Title: Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator Proposal
Author(s): Etra (Ecosystem Development), J Master Pig (COO), Mary Doble (BD)
Category: Ecosystem Growth
Date: 04/09/2024
Abstract
This proposal seeks the approval and allocation of 15,000 AIUS tokens to launch the Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator, an initiative aimed at accelerating innovation within the Arbius ecosystem. The program is designed to provide financial support, resources, and mentorship to developers, researchers, and startups building on the Arbius platform. The primary objective is to expand the Arbius ecosystem by encouraging the development of AI and machine learning applications that leverage Arbius’s infrastructure.
Motivation
As Arbius continues to grow, fostering a vibrant and innovative community becomes increasingly essential. Establishing the Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator will attract a diverse range of talent and projects that contribute to the network’s growth and sustainability. The program addresses the challenges faced by developers and startups in securing funding, technical resources, and guidance. By providing these supports, the grant program will incentivize participation in the Arbius ecosystem and drive the creation of impactful projects.
Key Goals
The key objectives of the Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator include:
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Promoting Innovation: Encourage the development of cutting-edge AI and machine learning applications that leverage Arbius’s decentralized network.
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Supporting Builders: Provide financial resources and technical support to developers, researchers, and startups building on the Arbius platform.
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Expanding the Ecosystem: Attract a wide variety of projects and contributors to the Arbius ecosystem, enriching the network and its offerings.
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Improving Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment where grantees can share knowledge, resources, and expertise, thereby strengthening the Arbius community and ecosystem.
Strategic Axes
The Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator is structured around three strategic axes to ensure targeted and impactful development within the ecosystem:
- Machine Learning Team (8,000 AIUS): With at least 8 AI teams we will favor open source projects (OSS) focused on advancing AI and machine learning applications that can be deployed to the Arbius network. This axis supports innovation in the core AI infrastructure and tools that are critical for the success of Arbius.
- Core Development (5,000 AIUS): We will look at 3 core allocations to projects that enhance the core functionality of the Arbius platform, including improvements to the underlying AI miner, blockchain technology, smart contracts, and overall network performance.
- Side Projects (2,000 AIUS): With 2 third part applications, it will be designed to fund smaller, innovative projects that complement the main ecosystem, such as experimental features, integrations, and community-driven initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator, applicants must demonstrate a strong alignment with the following criteria:
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Project Relevance: The proposed project must actively utilize the Arbius platform and tools, integrating them into the core functionality of the application.
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Innovation: The project should demonstrate innovation, have the potential to make a significant impact in its field, and advance the state of the art in AI technology. The project should create new market opportunities and address significant challenges.
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Feasibility: Applicants must present a clear, detailed, and achievable plan for the development and deployment of their project, including a realistic timeline, budget breakdown, and a step-by-step execution approach.
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Team Capability: The project team must possess the necessary skills, experience, and technical expertise to execute the proposed work.
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Open Source: Preference will be given to projects committed to open-source development, contributing code, models, and resources to the broader community.
Thesis
The Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator is essential for driving innovation and growth within the Arbius ecosystem. By providing targeted support to builders, the program will facilitate the development of new AI and machine learning applications, enhance the network’s capabilities, and attract a diverse range of contributors. The program will catalyze the creation of high-level projects that benefit the Arbius community and advance the broader field of AI and decentralized technology.
Execution
Phase 1: Launch and Promotion
- Announce the Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator to the community and wider AI/ML networks.
- Open the application process and provide detailed guidelines and resources for applicants.
Phase 2: Review and Selection
- Establish a Grant Committee to review applications based on innovation, feasibility, and impact.
- Shortlist candidates for interviews to further assess their projects.
Phase 3: Funding and Support
- Provide financial grants in AIUS tokens based on the project’s stage and needs.
- Offer technical resources, including API credits and cloud infrastructure.
- Provide mentorship and access to the Arbius community for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Phase 4: Monitoring and Reporting
- Require grantees to submit regular milestone reports and a final report detailing the project’s outcomes and impact.
- Organize public presentations or webinars where grantees can showcase their work.
Grant Categories
- Seed Grants: Up to 350 AIUS for early-stage projects and prototypes.
- Development Grants: Up to 750 AIUS for projects in the development phase requiring significant resources.
- Scaling Grants: Up to 1,500 AIUS for projects ready to scale and reach a larger audience.
Application Process
- Proposal Submission: Applicants must submit a comprehensive project proposal, including a detailed project description, clearly defined objectives, a well-structured timeline, a transparent budget outline, and an overview of the team’s qualifications and experience.
- Initial Review: The Arbius Grant Committee will conduct a thorough review of each proposal based on eligibility criteria, project relevance, and potential impact.
- Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will participate in interviews with the Grant Committee to provide further insights into their project and demonstrate its feasibility and innovation.
- Final Selection: Successful applicants will be notified and provided with feedback on their proposals.
- Grant Agreement: Selected recipients will enter into a formal grant agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the grant, including expectations for project milestones, reporting requirements, and fund allocation.
Evaluation Criteria
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Innovation and Impact: The proposal’s potential to introduce groundbreaking ideas or technologies within the AI space.
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Technical Feasibility: The robustness, achievability, and scalability of the project’s technical foundation.
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Team Expertise: The skills, experience, and technical expertise of the project team.
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Sustainability: A clear plan for long-term sustainability, including potential revenue models and community support.
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Community Engagement: The project’s ability to engage, benefit, and contribute to the Arbius community.
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Realistic Milestones: The project’s stated deliverables and feasibility of the team to deliver them, as well as potential risks of failing to meet milestone’s for payout.
Support and Resources
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Financial Support: Grants ranging from 350 to 1,500 AIUS tokens, covering development costs, including personnel, infrastructure, and other necessary resources.
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Technical Assistance: Access to Arbius’s technical resources, including API credits, cloud infrastructure, and development tools.
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Mentorship: Guidance from experienced professionals in AI, machine learning, and blockchain technology.
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Community Access: Opportunities to connect, collaborate, and network with other innovators within the Arbius community.
Reporting and Accountability
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Milestone Reporting: You will be required to provide weekly progress updates, detailing the work completed, challenges encountered, and any deviations from the original plan. In addition to these weekly updates, a monthly overview report should be submitted, summarizing the progress, key achievements, and any significant developments or changes in the project direction. These reports ensure transparency and allow for ongoing support and adjustments as needed.
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Final Report: At the conclusion of the project, recipients must submit a comprehensive final report. This document should cover the entire project lifecycle, including an in-depth analysis of the outcomes, the impact on the Arbius ecosystem, lessons learned throughout the process, and any plans for further development or scaling of the project. The final report is crucial for assessing the success of the grant and providing insights that can benefit future projects within the Arbius community.
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Public Presentation: An invitation to present projects at Arbius-hosted events or webinars. These public presentations offer a platform to showcase the project’s achievements, share valuable insights with the broader community, and inspire continued innovation within the Arbius ecosystem. This engagement not only highlights the success of the project but also fosters a collaborative and supportive environment for future initiatives.
Risks and Mitigations
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Low Participation Rate: Conduct extensive outreach and promotion to attract a diverse pool of applicants.
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Misallocation of Funds: Funds will be released in stages, each project will have a clearly defined timeline, with payments made in stages based on progress and achievement of key goals. This ensures accountability and effective use of resources. The ecosystem fund will strictly support external projects and will not be used to compensate core team members.
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Over Distribution of AIUS: The allocation of AIUS will be carefully managed to ensure that the funds are disbursed in timeline sections. We will adhere to a strategic funding schedule that aligns with the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem. Rather than exhausting the fund in a single allocation, the distribution will be paced and monitored to preserve resources for future projects and initiatives.
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Project Failures: Provide ongoing mentorship and technical support to grantees to increase their chances of success.
Timeline
- Month 1: Launch the program, open applications, and promote the initiative.
- Month 2-3: Review applications, conduct interviews, and select grantees.
- Month 3-6: Approve grants and provide ongoing support to grantees.
- Month 6+: Monitor progress, require milestone reports, and organize presentations.
Overall Cost
The program will allocate 15,000 AIUS tokens, distributed across the three strategic axes as follows:
- 8,000 AIUS dedicated to the Machine Learning Team.
- 5,000 AIUS dedicated to Core Development.
- 2,000 AIUS dedicated to Side Projects.
Conclusion
The Arbius Ecosystem Accelerator is a strategic investment in the future of the Arbius ecosystem. By supporting innovative projects and fostering collaboration, the program will drive growth, enhance the network’s capabilities, and attract a broader range of contributors. We invite builders, developers, researchers, and startups to join us in this journey and help build a more vibrant and innovative future for our network.