This September, LUKSO, a blockchain network designed to revolutionize digital identity and empower the creative economy, is partnering with Gitcoin to launch a Quadratic Funding (QF) round. LUKSO aims to build a future where Universal Profiles create a unified digital identity, enabling seamless interaction across decentralized applications and platforms. The upcoming QF round is designed to bolster the LUKSO ecosystem by supporting innovative projects that contribute to its growth. By leveraging Gitcoin’s unique matching mechanism, the LUKSO community will not only boost the development of these projects but also gain significant exposure through Gitcoin’s community.
"LUKSO has an established creator-focused community, and they've built a strong brand with a loyal following. Seeing how this translates into the upcoming quadratic funding round is exciting."
Sov, Head of Grants at Gitcoin
In the words of Sage Bray, Core Contributor at KEEZ (a knowledge resource for the LUKSO community):
“With Gitcoin making QF accessible, it enables LUKSO to engage and bring the community together in a novel way. The QF matching allows us to start bolstering up the projects that are building on and around LUKSO. Plus, the added exposure of being in Gitcoin’s public forums, instead of only being viewed by a committee, will be massive for the ecosystem.”
The upcoming LUKSO x Gitcoin QF round is carefully designed to ignite community participation and retain the talent that drives the LUKSO ecosystem forward. Projects that demonstrate a long-term commitment to the LUKSO ecosystem will be particularly well-positioned for support.
This round isn't just about funding—it's about recognizing and amplifying the diverse, creative, and innovative projects that utilize LUKSO’s Universal Profiles (UPs) to pioneer new digital experiences. These UPs are a collection of groundbreaking standards that serve as the foundation for your digital identity. Through them, new types of social platforms, reputation systems, DAO toolings, and other core infrastructures for digital societies are made possible.
“This QF round on Gitcoin Grants Stack is a decentralized counterpart to the direct grants program we launched this year. This round will provide us with valuable insights into what the community deems valuable through how the community chooses to distribute the matching pool with their donations.”
Clara Bühring, Head of Ecosystem Funding at FNCE (Foundation for the New Creative Economies)
Gitcoin’s pioneering QF mechanism plays a crucial role in this strategy. It ensures that funding isn't merely based on the total amount donated, but also on the number of contributors. This approach amplifies the impact of smaller donations, democratizing the funding process. It empowers the community to decide which projects receive the most support, fostering a sense of ownership and participation among all stakeholders.
“The beauty of quadratic funding is that it encourages a diversity of thought. It levels the playing field, allowing even the smallest voices to have a big impact. We are excited to see the wide range of projects that will emerge from this community-driven initiative.”
Jonathan Wan, Chief Growth Officer at FNCE (Foundation for the New Creative Economies)
By leveraging Gitcoin’s Grants Stack, LUKSO can kick off the program without the heavy lifting typically associated with grant management. This includes support in managing the application process, facilitating the donation period, and ensuring the smooth allocation of funds to the most deserving projects.
Gitcoin’s role extends beyond just the technical setup. By integrating LUKSO into its established ecosystem, Gitcoin is helping LUKSO projects gain visibility and connect with a broader audience. This partnership also highlights Gitcoin’s commitment to supporting innovative blockchain projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible in the decentralized space.
"LUKSO is really an EVM blockchain built for social, culture and creators, one of the earliest to do so. The alignment between Gitcoin’s focus on funding open source software, digital public goods, and culture makes this collaboration particularly impactful."
Sov, Head of Grants at Gitcoin
Clara Bühring, Head of Ecosystem Funding at FNCE (Foundation for the New Creative Economies) shares a bit more of the history of collaboration between LUKSO and Gitcoin:
“We have a long history working within the Gitcoinverse. Our first ever large-scale hackathon was hosted on Gitcoin’s legacy hackathon platform and the subsequent ones were hosted on buidlbox, which sprung out of the Gitcoin team. In the first hackathon we had a community award that was based on quadratic voting, where our community could vote on their favorite hackathon submissions. And that was a really positive experience.”
To be eligible, projects must contribute to the LUKSO ecosystem by focusing on areas such as DApps, infrastructure, community building, and Web3 education, while demonstrating strong community engagement, a clear roadmap, and adherence to high ethical standards. Proposals will be reviewed by a committee from Gitcoin and LUKSO, aiming to support a diverse range of impactful projects.
Application Dates: September 3rd to September 10th, 23:59 CET
Donation Dates: September 12th, 2PM CET - September 26th 23:59 CET
Funding available: 50,000 USD in LYX
Visit the LUKSO application page to apply.
The collaboration between LUKSO and Gitcoin is a powerful example of how decentralized technologies can be leveraged to support innovation and community-driven development. By combining LUKSO’s vision for a unified digital identity with Gitcoin’s expertise in quadratic funding, this grant round is set to empower builders, elevate projects, and create stronger connections within the blockchain community.
As we look forward to the launch of the LUKSO QF round, it’s clear that this partnership is more than just a funding opportunity—it’s a step towards a more connected, decentralized future where digital identity and ownership are seamlessly integrated into our online lives. This round embodies the collective spirit of the LUKSO community, fostering growth and innovation that will resonate far beyond this single event.
Clara Bühring shares, “It’s great to work with the Gitcoin team, there is so much expertise in what they are doing, and such a wealth of knowledge on grants. I’m excited that our passionate builder community gets a platform to present their projects to the Gitcoin team and community. It’s exciting to give them a platform they haven’t had before.”