67: Funding Proposal - Getting Funding For Projects

Moloch Rises
#1

MolochDAO Grant Application

Project Title: FundAlign

Description: FundAlign is a platform designed to simplify and streamline the process for Web3 projects, particularly those focused on infrastructure and public goods, to find and apply for grant and VC funding. It provides deep funder insights, AI-powered application assistance, and integrated crypto wallets to facilitate direct funding.

Manifesto/Vision: To strengthen the Ethereum and broader Web3 public goods ecosystem by making funding more transparent, accessible, and efficient for builders. We believe that by reducing the friction in fundraising, we empower developers to focus on creating valuable infrastructure and tools for the community.

Problem: Finding and securing funding in Web3 is fragmented, time-consuming, and often opaque. Builders, especially those working on non-commercial public goods or core infrastructure, struggle to identify the right funding sources and tailor applications effectively, diverting valuable time from development.

Solution: FundAlign centralizes funding opportunities, provides AI-driven insights into funder priorities, assists in crafting tailored proposals, and integrates crypto wallets for seamless funding disbursement. This allows projects to navigate the funding landscape more effectively and efficiently.

Product Features:

  • Curated database of Web3 grants (including DAOs like MolochDAO) and VCs.
  • AI-powered research tools to understand funder priorities and tailor pitches.
  • Application templates and guidance.
  • Integrated crypto wallets for receiving funds (ETH, DAI, etc.).
  • Progress tracking for applications.

Validation: The complexity and fragmentation of the current Web3 funding landscape are widely acknowledged. FundAlign addresses the expressed need from builders for a more streamlined and insightful approach to securing resources, particularly for public goods initiatives often overlooked by traditional VCs.

Progress: Currently in the idea iteration stage with a local prototype utilizing AI (LLMs) and N8N workflows to automate the research component of identifying and analyzing grant/VC opportunities based on funder mandates and past activities.

Differentiation (from other projects): FundAlign differentiates itself through:

  • Deep Funder Insights: Focuses on analyzing funder priorities and past grants/investments to provide tailored guidance.
  • AI-Assisted Applications: Leverages AI not just for discovery but for crafting proposals aligned with specific funder needs (like MolochDAO’s focus on public goods).
  • Web3 Native Integration: Built-in crypto wallets facilitate direct funding in relevant tokens.
  • Public Goods Focus: Prioritizes resources and features beneficial to infrastructure and public goods projects.

Team:

Grant Request $: $25,000 USD (payable in ETH or DAI)

What the Funds Are For:

  • Product Development (engineering, design): 50% - Build MVP platform.
  • User Acquisition & Community: 20% - Onboard initial Ethereum builders, gather feedback.
  • Operations & Compliance: 15% - Legal, admin.
  • Infrastructure & Tools: 10% - Hosting, APIs.
  • Contingency & Miscellaneous: 5%

Help Requested: Beyond funding, we seek feedback from the MolochDAO community and introductions to Ethereum infrastructure projects that could benefit from FundAlign.

Additional Resources, Links, Portfolio: