Launching the Sei x Gitcoin Creator Fund

Gitcoin and SEI are collaborating to celebrate the launch of SEI v2 and support the growth and development of the SEI ecosystem through the Sei Creator Fund, which will include multiple rounds of funding.

The first round, called ‘The Kickoff,’ starts on June 4th with a $250k matching pool, using quadratic funding (QF). QF is a crowd-funding mechanism where community members make donations (big or small) that act as votes on where to allocate funds. QF pools small donations from many people and matches them with a larger amount of funding from a central fund, provided by the SEI Foundation. It uses a unique mathematical formula that rewards projects based on the number of people who have donated, not just the size of the donations. This approach captures community needs, fosters shared ownership, and incentivizes smaller contributors. 

Gitcoin has established itself as a leader in funding web3 projects, having allocated over $60 million, received 4.2 million donations, and onboarded more than 300,000 developers into the crypto ecosystem. Now, with the Sei Creator Fund, our community can play a direct role in directing grant funding and shaping the future of our ecosystem.

Creator Fund Rounds

The Sei Creator Fund Program will run multiple rounds, each with unique criteria, deadlines, and funding limits. Each round will utilize the Gitcoin Grants Stack, combining quadratic and retroactive funding mechanisms to democratize  the grant program.

Eligibility Criteria

If you're a creator, builder, or innovator aiming to impact the SEI ecosystem, now is the time to engage. The SEI Creator Fund offers a unique chance to bring your projects to life with support from a Foundation that values decentralized creativity. Whether you're ideating, realizing a creative vision, or expanding an existing project, this fund is here for you.

1. SEI Ecosystem Contributions
   1. Projects must contribute to the SEI ecosystem's growth and development in areas such as decentralized content platforms, NFT marketplaces and tools, social platforms and fan engagement, decentralized crowdfunding, Web3 creative tools and infrastructure, creator DAOs and collectives, Web3 content discovery, creation, and curation, and Web3 skill-sharing and education. Both past and new projects are eligible if they create value for the SEI community and platform users.
2. Community Engagement and Impact
   1. Projects should actively engage with the SEI and broader Web3 community. Proposals should outline plans for community outreach, social media presence, and initiatives to drive user adoption and participation.
3. Technical Feasibility and Roadmap
   1. Projects must present a clear, feasible roadmap with detailed milestones and deliverables. Proposals should showcase the team's expertise and ability to execute the project successfully.
4. Funding and Budget
   1. Proposals should detail how the funds will maximize the project's impact within the SEI ecosystem.
5. Ethical and Community Standards
   1. Discrimination and hate speech are prohibited, as is any harmful or misleading content. Manipulative practices, including Sybil attacks, are strictly prohibited. Projects must accurately represent their affiliation and intentions. Incentives for donations are disallowed, and grants cannot be used for direct promotions or sales. Projects with significant external funding may be reconsidered to ensure fairness. Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations is mandatory.

Evaluation Process

• Proposals will be reviewed by a committee led by SEI representatives, in collaboration with Gitcoin.
• Projects will be evaluated based on their adherence to the eligibility criteria, potential impact, and alignment with the funding round's objectives.
• The committee will aim to onboard as many projects as possible to support diverse initiatives within the SEI Creator Economy.

How to apply

1. Create a profile on Builder (if you do not already have one)
2. Apply on Gitcoin’s Grants Stack 
   1. (Guide)

How to vote

1. When donations open on June 11th 12PM EST you can review live applications as they come in at https://explorer.gitcoin.co/#/round/1329/4 
2. Review the list of grantees 
3. Donate to the grantees of your choice (add to cart -> check out with allocating $SEI) (Guide)

Submission Details

Applications for the first round of grants opens on Tuesday, June 4th at 9AM EST. Any teams or individuals contributing to the Sei Creator ecosystem that meet the eligibility criteria can apply.

This initiative represents a significant milestone for the Sei ecosystem, leveraging the largest and longest-running Web3 grants program to foster innovation and development. Notable projects that have benefited from Gitcoin's funding include Uniswap, 1inch, and WalletConnect.

We look forward to seeing the incredible projects that will emerge from the Sei Creator Grants Program and invite all eligible creators to apply and contribute to the growth of our ecosystem.

Questions?

We’re here to help.  If you have any questions, feel free to join the dedicated Telegram Group we have created: https://t.me/+byWpLVRDllEzZTU1 

About Gitcoin

Gitcoin creates technologies and opportunities that empower communities to fund, build, and protect what matters. Through its Grants Program, Gitcoin has distributed over $60 million to early-stage builders championing public goods initiatives in decentralized finance (DeFi), climate, open sourcing, and more. Core products include Grants Stack, an end-to-end grants management solution, and Allo Protocol, a decentralized capital allocation tool.

Note: This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please conduct your research and evaluation before participating in any project.

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