Arbitrum.
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Operations, Arbitrum Grant Curation & Infrastructure (15% - $7,500):
- Platform Hosting & Essential Tools (Cloud services, database, monitoring, analytics x 3 months x $1,000/mo = $3,000):
- Dedicated Arbitrum Grant Curation (Est. part-time effort x 3 months x $1,000/mo = $3,000): Ensuring all Arbitrum grant programs, RFPs, and their specific requirements are accurately and promptly listed and maintained on FundAlign.
- Legal & Administrative ($1,500): Initial setup costs, terms of service, privacy policy, and compliance considerations.
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Contingency Fund (5% - $2,500): For unforeseen expenses or emerging opportunities to further support the Arbitrum ecosystem.
This budget reflects the dedicated human resources and operational costs to build a specialized, valuable tool and service for the Arbitrum ecosystem.
4. Also curious what you mean with onboarding programs to the platform and how will you measure this:
“Onboarding programs to the platform” refers to the process of integrating and showcasing grant-giving programs, particularly those from the Arbitrum ecosystem, onto FundAlign. This involves:
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Systematic Identification & Listing:
- Actively researching and identifying all relevant grant programs and RFPs offered by the Arbitrum DAO, the Arbitrum Foundation, and key ecosystem partners.
- Verifying details such as funding amounts, eligibility criteria, focus areas (e.g., Stylus, AI, gaming, DeFi, public goods), application processes, deadlines, and links to official documentation.
- Inputting this structured information into the FundAlign database to make it easily searchable and comparable for users.
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Creating Program-Specific Resources:
- Developing concise summaries and “how-to-apply” guides for major Arbitrum grant programs directly within FundAlign.
- Highlighting alignment with Arbitrum’s Strategic Objectives (SOS) for each relevant grant.
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Establishing Liaison (Where Feasible):
- For significant grant programs, we aim to establish a point of contact within the respective Arbitrum entity or program team to ensure information accuracy and facilitate a feedback loop.
How we will measure the success of “onboarding programs”:
- Coverage of Arbitrum Grant Opportunities:
- Metric: Number of distinct and active Arbitrum-related grant programs, RFPs, and bounties listed on FundAlign.
- Target: List all major Arbitrum DAO and Foundation grant programs within Month 1. Achieve coverage of 20+ distinct Arbitrum-related funding opportunities within the first 3 months.
- Accuracy and Timeliness of Information:
- Metric: Percentage of listed Arbitrum grant programs with up-to-date information (deadlines, criteria, links).
- Target: >95% accuracy, verified through weekly internal checks and community feedback.
- User Engagement with Arbitrum Grant Listings:
- Metric: Number of views, clicks on “apply” or “learn more” links for Arbitrum-specific grant opportunities.
- Metric: Usage of Arbitrum-specific filters and search terms on the platform.
- Target: 500+ unique user interactions (views/clicks) with Arbitrum grant listings within the first 3 months post-launch of Arbitrum-focused features.
- Educational Content Creation:
- Metric: Number of specific guides, articles, or tutorials created for navigating Arbitrum grant programs.
- Target: At least 5 dedicated educational resources for Arbitrum grants published within the first 3 months.
- Qualitative Feedback:
- Metric: Feedback from users and, if applicable, from Arbitrum grant program administrators on the utility and clarity of the information provided on FundAlign.
We hope these details provide a clearer picture. We’re genuinely enthusiastic about FundAlign’s potential to support growth and innovation within the Arbitrum ecosystem and are committed to making this collaboration a success.
Why it matters:
What we’re offering:
Why Arbitrum DAO: