Polkadot Fast Grants Program Analysis

# POLKADOT FAST-GRANTS PROGRAMME (draft) ## Stakeholder Report **January 6, 2025 – January 9, 2026** OUTDATED VERSION. REFER TO FOR FINAL DRAFT : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rY9vFKrEAbhhnwvT3a2KMJec5d2Wq0tv9VHKh71RH2M/edit?usp=sharing --- ## Table of Contents - [Executive Summary](#executive-summary) - [A Note on Approval Timelines](#a-note-on-approval-timelines) - [Original Programme Curators (January 2025)](#original-programme-curators-january-2025) - [Current Programme Curators](#current-programme-curators) - [Report Structure](#report-structure) - [Section A: Completed Projects](#section-a-completed-projects) - [1. PAPI Simulator](#1-papi-simulator) - [2. Insuracle](#2-insuracle) - [3. Anarchy Build](#3-anarchy-build) - [Section B: Ongoing Projects](#section-b-ongoing-projects) - [Under Curator Review (9 Projects)](#under-curator-review-9-projects) - [Awaiting Grantee Submission (9 Projects)](#awaiting-grantee-submission-9-projects) - [Section C: Rejected & Cancelled Projects](#section-c-rejected--cancelled-projects) - [Conclusion & Path Forward](#conclusion--path-forward) --- | Total Approved | Completed | In Progress | Total Committed | |:--------------:|:---------:|:-----------:|:---------------:| | **24** Applications | **3** Projects | **18** Projects | **$222,875** Grant funding | --- *For Web3 Foundation & Polkadot Treasury Stakeholders* --- ## Executive Summary The Polkadot Fast-Grants Programme represents the first initiative of its kind within the Polkadot ecosystem—a rapid-response funding mechanism designed to accelerate early-stage builder activity and bring innovative projects to Polkadot Hub. Modeled on proven fast-grants frameworks from other ecosystems, this programme was established to fill a critical gap: providing emerging developers with swift access to capital while maintaining accountability through milestone-based disbursements. Launched on January 6, 2025, with an initial allocation of $500,000 USD from the Polkadot Treasury (Bounty #63), the programme set out to fund approximately 52 projects at an average of $9,000 each over an initial six-month period. The programme operates under a curator model with a 3-of-5 multisig structure, ensuring decentralized decision-making while enabling rapid grant approvals. ### A Note on Approval Timelines *While we aspire to make grant approvals within 72 hours as originally envisioned, we have learned through operational experience that the review process often takes longer—typically 2 to 4 weeks. This extended timeline reflects the curators' commitment to thorough due diligence, technical evaluation, and ensuring alignment with ecosystem priorities. We continue to optimize our processes while maintaining the quality standards that protect Treasury resources.* **Original Proposal:** [polkadot.polkassembly.io/referenda/1374](https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/referenda/1374) | **On-Chain Bounty:** [polkadot.polkassembly.io/bounty/63](https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/bounty/63) ### Original Programme Curators (January 2025) | Curator | Affiliation | |---------|-------------| | Otar Shakarishvili | JUST Open Source | | Sacha Lansky | WebZero | | Flavio Bianchi | Full Stack Developer | | Phil Kwok | EasyA Co-Founder | | Dom Kwok | EasyA Co-Founder | ### Current Programme Curators *At the end of June 2025, Flavio Bianchi stepped down from the curator team. Nikos Kontakis and Filip Filipovic joined the curator team, expanding the multisig structure.* | Curator | Affiliation | |---------|-------------| | Otar Shakarishvili | JUST Open Source | | Sacha Lansky | WebZero | | Nikos Kontakis | Lead Engineer, Polkadot Blockchain Academy | | Filip Filipovic | Developer Relations & Council Member, NFT Mozaic | | Phil Kwok | EasyA Co-Founder | | Dom Kwok | EasyA Co-Founder | ### Report Structure This report is organized into three sections. Section A showcases the three projects that have successfully completed all milestones and received full disbursement, demonstrating tangible outcomes and ecosystem value. Section B provides a comprehensive overview of the eighteen projects currently in progress, categorized by their milestone status. Section C documents the three applications that were either rejected or cancelled, maintaining full transparency in programme operations. --- ## Section A: Completed Projects The following three projects have successfully completed all milestones and received full grant disbursement. Each project demonstrates meaningful contribution to the Polkadot ecosystem. ### 1. PAPI Simulator An interactive development console enabling developers to build real-time Polkadot decentralized applications using React and TypeScript. PAPI Simulator provides a sandboxed environment with live preview capabilities, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for new Polkadot developers. | | | |---|---| | **Team** | Fred (codingsh) | | **Grant Amount** | $10,000 | | **Application Approved** | April 16, 2025 | | **Technology Stack** | Next.js 15+, TypeScript, polkadot-api, Monaco Editor, Tailwind CSS | | **Application** | [View Application](https://github.com/Polkadot-Fast-Grants/apply/blob/master/applications/papi-simulator.md) | | **GitHub** | [github.com/developerfred/papi-simulator](https://github.com/developerfred/papi-simulator) | | **Live Demo** | [papi-simulator.aipop.fun](https://papi-simulator.aipop.fun) | **Milestone Payouts:** - **Milestone 1 (May 19, 2025):** $5,000 — [Child Bounty #4108](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/treasury/child-bounties/4108) - **Milestone 2 (Jun 22, 2025):** $5,000 — [Child Bounty #63_2](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/treasury/child-bounties/63_2) **Planned Next Steps (per application):** *Community template system, advanced parachain examples, and deployment automation.* --- ### 2. Insuracle A parametric insurance protocol leveraging smart contract policies and oracle-driven automated payments. Insuracle (now branded as Paramify) enables trustless, transparent insurance coverage with automatic claim processing based on verifiable external data, specifically focusing on flood events monitored through USGS data. | | | |---|---| | **Team** | Daniel Abraham (Actuarial Science), Kirill Slavin (Cambridge Cryptography, Fintech Founder) | | **Grant Amount** | $10,000 | | **Application Approved** | April 26, 2025 | | **Technology Stack** | Polkadot Parachain (Astar/Moonbeam), Solidity/ink!, Chainlink/Acurast oracles, React/Vue, IPFS | | **Application** | [View Application](https://github.com/Polkadot-Fast-Grants/apply/blob/master/applications/insuracle.md) | | **GitHub** | [github.com/danielabrahamx/Paramify](https://github.com/danielabrahamx/Paramify) | | **Blog Post** | [View Article](https://tinyurl.com/24xuxhh9) | **Milestone Payouts:** - **Milestone 1 (Jun 11, 2025):** $5,000 — [Child Bounty #63_0](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/treasury/child-bounties/63_0) - **Milestone 2 (Sep 8, 2025):** $5,000 — [Child Bounty #63_8](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/treasury/child-bounties/63_8) **Planned Next Steps (per application):** *Expand to additional geographic locations, integrate multiple data sources for enhanced reliability, and prepare for mainnet deployment.* --- ### 3. Anarchy Build A gamified innovation hub empowering AI creators to build in public and engage communities through interactive competitions and one-click NFT minting. Anarchy Build has demonstrated exceptional traction with over 5,000 users, 10,000+ NFTs minted, and strategic partnerships including Pollinations AI. | | | |---|---| | **Team** | Tom Humber (ex-Parity Special Projects), Tim Hodgson (ex-Parity Financial Controller), Alexander Curtis (CTO, PBA Alumni) | | **Grant Amount** | $10,000 | | **Application Approved** | June 5, 2025 | | **Technology Stack** | Moonbeam (EVM), Pollinations API, ThirdWeb, Apillon, IPFS/DataHaven | | **Application** | [View Application](https://github.com/anarchybuild/fastgrantapplication/blob/master/applications/anarchybuild.md) | | **GitHub** | [github.com/anarchybuild/anarchy](https://github.com/anarchybuild/anarchy) | | **Live Platform** | [anarchy.build](https://anarchy.build) | | **Blog Post** | [View Article](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ArrkTk7t7LmsVFaE3PUVd_B-xMvSCrW5sndu1H1U2gk/edit) | **Traction & Achievements:** - 5,000+ users, 10,000+ NFTs minted - 6,000+ combined Discord and X followers - Strategic partnership with Pollinations AI - 20+ media publications - 3x hackathon wins in 2024; 1st place at EasyA London 2025 **Milestone Payout:** - **Milestones 1 & 2 Combined (Nov 7, 2025):** $10,000 — [Child Bounty #63_14](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/treasury/child-bounties/63_14) **Planned Next Steps (per application):** *Expand AI capabilities, low-code builders, direct creator APIs, and staking features.* --- ## Section B: Ongoing Projects Eighteen projects are currently in active development. These are categorized by their milestone submission status: those under curator review and those awaiting grantee submission. Blog posts and application links are included where available. ### Under Curator Review (9 Projects) | Project | Grant | Description & Links | |---------|-------|---------------------| | Scaffold-DOT | $8,500 | Fullstack toolkit for EVM smart contracts on Polkadot Hub. Blog: [medium.com/@gotnoshoeson](https://medium.com/@gotnoshoeson/scaffold-dot-bringing-ethereums-best-developer-toolkit-to-polkadot-364bc53ea0bc) | | Khoj | $4,500 | Gamified geo-location treasure hunt with AI clues. Blog: [shubhamrasal.com](https://shubhamrasal.com/writing/khoj-progress-update) | | PowerGrid Network | $10,000 | Decentralized virtual power plant with AI optimization. Blog: [0xkunal.medium.com](https://0xkunal.medium.com/building-a-decentralized-virtual-power-plant-how-we-connected-smart-plugs-to-blockchain-803e176aef2b) | | PINK | $10,000 | Toolkit for integrating Asset Hub NFTs into Godot Engine games. | | LiquiDOT | $10,000 | Customizable liquidity pool manager with automated DeFi strategies. | | Polka.Space | $7,500 | No-code metaverse platform for cross-chain NFT display and trading. | | .escrow | $10,000 | Trust-minimized USDT escrow for freelancers. Blog: [samuelarogbonlo.medium.com](https://samuelarogbonlo.medium.com/the-polkadot-advantage-making-blockchain-payments-accessible-to-1-5-billion-freelancers-4a11fb10b113) | | EchoPay-2 | $10,000 | Voice-activated payment dApp for accessible crypto transactions. | | KeyPass | $10,000 | Wallet-based identity layer with ZK proofs. Article: [Google Docs](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k2y7-d6nHfU8-nMVOqZF0EoBimxewSLj4HSgV8nyySw/edit) | ### Awaiting Grantee Submission (9 Projects) | Project | Grant | Description & Links | |---------|-------|---------------------| | Sacred Protocol | $10,000 | Social tipping platform. Blog: [sacred-protocol.gitbook.io](https://sacred-protocol.gitbook.io/sacred-polkadot/polkadot-fast-grants/polkadot-fast-grants) | | Eunoia | $8,500 | AI-powered giving platform with blockchain transparency. | | DotStriker! | $4,875 | On-chain real-time multiplayer battle game. Blog: [oyonika.medium.com](https://oyonika.medium.com/dotstriker-building-a-fully-on-chain-multiplayer-space-game-on-polkadot-737b9c0ecb8e) | | AgentDot | $10,000 | AI-powered natural language to blockchain extrinsics. | | DotPassport | $10,000 | Polkadot-native identity and reputation protocol. Blog: [dotpassport.io/blog](https://dotpassport.io/blog/dotpassport-m1) | | GrantFlow.dev | $10,000 | All-in-one bounty and grants platform. Blog: [mauritsdev.substack.com](https://mauritsdev.substack.com/p/from-chaos-to-clarity-how-grantflow) | | MozaicDotAI | $10,000 | AI-driven cross-chain NFT marketplace. | | PolkaRTC | $10,000 | Rust WebRTC SFU engine for decentralized video calls. | | stampika | $10,000 | NFT stamps from real-world visits via NFC technology. | --- ## Section C: Rejected & Cancelled Projects Three applications were either rejected during milestone review or cancelled due to inactivity. This represents a 12.5% attrition rate, demonstrating the programme's commitment to accountability and quality assurance. | Project | Status | Reason | |---------|--------|--------| | HeySalad ($10,000) | Rejected | Milestone delivery rejected during curator review | | dBOOK ($9,000) | Rejected | Milestone delivery rejected during curator review | | Walf Dot Fund ($10,000) | Cancelled | No work submitted within 3 months of application approval | --- ## Conclusion & Path Forward The Polkadot Fast-Grants Programme has established itself as a vital catalyst for early-stage innovation within the ecosystem. In its inaugural year, the programme has successfully funded 24 projects spanning developer tooling, DeFi infrastructure, gaming, identity solutions, and AI-powered applications—each contributing to the growth and diversification of Polkadot Hub. The three completed projects demonstrate the programme's ability to deliver tangible outcomes: PAPI Simulator lowers the barrier for new developers, Insuracle pioneers decentralized insurance infrastructure, and Anarchy Build has achieved remarkable user traction while showcasing the creative potential of AI-meets-blockchain applications. With eighteen additional projects actively progressing through milestones, the pipeline of innovation remains strong. The programme's 12.5% attrition rate reflects both rigorous quality standards and the inherent risks of early-stage funding—a balance that protects Treasury resources while still encouraging ambitious experimentation. The milestone-based disbursement model ensures that funds are released only upon verified delivery, maintaining accountability throughout the grant lifecycle. Looking ahead, continued funding will enable the programme to support the completion of all ongoing projects and open applications to the next wave of builders. The demand for fast, accessible grants remains high, and the programme is well-positioned to continue attracting talented developers to Polkadot. We are grateful for the support of the Web3 Foundation, the Polkadot Treasury, and the broader community, and we look forward to delivering further value in the months ahead. --- *Respectfully submitted,* **The Polkadot Fast-Grants Curator Team** *January 2026*

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