### Wish for change: Establish the Polkadot Impact Prize Request for Proposal (RFP) (DRAFT 0.1) _Note the below is an initial draft - if you sign in to HackMD you can comment and suggest changes._ _After an inital review this will be pushed onchain via a WFC to guage initial sentiment._ _Thankyou to the [Polkadot Marketing Bounty 2.0](https://polkadot.subsquare.io/referenda/1166) for inspiration._ --- **Title:** The $xM Polkadot Impact Prize RFP **Issue Date:** [here] **RFP Number:** [here] **Proposal Due Date:** [here] --- #### **1. Introduction** Polkadot, a decentralised multi-chain platform, announces **Impact**, a $x million Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify and partner with multiple marketing and R&D teams. This tender will involve a competitive, phased process in which selected teams will develop marketing strategies matched to on-chain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) during an initial 6-month pilot program. Over the course of the multi-year program, the most effective teams will be evaluated through elimination rounds, with the ultimate goal of selecting a single, sustainable marketing direction for Polkadot. The winning team will receive the **Impact Prize** structure TBD. The entire process (including this RFP) will be developed and conducted transparently via Polkadot’s on-chain governance. It is open to anyone, anywhere with the belief they can create meaningful on-chain impact - and be rewarded handsomely in return. --- #### **2. Project Overview** Polkadot's treasury has historically allocated significant resources—approximately $100 million—toward various initiatives, from ecosystem grants, development programs and marketing initiatives. However, these efforts have yet to deliver meaningful [on-chain impact](https://https://www.grayscale.com/research/reports/the-battle-for-value-in-smart-contract-platforms). ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BkaR41qa0.png) The absence of relevant, on-chain KPIs makes it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives creating a barrier to improvement. Instead subjective measures of 'success' or 'failure' contribute to a steadily degrading culture where incentives collapse rather than expand collective intelligence. Furthermore all initiatives to date have relied on inflation-based treasury funding and lack a clear path to long-term sustainability. Against this backdrop, sophisticated investors are becoming more focused on network KPIs such as fee revenues. > Grayscale Research believes that fee revenue can be considered the primary driver of value accrual for tokens in this market segment, although other fundamentals are important to monitor as well, as they can influence fee revenue over time. > > _The Battle for Value in Smart Contract Platforms, [Grayscale](https://https://www.grayscale.com/research/reports/the-battle-for-value-in-smart-contract-platforms)_ Taken collectively - the status-quo approach to assessing off-chain metrics is ultimately untenable. This RFP is designed to address these gaps by focusing on initiatives that directly drive on-chain activity, while simultaneously developing new on-chain KPIs. In addition, the program will incentivise the creation of collectives with commercial models that reduce the dependency on treasury funding, moving Polkadot's marketing efforts toward self-sufficiency. #### **3. Project Overview** Polkadot is looking for multiple collectives to deliver an integrated approach to the following during an initial 6-month pilot phase: 1. **Marketing Strategy & Execution:** Develop and execute initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, adoption, and engagement across Polkadot's ecosystem married to on-chain KPIs. 2. **Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Research & Development:** Identify, track and refine on-chain effectiveness metrics to quantify marketing spend return on investment (ROI). 5. **Sustainability & Commercial Models:** Propose and test models that can transition the marketing efforts towards long-term sustainability, with decreasing reliance on treasury funding. 8. **Launch valuable on-chain ventures** Use impact based prizes to kickstart the creation and scaling of on-chain businesses over inflation subsidised experiments. The Impact RFP aims to fund a range of teams to begin pilot projects, each free to develop their own performance targets that can then be assessed based on performance through measurable on-chain KPIs. Over each phase, weaker projects will be phased out in a series of elimination rounds, with the best-performing team or teams advancing. Each round allows projects and token holders to learn and improve on the previous, creating an emergent process where people get smarter, together. Entrants to the Impact initiative can apply for an initial **$xk grant** to aid the development of their initial plan. --- #### **4. Scope of Work** The selected teams will respond in the following areas: - **Marketing Strategy & Execution:** - Develop a marketing initiative. - Launch across various platforms, targeting developers, users, and stakeholders. - Collaborate with ecosystem projects and external partners to align marketing efforts with Polkadot's broader mission. - **KPI Research & Development:** - Design and implement on-chain KPIs to measure marketing effectiveness in real time. - Provide open and transparent reporting via on-chain tools. - Develop an emergent framework for assessing marketing ROI, network growth, and performance metrics. - **Sustainability & Commercial Models:** - Propose plans to transition from treasury funding to self-sustaining commercial models - with Impact Prizes rewarding performance. --- #### **5. Pilot Phase & Elimination Process** This RFP will fund multiple teams over a 6-month pilot phase. Teams will receive funding from the initial $x million pool and will be evaluated at regular intervals using on-chain KPIs. - **Phase 1: Initial Selection (Month 0–2)** Multiple teams will be selected to launch their marketing and KPI R&D strategies. Each team will receive an initial allocation of funding to begin executing their plans. - **Phase 2: First Evaluation & Elimination Round (Month 3)** After the first two months, teams will present their results and progress. Based on on-chain KPIs and community feedback, teams showing lower effectiveness will be eliminated, and their remaining funds reallocated to the most promising teams. - **Phase 3: Second Evaluation & Elimination Round (Month 4–5)** At the four-month mark, another evaluation will take place. Teams demonstrating significant progress will continue receiving funding, while those underperforming will be eliminated. - **Phase 4: Final Selection (Month 6)** At the end of the pilot phase, the most effective team(s) will be selected to continue with long-term funding and implementation. The final direction will reflect the best combination of marketing effectiveness, sustainable models, and on-chain accountability. --- #### **6. Key Deliverables** For each phase, the teams will be expected to deliver the following: - **Marketing Strategy & Execution Plans:** Detailed marketing strategy, including outreach efforts, target audience, and engagement plans. - **KPI R&D Framework:** Initial and refined sets of on-chain KPIs to track progress. - **On-Chain Reports:** Monthly updates on progress, including marketing results, budget usage, and effectiveness measures through on-chain reporting tools/visualisations. - **Sustainability Proposals:** A roadmap detailing the transition from inflationary treasury funding to commercial sustainability, including potential revenue streams. --- #### **7. Submission Process (On-Chain)** - **Proposal Submission:** Teams must submit their proposals on-chain to the RFP. Each proposal should include a comprehensive marketing plan, KPI R&D strategy, and a sustainability model. - **Treasury Request:** Proposals should include a request for funding, outlining how funds will be distributed over the pilot phase. - **Community Voting & Feedback:** Proposals will undergo on-chain voting, and teams will be selected based on community support. Note at the earliest stages, we should be Optimistic - in that plans do not need to be fully worked out as each phase will introduce a layer of on-chain objectivity that will ensure the cream rises to the top. --- #### **8. Submission Requirements** 1. **Executive Summary** A brief overview of the marketing, KPI R&D, and sustainability strategy. 2. **Marketing & KPI R&D Experience** Relevant experience where appropriate. 3. **Proposed Strategy** A proposed marketing direction, KPI development plan, and sustainability roadmap. 4. **Sustainability & Commercial Models** Specific ideas for transitioning from treasury funding to self-sustaining commercial models. 5. **Team Composition** Information about the collective, including the decentralised structure and key team members. 6. **Budget Proposal** A rough breakdown of costs for the 6-month pilot phase. --- #### **9. Evaluation Criteria** Proposals will be evaluated on the following: - **Effectiveness in Marketing Execution:** The creativity, strategy, and on-chain impact of the proposed marketing efforts. - **Innovation in KPI Development:** The team's ability to create and refine on-chain KPIs that provide transparent, real-time marketing insights. - **Sustainability & Commercial Model:** Feasibility and innovation in the proposed models for reducing reliance on treasury funding. - **Community Alignment:** The degree to which the proposal reflects Polkadot's decentralised, community-driven values. --- #### **10. Sustainability and Commercial Models** A core component of this RFP is moving towards self-sustainability. Proposals should outline potential revenue models, such as: - **Revenue Generation:** Partnerships, sponsorships, content monetisation, transaction fees and premium service offerings etc etc. --- #### **11. RFP Timeline** - **RFP Issued:** [Insert Date] - **Proposal Submission Deadline (On-Chain):** [Insert Date] - **Phase 1 - Initial Selection:** Month 0-2 - **First Evaluation & Elimination:** Month 3 - **Phase 2 - Projects live:** Month 4-10 (6 months) - **Second Evaluation & Elimination:** Month 11 - **Phase 3 - Projects live:** Month 12-24 (12 months) - **Final Evaluation & Elimination:** Month 25 - **Phase 4 - Impact Prizes awarded** --- #### **12. Submission Instructions** Submit your proposal on-chain via Polkadot's governance platform by [Insert Deadline]. All inquiries and discussions should be directed to [Polkadot Forum Link] or the relevant discussion channels. --- **Polkadot Impact reserves the right to adapt the RFP based on community input.** **All funding, reporting, and evaluations will be conducted transparently via Polkadot’s on-chain governance and treasury mechanisms.**