Partner DAO Proposal: Building a Decentralized IP Powerhouse

**Author:** sesāme **Date:** December 30, 2024 --- ## Partner DAO Proposal: Building a Decentralized IP Powerhouse ## Mission Statement Our mission is to empower the community to co-create a globally recognized IP brand, where every partner has a voice, a stake, and a chance to leave their mark. Together, we’ll bridge creativity, culture, and technology to redefine how decentralized collaboration works. --- ## Context and Vision The idea of forming a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) for the **partners NFT collection** is on the table, and we're currently 50/50 internally. Having a DAO on top of the NFT project has the potential to elevate it from being a simple collection to a **living, breathing entity fueled by the partners themselves.** This would bring: - **Real utility** - **Financial growth** - **Long-term sustainability** The concept has already been pitched to several big names, all of whom love the vision. ### Why a DAO? When you incorporate a DAO into an NFT project, **every holder becomes a true partner** with a voice in shaping its direction. The value isn't just in governance (voting is cool but surface-level)—it's in the **collective actions and decisions that create real outcomes.** Imagine this: - A **transparent, on-chain treasury** filled with resources to fund creative ideas, IP growth, and everything the community works on. - Open doors, no secrets: **"We're all partners."** - NFT holders go from *just holding* to *actively building* toward a shared vision. The NFT mint laid the **foundation** by building the community and proving there’s demand and belief in the project. A DAO takes it further: - **The NFT brought people in. The DAO empowers them to shape the future.** ### Big Picture Pathway **culture -> NFTs -> financial accelerationism -> DAO -> network state -> citadels** Alternatively: **DAO -> financial accelerationism.** --- ## Revenue Models for Sustainability To ensure the longevity and growth of the DAO, we’ll leverage multiple revenue streams: all will be redacted in public 1. **Toys & Merchandise:** Revenue from physical products like toys, figurines, and collectibles, tied to the NFT collection. 2. **Licensing Deals:** Collaborate with brands to license the IP for broader exposure and passive revenue. 3. **Tokenomics:** Introduce a token tied to governance and staking rewards to incentivize active participation. 4. **Events:** Partner meetups, merch drops, and exclusive IRL/online events for NFT holders. 5. **Art Upgrades:** Limited-edition NFT art upgrades sold as premium collectibles. --- ## Addressing Concerns ### Treasury Alignment Some may say, “We already have a treasury for creative stuff,” but the DAO would focus specifically on **the partners NFT collection and linked projects** (e.g., toys), completely separate from ai16z for legal purposes. The treasury would provide: - Funding for IP expansion. - Resources to build toys and other related ventures. ### Transparency and Trust Transparency is key to avoid FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt). - All funds and decisions would be **fully on-chain.** - The community would be kept in the loop on every single move. ### Balancing Decentralization While the DAO empowers the community, the core team retains some directional power to maintain the vision and ensure alignment with long-term goals. --- ## Incentives for Participation 1. **Governance Rewards:** DAO members can earn rewards for voting, submitting proposals, and contributing. 2. **Gamification:** Badges, ranks, and exclusive perks for active contributors. 3. **Revenue Sharing:** Profits from DAO-funded projects (e.g., toys or licensing deals) could flow back to contributors. --- ## Roadmap for the DAO ### Phase 1: Foundation - Snapshot NFT holders to determine initial DAO membership. - Establish an on-chain treasury and governance model. ### Phase 2: Launch Projects - Use treasury funds to kickstart community-voted projects like toys or branding initiatives. ### Phase 3: Expansion - Broaden partnerships and licensing opportunities. - Introduce tokenomics for deeper engagement and rewards. ### Phase 4: Network Building - Develop a network state and explore community-driven initiatives like metaverse spaces or real-world meetups. ### Phase 5: Citadel Vision - Build towards decentralized physical or virtual spaces owned and managed by the community. --- ## Community Engagement Plan - Open a dedicated Discord channel for DAO discussions. - Host regular AMAs to address community questions and gather feedback. - Use community polls to prioritize projects and ideas. --- ## Examples of Potential Projects You Can Work On 1. **Toy Drops:** Limited-edition plush toys and figurines co-designed with the community. 2. **Metaverse Spaces:** Build virtual spaces tied to the brand, accessible only to holders. 3. **Short Animated Series:** Fund a community-driven animation project to expand the brand’s universe. 4. **Exclusive Merch:** Create exclusive apparel or collectibles for partners. --- ## DAO Evolution If the DAO achieves its goals or the community’s priorities shift, the structure can evolve: - Transition ownership of the IP to the DAO entirely. - Merge with larger decentralized ecosystems. - Introduce mechanisms for participants to cash out their contributions fairly. --- ## Questions to Address with Legal/Advisors 1. How can the DAO creators protect themselves from legal liability? 2. Are there best practices for structuring the treasury to ensure compliance? 3. What are the regulatory implications of introducing tokenomics? --- ## Additional Considerations for Implementation 1. **Snapshot for Membership:** Use the NFT collection to establish the initial DAO member base. 2. **Shark Tank Model:** Introduce a process for funding proposals where the DAO votes on ideas pitched by the community. 3. **Treasury Management:** Ensure funds are deployed efficiently and with full transparency. 4. **Marketing:** Keep the focus on fun and collaboration to encourage participation and avoid unnecessary skepticism. ### Questions: - **Legal:** How does the DAO creator (me) minimize personal liability? - **Implementation:** Would daos.fun be the best platform for this? - **Structure:** What’s the optimal way to balance power between the core team and the DAO community? --- ## Call to Action This is more than a project—it’s a movement. We’re inviting you to help shape the future of what’s possible. Let’s build something extraordinary together. Are you in? --- ## TL;DR We’re building a **community-powered IP empire** with a DAO at its heart: - Launching toys and expanding the IP (think Hello Kitty vibes). - Giving the community resources and power to contribute and build. - Transparency and inclusivity are key to making this a success. The NFT mint was the **foundation.** The DAO will be the engine driving us forward. Let’s make it happen.