diff --git a/docs/0_timeline/history.md b/docs/0_timeline/history.md
index e69de29..3ff46a9 100644
--- a/docs/0_timeline/history.md
+++ b/docs/0_timeline/history.md
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+# :material-history: Project History
+
+!!! info "What is this?"
+ The decade-long journey from a TNO research project to ONLIFE—and how it birthed the Smartup model itself. This is our collective memory of how we got here.
+
+## The Evolution: From Apps to Emergency Infrastructure
+
+### Phase 1: The Origin - Transient Apps (2016-2017)
+
+Our story begins with a research collaboration between **TNO** (Dutch research organization) and **RS New Media Concepts**. The problem: smartphone users drowning in app choices. The solution: **"Transient Apps"**—lightweight applications that appear when needed, disappear when not.
+
+**What we built:**
+- The **Context Engine**: An algorithm predicting user needs based on physical location
+- Automatic delivery of relevant web apps
+- Working prototype proving the concept
+
+**What stopped us:**
+Platform gatekeepers (Google, Apple) would never allow it. They were already building their own versions (Instant Apps, Progressive Web Apps). We hit a dead end.
+
+!!! success "Phase 1 Outcome"
+ Research validated but path blocked by platform control:
+ - Context-aware app delivery proven
+ - User need confirmed
+ - Technical feasibility demonstrated
+ - Platform dependency identified
+
+ [:material-file-document: Transient Apps Research Report](../assets/pdfs/Final Report_HTSM TKI Transient apps.pdf){ target=_blank .md-button }
+
+### Phase 2: The First Pivot - "Onlive" Social Networks (2017-2019)
+
+Rather than abandon the Context Engine, we pivoted. If we couldn't change how apps work, could we change how people connect?
+
+**The ethical awakening:**
+As Facebook's scandals mounted, we faced a choice: build another data-harvesting social network or find a different path. We chose differently. Instead of connecting individuals online, we'd connect **groups of people in their immediate physical world**.
+
+**"Onlive: the social network for the real world"**
+- Context Engine repurposed to identify relevant groups
+- Seven Dutch business partners provided feedback
+- UX and architecture developed
+
+**The revelation:**
+We weren't building an app. We were building an **Operating System for group interaction in the real world**.
+
+!!! success "Phase 2 Outcome"
+ Proof of Concept delivered:
+ - Android prototype functional
+ - Backend architecture designed
+ - UX patterns established
+ - Business validation complete
+
+ [:material-file-document: Onlive Research Report](../assets/pdfs/Onlive final report.pdf){ target=_blank .md-button }
+
+### Phase 3: The Governance Pivot - Birth of the Smartup Model (2019-2020)
+
+With research complete, the logical next step was forming a traditional startup. But was it the *right* step?
+
+**The dilemma:**
+- Public-good technology
+- Complex social mission
+- Poor fit for VC model
+
+**The insight:**
+> "How we create is as important as what we create."
+
+The organizational structure itself needed to embody our values: open, democratic, mission-driven.
+
+**The Smartup Model emerges:**
+We began designing a new type of organization based on:
+- Collective ownership
+- Democratic governance
+- Scientific rigor
+- SDG alignment
+
+!!! success "Phase 3 Outcome"
+ New organizational model conceptualized:
+ - Smartup governance structure defined
+ - Economic model designed
+ - Democratic principles embedded
+ - Blueprint for future documented
+
+ [:material-file-document: Smartup Zero Original Whitepaper](../assets/pdfs/Smartup Zero - a blueprint for disruption (book)_compressed.pdf){ target=_blank .md-button }
+
+### Phase 4: The COVID Pivot & Academic Validation (2020-2022)
+
+The pandemic provided an urgent, real-world test case. Could Onlive enable **"Digital Herd Immunity"** through group-tracing rather than individual contact-tracing?
+
+**Academic collaboration with Erasmus Programme:**
+- Security challenges addressed
+- UX refined for crisis scenarios
+- Concept validation in pandemic context
+- Technical feasibility confirmed
+
+The world suddenly understood why decentralized, resilient communication matters.
+
+!!! success "Phase 4 Outcome"
+ Academic validation achieved:
+ - UX patterns for crisis communication
+ - Security model validated
+ - User research completed
+ - Emergency use cases confirmed
+
+ [:material-file-document: UX Research Report](../assets/pdfs/UX MVP 2022.pdf){ target=_blank .md-button }
+
+### Phase 5: Technical Deep Dive - Mesh Networking (2023-2024)
+
+To truly work without internet, we needed to go deeper into the networking layer.
+
+**Partnership with HanzeHogeschool:**
+- Open-source mesh network implementation
+- Smartphone-native protocols
+- Beyond proof-of-concept to production-ready
+- Ad-hoc network formation without infrastructure
+
+We weren't just building an app anymore. We were building alternative internet infrastructure.
+
+!!! success "Phase 5 Outcome"
+ **Mesh protocol designed and tested:**
+ - 75+ node networks achieved
+ - Android implementation working
+ - Bluetooth/WiFi Direct integration
+ - Open source architecture defined
+
+ [:material-file-document: Mesh Network Protocol Design](../assets/pdfs/NLUUG - Smartup Zero - Hanze Copy .pptx.pdf){ target=_blank .md-button }
+
+### Phase 6: The Final Pivot - ONLIFE Emergency Network (2025-Present)
+
+Ten years of pivots, research, and refinement crystallized into a clear mission.
+
+**From ONLIVE to ONLIFE:**
+Not just "online live"—but a network for LIFE itself. When everything else fails, ONLIFE remains.
+
+**The focus sharpens:**
+- Emergency communication for citizens
+- Works without internet or telecoms
+- Mesh network using existing smartphones
+- European civil resilience infrastructure
+
+!!! success "Phase 6 Outcome"
+ **The experiment begins:**
+ - Smartup Zero launched
+ - Community forming
+ - Development starting
+ - Everything transparent
+
+ **As an owner, you get access to all code, documentation, and decisions in real-time.**
+
+!!! quote "Why the Name Change"
+ "ONLIVE was about being online in live settings. ONLIFE is about staying connected when life itself is at stake. It's not just a network—it's a lifeline."
+
+## The Dual Innovation
+
+What makes our history unique is that we didn't just develop technology—we developed a new way to develop technology:
+
+1. **ONLIFE**: The emergency communication protocol
+2. **Smartup Model**: The organizational form to build it
+
+Both innovations emerged from the same insight: existing systems—technical and organizational—aren't fit for planetary challenges.
+
+!!! success "From Research to Reality"
+ - 10 years of research
+ - Multiple pivots based on ethical considerations
+ - Academic validation
+ - Technical proof of concept
+ - Organizational innovation
+ - **Now**: Building it together as Smartup Zero
+
+## Key Partners Along the Journey
+
+- **TNO**: Original research partner (2016-2017)
+- **RS New Media Concepts**: Initial development
+- **Seven Dutch businesses**: Early feedback partners
+- **Erasmus Programme**: COVID-era validation
+- **HanzeHogeschool**: Mesh networking research
+- **You**: The next chapter begins with collective ownership
+
+---
+
+[:material-arrow-right-bold: Read the Current Mission](../smartup-zero/onlife.md){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
+
+--8<-- "_snippets/join-cta.md"
diff --git a/docs/0_timeline/technical-subsystem.md b/docs/0_timeline/technical-subsystem.md
index 73a86d8..d934315 100644
--- a/docs/0_timeline/technical-subsystem.md
+++ b/docs/0_timeline/technical-subsystem.md
@@ -682,6 +682,68 @@ The tools don't just support our work—they embody our principles. When a new c
!!! warning "Still Evolving"
We're starting with proven tools and will migrate to full EU sovereignty as we grow. Every technical decision is documented, debated in public, and aligned with our mission.
+## :material-layers-triple: Smartup Administration Index
+
+!!! info "What is this?"
+ The Smartup Administration Index is our unified, semantic numbering convention.
+ It assigns every governance channel, team, role, objective, and task a clear, machine-readable identifier—ensuring transparency, accountability, and automation across Forgejo, Element, and Engelbot.
+
+**Purpose**
+
+- 🎯 Clarity: Instantly locate any process or discussion
+- 🤖 Automation-Ready: Bots can parse, filter, and trigger workflows
+- 🔄 Consistency: Uniform identifiers in Matrix/Element, Forgejo, and docs
+- 🧾 Auditability: Every event logged with a traceable ID
+
+---
+
+#### 🔢 Numbering Layers (1–6)
+
+| Prefix | Layer | Description | Example Identifier |
+|--------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
+| 1_ | General Forum | Public governance, debate & voting (Element room) | `1_general_forum` |
+| 2_ | Workplace | Coordination hub for all Workers & PLT (Element room) | `2_workplace` |
+| 3_ | Teams | Skill-based groups (each team gets an index) | `3_4` (Team #4) |
+| 4_ | Roles | Contributor roles within a team | `4_1_4` (Role #1 in Team 4) |
+| 5_ | Objectives | Project boards / OKRs (main & sub-objectives) | `5_2` (Obj #2) / `5_3_4` (Sub-Obj 3 of Obj 4) |
+| 6_ | Tasks | Individual work units | `6_2_3_4` (Task #2 of Sub-Obj 3 of Obj 4) |
+
+---
+
+#### :material-clipboard-list: Examples in Practice
+
+| Concept | Identifier | Human-Readable Name | Notes |
+|-------------|--------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
+| **Forum** | `1_general_forum` | #1_general_forum (Element) | All-owner discussions & votes |
+| **Workplace** | `2_workplace` | #2_workplace (Element) | Cross-team coordination & PLT planning |
+| **Team** | `3_4` | #3_4_business (Element/Git) | Business Team |
+| **Role** | `4_1_4` | `4_1_4_marketing_lead` | Marketing Lead role in Business Team |
+| **Objective**| `5_2` | `5_2_onlife-mvp` | ONLIFE MVP Phase |
+| **Sub-Obj** | `5_3_4` | `5_3_4_ui-refinement` | 3rd sub-objective under Obj 4 |
+| **Task** | `6_2_3_4` | `6_2_3_4_design-login-screen` | 2nd task under Sub-Obj 3 of Obj 4 |
+
+---
+
+### ✅ Why This Works
+
+| Benefit | Explanation |
+|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| 🧭 Clarity | Semantic IDs show layer, parent context, and sequence at a glance |
+| 🔄 Consistency | One simple rule everywhere—no special cases |
+| 🤖 Automation-Ready | Engelbot/CI parse prefixes to route notifications, trigger bots, filter logs |
+| 🧾 Auditability | Every issue, vote, and task references a stable ID for full traceability |
+
+Use these identifiers:
+
+- In **Element room names** (`#3_4`, `#2_workplace`, etc.)
+- As **Forgejo issue/project prefixes** (`6_2_3_4_task-title`)
+- In **docs and bots** for filtering and linking
+
+With a single, right-to-left numbering scheme, our Smartup remains organized, transparent, and ready for scale.
+
+
+
+
---
[:material-arrow-right-bold: Continue to Live Experiment Status](#){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
diff --git a/docs/0_timeline/the-experiment.md b/docs/0_timeline/the-experiment.md
index 07c9a9d..4a021ad 100644
--- a/docs/0_timeline/the-experiment.md
+++ b/docs/0_timeline/the-experiment.md
@@ -1,178 +1,158 @@
-# :material-flask: The Smartup Experiment - Overview
+# :material-flask: Experiment Overview
!!! info "What is this?"
- Your quick guide to understanding Smartups — a new kind of organization that fixes what's broken in how we build technology for global challenges. Each section links to detailed explanations.
+ A concise map of our experiment design: how we put the Smartup Hypothesis into practice
+ by redesigning the Social, Technical, and External subsystems. Follow the links to dive deeper.
---
-??? tip "Just give me the abstract"
- The Smartup Hypothesis is a set of rules, processes, workflows, and tools that together form an operating system designed to help large groups collaborate transparently, efficiently, and mission-driven toward tools for the SDGs.
+## From Hypothesis to Experiment
- In essence, we're building a better toolkit for future generations. The system is described below as a living organism. We’ll dive into its natural habitat, anatomy, and metabolism.
+Building on our core hypothesis, Smartup Zero tests three system tweaks:
- In a Smartup, "citizens" work collaboratively and interchangeably on ideas that break old paradigms and reveal new ways forward. It is an organization designed to create tools for people to work both *on* and *within* their communities.
+- :material-account-group: Social Subsystem
+ From fragmented “users” to democratic citizens—transparent governance, peer workflows, and collective ownership.
-## What's a Smartup?
+- :material-server: Technical Subsystem
+ From isolated tools to group-first design—dual-currency economy, license model, sovereign open-source stack, and automated administration.
-A Smartup is the **opposite of a startup**. Instead of racing toward an exit for venture capitalists, we're building sustainable technology businesses that tackle UN Sustainable Development Goals.
-
-**The key difference**: Everyone who contributes owns an equal share. Everyone sees every decision. Everyone focuses on impact — not stock prices.
-
-## The Three System Adjustments
-
-We identified [three system faults](the-observation.md) blocking SDG progress. Here's how Smartups fix them:
-
-### :material-account-group: Social Adjustment
-**From "Hamsters in the Wheel" to Collective Power**
-
-**The Problem**
-People feel powerless, trapped in systems that benefit from their distraction.
-**Our Fix**
-Democratic ownership and governance where every contributor has equal voice and stake.
-
-**Key innovations**:
-
-- [The 6 Groups structure](social-subsystem.md#the-six-groups-of-productivity)
-- [ADM Triangle](social-subsystem.md#the-adm-triangle-our-operating-system)
-- [Buddy System](social-subsystem.md#the-buddy-system-never-work-alone)
-- [Identity Protocols](social-subsystem.md#identity-protocols-who-we-become-in-each-space)
-
-[:material-arrow-right: Explore the social subsystem](social-subsystem.md)
+- :material-earth: External Subsystem
+ From national silos to planetary organizations—borderless operations, equal pay, and a roadmap to global recognition.
---
-### :material-server: Technical Adjustment
-**From "Isolated Users" to Collective Intelligence**
-
-**The Problem**
-Technology treats us as individual consumers, not collaborating citizens.
-**Our Fix**
-Tools and economics designed for group productivity.
-
-**Key innovations**:
-
-- [Dual Currency System](technical-subsystem.md#labor-economics-how-work-gets-valued)
-- [Four License Model](technical-subsystem.md#revenue-model-the-four-license-system)
-- [EU-Sovereign Tech Stack](technical-subsystem.md#the-technical-stack-tools-for-collective-intelligence)
-- [Transparent Treasury](technical-subsystem.md#business-operations)
-
-[:material-arrow-right: Explore the technical subsystem](technical-subsystem.md)
+!!! warning "Don't Be Overwhelmed"
+ A Smartup is a new species of organization with many novel tools, processes, and workflows.
+ You won’t master it all at once—learn by doing in the live experiment!
---
-### :material-earth: External Adjustment
-**From "Distorted Incentives" to Planetary Focus**
+## Core Experiment Components
-**The Problem**
-National interests and profit motives override global needs.
-**Our Fix**
-Digital-first organizations beyond borders.
+We frame each subsystem by its defining elements. Click through to explore details and examples.
-**Key innovations**:
+=== ":material-account-group: Social Subsystem"
-- Borderless operations (work from anywhere)
-- Equal pay globally (same task = same pay)
-- [Defocused from politics](external-subsystem.md#beyond-borders-beyond-politics)
-- Future UN recognition as planetary entities
+ **Architecture**
+ - Rocket model: foundation (Science, Democracy, Collective IQ) + 3 pillars + military execution.
+ - :material-cube-outline: Four Phases (0→Validation→Design→Production→Organization).
+ - :material-layers-triple: Six Groups of Productivity (Forum, Workplace, Teams, Roles, Objectives, Tasks).
+ - :material-triangle: ADM Triangle + Buddy System for quality, learning, and accountability.
+ - :material-book-open: Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) as living constitution.
+ - :material-coin: Smartup Credits (SC) for transparent contribution tracking.
-[:material-arrow-right: Explore the external subsystem](external-subsystem.md)
+=== ":material-server: Technical Subsystem"
+
+ **Economy & Access**
+ - :material-currency-eur: Dual-Currency Model (SC + Social Karma).
+ - :material-license: Four License System (Campaign → Watch → Work → Organizational).
+
+ **Infrastructure & Automation**
+ - :material-server: EU-sovereign, open-source stack (Matrix/Element, Forgejo, Open Collective).
+ - :material-layers-triple: Smartup Administration Index (semantic numbering & workflows).
+ - :material-robot: Engelbot & CI for automated task routing, voting, and SC minting.
+
+=== ":material-earth: External Subsystem"
+
+ **Planetary Scope**
+ - :material-earth-box: Digital-first, no HQ, operates under Internet jurisdiction.
+ - :material-account-heart: Borderless participation & equal pay worldwide.
+ - :material-scale-balance: Defocused from politics; focused on SDGs & scientific reality.
+ - :material-numeric-3-circle: Roadmap to UN/global recognition as a new org “species.”
---
-## Quick Start Guide
-
-
-
-- :material-help-circle:{ .lg .middle } **How do I join?**
- ---
- 1. Visit [Open Collective](https://opencollective.com/smartup-zero)
- 2. Choose your license type
- 3. Enter our [Matrix space](https://matrix.to/#/#smartup-zero:matrix.org)
-
- [:material-arrow-right: See license options](technical-subsystem.md#revenue-model-the-four-license-system)
-
-- :material-currency-eur:{ .lg .middle } **How do I earn?**
- ---
- 1. Find tasks in [Forgejo](https://smartup-zero-forgejo.fly.dev)
- 2. Complete work
- 3. Earn Smartup Credits
- 4. Cash out when treasury allows
-
- [:material-arrow-right: Learn about SC](technical-subsystem.md#labor-economics-how-work-gets-valued)
-
-- :material-vote:{ .lg .middle } **What are my rights?**
- ---
- - Equal vote in decisions
- - Equal ownership share
- - Access to all information
- - Choose your own path
-
- [:material-arrow-right: See governance model](social-subsystem.md#democratic-by-nature-military-in-execution)
-
-- :material-target:{ .lg .middle } **What are we building?**
- ---
- Currently: [ONLIFE](../smartup-zero/onlife.md)
- Emergency communication
- Works without internet
- Open source forever
-
- [:material-arrow-right: Track progress](../smartup-zero/current-status.md)
-
-
-
----
-
-## Why This Matters
-
-**For You**
-Fair pay, equal ownership, learn while earning, work on meaningful problems.
-
-**For the Planet**
-Professional teams building real solutions for SDGs — not another ad platform.
-
-!!! quote "The Bottom Line"
- "We're proving that business discipline and public good aren't opposites. You can build professional technology companies that pay fairly, share ownership equally, and stay focused on what matters: solving humanity's biggest challenges."
-
----
-
-## Ready to Dive Deeper?
+## Explore the Experiment
:material-account-group:{ .lg }
-**Social Innovation**
-How we organize collectively
-[Explore Social Subsystem :material-arrow-right:](social-subsystem.md){ .md-button }
+**Social Subsystem**
+[See Social Details :material-arrow-right:](social-subsystem.md)
:material-server:{ .lg }
-**Technical Innovation**
-How we work and get paid
-[Explore Technical Subsystem :material-arrow-right:](technical-subsystem.md){ .md-button }
+**Technical Subsystem**
+[See Technical Details :material-arrow-right:](technical-subsystem.md)
:material-earth:{ .lg }
-**External Innovation**
-How we transcend borders
-[Explore External Subsystem :material-arrow-right:](external-subsystem.md){ .md-button }
+**External Subsystem**
+[See External Details :material-arrow-right:](external-subsystem.md)
----
-
-
-
-:material-book-open:{ .lg }
-**Start from Why**
-Understand the problems first
-[Read the Observation :material-arrow-right:](the-observation.md){ .md-button }
-
-:material-rocket-launch:{ .lg }
-**Join the Movement**
-Become part of Smartup Zero
-[Start Contributing :material-arrow-right:](https://opencollective.com/smartup-zero){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
-
-
---
---8<-- "_snippets/join-cta.md"
+A high end overview of the lifecylce of a Smartup:
+```mermaid
+flowchart TD
+ %% Start
+ Start(["START HERE | Entrepreneur/Organization with an Idea"])
+
+ %% Validation Phase
+ subgraph Validation["Validation Phase"]
+ OSBP["the official smartup business plan"]
+ DevTeam1["Development Team"]
+ DesignTeam1["Design Team"]
+ ScienceTeam1["Science Team"]
+ ProjectLeaders["Project Leaders Team"]
+ Crowdfunding["Crowdfunding"]
+
+ OSBP --> Crowdfunding
+ Crowdfunding -->
+ DevTeam1 --> ProjectLeaders
+ DesignTeam1 --> ProjectLeaders
+ ScienceTeam1 --> ProjectLeaders
+
+ ProjectLeaders --> ForumValidation["General Forum"]
+ ForumValidation --> VoteValidation["VOTE"]
+ VoteValidation --> StratPlanValidation["Official Strategic Plan | Prototyping Ready"]
+ end
+
+ %% Design Phase
+ subgraph Design["Design Phase"]
+ DesignTeam2["Design Team | Design Blueprint"]
+ ScienceTeam2["Science Team | Scientific Review"]
+
+ StratPlanValidation --> DesignTeam2
+ DesignTeam2 --> ScienceTeam2
+ ScienceTeam2 --> ForumDesign["General Forum"]
+ ForumDesign --> VoteDesign["VOTE"]
+ VoteDesign --> StratPlanDesign["Approved Design Blueprint"]
+ end
+
+ %% Production Phase
+ subgraph Production["Production Phase"]
+ DevTeam2["Development Team | Beta Testing"]
+ ScienceTeam3["Science Team | Scientific Review"]
+
+ StratPlanDesign --> DevTeam2
+ DevTeam2 --> ScienceTeam3
+ ScienceTeam3 --> ForumProd["General Forum"]
+ ForumProd --> VoteProd["VOTE"]
+ VoteProd --> StratPlanProd["Official Strategic Plan | Production Ready"]
+ end
+
+ %% Organization Phase
+ subgraph Organization["Organization Phase"]
+ ExecTeam["Elected Executive Team"]
+ BusinessTeam["Business Team | Final Market Assessment"]
+
+ StratPlanProd --> ExecTeam
+ ExecTeam --> ForumOrg["General Forum"]
+ ForumOrg --> VoteOrg["VOTE"]
+ VoteOrg --> BusinessTeam
+ BusinessTeam --> MarketReady["Official Strategic Plan | Market Ready"]
+ end
+
+ %% End
+ MarketReady --> End(["TO MARKET! | END HERE!"])
+
+ %% Connections
+ Start --> OSBP
+
+ %% Styling (optional but valid syntax)
+ classDef startEnd fill:#FFD600,stroke:#FFD600,color:#000,font-weight:bold
+ class Start,End startEnd
+```
diff --git a/docs/0_timeline/the-observation.md b/docs/0_timeline/the-observation.md
index 4266b81..a299ac7 100644
--- a/docs/0_timeline/the-observation.md
+++ b/docs/0_timeline/the-observation.md
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
----
-
##:material-eye: Observation
!!! info "What is this?"
@@ -173,3 +171,4 @@ The 2025 SDG Progress Report confirms what systems theorists have observed for y
--8<-- "_snippets/join-cta.md"
+
diff --git a/docs/0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis.md b/docs/0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis.md
index c3fb06f..51216d5 100644
--- a/docs/0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis.md
+++ b/docs/0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis.md
@@ -32,8 +32,9 @@ If we move from shareholder-owned technology to people-owned technology, then jo
!!! tip "In Practice"
In a Smartup, all contributors—no matter their background—can own, shape, and steer the direction of projects together.
- How we do that is described in detail:
- - [A new Social Subsystem](../0_timeline/social-subsystem.md)
+
+The experiment setting: [A New Social Subsystem](social-subsystem.md)
+
---
## :material-server: 2. Adjustment to the Technical Subsystem
@@ -48,6 +49,8 @@ If we explicitly design technology for citizen groups—drawing on the lessons o
_“The real breakthrough comes when technology supports groups solving problems together.”_
— Douglas Engelbart (paraphrased)
+The experiment setting: [A New Technical Subsystem](technical-subsystem.md)
+
---
## :material-bank-off-outline: 3. Adjustment to the External Subsystem
@@ -60,18 +63,20 @@ If we shift to decentralized, open funding (via crowdfunding, community partners
!!! info "Mechanism"
Smartup Zero is structured so that funding, data, and decision rights are distributed and transparent—not captured by single entities or platforms.
+
+The experiment setting: [A New External Subsystem](external-subsystem.md)
+
---
## :material-cube-outline: Blueprint for a New Kind of Organization
-In summary:
To realign our systems with societal and planetary needs, we hypothesize that a new kind of organization—one that rewires ownership, technical design, and external relationships—can transform collective intent into real progress.
!!! note "What's Next?"
The next section documents how we are testing these hypotheses through the Smartup Zero experiment, step by step.
-[:material-arrow-right-bold: Dive into the Smartup Blueprint](experiment-blueprint.md){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
+[:material-arrow-right-bold: Dive into the Experiment](the-experiment.md){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
----
--8<-- "_snippets/join-cta.md"
+
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+**The central document for all Smartup Zero owners**
+====================================================
+
+The Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) is the central repository for all Smartup information, accessible to all owners. It originates from the entrepreneur's initial business plan, encompassing the product presentation, research sources, and the definition of ‘ready for design’. During the Validation phase, teams complete domain-specific assessments using the OSBP. This fosters organization and leads to Team Captain selection and the Project Leaders Team formation. This team, including captains and the entrepreneur, manages day-to-day operations, aligns via video conferences, makes decisions, and prepares the OSBP. Their completeness is essential to proceed beyond Validation.
+
+Abstract:
+---------
+
+Onlive is a novel transient network protocol designed for smartphones forming dynamic groups within a shared physical context, omitting the need for traditional servers, transmission towers, or even satellites. Operating independently of standard internet infrastructure, the protocol enables connectivity based on the prevalence of mobile phones in a specific area. It outlines procedures for connecting smartphones as they transition through various situations, events, and areas with their owners, establishing a transient communication infrastructure utilizing UDP. This facilitates the sharing of vital information during dire circumstances, such as natural or manmade disasters, serving as a resilient tool for communities. Onlive empowers communities to enhance disaster response, expedite resource sharing, and foster informed discussions in classrooms, ultimately offering a self-reliant solution for navigating the impacts of a rapidly changing natural and cultural climate. The netowork achieves these goals without dependency on third-party hardware or software. Smartup Zero presents a collaborative initiative to develop and manage Onlive-mesh, an open-source ad hoc mesh network technology designed for groups of smartphones. This novel implementation enables the rapid establishment of local private networks, fostering quick and resilient data sharing, particularly suited for small to medium-sized networks in post-disaster communication blackouts.
+
+The project encompasses preliminary research, culminating in the design of a mesh network protocol tailored for WiFi-capable devices like smartphones, signalling readiness for the programming phase. Anticipated by the end of Q1 2025, a beta testable version of the Android app leveraging this networking technology aims to be released. This application empowers users to seamlessly create, navigate and join different groups (networks). Within these groups, mesh networks are deployed, facilitating the execution of specific software accessible to all group members, enhancing communication in diverse scenarios.
+
+Ultimately, the Smartup Zero collective aims to provide a self-sufficient solution for overcoming communication challenges in the wake of rapidly changing natural and cultural climates. Notably, Onlive operates independently, free from external hardware or software dependencies, exemplifying its innovative and resilient network technology potential.
+
+
+Executive Summary
+-----------------
+
+The time for startups is over. It’s time to grow up. In a world facing a natural and cultural crisis, it is evident that we need the right toolset to stand a chance. To me, it’s also evident that our current one, does not do the trick.
+
+This Official Smartup Zero Business Plan (OSBP) is the central hub of information for all participants in the Smartup Zero experiment. If you made it this far, it means you are on the verge of becoming a co-owner of a technology that has the potential to help communities all over the world to be resilient, humane and intelligent in their fight for a safe, sustainable and social environment. You seek to prove that by empowering communities with a new toolset, we have a better shot at dealing with our changing natural and cultural climate. You commit to help build and govern the first tool of that toolset. By giving us control over our own digital tools, we can still make it. You have seen how fast digital technologies are able to cause mass behaviour. That is a power that can be forged for good as well.
+
+Unlike traditional startups, Smartups are founded on the principle that technology should serve the needs of humanity, not the other way around. To define ‘what serves humanity’ we rely on the most comprehensive political and scientific framework in the world that has been designed and researched to tackle critical global challenges: the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most important conditions for a Smartup to exist is that it should create a technology that complies with at least one of these goals. Smartup technologies are democratically governed, scientifically validated, and created with the explicit intention of being owned and managed by the people who use and build them. The current paradigm, dominated by corporate interests and profit-driven technology, has led to widespread issues such as data exploitation, misinformation, democratic influences and environmental degradation. Billionaire entrepreneurs are diverting resources to trivial pursuits, while the planet faces unprecedented challenges, technology leaves us naked and volnerable. It is time to move beyond the juvenile stage of startups and step into a more mature, responsible era of technological development.
+
+Smartup Zero introduces a new type of organization—**the Smartup**—where technology is built collectively, owned democratically, and governed scientificly. The first technology to be developed under this model is **Onlive**, a decentralized communication network that functions independently of traditional infrastructure. Onlive empowers communities to create their own networks, ensuring connectivity and coordination during crises and beyond. It serves as a tool for local resilience, enabling citizens to organize and respond to real-world issues without relying on corporate or governmental control.
+
+This experiment is not about creating a single solution but about developing the tools and frameworks necessary for future generations to address our complex challenges. We aim to foster a culture of collective action and shared responsibility by providing communities with technologies they own and control. The experiment can lead to a blueprint that we can use to identify, create and market humane technologies fast and furious. Technologies we need in our daunting quest for a future for all mankind. We all feel and see our world change fast. Tetanic plates are crashing. Our cultural AND natural systems are colliding. The business plan invites coders, designers, researchers, investors, innovators, and community leaders to join this transformative journey. By supporting Smartup Zero, you are investing in a new model of technological development that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its people over profits. Together, we can build the digital tools needed to navigate our most pressing challenges and ensure a sustainable future for all for all mankind.Let’s get to work,Robbert Schep
+
+Figure 1: Onlive is designed as a dimension between the online and the offline world.
+
+
+Smartup hypothese: a method to define if the world needs a technology?
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The **Smartup Hypothesis** asserts a fundamental distinction between a **Smartup** and a traditional startup: a Smartup exclusively creates technologies that the world genuinely needs. This necessity is defined in three key dimensions:
+
+1. **Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):** Smartups ensure that the technologies they create address one or more of the 17 SDGs, which provide a globally agreed-upon framework for solving critical social, environmental, and economic challenges.
+
+2. **Scientific Grounding:** A Smartup's technology must have a solid scientific basis, meaning there is evidence that the proposed solution can effectively solve the targeted problem. This is achieved by conducting research, gathering data, and validating the technology through scientific inquiry and peer-reviewed studies.
+
+3. **Democratic Grounding:** Finally, a Smartup must prove that enough people actually want and support the creation of the technology. This is achieved through **crowdfunding** and **community-building** efforts. By building teams, rallying support, and reaching financial thresholds, the project demonstrates that there is collective interest and demand, ensuring the technology will serve real, widespread needs.
+
+
+Together, these three pillars—global alignment, scientific validation, and democratic support—form the core of the Smartup approach, ensuring that each project is not only innovative but also impactful, necessary, and desired by the community.
+
+Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
+---------------------------------------------------
+
+#### 1\. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
+
+Onlive enhances communication infrastructure, particularly in areas lacking traditional networks or during crises when infrastructure is compromised. By enabling decentralized, peer-to-peer networks, Onlive ensures that communities can maintain connectivity without the need for centralized towers, satellites, or servers. This directly contributes to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation in technology.
+
+**How it Contributes:** Onlive provides a scalable, low-cost infrastructure that can be deployed in remote regions and disaster-stricken areas. Its innovative approach to communication can accelerate the digital transformation of underserved areas.
+
+#### 2\. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
+
+Onlive supports sustainable cities and communities by offering a tool for real-time communication during crises, events, or in dense urban environments. By enabling local, decentralized communication networks, it promotes safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.
+
+**How it Contributes**: During emergencies or natural disasters, Onlive can keep citizens connected, allowing for better coordination of relief efforts and more effective disaster response. It also facilitates communication within urban settings for local governance and citizen engagement, enhancing the livability of cities.
+
+#### 3\. SDG 13: Climate Action
+
+As climate-related disasters become more frequent, Onlive’s decentralized networks can play a critical role in disaster response and recovery, especially in remote or hard-hit areas. Onlive supports emergency communications for climate-related events like floods, hurricanes, and fires, where traditional infrastructure often fails.
+
+**How it Contributes:** Onlive enables quick deployment of communication systems during and after climate disasters, ensuring that relief efforts are organized and efficient. This supports adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, improving disaster preparedness and response.
+
+#### 4\. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
+
+Onlive facilitates international cooperation and technology transfer in disaster recovery and public safety. It enables partnerships between governments, NGOs, and communities, creating an international network of collaboration focused on disaster response, technology deployment, and citizen participation.
+
+**How it Contributes:** By creating networks that allow local governments, international aid organizations, and displaced tech professionals to collaborate seamlessly, Onlive supports the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development.
+
+#### 5\. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
+
+Onlife indirectly supports good health and well-being by ensuring communication is maintained during emergencies, helping coordinate medical response and health services in disaster scenarios. Reliable communication is essential for saving lives and ensuring that medical resources are allocated effectively during crises.
+
+**How it Contributes:** Onlive enables health workers to communicate in disaster zones, where traditional systems might be down. It also allows citizens to reach medical services or coordinate community-led health initiatives in real-time.
+
+#### 6\. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
+
+Onlive bridges the digital divide by providing accessible communication networks, even in areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This can reduce inequalities in access to information, services, and opportunities, particularly for marginalized or rural communities.
+
+**How it Contributes:** By offering a low-cost, infrastructure-independent communication solution, Onlive ensures that underserved populations, including those in rural or remote regions, have access to essential services, information, and participation in governance, helping to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
+
+**Conclusion:**
+
+Onlive is a versatile technology with the potential to impact several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. From improving communication infrastructure (SDG 9) to enabling resilient, connected communities (SDG 11) and facilitating better disaster response (SDG 13), its deployment can drive progress across multiple fronts. By aligning with these global goals, Onlive offers a scalable, innovative solution that supports sustainable development, disaster preparedness, and citizen empowerment.
+
+Scientific Grounding
+---------------------
+
+To demonstrate the potential of **Onlive** to solve real-world problems, particularly in **disaster recovery** and **citizen participation**, several scientific studies and reviews validate the utility of **Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs)** like Onlive in critical situations. Below is a list of relevant articles and studies that provide scientific proof and context for the development and deployment of Onlive technology:
+
+### **1\. Post-Disaster Communications: Enabling Technologies, Architectures, and Open Challenges**
+
+This comprehensive review discusses various communication technologies used in disaster situations, including MANETs. It highlights the resilience of ad hoc networks when traditional infrastructure fails, offering insights into how MANETs like Onlive can be vital in disaster-stricken areas by enabling real-time communication between survivors and rescue teams.**Relevance to Onlive**: Onlive’s decentralized nature directly addresses the need for resilient communication in disaster zones, ensuring connectivity without relying on damaged infrastructure(
+
+Study: [ar5iv](https://ar5iv.org/pdf/2203.13621)
+
+### **2\. Design of a Mobile Ad Hoc Network Communication App for Disaster Recovery**
+
+This paper explores the design of MANET apps for disaster recovery, emphasizing the role of real-time data in organizing and prioritizing resources in emergencies. It shows how MANETs can efficiently manage communication in scenarios like earthquakes and floods, where traditional communication channels are down.**Relevance to Onlive**: The study supports Onlive’s vision as a disaster recovery tool, allowing for organized, data-driven response in disaster situations through local, decentralized communication.
+
+Study: [ar5iv](https://ar5iv.org/pdf/2203.13621)
+
+### **3\. Ad Hoc Networks and Mobile Devices in Emergency Response**
+
+This study analyzes the use of wireless ad hoc networks as part of emergency response solutions, highlighting the necessity for robust communication systems. It underscores the compatibility of MANETs with emergency systems and the role of mobile devices in real-time data dissemination during crisis events.**Relevance to Onlive**: Onlive builds on these principles by using mobile devices to create ad hoc networks that ensure continuous communication during emergencies, even in the absence of central infrastructure
+
+Article: [SpringerLink](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-17994-5_2)
+
+### **4\. Implementing Wireless Ad Hoc Networks for Disaster Relief Communication**
+
+This paper presents case studies of Wi-Fi-based ad hoc networks implemented in disaster areas. It demonstrates how portable wireless nodes can establish communication links for rescuers and survivors. The study also focuses on smartphone-based solutions, making it highly relevant to Onlive’s mobile-first approach.**Relevance to Onlive**: Onlive’s focus on smartphone interconnectivity mirrors the findings in this study, proving its potential as a solution for post-disaster communication by leveraging widely available devices like smartphones.
+
+Article: [ar5iv](https://ar5iv.org/pdf/2203.13621)
+
+### **5\. Disaster Network Science: Research and Applications**
+
+This research emphasizes how network science, specifically the study of distributed communication networks, can enhance disaster response. It highlights how data from different sources can be used to coordinate relief efforts effectively.**Relevance to Onlive**: Onlive’s decentralized network structure aligns with the principles of disaster network science, enabling a system where communication and data sharing happen seamlessly, aiding both citizens and first responders(
+
+Article: [ar5iv](https://ar5iv.org/pdf/2203.13621)
+
+### **Conclusion**
+
+The scientific literature consistently points to the vital role of **mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs)** in disaster recovery and emergency situations. By providing resilient, decentralized communication that functions even when traditional infrastructure is down, **Onlive** has the potential to become a crucial tool in **disaster recovery**, **citizen participation**, and **community resilience**. The use of widely available smartphones ensures scalability and accessibility, making Onlive a promising solution for addressing real-world challenges as supported by these studies.
+
+Democratic grounding: are there enough people who want this technology?
+=======================================================================
+
+The most crucial and daunting objective of a Smartup in the validation phase is to determine if there are enough people who want this technology to exist. It’s the task ofthe 4\_1\_1\_entrepreneur to prove this through:1. Crowdfunding a target budget 2. Finding all the team captains
diff --git a/includes/glossary.md b/includes/glossary.md
index 0a64dd9..7be3b99 100644
--- a/includes/glossary.md
+++ b/includes/glossary.md
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@
*[Book of Owners]: Transparent registry listing all official Smartup owners and their rights.
+*[Book of Owners]: Transparent registry listing all official Smartup owners and their rights.
+
+*[Buddy System]: A peer partnership model borrowed from military operations where each task or decision involves two people—an Attacker and a Defender—to guarantee accountability, quality, and on-the-job learning.
+
+*[Book of Owners]: Transparent registry listing all official Smartup owners and their rights.
+
*[Business Team]: Team responsible for business strategy, marketing, financial planning, and the Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP).
*[Collective Craftsmanship]: Core value emphasizing meaningful, merit-based distribution of work and reward.
@@ -36,59 +42,110 @@
*[Development Team]: Technical core of the Smartup. Builds and tests product or service (frontend, backend, security, QA).
+*[Dual-Currency Model]: The combined economic system using Smartup Credits (SC) for task-based value and Social Karma (SK) for reputation-based influence, ensuring both work output and community contributions are valued.
+
+*[Engelbot]: The custom Smartup bot acting as the Midfielder in the ADM Triangle. Automates notifications, bridges Forgejo and Matrix, parses structured commands, and logs key events.
+
+*[External Subsystem]: The framework that defines how Smartups operate beyond national boundaries—planetary governance, borderless participation, equal pay, and a path to global recognition.
+
+*[Four License System]: The revenue model where community members purchase one of four license tiers (Campaign, Watch, Work, Organizational), each granting one equal vote but varying participation rights.
+
+*[Forgejo]: The self-hosted Git forge (ethical fork of Gitea) used for code, project boards, issue tracking, Smartup Credits ledger, and CI/CD automation.
+
*[Isolated Human Doctrine]: Critique of current digital systems that reinforce individualism and undermine collective action.
-*[Karma Points]: Points awarded for constructive participation or teamwork. May be convertible to payouts.
-
-*[Smartup Credits]: Tokenized internal currency (1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury). Earned through completing tasks.
-
*[Leadership Team]: Strategic core of Smartup creation phases. Composed of all Team Captains and the initiating entrepreneur.
+*[Liquid Delegative Voting]: A planned governance feature allowing owners to delegate their voting power to trusted representatives, blending direct democracy with scalable representation.
+
+*[Matrix/Element]: The decentralized, encrypted chat and collaboration platform (Matrix protocol with the Element client) used for governance, team coordination, and bot integration.
+
*[Media Team]: Handles internal reporting, public relations, social media, and storytelling to keep the community informed.
+*[Mesh Network]: A peer-to-peer network topology where each device relays data for others, enabling communication even when central infrastructure is down.
+
*[Mission Leader]: Oversees a specific Objective. Maintains progress, assigns tasks, ensures quality.
-*[Objectives]: Defined missions or sprints within Teams, breaking vision into actionable missions.
+*[Micro-Pilot]: Phase 0 of the Smartup lifecycle—a one-month, invite-only pilot that validates onboarding, role assignment, task execution, SC minting, and voting workflows on a small scale.
+
+*[Objectives]: Defined missions or sprints within Teams, breaking vision into actionable deliverables.
*[Observation]: Analytical foundation for Smartup Zero. Critiques systemic obstacles to collective action for the SDGs.
-*[Official Smartup Business Plan]: Living document recording strategy, decisions, assessments, and design. Transparent to all owners.
+*[Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP)]: A living, version-controlled document recording strategy, team assessments, design blueprints, and validation metrics. It serves as the collective constitution of a Smartup.
-*[ONLIFE]: First pilot project of Smartup Zero—decentralized emergency citizen mesh network prototype.
+*[ONLIFE]: First pilot project of Smartup Zero—an open-source emergency mesh network prototype for smartphones that functions when all other networks fail.
-*[Operational Team]: Manages processes between teams, incident management, compliance, documentation, and learning.
+*[Open Collective EU]: The transparent fiscal host for Smartup Zero, managing crowdfunding, budgets, and payouts. All transactions are publicly visible.
-*[Organization (Phase Four)]: Final creation phase where structure is solidified, business plan finalized, product prepared for launch.
+*[Operational Team]: Manages processes between teams, incident management, compliance, documentation, and continuous learning.
-*[Phases of Creation]: Four required stages: Validation, Design, Production, Organization.
+*[Organization (Phase Four)]: Final creation phase where structure is solidified, business plan finalized, and product prepared for market launch.
-*[Production (Phase Three)]: Build, test, and refine the product or service based on feedback and review.
+*[Phases of Creation]: Five required stages: Micro-Pilot, Validation, Design, Production, and Organization.
-*[Roles]: Functional positions within Teams (e.g., Frontend Developer). Define skillset, tasks, and compensation.
+*[Production (Phase Three)]: The phase focused on building the MVP, beta testing, and market assessment.
+
+*[Role]: Functional position within a Team (e.g., UX Designer). Defines skillset, tasks, and compensation.
*[Science Team]: Provides scientific oversight, peer review, and sustainability validation. Can halt advancement if standards aren't met.
-*[Sociotechnical System]: Integrated approach balancing social and technical factors for optimal performance.
+*[Sociotechnical System]: Integrated approach balancing social behaviors and technical processes for optimal performance.
-*[Smartup]: A digital cooperative that builds tools for resilience and SDG advancement through trustworthy collective systems.
+*[Smartup]: A digital cooperative that builds tools for resilience and SDG advancement through transparent, collective systems.
-*[Smartup Constitution]: Evolving document of rules and learnings from the Smartup Zero experiment, reusable by future Smartups.
+*[Smartup Administration Index]: A unified numbering convention (1_general_forum through 6_tasks) that labels every governance channel, team, role, objective, and task—enabling clarity, consistency, and automation across platforms.
-*[Smartup Metabolism]: The set of processes—decision-making, payout, onboarding—that enable Smartup sustainability and growth.
+*[Smartup Constitution]: Evolving documentation of rules, decisions, and learnings from the Smartup Zero experiment, intended for reuse by future Smartups.
-*[Smartup Organism]: Metaphor for the Smartup as a multi-layered living system where roles and processes work in unison.
+*[Smartup Credits (SC)]: Tokenized internal currency where 1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury. Earned by completing approved tasks.
-*[Task]: Atomic unit of productive work. Defined, assigned, logged; triggers SC payout upon completion.
+*[Smartup Karma (SK)]: Reputation currency awarded for peer contributions that SC can't measure—mentoring, conflict resolution, quality feedback. SK influences governance privileges and leadership eligibility.
+
+*[Smartup Metabolism]: The set of processes—onboarding, task execution, payouts, voting—that sustain and grow a Smartup as a living system.
+
+*[Smartup Organism]: Metaphor for the Smartup as a multi-layered, living system where roles and processes interlock to produce collective intelligence.
+
+*[Task]: Atomic unit of productive work. Defined in Forgejo, claimed by a Worker (Attacker), reviewed by a Defender, and logged for SC minting.
*[Team]: Focused group of workers responsible for specific domains (e.g., Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, Science).
-*[Team Captain]: Elected leader of a Team. Manages roles, budgets, tasks, and represents the team in Leadership.
+*[Team Captain]: Elected leader of a Team. Manages roles, approves tasks, allocates budget, and represents the Team in the Leadership Team.
-*[Validation (Phase One)]: Initial phase—validating concept, building community, securing funding, and operationalizing vision.
+*[Validation (Phase One)]: Phase that proves demand through funding, community growth, and initial prototype validation.
-*[Watch License]: Grants governance and observation rights but not paid assignments.
+*[Watch License]: Grants governance participation (vote, forum access) but not access to paid tasks.
-*[Work License]: Grants the right to work, vote, and earn Smartup Credits.
+*[Work License]: Grants the right to claim tasks, earn Smartup Credits, and full workplace access.
-*[Workplace]: The centralized collaboration platform where workers manage objectives and tasks.
+*[Workplace]: The office of the smartup. Here we are collegues and we work in teams on our common mission: building tech for sdg progress.
+*[4 Phases of Creation]: The five lifecycle stages for a Smartup (Phase 0 Micro-Pilot → Phase 1 Validation → Phase 2 Design → Phase 3 Production → Phase 4 Organization), each gated by funding, deliverables, review, and a binding community vote.
+
+*[Phase 0: Micro-Pilot]: A one-month, invite-only trial with 15–20 contributors to test onboarding, role assignment, task execution, SC minting, and voting workflows.
+
+*[Phase 1: Validation]: Community proves demand through crowdfunding, forms teams, drafts the OSBP v1.0, and holds a binding vote to proceed.
+
+*[Phase 2: Design]: Contributors deliver blueprints, complete scientific peer review, and vote to advance, ensuring technical and social soundness.
+
+*[Phase 3: Production]: The community builds and beta-tests the MVP, conducts market assessment, and votes to move toward formal organization.
+
+*[Phase 4: Organization]: Final phase where executive roles are elected, legal and governance structures are solidified, and the Smartup readies for market launch.
+
+*[6 Groups of Productivity]: The nested Smartup anatomy—General Forum, Workplace, Teams, Roles, Objectives, Tasks—each layer overseeing the next.
+
+*[General Forum]: See *1_general_forum*.
+
+*[Workplace]: See *2_workplace*.
+
+*[Team]: See *3_teams*.
+
+*[Role]: See *4_roles*.
+
+*[Objective]: See *5_objectives*.
+
+*[Task]: See *6_tasks*.
+
+*[Technical Subsystem]: The suite of technological tools, processes, and economic models that enable collaborative production in a Smartup. Includes the dual-currency economy (Smartup Credits and Smartup Karma), the Four License System, the EU-sovereign open-source stack (Matrix/Element, Forgejo, Open Collective), the Smartup Administration Index for semantic numbering, and automation via Engelbot and CI/CD workflows.
+
+*[External Subsystem]: The framework that defines how Smartups operate as planetary organizations beyond national boundaries and political cycles. Emphasizes borderless digital participation, equal pay regardless of location, defocusing from partisan politics, resilience to regulatory volatility, and a roadmap to formal recognition as new organizational entities under global jurisdiction.
diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml
index aabb4dd..2f3bf48 100644
--- a/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/mkdocs.yml
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ nav:
- Terminology: 0_timeline/terminology.md
- '---': divider1 # This creates a visual separator in the navigation
- FOR VALIDATION:'The Official SMARTUP ZERO Business Plan - We are building ONLIFE':
+ - '0. One Pager': smartup-zero/one-pager.md
- '1. Executive Summary': smartup-zero/executive-summary.md
- '2. Design blueprint': smartup-zero/design-blueprint.md
- '3. Development blueprint': smartup-zero/development-blueprint.md
diff --git a/site/0_timeline/external-subsystem/index.html b/site/0_timeline/external-subsystem/index.html
index b5c6708..92e9292 100644
--- a/site/0_timeline/external-subsystem/index.html
+++ b/site/0_timeline/external-subsystem/index.html
@@ -689,7 +689,30 @@
Smartups are designed as digital-first, globally-distributed organizations that transcend national boundaries and political cycles. We envision a new external framework where planetary challenges get planetary solutions, free from the distortions of nation-state politics.
@@ -1133,13 +1156,13 @@
Why National Frameworks Fail Digital Organizations¶
The Friction of Nation-States
-
Scenario: A climate-focused Smartup needs a developer
+
Scenario: A climate-focused Smartup needs a developer
Traditional hiring:
- Best candidate is in Bangladesh ❌ Visa complexity
- Second choice in France ❌ Employment law maze
- Third choice in Brazil ❌ Tax treaty issues
- Settle for local candidate ✓ But not optimal
-Smartup approach:
+Smartup approach:
- Best candidate in Bangladesh ✓ Joins immediately
- Earns same as anyone else ✓ 500 SC for the task
- No visa, no employment contract ✓ Just contribution
@@ -1234,7 +1257,7 @@ But digital organizations can operate above this layer, just as the internet rou
- Cryptocurrencies ignore jurisdictions
- Remote work proves geography optional
We're just formalizing what's already emerging: planetary organizations for planetary challenges.
While the world argues about:
diff --git a/site/0_timeline/external-subsytem/index.html b/site/0_timeline/external-subsytem/index.html
index 84f8be4..1451fa1 100644
--- a/site/0_timeline/external-subsytem/index.html
+++ b/site/0_timeline/external-subsytem/index.html
@@ -555,7 +555,30 @@
The decade-long journey from a TNO research project to ONLIFE—and how it birthed the Smartup model itself. This is our collective memory of how we got here.
+
+
The Evolution: From Apps to Emergency Infrastructure¶
Our story begins with a research collaboration between TNO (Dutch research organization) and RS New Media Concepts. The problem: smartphone users drowning in app choices. The solution: "Transient Apps"—lightweight applications that appear when needed, disappear when not.
+
What we built:
+- The Context Engine: An algorithm predicting user needs based on physical location
+- Automatic delivery of relevant web apps
+- Working prototype proving the concept
+
What stopped us:
+Platform gatekeepers (Google, Apple) would never allow it. They were already building their own versions (Instant Apps, Progressive Web Apps). We hit a dead end.
+
+
Phase 1 Outcome
+
Research validated but path blocked by platform control:
+- Context-aware app delivery proven
+- User need confirmed
+- Technical feasibility demonstrated
+- Platform dependency identified
Phase 2: The First Pivot - "Onlive" Social Networks (2017-2019)¶
+
Rather than abandon the Context Engine, we pivoted. If we couldn't change how apps work, could we change how people connect?
+
The ethical awakening:
+As Facebook's scandals mounted, we faced a choice: build another data-harvesting social network or find a different path. We chose differently. Instead of connecting individuals online, we'd connect groups of people in their immediate physical world.
+
"Onlive: the social network for the real world"
+- Context Engine repurposed to identify relevant groups
+- Seven Dutch business partners provided feedback
+- UX and architecture developed
+
The revelation:
+We weren't building an app. We were building an Operating System for group interaction in the real world.
+
+
Phase 2 Outcome
+
Proof of Concept delivered:
+- Android prototype functional
+- Backend architecture designed
+- UX patterns established
+- Business validation complete
Phase 3: The Governance Pivot - Birth of the Smartup Model (2019-2020)¶
+
With research complete, the logical next step was forming a traditional startup. But was it the right step?
+
The dilemma:
+- Public-good technology
+- Complex social mission
+- Poor fit for VC model
+
The insight:
+
+
"How we create is as important as what we create."
+
+
The organizational structure itself needed to embody our values: open, democratic, mission-driven.
+
The Smartup Model emerges:
+We began designing a new type of organization based on:
+- Collective ownership
+- Democratic governance
+- Scientific rigor
+- SDG alignment
+
+
Phase 3 Outcome
+
New organizational model conceptualized:
+- Smartup governance structure defined
+- Economic model designed
+- Democratic principles embedded
+- Blueprint for future documented
Phase 4: The COVID Pivot & Academic Validation (2020-2022)¶
+
The pandemic provided an urgent, real-world test case. Could Onlive enable "Digital Herd Immunity" through group-tracing rather than individual contact-tracing?
+
Academic collaboration with Erasmus Programme:
+- Security challenges addressed
+- UX refined for crisis scenarios
+- Concept validation in pandemic context
+- Technical feasibility confirmed
+
The world suddenly understood why decentralized, resilient communication matters.
+
+
Phase 4 Outcome
+
Academic validation achieved:
+- UX patterns for crisis communication
+- Security model validated
+- User research completed
+- Emergency use cases confirmed
Phase 5: Technical Deep Dive - Mesh Networking (2023-2024)¶
+
To truly work without internet, we needed to go deeper into the networking layer.
+
Partnership with HanzeHogeschool:
+- Open-source mesh network implementation
+- Smartphone-native protocols
+- Beyond proof-of-concept to production-ready
+- Ad-hoc network formation without infrastructure
+
We weren't just building an app anymore. We were building alternative internet infrastructure.
+
+
Phase 5 Outcome
+
Mesh protocol designed and tested:
+- 75+ node networks achieved
+- Android implementation working
+- Bluetooth/WiFi Direct integration
+- Open source architecture defined
Phase 6: The Final Pivot - ONLIFE Emergency Network (2025-Present)¶
+
Ten years of pivots, research, and refinement crystallized into a clear mission.
+
From ONLIVE to ONLIFE:
+Not just "online live"—but a network for LIFE itself. When everything else fails, ONLIFE remains.
+
The focus sharpens:
+- Emergency communication for citizens
+- Works without internet or telecoms
+- Mesh network using existing smartphones
+- European civil resilience infrastructure
+
+
Phase 6 Outcome
+
The experiment begins:
+- Smartup Zero launched
+- Community forming
+- Development starting
+- Everything transparent
+
As an owner, you get access to all code, documentation, and decisions in real-time.
+
+
+
Why the Name Change
+
"ONLIVE was about being online in live settings. ONLIFE is about staying connected when life itself is at stake. It's not just a network—it's a lifeline."
Definition:
-A Smartup creates trustworthy digital tools that help people—and the communities they form—become more resilient, resourceful, and effective in advancing the SDGs.
+A Smartup creates trustworthy digital tools that help people—and the communities they form—become more resilient, resourceful, and effective in advancing the SDGs.
-
At its core, every Smartup is built like a rocket: a solid foundation, three structural pillars, and a sharp point of execution.
+
At its core, every Smartup is built like a rocket: a solid foundation, three structural pillars, and a sharp point of execution.
@@ -1417,45 +1440,45 @@ A Collective Craftsmanship
- All work and effort are shared—teams build, improve, and sustain everything the Smartup delivers. Value is earned by doing, not by owning capital.
+ All work and effort are shared—teams build, improve, and sustain everything the Smartup delivers. Value is earned by doing, not by owning capital.
Collective Governance
- Decision-making and oversight are for everyone. Every contributor holds both rights and responsibilities for what the Smartup does and how it does it.
+ Decision-making and oversight are for everyone. Every contributor holds both rights and responsibilities for what the Smartup does and how it does it.
Military Execution
- While we are democratic in nature, we are military in execution. When the General Forum sets a target, the Workplace hits it with precision. Clear chains of command, proven processes like the buddy system, and professional discipline ensure we don't just talk about change—we deliver it.
+ While we are democratic in nature, we are military in execution. When the General Forum sets a target, the Workplace hits it with precision. Clear chains of command, proven processes like the buddy system, and professional discipline ensure we don't just talk about change—we deliver it.
Why a rocket?
-
A Smartup is a vehicle for change. The foundation powers us, the pillars keep us stable, and military execution cuts through obstacles. Together, these elements create an organization that can actually reach its destination: a world where digital tools serve collective human needs.
+
A Smartup is a vehicle for change. The foundation powers us, the pillars keep us stable, and military execution cuts through obstacles. Together, these elements create an organization that can actually reach its destination: a world where digital tools serve collective human needs.
-
The 4 Phases of Creation - The Habitat of a Smartup¶
+
The 4 Phases of Creation - The Habitat of a Smartup¶
What is this?
-
Every Smartup grows through four clear, community-driven phases. This rhythm—from first idea to real-world launch—ensures that only validated, sustainable, and well-governed solutions reach the market. At every step, the decision to move forward belongs to the entire Smartup community.
+
Every Smartup grows through four clear, community-driven phases. This rhythm—from first idea to real-world launch—ensures that only validated, sustainable, and well-governed solutions reach the market. At every step, the decision to move forward belongs to the entire Smartup community.
-
Phase 1: Validation
+
Phase 1: Validation The Question:"Does the world need this?"
Entrepreneurs and early adopters rally a vibrant community around a solution, showing real traction in people and resources.
Thresholds to advance:
- [ ] Financial target reached
-- [ ] Official Smartup Business Plan ready
+- [ ] Official Smartup Business Plan ready
- [ ] Leadership Team formed
- [ ] Majority community vote
Phase 2: Design The Question:"How can we build this sustainably and efficiently?"
Contributors create blueprints through open collaboration, with rigorous scientific review before development begins.
Thresholds to advance:
@@ -1466,7 +1489,7 @@ A Learn more
-
Phase 3: Production
+
Phase 3: Production The Focus:From thinking to building
The community creates an MVP, tests with real citizens, and prepares for launch after scientific and market validation.
Thresholds to advance:
@@ -1477,7 +1500,7 @@ A Learn more
-
Phase 4: Organization
+
Phase 4: Organization The Goal:Ready for the world
Build the team and structure for market launch. Executive team chosen, legal framework set, always with community validation.
Thresholds for launch:
@@ -1520,20 +1543,20 @@ A Smartup teams, roles, and workflows make collective building a reality.
+
Next: See how Smartup teams, roles, and workflows make collective building a reality.
To create real, relevant technology, a Smartup can’t just be a loose network—it needs to be a productive, living system. But if nobody has absolute power—not even a CEO—how do decisions get made and meaningful work actually happen? The answer: the Smartup is a new kind of “organism” built for collective intelligence and self-organization.
+
To create real, relevant technology, a Smartup can’t just be a loose network—it needs to be a productive, living system. But if nobody has absolute power—not even a CEO—how do decisions get made and meaningful work actually happen? The answer: the Smartup is a new kind of “organism” built for collective intelligence and self-organization.
A Smartup is a unique sociotechnical organism that combines democratic governance with military-precision execution. This hybrid design solves a fundamental challenge: how to maintain collective ownership while actually getting things done.
+
A Smartup is a unique sociotechnical organism that combines democratic governance with military-precision execution. This hybrid design solves a fundamental challenge: how to maintain collective ownership while actually getting things done.
The Design Principle
-
We are democratic where it matters most: In the General Forum, every citizen has equal voice, equal vote, equal responsibility. Here we decide WHAT we build and WHY—our mission, values, and strategic direction.
-
We are disciplined where speed matters: In the Workplace, we apply military-inspired command structures and proven operational processes. Here we decide HOW we build—with clear roles, accountability, and chains of command.
+
We are democratic where it matters most: In the General Forum, every citizen has equal voice, equal vote, equal responsibility. Here we decide WHAT we build and WHY—our mission, values, and strategic direction.
+
We are disciplined where speed matters: In the Workplace, we apply military-inspired command structures and proven operational processes. Here we decide HOW we build—with clear roles, accountability, and chains of command.
Learning from Failed Models
Pure Democracy Everywhere = Endless debates, nothing ships
@@ -1541,30 +1564,30 @@ A Smartup Anatomy¶
-
If you could slice a Smartup open, you’d see something that looks more like a living ecosystem than a traditional corporate pyramid. Instead of strict hierarchy and top-down control, power and responsibility are distributed through a holacratic structure: nested groups, each supporting the whole.
If you could slice a Smartup open, you’d see something that looks more like a living ecosystem than a traditional corporate pyramid. Instead of strict hierarchy and top-down control, power and responsibility are distributed through a holacratic structure: nested groups, each supporting the whole.
“Holacracy is a new way of structuring and running your organization that replaces the conventional management hierarchy. Instead of top-down, power is distributed throughout, giving individuals and teams more freedom to self-manage, while staying aligned to the organization’s purpose.”
— holacracy.org
-
In a Smartup, these circles are groups—each one crucial for the whole, each one depending on—and empowering—the next.
+
In a Smartup, these circles are groups—each one crucial for the whole, each one depending on—and empowering—the next.
A Smartup is designed so that all ownership, work, and governance flow through six nested groups.
-Think of them as a set of Russian dolls: each group contains smaller subgroups, but all belong to the "mother" at the center, the General Forum.
+
A Smartup is designed so that all ownership, work, and governance flow through six nested groups.
+Think of them as a set of Russian dolls: each group contains smaller subgroups, but all belong to the "mother" at the center, the General Forum.
-
1. General Forum
+
1. General Forum
-
The heart of the Smartup
+
The heart of the Smartup
All citizens (owners) gather here to discuss, propose, vote, and oversee everything. It's the public square for collective direction and accountability.
-
Members: All Smartup owners
+
Members: All Smartup owners Moderated by: Leadership Team
-
2. Workplace
+
2. Workplace
The production engine
Citizens with a work license join to build what matters. Here, talk turns into action: plans become teams, teams build real things.
@@ -1577,18 +1600,18 @@ Think of them as a set of Russian dolls: each group contains smaller subgroups,
Home base for specialized work
Every worker joins at least one team—design, development, business. Teams focus effort and harness specific skills toward shared goals.
Members: Workers in same team (teammates)
-Moderated by: Team Captain
+Moderated by: Team Captain
-
4. Roles
+
4. Roles
How you contribute
-
In each team, workers apply for roles that fit their talents—UX designer, developer, communicator. Roles define responsibility and access.
+
In each team, workers apply for roles that fit their talents—UX designer, developer, communicator. Roles define responsibility and access.
Members: Workers with same role (peers)
-Moderated by: Team Captain
+Moderated by: Team Captain
-
5. Objectives
+
5. Objectives
What's to be achieved
Teams progress by accomplishing specific missions, like "Create Android app front-end." Each objective unites multiple roles.
@@ -1608,22 +1631,22 @@ Think of them as a set of Russian dolls: each group contains smaller subgroups,
The Nested Structure
Each group lives within the one above it:
-- General Forum contains → Workplace
-- Workplace contains → Teams
-- Teams contain → Roles
-- Roles work on → Objectives
-- Objectives break into → Tasks
+- General Forum contains → Workplace
+- Workplace contains → Teams
+- Teams contain → Roles
+- Roles work on → Objectives
+- Objectives break into → Tasks
This creates clear accountability chains while maintaining democratic oversight at the top.
-
The Metabolism - How a Smartup Lives and Breathes¶
+
The Metabolism - How a Smartup Lives and Breathes¶
What is this?
-
If the 6 Groups show a Smartup's anatomy (structure), the metabolism shows how it actually functions—how we communicate, make decisions, and get work done through the ADM Triangle system powered by the buddy system.
+
If the 6 Groups show a Smartup's anatomy (structure), the metabolism shows how it actually functions—how we communicate, make decisions, and get work done through the ADM Triangle system powered by the buddy system.
-
When we examine a Smartup as a living organism, we need to understand not just its structure, but how it sustains itself. Just as a body needs circulation and digestion, a Smartup needs processes for communication, decision-making, and documentation. This is where we discover the ADM Triangle—the metabolic engine that powers every interaction.
At the core of our metabolism lies a simple but powerful principle borrowed from military operations: you never work alone. In a Smartup, every task, every decision, every action involves at least two people working in partnership.
+
When we examine a Smartup as a living organism, we need to understand not just its structure, but how it sustains itself. Just as a body needs circulation and digestion, a Smartup needs processes for communication, decision-making, and documentation. This is where we discover the ADM Triangle—the metabolic engine that powers every interaction.
At the core of our metabolism lies a simple but powerful principle borrowed from military operations: you never work alone. In a Smartup, every task, every decision, every action involves at least two people working in partnership.
Why Buddies Matter
The buddy system serves multiple vital functions:
@@ -1651,7 +1674,7 @@ This creates clear accountability chains while maintaining democratic oversight
- Assistant (Junior) receives 10%
This isn't just payment for monitoring—it's investment in developing the next generation of senior contributors.
Traditional organizations use monitoring for compliance and control. In a Smartup, the buddy system creates a learning environment where:
+
Traditional organizations use monitoring for compliance and control. In a Smartup, the buddy system creates a learning environment where:
- Juniors gain real experience with safety nets
- Seniors develop mentoring and leadership skills
- Knowledge spreads organically through the organization
@@ -1685,18 +1708,18 @@ The junior isn't just watching—they're actively learning deployment processes,
The defender role isn't a watchdog—it's an apprenticeship. This transforms what could feel like surveillance into an opportunity for growth.
The Freedom to Shift: Horizontal Career Development
-
What makes Smartup identity truly revolutionary is voluntary role shifting. Unlike traditional organizations where you're locked into your expertise, we embrace career fluidity.
+
What makes Smartup identity truly revolutionary is voluntary role shifting. Unlike traditional organizations where you're locked into your expertise, we embrace career fluidity.
-
Role Shifting in Practice
+
Role Shifting in Practice
Marcus has been a senior backend developer for 5 years. He's excellent at it, but getting bored. Traditional Organization: Marcus is stuck. His value is tied to his seniority in backend. Moving to UX means starting over, losing status and pay.
-In a Smartup: Marcus can:
+In a Smartup: Marcus can:
- Continue taking senior backend tasks when he wants (90% as attacker)
- Join the UX team as a junior member
- Take on UX tasks as a defender (10%, learning from senior UX designers)
- Gradually build UX skills while maintaining backend income
- Eventually take on senior UX roles as skills develop
-Result: Marcus expands his skillset, stays engaged, and the Smartup gains a developer who understands both backend AND user experience.
+Result: Marcus expands his skillset, stays engaged, and the Smartup gains a developer who understands both backend AND user experience.
Why This Matters
@@ -1705,7 +1728,7 @@ The junior isn't just watching—they're actively learning deployment processes,
- Learn new skills while earning
- Find renewed passion through variety
- Build cross-functional understanding
-For the Smartup:
+For the Smartup:
- Retain talented people who might otherwise leave from boredom
- Create bridges between teams through shared members
- Build resilience—more people can cover more roles
@@ -1725,19 +1748,19 @@ The junior isn't just watching—they're actively learning deployment processes,
IV -->|Enables More| SE
Breaking the Specialization Trap
-
"Traditional organizations want you to stay in your box—it's easier to manage. But humans aren't meant to do one thing forever. A Smartup embraces our natural desire to grow, learn, and evolve."
+
"Traditional organizations want you to stay in your box—it's easier to manage. But humans aren't meant to do one thing forever. A Smartup embraces our natural desire to grow, learn, and evolve."
Why Identity Shifting Matters
Identity in Action
Sarah is a senior developer who's curious about business development. Watch her fluid day:
-9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on strategic direction, her voice equal to everyone's.
-9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she discusses overall progress in the OSBP.
-10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a senior TEAM MEMBER, she guides technical architecture decisions.
-11:00 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes a critical feature (earning 90% of task value).
+9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on strategic direction, her voice equal to everyone's.
+9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she discusses overall progress in the OSBP.
+10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a senior TEAM MEMBER, she guides technical architecture decisions.
+11:00 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes a critical feature (earning 90% of task value). 2:00 PM - Business Team: As a junior TEAM MEMBER, she joins market research discussions.
-3:00 PM - Task #78: As a DEFENDER, she assists on a competitor analysis task, learning from the senior business developer (earning 10% while learning).
-End of Day: Sarah earned well from her senior work AND gained business skills. The Smartup gets a developer who understands market pressures.
+3:00 PM - Task #78: As a DEFENDER, she assists on a competitor analysis task, learning from the senior business developer (earning 10% while learning).
+End of Day: Sarah earned well from her senior work AND gained business skills. The Smartup gets a developer who understands market pressures.
The Power of Context
@@ -1749,7 +1772,7 @@ The junior isn't just watching—they're actively learning deployment processes,
- Allow graceful transition between expert and learner modes
Making the Shift
-Switching roles in a Smartup is designed to be frictionless:
+Switching roles in a Smartup is designed to be frictionless:
See an interesting team? Join their public channel
Want to learn? Apply for junior roles in that team
@@ -1767,14 +1790,14 @@ Switching roles in a
-
In the General Forum
+
In the General Forum
---
We are CITIZENS
Equal voice, equal vote, equal responsibility. Here, the newest contributor has the same rights as the founding team. We debate, propose, and decide as equals.
"In this space, I am a citizen with rights and obligations"
-
In the Workplace
+
In the Workplace
---
We are COLLEAGUES
United by shared mission. We may have different skills and tasks, but we're all building toward the same vision. Collaboration over competition.
@@ -1788,28 +1811,28 @@ Switching roles in a
-
In Roles
+
In Roles
---
We are PEERS
Sharing expertise. Whether senior or junior, we're united by our craft, helping each other improve and solve technical challenges.
"In this space, I am a peer sharing skills and knowledge"
-
In Objectives
+
In Objectives
---
We are SQUAD MEMBERS
Aligned on objectives. We coordinate our diverse skills toward specific goals, supporting each other's growth and success.
"In this space, I am a team member working on our objectives"
-
In Roles
+
In Roles
---
We are PEERS
Sharing expertise. Whether senior or junior, we're united by our craft, helping each other improve and solve technical challenges.
"In this space, I am a peer sharing skills and knowledge"
-
In Objectives
+
In Objectives
---
We are SQUAD MEMBERS
Present and focused. We're here now, working on this specific mission, coordinating in real-time to achieve our goal.
@@ -1827,13 +1850,13 @@ Switching roles in a
Identity in Action
-
Sarah is a senior developer in Smartup Zero. Watch how she shifts:
-
9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on whether to pursue mesh networking, weighing in equally with designers and business developers.
-
9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she reviews the overall ONLIFE roadmap, offering technical insights while respecting other disciplines.
-
10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a TEAM MEMBER, she coordinates with other developers on the sprint plan.
-
10:30 AM - Backend Role: As a PEER, she mentors a junior backend developer struggling with mesh protocols.
-
11:00 AM - "Build MVP" Objective: As a SQUAD MEMBER, she syncs with frontend and QA on today's integration.
-
11:30 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes the mesh discovery feature while her junior DEFENDER reviews and learns.
+
Sarah is a senior developer in Smartup Zero. Watch how she shifts:
+
9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on whether to pursue mesh networking, weighing in equally with designers and business developers.
+
9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she reviews the overall ONLIFE roadmap, offering technical insights while respecting other disciplines.
+
10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a TEAM MEMBER, she coordinates with other developers on the sprint plan.
+
10:30 AM - Backend Role: As a PEER, she mentors a junior backend developer struggling with mesh protocols.
+
11:00 AM - "Build MVP" Objective: As a SQUAD MEMBER, she syncs with frontend and QA on today's integration.
+
11:30 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes the mesh discovery feature while her junior DEFENDER reviews and learns.
The Power of Context
@@ -1847,7 +1870,7 @@ Switching roles in a
Identity Discipline
-
These aren't just nice ideas—they're operational requirements. In our Matrix/Element spaces, channels are named and moderated to reinforce these identities. Bringing "boss energy" to a peer space or "individual contributor" mindset to the General Forum disrupts our collective intelligence
+
These aren't just nice ideas—they're operational requirements. In our Matrix/Element spaces, channels are named and moderated to reinforce these identities. Bringing "boss energy" to a peer space or "individual contributor" mindset to the General Forum disrupts our collective intelligence
@@ -1860,45 +1883,45 @@ New contributors often struggle with identity shifting at first. That's normal
-
0_timeline → General Forum
+
0_timeline → General Forum A: Citizens taking initiative with proposals/votes D: Leadership team ensuring quality moderation M: Bot documents everything to 0_timeline The outside world sees our governance in action
-
General Forum → Workplace
+
General Forum → Workplace A: Colleagues taking initiative with work D: Leadership team ensuring OSBP compliance
- M: Bot reports progress to General Forum
+ M: Bot reports progress to General Forum Citizens oversee how work gets done
-
Workplace → Teams
- A: Team members taking initiative in teams
- D: Team captains ensuring strategy/budgets
- M: Bot reports team health to Workplace
+
Workplace → Teams
+ A: Team members taking initiative in teams
+ D: Team captains ensuring strategy/budgets
+ M: Bot reports team health to Workplace Colleagues oversee team formation
-
Teams → Roles
+
Teams → Roles A: Peers taking initiative in skill areas
- D: Team captain ensuring roles are filled
+ D: Team captain ensuring roles are filled M: Bot reports role coverage to Teams Teams oversee skill distribution
-
Roles → Objectives
+
Roles → Objectives A: Squad members taking initiative on missions D: Mission leaders ensuring coordination
- M: Bot reports objective progress to Roles
+ M: Bot reports objective progress to Roles Peers oversee objective participation
-
Objectives → Tasks
+
Objectives → Tasks A: Worker taking initiative to complete D: Assistant ensuring quality/learning
- M: Bot reports task status to Objectives
+ M: Bot reports task status to Objectives Squads oversee task execution
@@ -1930,17 +1953,17 @@ New contributors often struggle with identity shifting at first. That's normal
A Complete Flow Example
Let's follow a decision from inception to execution:
Day 1 - Citizen Initiative:
-In the General Forum, citizens (A) propose adding mesh networking to ONLIFE. Leadership team (D) facilitates discussion. Bot (M) publishes proposal to 0_timeline.
+In the General Forum, citizens (A) propose adding mesh networking to ONLIFE. Leadership team (D) facilitates discussion. Bot (M) publishes proposal to 0_timeline.
Day 3 - Vote Passes:
-Colleagues in Workplace (A) volunteer to implement. Leadership team (D) ensures it fits OSBP. Bot (M) reports commitment to General Forum.
-Day 5 - Team Forms:
-Dev team members (A) organize around mesh networking. Team captain (D) allocates budget and strategy. Bot (M) reports team formation to Workplace.
-Day 7 - Roles Activate:
-Backend peers (A) define mesh protocol skills needed. Team captain (D) ensures roles are properly staffed. Bot (M) reports skill gaps to Teams.
-Day 10 - Objective Launches:
-Squad members (A) begin "Build Mesh Prototype" objective. Mission leader (D) coordinates resources. Bot (M) reports progress to Roles.
+Colleagues in Workplace (A) volunteer to implement. Leadership team (D) ensures it fits OSBP. Bot (M) reports commitment to General Forum.
+Day 5 - Team Forms:
+Dev team members (A) organize around mesh networking. Team captain (D) allocates budget and strategy. Bot (M) reports team formation to Workplace.
+Day 7 - Roles Activate:
+Backend peers (A) define mesh protocol skills needed. Team captain (D) ensures roles are properly staffed. Bot (M) reports skill gaps to Teams.
+Day 10 - Objective Launches:
+Squad members (A) begin "Build Mesh Prototype" objective. Mission leader (D) coordinates resources. Bot (M) reports progress to Roles.
Day 12 - Tasks Execute:
-Senior dev (A) codes mesh discovery feature. Junior dev (D) assists and learns. Bot (M) logs 4 hours work, reports completion to Objective.
+Senior dev (A) codes mesh discovery feature. Junior dev (D) assists and learns. Bot (M) logs 4 hours work, reports completion to Objective.
Result: Complete transparency from public proposal to code commit. Every stakeholder can trace the path.
@@ -1957,13 +1980,13 @@ Senior dev (A) codes mesh discovery feature. Junior dev (D) assists and learns.
With transparency at every level, we risk drowning in data. That's why the bot middleware is crucial—it filters and summarizes, ensuring each level gets the right amount of detail. Citizens don't see every git commit; task workers don't get flooded with governance debates.
The OSBP is the living, breathing constitution of a Smartup—where an entrepreneur's vision transforms into collective property through democratic participation and continuous evolution.
+
The OSBP is the living, breathing constitution of a Smartup—where an entrepreneur's vision transforms into collective property through democratic participation and continuous evolution.
Every Smartup begins with an entrepreneur who sees a solution to an SDG challenge. But unlike traditional startups where founders retain control, the OSBP is the mechanism for transferring ownership to the collective.
+
Every Smartup begins with an entrepreneur who sees a solution to an SDG challenge. But unlike traditional startups where founders retain control, the OSBP is the mechanism for transferring ownership to the collective.
flowchart TB
E[Entrepreneur<br/>Vision v0.1] --> C[Community<br/>Validation]
C --> T[Teams Add<br/>Assessments]
@@ -2023,7 +2046,7 @@ Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
This democratic grounding happens through:
- Crowdfunding success: People vote with their wallets
-- Team formation: Skilled people volunteer their time
+- Team formation: Skilled people volunteer their time
- Owner recruitment: Citizens join the mission
- Financial thresholds: Real money proves real demand
- Active participation: Not just watchers but builders
@@ -2034,7 +2057,7 @@ Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
Section
-
Responsible Team
+
Responsible Team
Core Questions
@@ -2071,7 +2094,7 @@ Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
7. Definition of Ready
-
Operational Team
+
Operational Team
When are we ready for Design Phase?
@@ -2080,11 +2103,11 @@ Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
How OSBP Updates Work
Day 1: Design team improves user flow section
-Day 2: Team captain submits changes to Workplace
+Day 2: Team captain submits changes to Workplace Day 2-5: Lazy consensus period (72 hours)
- No objections from 3+ colleagues = proceed
- Objections = discussion and resolution
-Day 5-7: General Forum notification (48 hours)
+Day 5-7: General Forum notification (48 hours)
- Final chance for any owner to raise concerns Day 7: Auto-published to live OSBP on 0_timeline
@@ -2117,7 +2140,7 @@ Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
v0.2-0.9
Validation
-
Team assessments added
+
Team assessments added
Collective shaping and ownership
@@ -2152,7 +2175,7 @@ Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
Teams collaborate on their OSBP section
Quality contributors emerge through the writing
Natural coordination becomes visible
-
Team elects captain based on demonstrated ability
+
Team elects captain based on demonstrated ability
Captains form Leadership Team
@@ -2160,10 +2183,10 @@ Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
Traditional business plans are fiction about the future. The OSBP is living documentation of our evolving reality. Every pivot, every learning, every decision gets captured in real-time.
Where it lives: Version controlled in Forgejo, rendered on 0_timeline
+
Where it lives: Version controlled in Forgejo, rendered on 0_timeline Who can read: Everyone (public)
-Who can propose changes: Team members for their sections
-Who approves: Lazy consensus through Workplace + Forum
+Who can propose changes: Team members for their sections
+Who approves: Lazy consensus through Workplace + Forum Update frequency: Continuous as we learn
A Smartup isn't a charity or volunteer project—it's a professional business operation that measures success in SDG progress rather than profit margins. Here we document our economic model: how money flows, how work gets valued, and how ownership creates both efficiency and equity.
+
A Smartup isn't a charity or volunteer project—it's a professional business operation that measures success in SDG progress rather than profit margins. Here we document our economic model: how money flows, how work gets valued, and how ownership creates both efficiency and equity.
When we look at traditional approaches to SDG challenges, we see a pattern that keeps failing us. NGOs burn out on donation fatigue, never achieving the scale needed for real impact. Social enterprises start with good intentions but get pulled toward profit over purpose when investors come knocking. Volunteer projects, despite passionate contributors, can't maintain the professional quality that complex global challenges demand.
We need something different—a model that combines business discipline with public good DNA.
-
What Makes a Smartup Different
+
What Makes a Smartup Different
We are a business that:
- Attracts top talent with fair pay (not volunteerism)
- Maintains professional standards (not hobby quality)
@@ -1782,10 +1889,10 @@
Not Anti-Business, New Business
We're not rejecting capitalism or profit. We're demonstrating that business discipline can serve collective goals when ownership, incentives, and success metrics align with social good. Profit becomes fuel for mission, not the mission itself.
Every Smartup needs capital to operate. Instead of selling equity to VCs, we sell membership to our community. But unlike traditional equity, every license—whether €200 or €5000—carries exactly one vote and one equal share of future success.
+
Every Smartup needs capital to operate. Instead of selling equity to VCs, we sell membership to our community. But unlike traditional equity, every license—whether €200 or €5000—carries exactly one vote and one equal share of future success.
Watch License (€100+)
---
Full governance participation
-
Access General Forum
+
Access General Forum
Vote on all decisions
View all documentation
Equal ownership share
@@ -1815,7 +1922,7 @@
-
Work License (€200+)
+
Work License (€200+)
---
Complete operational access
@@ -1843,12 +1950,12 @@
Organizational License in Action
University Computer Science Department buys organizational license:
-- Students work on ONLIFE for real-world experience
+- Students work on ONLIFE for real-world experience
- University gets one vote in governance
- Professor acts as designated representative
- Students gain skills building emergency communication systems
- University supports SDG progress while training talent
-Result: Win-win-win for education, SDGs, and Smartup
+Result: Win-win-win for education, SDGs, and Smartup
graph LR
@@ -1861,7 +1968,7 @@
Later joiners: Get more certainty → Pay more
Free tier: Always available → Never excludes
Transparency: Price increases announced in advance
-Leadership decides: Each Smartup sets based on needs
+Leadership decides: Each Smartup sets based on needs
Equal Ownership Principle
@@ -1870,7 +1977,7 @@ Leadership decides: Each Labor Economics: How Work Gets Valued¶
What is this?
-
The heart of our business model: fair pay for good work. In early phases without cash, we use Smartup Credits (SC)—a transparent, task-based currency that converts to euros when treasury allows.
+
The heart of our business model: fair pay for good work. In early phases without cash, we use Smartup Credits (SC)—a transparent, task-based currency that converts to euros when treasury allows.
At the core of our economy lies a simple principle: you earn by doing, not by being.
@@ -1901,7 +2008,7 @@ Leadership decides: Each
SC in Practice
-
Task: "Implement mesh networking protocol"
+
Task: "Implement mesh networking protocol" Bounty: 2000 SC (pre-assigned, visible to all) Senior Dev (Attacker): Claims task, implements solution → 1800 SC Junior Dev (Defender): Reviews, learns, documents → 200 SC
@@ -1979,7 +2086,7 @@ Early contributors who believe in collective success benefit most. But no one is
Money isn't the only currency that matters. Smartup Karma (SK) recognizes contributions that SC can't measure—the teammate who debugs at midnight, the member who mediates conflicts, the captain who builds team morale.
+
Money isn't the only currency that matters. Smartup Karma (SK) recognizes contributions that SC can't measure—the teammate who debugs at midnight, the member who mediates conflicts, the captain who builds team morale.
While SC rewards task completion, SK captures the intangible value that makes communities thrive.
@@ -1991,15 +2098,15 @@ Early contributors who believe in collective success benefit most. But no one is
Quality defender feedback: +5-10 SK Successful proposals: +20 SK Mentoring juniors: +5 SK/week
- Team captain service: +10 SK/month
+ Team captain service: +10 SK/month Mission completion: +15 SK Conflict resolution: +10 SK
What SK Unlocks
---
- 50 SK: Propose in General Forum
- 100 SK: Apply for Team Captain
+ 50 SK: Propose in General Forum
+ 100 SK: Apply for Team Captain 200 SK: Lead Missions 500 SK: Join Leadership Team Vote weight: Max 1.5x at 500+ SK
@@ -2057,7 +2164,7 @@ Her high SK opens leadership opportunities and increases her voting weight, reco
- Community building goes unrewarded
- Soft skills undervalued
- Politics determine influence
-Smartup approach:
+Smartup approach:
- SC rewards direct work
- SK rewards community value
- Both needed for full participation
@@ -2123,11 +2230,11 @@ This isn't ideological purity—it's practical. The moment we take traditional i
Monthly Budget Meeting
-
Dev Team Captain: "We need 5000 SC for mesh protocol development"
+
Dev Team Captain: "We need 5000 SC for mesh protocol development" Design Team Captain: "We need 3000 SC for UI/UX research" Business Team Captain: "We need 2000 SC for market analysis"
Leadership Team compiles requests, checks against treasury
-General Forum sees all requests, debates priorities
+General Forum sees all requests, debates priorities Vote determines final allocation Result: Everyone knows why money goes where
@@ -2190,30 +2297,30 @@ Energy goes to building, not navigating
Flexible by Design
-
These aren't fixed—each Smartup's Leadership Team proposes budgets based on real needs. Building emergency communication needs different resources than water purification. The General Forum approves based on transparent justification.
+
These aren't fixed—each Smartup's Leadership Team proposes budgets based on real needs. Building emergency communication needs different resources than water purification. The General Forum approves based on transparent justification.
Every owner can see in real-time:
- Total funds in Open Collective
- Outstanding SC liabilities
-- Team budget allocations
+- Team budget allocations
- Individual task payments
- Redemption window status
Trust Through Transparency
-
"In traditional startups, employees discover the burn rate when layoffs hit. In a Smartup, every citizen watches the treasury like it's their own bank account—because it is."
+
"In traditional startups, employees discover the burn rate when layoffs hit. In a Smartup, every citizen watches the treasury like it's their own bank account—because it is."
When a Smartup completes its four phases and launches a market entity, the Book of Owners becomes a shareholder registry. Every license holder gets an equal share—a bonus for taking the journey together.
+
When a Smartup completes its four phases and launches a market entity, the Book of Owners becomes a shareholder registry. Every license holder gets an equal share—a bonus for taking the journey together.
During Smartup Phase
---
Book of Owners tracks licenses
One license = One vote
@@ -2246,10 +2353,10 @@ Energy goes to building, not navigating
Shares Are Not The Point
-
We're clear about this: Join a Smartup to use your talent for SDG progress and earn fair pay through SC. The equal share is a bonus if we succeed together. If shares are your main motivation, this isn't for you.
+
We're clear about this: Join a Smartup to use your talent for SDG progress and earn fair pay through SC. The equal share is a bonus if we succeed together. If shares are your main motivation, this isn't for you.
The goal: Make people want to work to earn money, not put in money to earn money.
After market launch, the Smartup community doesn't disappear—it becomes a living resource for the business entity.
+
Smartup Community as Strategic Asset
+
After market launch, the Smartup community doesn't disappear—it becomes a living resource for the business entity.
-
For the Business (e.g., ONLIFE Inc.):
+
For the Business (e.g., ONLIFE Inc.):
- Talent Pipeline: Hire from people who built the product
- Beta Testing: Community knows the vision intimately
- Expert Network: Original builders retain deep knowledge
@@ -2281,12 +2388,12 @@ Energy goes to building, not navigating
- Shareholder returns: If profitable, receive dividends
Living Ecosystem in Practice
-
ONLIFE launches successfully
-- Needs iOS developer → Hires from Smartup community first
+
ONLIFE launches successfully
+- Needs iOS developer → Hires from Smartup community first
- Testing new mesh protocol → Pays community members as testers
- Strategic decision needed → Consults original architects
- Growing to new markets → Community provides local insights
-The Smartup community remains a competitive advantage, not abandoned infrastructure.
+The Smartup community remains a competitive advantage, not abandoned infrastructure.
@@ -2336,7 +2443,7 @@ The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
The Technical Stack: Tools for Collective Intelligence¶
What is this?
-
A Smartup's technical infrastructure embodies our values: decentralized, open source, sovereignty-preserving. We chose European-based tools that give us independence from Silicon Valley's surveillance capitalism while enabling true collective work.
+
A Smartup's technical infrastructure embodies our values: decentralized, open source, sovereignty-preserving. We chose European-based tools that give us independence from Silicon Valley's surveillance capitalism while enabling true collective work.
When we observe the current technical landscape, we see tools designed to extract value, not create it collectively. Silicon Valley platforms lock in users, harvest data, and change terms at will. We need infrastructure that serves our mission, not shareholders.
@@ -2390,12 +2497,12 @@ The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
- Self-hosted control
- Bot-friendly architecture
What it is: Community-driven Git forge (ethical fork of Gitea) Why it matters: Source of truth for code, docs, and the SC ledger How we use it: Issues become tasks, repos hold everything, CI/CD automates
-
Forgejo in Action
+
Forgejo in Action
Code repos: Every line transparent
Issue tracking: Tasks with SC bounties
@@ -2404,7 +2511,7 @@ The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
What it is: Our custom bot honoring Douglas Engelbart Why it matters: Automates the ADM triangle's midfielder role How we use it: Bridges tools, documents decisions, enables workflows
@@ -2419,13 +2526,13 @@ The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
E --> C[Coordinates Groups]
-
Why 'Engelbot'?
-
"The real power of technology comes from augmenting human intelligence, not replacing it. Engelbot handles the boring stuff so humans can focus on what matters."
+
Why 'Engelbot'?
+
"The real power of technology comes from augmenting human intelligence, not replacing it. Engelbot handles the boring stuff so humans can focus on what matters."
What it is: Transparent fiscal hosting Why it matters: Every euro in/out is public How we use it: Crowdfunding intake, SC redemption
@@ -2475,7 +2582,7 @@ The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
Access Control
---
Matrix identity = single source
- Role-based permissions
+ Role-based permissions
No shared passwords
Full audit trails
@@ -2502,6 +2609,160 @@ The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
Still Evolving
We're starting with proven tools and will migrate to full EU sovereignty as we grow. Every technical decision is documented, debated in public, and aligned with our mission.
The Smartup Administration Index is our unified, semantic numbering convention.
+It assigns every governance channel, team, role, objective, and task a clear, machine-readable identifier—ensuring transparency, accountability, and automation across Forgejo, Element, and Engelbot.
+
+
Purpose
+
+
🎯 Clarity: Instantly locate any process or discussion
+
🤖 Automation-Ready: Bots can parse, filter, and trigger workflows
+
🔄 Consistency: Uniform identifiers in Matrix/Element, Forgejo, and docs
+
🧾 Auditability: Every event logged with a traceable ID
0_timeline
-The public-facing, static website and primary transparency layer for the Smartup Zero experiment. Automatically updates from the project’s code and content repository to show the latest progress, business plan, team structure, open roles, and project documentation.
+The public-facing, static website and primary transparency layer for the Smartup Zero experiment. Automatically updates from the project’s code and content repository to show the latest progress, business plan, team structure, open roles, and project documentation.
1_general_forum
-The “General Forum”—the digital public square for all Smartup owners (workers and watchers). This is where deliberation, voting, oversight, and key discussions occur. It’s the central arena for governance, transparency, and measuring the organization’s overall health.
+The “General Forum”—the digital public square for all Smartup owners (workers and watchers). This is where deliberation, voting, oversight, and key discussions occur. It’s the central arena for governance, transparency, and measuring the organization’s overall health.
2_workplace
-The central, private hub for all active “workers” within the Smartup. This is where work happens, teams assemble, and objectives are executed. Only those with a Work License may participate; the Workplace is the engine room of creation and productivity.
+The central, private hub for all active “workers” within the Smartup. This is where work happens, teams assemble, and objectives are executed. Only those with a Work License may participate; the Workplace is the engine room of creation and productivity.
3_teams
-Skill-based groups within the Workplace, such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Teams focus on implementing specific aspects of the project. Each team is led by a Team Captain and organizes its own Roles and Objectives.
+Skill-based groups within the Workplace, such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Teams focus on implementing specific aspects of the project. Each team is led by a Team Captain and organizes its own Roles and Objectives.
4_roles
-Function-specific assignments within a Team (e.g., UX Designer, Backend Developer, Copywriter). Each Role has requirements, compensation logic, and defines what kind of tasks the member can claim or be assigned.
+Function-specific assignments within a Team (e.g., UX Designer, Backend Developer, Copywriter). Each Role has requirements, compensation logic, and defines what kind of tasks the member can claim or be assigned.
5_objectives
-Distinct missions, project deliverables, or “sprints” that drive the Smartup forward. Each Objective is attached to a Team, can contain multiple Tasks, and is led by a Mission Leader responsible for coordination and quality.
+Distinct missions, project deliverables, or “sprints” that drive the Smartup forward. Each Objective is attached to a Team, can contain multiple Tasks, and is led by a Mission Leader responsible for coordination and quality.
6_tasks
-The atomic units of work in Smartup Zero. Tasks are clearly defined, trackable, and billable work items that contribute directly to achieving Objectives. Each Task has an assigned Worker (attacker), an Assistant (defender), and is supported by bots or automation (midfielder).
+The atomic units of work in Smartup Zero. Tasks are clearly defined, trackable, and billable work items that contribute directly to achieving Objectives. Each Task has an assigned Worker (attacker), an Assistant (defender), and is supported by bots or automation (midfielder).
(The rest below is alphabetical, for completeness and consistency in all documentation):
ADM Triangle
-Attacker–Defender–Midfielder: The operational triad present in every group within the Smartup. The attacker initiates work or proposals, the defender reviews and provides oversight, and the midfielder (often a bot or automation) facilitates transparency and communication between roles.
+Attacker–Defender–Midfielder: The operational triad present in every group within the Smartup. The attacker initiates work or proposals, the defender reviews and provides oversight, and the midfielder (often a bot or automation) facilitates transparency and communication between roles.
Advisory Vote / Binding Vote
-Advisory votes are used for team-level or ambiguous decisions; binding votes are required for major milestones, phase transitions, or conflict resolution. Binding votes require a majority in the General Forum.
+Advisory votes are used for team-level or ambiguous decisions; binding votes are required for major milestones, phase transitions, or conflict resolution. Binding votes require a majority in the General Forum.
Book of Owners
-The transparent registry listing all official Smartup owners and their rights and privileges.
+The transparent registry listing all official Smartup owners and their rights and privileges.
Business Team
-The group responsible for developing a solid business proposition, marketing strategies, financial planning, and ensuring the product or service is ready for market. In charge of the business and financial side of the Smartup, and of updating the Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP).
+The group responsible for developing a solid business proposition, marketing strategies, financial planning, and ensuring the product or service is ready for market. In charge of the business and financial side of the Smartup, and of updating the Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP).
Collective Craftsmanship
-A core Smartup value. Emphasizes that meaningful work and reward are distributed among all members based on contribution and merit, not hierarchy or tenure.
+A core Smartup value. Emphasizes that meaningful work and reward are distributed among all members based on contribution and merit, not hierarchy or tenure.
Collective Governance
-Democratic and transparent oversight of all Smartup operations, with formal processes for deliberation, voting, dispute resolution, and adaptation.
+Democratic and transparent oversight of all Smartup operations, with formal processes for deliberation, voting, dispute resolution, and adaptation.
Collective IQ
The enhanced problem-solving capability created when a group collaborates with transparency and shared purpose.
Collective Ownership
-Equal and inclusive ownership of the Smartup organization. Ownership is based on participation and willingness to contribute, not financial investment or seniority.
+Equal and inclusive ownership of the Smartup organization. Ownership is based on participation and willingness to contribute, not financial investment or seniority.
Crowdfunding Phases
-Funding rounds aligned with each major phase of Smartup creation. Each phase cannot progress to the next without meeting its designated funding target.
+Funding rounds aligned with each major phase of Smartup creation. Each phase cannot progress to the next without meeting its designated funding target.
Design Team
The group handling all design-related activities such as user experience (UX), interface, branding, wireframing, and prototyping. Responsible for the Design Blueprint and close cooperation with the Development Team and Science Team.
Development Team
-The technical heart of the Smartup. Builds and tests the core product or service, covering frontend, backend, security, architecture, and QA. Coordinates with Design, Science, and Operational Teams, and manages code versioning and repositories.
+The technical heart of the Smartup. Builds and tests the core product or service, covering frontend, backend, security, architecture, and QA. Coordinates with Design, Science, and Operational Teams, and manages code versioning and repositories.
Isolated Human Doctrine
A term describing the prevailing system in which technology platforms reinforce individualism and passive consumption, undermining collective action and responsibility.
-
Karma Points / Smartup Credits (SC)
-Karma Points are awarded for positive and constructive participation, teamwork, or peer review; these may be convertible to payouts. Smartup Credits (SC) are a tokenized internal currency (1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury funds), earned through completing tasks.
+
Karma Points / Smartup Credits (SC)
+Karma Points are awarded for positive and constructive participation, teamwork, or peer review; these may be convertible to payouts. Smartup Credits (SC) are a tokenized internal currency (1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury funds), earned through completing tasks.
Leadership Team
-The decision-making and strategic core of a Smartup during creation phases, composed of all team captains and the initiating entrepreneur. This team orchestrates budgets, objectives, and major decisions while being accountable to the full community.
+The decision-making and strategic core of a Smartup during creation phases, composed of all team captains and the initiating entrepreneur. This team orchestrates budgets, objectives, and major decisions while being accountable to the full community.
Media Team
-Ensures communication flows both inside the Smartup (internal reporting, progress updates) and outside (public relations, social media, storytelling). Produces engaging content to keep the community and backers informed.
+Ensures communication flows both inside the Smartup (internal reporting, progress updates) and outside (public relations, social media, storytelling). Produces engaging content to keep the community and backers informed.
Mission Leader
A senior member appointed to maintain progress and oversight within a specific objective, assign tasks, and ensure quality of work.
-
Objectives
+
Objectives
Defined missions, focus areas, or sprints within the Teams structure; objectives break the organizational vision into actionable missions.
Observation
-The analytical foundation for Smartup Zero: the world is off track for the SDGs because collective action and problem-solving are obstructed by broken digital and organizational systems.
+The analytical foundation for Smartup Zero: the world is off track for the SDGs because collective action and problem-solving are obstructed by broken digital and organizational systems.
-
Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP)
+
Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP)
A “living document” that records strategy, key decisions, research, assessments, and design throughout all phases; accessible to all owners.
-
ONLIFE
-The first pilot project of Smartup Zero: a decentralized, emergency citizen mesh network prototype.
+
ONLIFE
+The first pilot project of Smartup Zero: a decentralized, emergency citizen mesh network prototype.
-
Operational Team
-Focuses on monitoring and improving processes between teams. Handles incident management, compliance, documentation, learning, and overall coordination, especially crucial for the first Smartup where learning is key.
+
Operational Team
+Focuses on monitoring and improving processes between teams. Handles incident management, compliance, documentation, learning, and overall coordination, especially crucial for the first Smartup where learning is key.
Organization (Phase Four)
-The final phase of Smartup creation, in which the executive/operational structure is finalized, the business proposition is solidified, and the product or service is prepared for market launch.
+The final phase of Smartup creation, in which the executive/operational structure is finalized, the business proposition is solidified, and the product or service is prepared for market launch.
-
Phases of Creation
-The four required stages for building a Smartup and its product or service:
+
Phases of Creation
+The four required stages for building a Smartup and its product or service:
1. Validation – Organize support, prove viability, reach the first funding target, and form coherent teams.
2. Design – Co-create blueprints and user experiences with scientific peer review and collective input.
3. Production – Build MVP/product, run beta tests, and refine based on review and feedback.
@@ -967,46 +990,46 @@ The four required stages for building a Roles
+
Roles
Specific functional positions (e.g., Frontend Developer, UX Designer, Copywriter) within Teams; define both skill requirements and compensation rates.
Science Team
Group responsible for independent scientific oversight and review, ensuring that all processes and outcomes align with sustainability best practices, evidence, and scalability. Holds power to request additional research or halt advancement if standards are not met.
-
Sociotechnical System (STS)
+
Sociotechnical System (STS)
An integrated approach to organizational design that balances social (human) and technical (infrastructural) factors for optimal collective performance and quality of life.
-
Smartup
-A new organizational model (the subject of Smartup Zero) designed to maximize democratic, scientific, and community-driven collaboration in creating technology for social and planetary benefit.
+
Smartup
+A new organizational model (the subject of Smartup Zero) designed to maximize democratic, scientific, and community-driven collaboration in creating technology for social and planetary benefit.
-
Smartup Constitution
-A codified document of learnings, rules, and governance logic, iteratively developed from the Smartup Zero experiment, designed to be adapted by future Smartups.
+
Smartup Constitution
+A codified document of learnings, rules, and governance logic, iteratively developed from the Smartup Zero experiment, designed to be adapted by future Smartups.
-
Smartup Credits (SC)
+
Smartup Credits (SC)
Internal, auditable digital tokens or ledger entries, representing claimable value for contributors (1 SC = 1 EUR when funds are available in the treasury).
-
Smartup Metabolism
-Metaphor for the system of processes—decision-making, feedback, payout, onboarding, and documentation—that enable the Smartup to adapt, sustain itself, and grow.
+
Smartup Metabolism
+Metaphor for the system of processes—decision-making, feedback, payout, onboarding, and documentation—that enable the Smartup to adapt, sustain itself, and grow.
-
Smartup Organism
-Metaphorical framing for the entire Smartup structure as a multi-layer, living system whose “organs” work together toward collective vitality and resilience.
+
Smartup Organism
+Metaphorical framing for the entire Smartup structure as a multi-layer, living system whose “organs” work together toward collective vitality and resilience.
-
Task
+
Task
The atomic unit of productive work. Clearly defined, assigned, and logged; completion triggers SC payouts and structured peer/advisor review.
-
Team
-A focused group of workers with a shared skillset, responsible for a domain such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Each team is led by a Team Captain and contains multiple Roles and Objectives.
+
Team
+A focused group of workers with a shared skillset, responsible for a domain such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Each team is led by a Team Captain and contains multiple Roles and Objectives.
-
Team Captain
-Elected leader within a given Team; manages roles, budgets, tasks, performance, and represents the team in the Leadership Team.
+
Team Captain
+Elected leader within a given Team; manages roles, budgets, tasks, performance, and represents the team in the Leadership Team.
Validation (Phase One)
-The initial phase of building a Smartup: validating the concept, building community, securing funding, and operationalizing the vision.
+The initial phase of building a Smartup: validating the concept, building community, securing funding, and operationalizing the vision.
-
Watch License / Work License
-A Watch License grants governance and observation rights within the Smartup, but not paid assignments. A Work License grants the full right to work, vote, and earn Smartup Credits.
+
Watch License / Work License
+A Watch License grants governance and observation rights within the Smartup, but not paid assignments. A Work License grants the full right to work, vote, and earn Smartup Credits.
-
Workplace
+
Workplace
The centralized collaborative production environment for all workers, where concurrent teamwork and objectives are managed.
Your quick guide to understanding Smartups — a new kind of organization that fixes what's broken in how we build technology for global challenges. Each section links to detailed explanations.
+
A concise map of our experiment design: how we put the Smartup Hypothesis into practice
+by redesigning the Social, Technical, and External subsystems. Follow the links to dive deeper.
-
-Just give me the abstract
-
The Smartup Hypothesis is a set of rules, processes, workflows, and tools that together form an operating system designed to help large groups collaborate transparently, efficiently, and mission-driven toward tools for the SDGs.
-
In essence, we're building a better toolkit for future generations. The system is described below as a living organism. We’ll dive into its natural habitat, anatomy, and metabolism.
-
In a Smartup, "citizens" work collaboratively and interchangeably on ideas that break old paradigms and reveal new ways forward. It is an organization designed to create tools for people to work both on and within their communities.
A Smartup is the opposite of a startup. Instead of racing toward an exit for venture capitalists, we're building sustainable technology businesses that tackle UN Sustainable Development Goals.
-
The key difference: Everyone who contributes owns an equal share. Everyone sees every decision. Everyone focuses on impact — not stock prices.
The Problem
-People feel powerless, trapped in systems that benefit from their distraction.
-Our Fix
-Democratic ownership and governance where every contributor has equal voice and stake.
Social Subsystem
+ From fragmented “users” to democratic citizens—transparent governance, peer workflows, and collective ownership.
+
+
+
Technical Subsystem
+ From isolated tools to group-first design—dual-currency economy, license model, sovereign open-source stack, and automated administration.
+
+
+
External Subsystem
+ From national silos to planetary organizations—borderless operations, equal pay, and a roadmap to global recognition.
A Smartup is a new species of organization with many novel tools, processes, and workflows.
+You won’t master it all at once—learn by doing in the live experiment!
For You
-Fair pay, equal ownership, learn while earning, work on meaningful problems.
-
For the Planet
-Professional teams building real solutions for SDGs — not another ad platform.
-
-
The Bottom Line
-
"We're proving that business discipline and public good aren't opposites. You can build professional technology companies that pay fairly, share ownership equally, and stay focused on what matters: solving humanity's biggest challenges."
We frame each subsystem by its defining elements. Click through to explore details and examples.
+
+
+
+
Architecture
+- Rocket model: foundation (Science, Democracy, Collective IQ) + 3 pillars + military execution.
+- Four Phases (0→Validation→Design→Production→Organization).
+- Six Groups of Productivity (Forum, Workplace, Teams, Roles, Objectives, Tasks).
+- ADM Triangle + Buddy System for quality, learning, and accountability.
+- Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) as living constitution.
+- :material-coin: Smartup Credits (SC) for transparent contribution tracking.
+
+
+
Economy & Access
+- Dual-Currency Model (SC + Social Karma).
+- Four License System (Campaign → Watch → Work → Organizational).
+
Infrastructure & Automation
+- EU-sovereign, open-source stack (Matrix/Element, Forgejo, Open Collective).
+- Smartup Administration Index (semantic numbering & workflows).
+- Engelbot & CI for automated task routing, voting, and SC minting.
+
+
+
Planetary Scope
+- Digital-first, no HQ, operates under Internet jurisdiction.
+- Borderless participation & equal pay worldwide.
+- Defocused from politics; focused on SDGs & scientific reality.
+- Roadmap to UN/global recognition as a new org “species.”
Technical Subsystem Fault — The Isolated Human Doctrine¶
When we look honestly at the world’s urgent challenges, it’s not just their complexity that weighs on us—it’s the shape our own societies are in to overcome them. We find ourselves divided, distracted, and often addicted to digital habits, while the most powerful organizations on earth benefit from keeping us apart. Increasingly, our technology is designed to isolate us—as users, as consumers, not as collaborators or citizens. This is what we call the isolated human doctrine.
This doctrine does more than make us passive—it also convinces us to wait for someone else to solve the crisis. We’re conditioned to look to governments, powerful leaders, or brands to invent our way out of these problems. But the truth is, they won’t. Deep down, we know we need to step up—not as lone heroes, but as people who are a bit more organized, a bit more connected, and united by purpose.
We’ve been told a better world starts with “fixing yourself.” If we face these challenges alone, everything feels too big to tackle. But if we face them together, maybe—just maybe—they become possible.
@@ -1245,7 +1268,7 @@ We observe: Not just individuals with tools, but communities and societies—wor
F -->|Missed SDGs| G[Collective Inaction]
end
-
We feel a growing sense of urgency as we watch our grip on the world slip away—just when we need clarity and collective strength the most. The explosion of digital content and internet access was supposed to empower us. It did make knowledge more available than ever. Now, everyone can publish, create, and share at the speed of thought.
But all this information hasn’t brought us together—it’s become a battleground for the agendas of corporations and political powers. Instead of uniting us, today’s internet is often used to distract, confuse, and divide. Powerful interests, not people, steer the flow of content and shape what we believe.
Somehow, we have let this happen: the internet’s promise hijacked by those who profit from division and distraction, instead of fostering the collaboration we urgently need. There’s no single cause, but the result is clear—a system that floods us with information, but makes meaningful, collective change harder than ever.
This section sets out our core scientific and practical hypothesis for Smartup Zero. Instead of patching old systems, we propose re-engineering the way technology is built, owned, and governed—creating a new “species” of organization that can address the failures confirmed by both the latest SDG report and sociotechnical theory.
+
This section sets out our core scientific and practical hypothesis for Smartup Zero. Instead of patching old systems, we propose re-engineering the way technology is built, owned, and governed—creating a new “species” of organization that can address the failures confirmed by both the latest SDG report and sociotechnical theory.
I just want to see the abstract
-
This page sets out the core hypothesis behind Smartup Zero. Building on our observations—and the latest evidence from the UN’s SDG report—we believe the current way technology is created, owned, and governed keeps us from making real progress on urgent global challenges. Our hypothesis: If we redesign digital organizations—so that ownership, contribution, and decision-making are collective, transparent, and grounded in science—then we can finally create the digital toolset and community power needed to reach our shared goals. This page breaks down how we think these system shifts must happen, subsystem by subsystem.
+
This page sets out the core hypothesis behind Smartup Zero. Building on our observations—and the latest evidence from the UN’s SDG report—we believe the current way technology is created, owned, and governed keeps us from making real progress on urgent global challenges. Our hypothesis: If we redesign digital organizations—so that ownership, contribution, and decision-making are collective, transparent, and grounded in science—then we can finally create the digital toolset and community power needed to reach our shared goals. This page breaks down how we think these system shifts must happen, subsystem by subsystem.
@@ -1018,40 +1041,39 @@
If we move from shareholder-owned technology to people-owned technology, then joining, contributing, earning, and governing become accessible to all. Participating in positive change becomes a “day job,” not an afterthought.
In Practice
-
In a Smartup, all contributors—no matter their background—can own, shape, and steer the direction of projects together.
-How we do that is described in detail:
-- A new Social Subsystem
+
In a Smartup, all contributors—no matter their background—can own, shape, and steer the direction of projects together.
The mainstream model of digital design treats people as isolated “users.” Our tools are engineered for personal consumption or individual productivity—not for communities trying to solve big problems together.
Our hypothesis:
If we explicitly design technology for citizen groups—drawing on the lessons of Douglas Engelbart and others—then our collective intelligence and ability to take coordinated action will accelerate.
-“Smartup tech is built for groups to collaborate, deliberate, and act as one.”
+“Smartup tech is built for groups to collaborate, deliberate, and act as one.”
Inspiration
“The real breakthrough comes when technology supports groups solving problems together.”
— Douglas Engelbart (paraphrased)
Traditional organizations—corporations, governments, even many NGOs—depend on closed funding streams, proprietary platforms, and top-down decision-making. These systems are vulnerable to external shocks and often shaped by priorities at odds with public value.
Our hypothesis:
If we shift to decentralized, open funding (via crowdfunding, community partnerships, and open-source collaboration), then technology projects can remain truly accountable and resilient—serving society, not distant investors or powerbrokers.
Mechanism
-
Smartup Zero is structured so that funding, data, and decision rights are distributed and transparent—not captured by single entities or platforms.
+
Smartup Zero is structured so that funding, data, and decision rights are distributed and transparent—not captured by single entities or platforms.
In summary:
-To realign our systems with societal and planetary needs, we hypothesize that a new kind of organization—one that rewires ownership, technical design, and external relationships—can transform collective intent into real progress.
+
To realign our systems with societal and planetary needs, we hypothesize that a new kind of organization—one that rewires ownership, technical design, and external relationships—can transform collective intent into real progress.
What's Next?
-
The next section documents how we are testing these hypotheses through the Smartup Zero experiment, step by step.
+
The next section documents how we are testing these hypotheses through the Smartup Zero experiment, step by step.
Smartup Zero
Our first live experiment.
-Testing the Smartup model in real time.
+Testing the Smartup model in real time.
Failures and successes are both part of the process.
diff --git a/site/search/search_index.json b/site/search/search_index.json
index dd66055..d4db482 100644
--- a/site/search/search_index.json
+++ b/site/search/search_index.json
@@ -1 +1 @@
-{"config":{"lang":["en"],"separator":"[\\s\\-]+","pipeline":["stopWordFilter"]},"docs":[{"location":"","title":"The System Change Marketplace","text":"BING! YOU ARRIVED AT 0_TIMELINE Here we don\u2019t accept our reality but seek to alter it.
The clock is ticking. The tools we rely on are not helping us progress on the UN Sutainable Development Goals . We need a new toolset.
0_timeline is the place where we can forge that new toolset. Right now, we are building the first one..
"},{"location":"#what-is-0_timeline","title":"What is 0_timeline?
A living public experiment. Everything happens here: ideas, decisions, roles, challenges, breakthroughs.
We\u2019re building technology like a scientific experiment: - Transparent - Community-owned - Measured and documented
","text":""},{"location":"#the-four-elements-of-our-atom","title":"\ud83e\uddec The Four Elements of Our Atom 0_timeline The space where Smartups are designed, tested, and shared\u2014step by step. Smartup A new way to build technology: Transparent. Community-driven. Experimental. Smartup Zero Our first live experiment. Testing the Smartup model\u2014failures and successes both matter. ONLIFE The technology we\u2019re building: A decentralized emergency network for European citizen resilience.","text":""},{"location":"#our-alignment-with-the-un-sdgs","title":"\ud83c\udf0d Our Alignment with the UN SDGs
We\u2019re not just building tech\u2014we\u2019re contributing to global goals.
We believe the next generation of digital infrastructure must be open:
Open decisions
Open failures
Open success tracking
Open governance
","text":""},{"location":"#why-are-we-doing-this","title":"Why are we doing this?
Because the system isn\u2019t working. We need new methods to create\u2014and govern\u2014the technology that shapes our world.
Smartup Zero is our experiment to test that belief. In the open. For everyone to see.
","text":""},{"location":"#join-the-experiment","title":"Join the Experiment","text":""},{"location":"style-guide/","title":"\ud83d\udcd6 0_timeline Content Style Guide","text":"
Purpose
This guide ensures consistent content across the 0_timeline website. All contributors should reference this when creating or editing content. Our goal is to make complex ideas accessible while maintaining the experimental, transparent spirit of Smartup Zero.
###:material-forum: Our General Forum\n\n!!! info \"What is this?\"\n The public square for all Smartup Zero owners where governance happens.\n\n### Purpose\n\nThis is where we make collective decisions that shape our project's future.\n
Renders as:
"},{"location":"style-guide/#our-general-forum","title":"Our General Forum","text":"
What is this?
The public square for all Smartup Zero owners where governance happens.
Purpose
This is where we make collective decisions that shape our project's future.
**:material-account-group: Development Team**\n\n<aside class=\"md-typeset\" markdown>\n!!! tip inline end \"Quick Links\"\n :material-git: [Team Repos](https://smartup-zero-forgejo.fly.dev/smartup-zero/dev-team) \n :material-chat: [Team Room](#3_dev-team) \n :material-clipboard-list: [Open Tasks](#)\n</aside>\n\n**Captain:** [@alice](https://matrix.to/#/@alice:matrix.org) \n**Members:** 5 active contributors \n**Formed:** January 2025 \n\n**Mission:** Build the ONLIFE emergency communication protocol and apps.\n\n**Current Objectives:**\n- Complete Android MVP by Feb 28\n- Implement mesh networking core\n
Renders as:
Development Team
Quick Links
Team Repos Team Room Open Tasks
Captain: @alice Members: 5 active contributors Formed: January 2025
Mission: Build the ONLIFE emergency communication protocol and apps.
Current Objectives: - Complete Android MVP by Feb 28 - Implement mesh networking core
**:material-numeric-0-circle: Phase 0: Micro-Pilot**\n\n<aside class=\"md-typeset\" markdown>\n!!! info inline end \"Phase Status\"\n **Status:** Active \n **Duration:** 30 days \n **Started:** Jan 1, 2025 \n **Target:** Jan 31, 2025\n</aside>\n\n**Goals for This Phase**\n\n- [x] Deploy core infrastructure\n- [ ] Onboard 15-20 contributors\n- [ ] Complete one full work cycle\n\n**Key Deliverables**\n\n| Deliverable | Description | Status |\n|-------------|-------------|---------|\n| Tech Stack | Forgejo + Matrix deployed | :material-check: Done |\n| Engelbot | Automation bot v0.1 | :material-progress-wrench: In Progress |\n| First Task | Test the SC system | :material-calendar: Planned |\n
Renders as:
Phase 0: Micro-Pilot
Phase Status
Status: Active Duration: 30 days Started: Jan 1, 2025 Target: Jan 31, 2025
Goals for This Phase
[x] Deploy core infrastructure
[ ] Onboard 15-20 contributors
[ ] Complete one full work cycle
Key Deliverables
Deliverable Description Status Tech Stack Forgejo + Matrix deployed Done Engelbot Automation bot v0.1 In Progress First Task Test the SC system Planned"},{"location":"style-guide/#call-to-action-sections","title":"Call-to-Action Sections","text":"
For encouraging participation.
Example Code:
**:material-rocket-launch: Ready to Contribute?**\n\n<div class=\"grid\" markdown>\n\n:material-account-plus:{ .lg }\n\n**Join the Project**\n\nBecome a Smartup Zero owner\n\n[Join via Open Collective :material-open-in-new:](https://opencollective.com/smartup-zero){ .md-button }\n\n:material-chat:{ .lg }\n\n**Start Discussing**\n\nConnect with the community\n\n[Enter Matrix Space :material-open-in-new:](#){ .md-button }\n\n:material-hammer:{ .lg }\n\n**Start Building**\n\nPick up your first task\n\n[Browse Open Tasks :material-open-in-new:](#){ .md-button }\n\n</div>\n
Start with Why: Lead with purpose/problem before solution
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use examples and diagrams
Progressive Disclosure: Overview first, details in expandable sections
Example Code:
** The Smartup Credit System\n\n**Why it exists:** We need a fair way to track and reward contributions before cash arrives.\n\n??? info \"How it works (Technical Details)\"\n When a contributor completes a task, the Team Captain approves it and \n Smartup Credits are minted to the ledger. These credits represent a \n future claim on treasury funds at a 1 SC = 1 EUR rate.\n
Renders as:
The Smartup Credit System
Why it exists: We need a fair way to track and reward contributions before cash arrives.
How it works (Technical Details)
When a contributor completes a task, the Team Captain approves it and Smartup Credits are minted to the ledger. These credits represent a future claim on treasury funds at a 1 SC = 1 EUR rate.
!!! example \"How This Works in Practice\"\n When a developer completes a task worth 500 SC, the Team Captain \n approves it, triggering an automatic ledger update via Engelbot.\n
Renders as:
How This Works in Practice
When a developer completes a task worth 500 SC, the Team Captain approves it, triggering an automatic ledger update via Engelbot.
!!! quote \"Our Inscription\"\n We don't accept our reality but seek to alter it. We are not too late \n or too early but precisely on time. The next big thing will be a mosaic \n of small things.\n
Renders as:
Our Inscription
We don't accept our reality but seek to alter it. We are not too late or too early but precisely on time. The next big thing will be a mosaic of small things.
"},{"location":"style-guide/#tabs-for-multiple-perspectives","title":"Tabs for Multiple Perspectives","text":"
Example Code:
=== \":material-account: For Contributors\"\n\n Learn how to join the project and start earning Smartup Credits \n by contributing your skills to building ONLIFE.\n\n=== \":material-currency-eur: For Supporters\"\n\n Discover how your financial support directly enables the development \n of public-good technology with transparent fund allocation.\n\n=== \":material-cellphone: For Future Users\"\n\n Understand how ONLIFE will provide emergency communication when \n traditional networks fail.\n
Renders as:
For Contributors For Supporters For Future Users
Learn how to join the project and start earning Smartup Credits by contributing your skills to building ONLIFE.
Discover how your financial support directly enables the development of public-good technology with transparent fund allocation.
Understand how ONLIFE will provide emergency communication when traditional networks fail.
??? question \"What are Smartup Credits?\"\n\n Smartup Credits (SC) are internal units that track contributions \n before cash is available. 1 SC = 1 EUR claim on the treasury.\n\n??? tip \"Pro Tip: Claiming Your First Task\"\n\n Start with tasks labeled \"good-first-task\" in Forgejo. Comment \n on the issue to claim it before starting work.\n
Renders as:
What are Smartup Credits?
Smartup Credits (SC) are internal units that track contributions before cash is available. 1 SC = 1 EUR claim on the treasury.
Pro Tip: Claiming Your First Task
Start with tasks labeled \"good-first-task\" in Forgejo. Comment on the issue to claim it before starting work.
```console\n$ git clone https://smartup-zero-forgejo.fly.dev/smartup-zero/0_timeline.git\n$ cd 0_timeline\n$ mkdocs serve\nINFO - Building documentation...\nINFO - Documentation built in 2.43 seconds\n```\n
Renders as:
$ git clone https://smartup-zero-forgejo.fly.dev/smartup-zero/0_timeline.git\n$ cd 0_timeline\n$ mkdocs serve\nINFO - Building documentation...\nINFO - Documentation built in 2.43 seconds\n
"},{"location":"style-guide/#tables-and-data","title":"\ud83d\udcca Tables and Data","text":""},{"location":"style-guide/#standard-table-format","title":"Standard Table Format","text":"
**:material-icon: Page Title\n\n!!! info \"What is this?\"\n One-sentence explanation of what this page covers.\n\n**Purpose**\n\nBrief paragraph explaining why this matters in the Smartup Zero context.\n\n**Main Content**\n\nYour content here, following the patterns above...\n\n**:material-rocket-launch: Next Steps**\n\nWhat the reader should do after reading this page.\n\n!!! tip \"Related Topics\"\n - [Related Page 1](link)\n - [Related Page 2](link)\n
Ready to Create Content!
Now you have all the patterns and examples needed to create consistent, beautiful content for 0_timeline. Remember to reference this guide whenever you're unsure about formatting or style choices.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/","title":"A new external subsystem","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#the-external-subsystem-a-planetary-organization","title":"The External Subsystem: A Planetary Organization","text":"
What is this?
Smartups are designed as digital-first, globally-distributed organizations that transcend national boundaries and political cycles. We envision a new external framework where planetary challenges get planetary solutions, free from the distortions of nation-state politics.
When we look at why organizations fail to address SDGs, we see a pattern: they get trapped in political cycles, pulled by national interests, and distracted by daily crises. A startup in Silicon Valley optimizes for US tax law. An NGO in Brussels navigates EU regulations. A company in Singapore plays different rules than one in S\u00e3o Paulo.
Meanwhile, climate change doesn't care about borders. Inequality doesn't pause for elections. The SDGs don't shift with news cycles.
The Defocused Organization
Smartups are intentionally defocused from: - Daily political drama - National election cycles - Geopolitical tensions - Regulatory arbitrage - News cycle reactions We stay focused on: - SDGs (always on the horizon) - Long-term planetary health - Human needs regardless of nationality - Scientific reality over political narrative
Exists in Cyberspace --- No physical headquarters No national registration Digital infrastructure only Operates 24/7 globally Jurisdiction: The Internet
Open to All Humanity --- Join from anywhere Contribute from anywhere No visa requirements No geographic discrimination Talent without borders
Equal Pay Globally --- Same task = same pay No geographic arbitrage Value work, not location Purchasing power parity? That's their problem
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#why-national-frameworks-fail-digital-organizations","title":"Why National Frameworks Fail Digital Organizations","text":"
The Friction of Nation-States
Scenario: A climate-focused Smartup needs a developer Traditional hiring: - Best candidate is in Bangladesh \u274c Visa complexity - Second choice in France \u274c Employment law maze - Third choice in Brazil \u274c Tax treaty issues - Settle for local candidate \u2713 But not optimal Smartup approach: - Best candidate in Bangladesh \u2713 Joins immediately - Earns same as anyone else \u2713 500 SC for the task - No visa, no employment contract \u2713 Just contribution - Optimal talent for optimal solution \u2713 SDGs advance
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#the-vision-planetary-governance-for-planetary-organizations","title":"The Vision: Planetary Governance for Planetary Organizations","text":"
graph TD\n UN[UN or Global Body<br/>Planetary Jurisdiction] --> SR[Smartup Registry<br/>Digital Entity Recognition]\n SR --> S1[Smartup Alpha<br/>Clean Energy]\n SR --> S2[Smartup Beta<br/>Food Security]\n SR --> S3[Smartup Gamma<br/>Health Access]\n SR --> SZ[Smartup Zero<br/>Emergency Comms]\n\n S1 --> G[Global Talent Pool]\n S2 --> G\n S3 --> G\n SZ --> G\n\n style UN fill:#4ecdc4\n style G fill:#8bc34a
Learning from Estonia's E-Residency
Estonia proved digital citizenship works: - 100,000+ e-residents from 170+ countries - Digital identity enables business creation - Geography becomes irrelevant - Services delivered digitally Smartups take this further: not just digital residency, but digital-native organizations with planetary purpose.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#immunity-from-political-volatility","title":"Immunity from Political Volatility","text":"
Traditional organizations get pulled into: - Trade wars affecting supply chains - Sanctions limiting talent access - Political pressure on priorities - Regulatory capture by incumbents - Nationalism over global good
Smartups remain steady: - Contributors work under digital identity - Payment in SC avoids banking politics - Open source means no export controls - SDG focus transcends party politics - Scientific merit over political favor
Above the Fray
\"While nations argue about carbon credits, we build. While politicians debate inequality, we act. While borders close, we remain open. The SDGs don't have time for political theater.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#the-path-to-recognition","title":"The Path to Recognition","text":"
Phase 1: Proof --- Smartups operate informally Build real solutions Demonstrate viability Create undeniable value Show the model works
Phase 2: Precedent --- Multiple successful Smartups Cross-border collaboration SDG impact measured Model replication proven Community grows globally
Phase 3: Recognition --- UN working group forms Legal framework drafted Digital entity status Planetary jurisdiction New organizational species
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#why-this-isnt-utopian","title":"Why This Isn't Utopian","text":"
We're Not Naive
We know: - Nation-states won't disappear - Politics won't vanish - Borders still matter for humans - Local laws affect contributors But digital organizations can operate above this layer, just as the internet routes around censorship.
The Internet already works this way: - TCP/IP doesn't care about borders - Open source projects span nations - Cryptocurrencies ignore jurisdictions - Remote work proves geography optional
We're just formalizing what's already emerging: planetary organizations for planetary challenges.
While the world argues about: - Which nation leads on climate - Who pays for inequality - Whose tech standards win - Which currency dominates Smartups quietly build: - Emergency networks that work everywhere - Water solutions without borders - Health tools for all humans - Energy systems beyond nations Defocused from drama. Focused on delivery.
The North Star
\"The SDGs are our constitution, science is our law, and humanity is our citizenship. Everything else\u2014every border, every political cycle, every national interest\u2014is just noise we filter out.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/","title":"A new social subsystem","text":"
What is this?
The Social Subsystem describes how people in a Smartup organize, collaborate, and make decisions together. It replaces hierarchical management and fragmented teams with a decentralized system of shared ownership, trust-based roles, and mutual accountability. This subsystem creates the social architecture needed to build technology in a way that's fair, resilient, and aligned with the public good.
Just give me the abstract
In this new design for a the Social Subsystem redesigns how people work together by introducing democratic governance, peer support structures, and fluid identity protocols. Instead of traditional management, Smartups rely on a balance between autonomy, discipline, and mission-alignment \u2014 enforced not by authority, but by structure. Contributors operate in role-based groups, make collective decisions using the ADM Triangle, and support each other through systems like the Buddy Program. This model aims to unlock large-scale collaboration by treating contributors as citizens \u2014 not employees \u2014 in a shared mission to build public-interest technology.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-architecture-of-a-smartup","title":"The Architecture of a Smartup","text":"
Definition: A Smartup creates trustworthy digital tools that help people\u2014and the communities they form\u2014become more resilient, resourceful, and effective in advancing the SDGs.
At its core, every Smartup is built like a rocket: a solid foundation, three structural pillars, and a sharp point of execution.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-foundation-our-fuel","title":"The Foundation (Our Fuel)","text":"
Science Every tool we create is grounded in facts, evidence, and tested knowledge. The problems we tackle are science-proven, and solutions must stand up to real-world scrutiny.
Democracy Our process and decisions are open and participatory. Everyone has a voice and a vote\u2014no gated hierarchies, no closed rooms.
Collective IQ We are smarter together. All skills and ideas are pooled so we solve more, faster, and with better results than any one person or small group could alone.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-three-pillars-our-structure","title":"The Three Pillars (Our Structure)","text":"
Collective Ownership Everyone who joins and contributes is an equal owner. There are no founders, investors, or external shareholders\u2014just people \u201cin it\u201d together. --8<-- \"_snippets/smartup-ownership-meaning.md\" --8<-- \"_snippets/the-book-of-owners.md\"
Collective Craftsmanship All work and effort are shared\u2014teams build, improve, and sustain everything the Smartup delivers. Value is earned by doing, not by owning capital.
Collective Governance Decision-making and oversight are for everyone. Every contributor holds both rights and responsibilities for what the Smartup does and how it does it.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#our-modus-operandi","title":"Our Modus Operandi","text":"
Military Execution While we are democratic in nature, we are military in execution. When the General Forum sets a target, the Workplace hits it with precision. Clear chains of command, proven processes like the buddy system, and professional discipline ensure we don't just talk about change\u2014we deliver it.
Why a rocket?
A Smartup is a vehicle for change. The foundation powers us, the pillars keep us stable, and military execution cuts through obstacles. Together, these elements create an organization that can actually reach its destination: a world where digital tools serve collective human needs.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-4-phases-of-creation-the-habitat-of-a-smartup","title":"The 4 Phases of Creation - The Habitat of a Smartup","text":"
What is this?
Every Smartup grows through four clear, community-driven phases. This rhythm\u2014from first idea to real-world launch\u2014ensures that only validated, sustainable, and well-governed solutions reach the market. At every step, the decision to move forward belongs to the entire Smartup community.
Phase 1: Validation The Question: \"Does the world need this?\" Entrepreneurs and early adopters rally a vibrant community around a solution, showing real traction in people and resources.
Thresholds to advance: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Official Smartup Business Plan ready - [ ] Leadership Team formed - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
Phase 2: Design The Question: \"How can we build this sustainably and efficiently?\" Contributors create blueprints through open collaboration, with rigorous scientific review before development begins.
Thresholds to advance: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Design Blueprint delivered - [ ] Science Team review passed - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
Phase 3: Production The Focus: From thinking to building The community creates an MVP, tests with real citizens, and prepares for launch after scientific and market validation.
Thresholds to advance: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Version 1.0 beta tested - [ ] Market assessment complete - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
Phase 4: Organization The Goal: Ready for the world Build the team and structure for market launch. Executive team chosen, legal framework set, always with community validation.
Thresholds for launch: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Executive team formed - [ ] Final Business Plan ready - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
The Common Thread
Notice how each phase requires four key elements: 1. Financial sustainability \u2013 Resources to continue 2. Concrete deliverable \u2013 Something tangible produced 3. Expert validation \u2013 Scientific or market review 4. Democratic approval \u2013 The community decides
This ensures what's being built is wanted, sound, and fully owned by the community at every step.
flowchart TB\n V[\ud83d\udd0d Validation<br/><sub>Prove demand</sub>]\n D[\ud83d\udcd0 Design<br/><sub>Create blueprint</sub>]\n P[\ud83d\udd28 Production<br/><sub>Build & test</sub>]\n O[\ud83d\ude80 Organization<br/><sub>Launch ready</sub>]\n\n V -.->|Community Vote| D\n D -.->|Community Vote| P\n P -.->|Community Vote| O\n O ==>|To Market!| M[\ud83c\udf0d]\n\n style V stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style D stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style P stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style O stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style M stroke:#8bc34a,stroke-width:3px
Why these phases?
Each phase ensures what\u2019s being built is wanted, sound, and fully owned by the community before advancing. Built-in checkpoints\u2014majority votes and scientific reviews\u2014keep momentum aligned with trust and quality at every step.
Next: See how Smartup teams, roles, and workflows make collective building a reality.
To create real, relevant technology, a Smartup can\u2019t just be a loose network\u2014it needs to be a productive, living system. But if nobody has absolute power\u2014not even a CEO\u2014how do decisions get made and meaningful work actually happen? The answer: the Smartup is a new kind of \u201corganism\u201d built for collective intelligence and self-organization.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#democratic-by-nature-military-in-execution","title":"Democratic by Nature, Military in Execution","text":"
A Smartup is a unique sociotechnical organism that combines democratic governance with military-precision execution. This hybrid design solves a fundamental challenge: how to maintain collective ownership while actually getting things done.
The Design Principle
We are democratic where it matters most: In the General Forum, every citizen has equal voice, equal vote, equal responsibility. Here we decide WHAT we build and WHY\u2014our mission, values, and strategic direction.
We are disciplined where speed matters: In the Workplace, we apply military-inspired command structures and proven operational processes. Here we decide HOW we build\u2014with clear roles, accountability, and chains of command.
Learning from Failed Models
Pure Democracy Everywhere = Endless debates, nothing ships Pure Hierarchy Everywhere = Mission drift, worker alienation Our Hybrid = Collective ownership + Professional execution
If you could slice a Smartup open, you\u2019d see something that looks more like a living ecosystem than a traditional corporate pyramid. Instead of strict hierarchy and top-down control, power and responsibility are distributed through a holacratic structure: nested groups, each supporting the whole.
\u201cHolacracy is a new way of structuring and running your organization that replaces the conventional management hierarchy. Instead of top-down, power is distributed throughout, giving individuals and teams more freedom to self-manage, while staying aligned to the organization\u2019s purpose.\u201d \u2014 holacracy.org
In a Smartup, these circles are groups\u2014each one crucial for the whole, each one depending on\u2014and empowering\u2014the next.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-six-groups-of-productivity","title":"The Six Groups of Productivity","text":"
A Smartup is designed so that all ownership, work, and governance flow through six nested groups. Think of them as a set of Russian dolls: each group contains smaller subgroups, but all belong to the \"mother\" at the center, the General Forum.
1. General Forum
The heart of the Smartup
All citizens (owners) gather here to discuss, propose, vote, and oversee everything. It's the public square for collective direction and accountability.
Members: All Smartup owners Moderated by: Leadership Team
2. Workplace
The production engine
Citizens with a work license join to build what matters. Here, talk turns into action: plans become teams, teams build real things.
Members: All workers (colleagues) Moderated by: Leadership Team
3. Teams
Home base for specialized work
Every worker joins at least one team\u2014design, development, business. Teams focus effort and harness specific skills toward shared goals.
Members: Workers in same team (teammates) Moderated by: Team Captain
4. Roles
How you contribute
In each team, workers apply for roles that fit their talents\u2014UX designer, developer, communicator. Roles define responsibility and access.
Members: Workers with same role (peers) Moderated by: Team Captain
5. Objectives
What's to be achieved
Teams progress by accomplishing specific missions, like \"Create Android app front-end.\" Each objective unites multiple roles.
Members: Workers on same objective (squad) Moderated by: Mission Leader
6. Tasks
Where work happens
The smallest\u2014and most important\u2014unit. Tasks create measurable progress. Complete task, create value, get rewarded.
Each group lives within the one above it: - General Forum contains \u2192 Workplace - Workplace contains \u2192 Teams - Teams contain \u2192 Roles - Roles work on \u2192 Objectives - Objectives break into \u2192 Tasks This creates clear accountability chains while maintaining democratic oversight at the top.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-metabolism-how-a-smartup-lives-and-breathes","title":"The Metabolism - How a Smartup Lives and Breathes","text":"
What is this?
If the 6 Groups show a Smartup's anatomy (structure), the metabolism shows how it actually functions\u2014how we communicate, make decisions, and get work done through the ADM Triangle system powered by the buddy system.
When we examine a Smartup as a living organism, we need to understand not just its structure, but how it sustains itself. Just as a body needs circulation and digestion, a Smartup needs processes for communication, decision-making, and documentation. This is where we discover the ADM Triangle\u2014the metabolic engine that powers every interaction.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-buddy-system-never-work-alone","title":"The Buddy System: Never Work Alone","text":"
At the core of our metabolism lies a simple but powerful principle borrowed from military operations: you never work alone. In a Smartup, every task, every decision, every action involves at least two people working in partnership.
Why Buddies Matter
The buddy system serves multiple vital functions: - Accountability: Freedom with responsibility - Support: Help when stuck or overwhelmed - Quality: Built-in peer review - Learning: Juniors learn by observing seniors - Resilience: No single point of failure
The Learning Loop
What makes our buddy system special is that it's designed as a learning mechanism:
graph LR\n J[Junior Role<br/><sub>Defender/Assistant</sub>] \n S[Senior Role<br/><sub>Attacker/Worker</sub>]\n T[Task Execution]\n L[Learning & Growth]\n\n S -->|Performs| T\n J -->|Observes & Assists| T\n T -->|Creates| L\n L -->|Promotes| J\n J -.->|Becomes| S
The 90/10 Split: When a task is completed: - Worker (Senior) receives 90% of the budget - Assistant (Junior) receives 10%
This isn't just payment for monitoring\u2014it's investment in developing the next generation of senior contributors.
Building on the buddy system, every interaction in a Smartup follows the Attacker, Defender, Midfielder (ADM) pattern:
graph TD\n A[Attacker/Senior<br/><sub>Drives action forward</sub>]\n D[Defender/Junior<br/><sub>Learns while ensuring quality</sub>]\n M[Midfielder/Bot<br/><sub>Coordinates & documents</sub>]\n\n A <--> M\n D <--> M\n A -.->|Mentors| D\n
How It Works in Practice
ADM in Action: Task Execution
Scenario: A senior developer takes on the task \"Deploy emergency mesh network prototype\" 1. Senior Developer (Attacker): Implements solution, explains decisions 2. Junior Developer (Defender): Assists, learns patterns, validates effort 3. Bot (Midfielder): Logs activity, manages check-ins The junior isn't just watching\u2014they're actively learning deployment processes, understanding architectural decisions, and preparing to lead similar tasks in the future.
Learning by Doing
\"The assistant learns how the worker solves a specific task and gains knowledge and skills. Defenders are literally learning to become seniors.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#beyond-surveillance-a-learning-organization","title":"Beyond Surveillance: A Learning Organization","text":"
This Isn't About Control
Traditional organizations use monitoring for compliance and control. In a Smartup, the buddy system creates a learning environment where: - Juniors gain real experience with safety nets - Seniors develop mentoring and leadership skills - Knowledge spreads organically through the organization - No one carries administrative burden alone The defender role isn't a watchdog\u2014it's an apprenticeship. This transforms what could feel like surveillance into an opportunity for growth.
The Freedom to Shift: Horizontal Career Development
What makes Smartup identity truly revolutionary is voluntary role shifting. Unlike traditional organizations where you're locked into your expertise, we embrace career fluidity.
Role Shifting in Practice
Marcus has been a senior backend developer for 5 years. He's excellent at it, but getting bored. Traditional Organization: Marcus is stuck. His value is tied to his seniority in backend. Moving to UX means starting over, losing status and pay. In a Smartup: Marcus can: - Continue taking senior backend tasks when he wants (90% as attacker) - Join the UX team as a junior member - Take on UX tasks as a defender (10%, learning from senior UX designers) - Gradually build UX skills while maintaining backend income - Eventually take on senior UX roles as skills develop Result: Marcus expands his skillset, stays engaged, and the Smartup gains a developer who understands both backend AND user experience.
Why This Matters
For Individuals: - Never get trapped in a single role - Learn new skills while earning - Find renewed passion through variety - Build cross-functional understanding For the Smartup: - Retain talented people who might otherwise leave from boredom - Create bridges between teams through shared members - Build resilience\u2014more people can cover more roles - Foster innovation through cross-pollination
The Learning Economy
This fluid identity system creates what we call a learning economy:
graph LR\n SE[Senior Expert<br/><sub>Feeling Stagnant</sub>]\n JL[Junior Learner<br/><sub>in New Domain</sub>]\n ME[Multi-skilled Expert<br/><sub>Cross-functional</sub>]\n IV[Increased Value<br/><sub>To Individual & Smartup</sub>]\n\n SE -->|Chooses to Explore| JL\n JL -->|Learns Through Tasks| ME\n ME -->|Creates| IV\n IV -->|Enables More| SE
Breaking the Specialization Trap
\"Traditional organizations want you to stay in your box\u2014it's easier to manage. But humans aren't meant to do one thing forever. A Smartup embraces our natural desire to grow, learn, and evolve.\"
Why Identity Shifting Matters
Identity in Action
Sarah is a senior developer who's curious about business development. Watch her fluid day: 9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on strategic direction, her voice equal to everyone's. 9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she discusses overall progress in the OSBP. 10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a senior TEAM MEMBER, she guides technical architecture decisions. 11:00 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes a critical feature (earning 90% of task value). 2:00 PM - Business Team: As a junior TEAM MEMBER, she joins market research discussions. 3:00 PM - Task #78: As a DEFENDER, she assists on a competitor analysis task, learning from the senior business developer (earning 10% while learning). End of Day: Sarah earned well from her senior work AND gained business skills. The Smartup gets a developer who understands market pressures.
The Power of Context
By explicitly naming who we are in each space, we: - Prevent power dynamics from poisoning collaboration - Create psychological safety for honest communication - Enable rapid context switching without confusion - Build empathy by experiencing multiple perspectives - Allow graceful transition between expert and learner modes
Making the Shift Switching roles in a Smartup is designed to be frictionless:
See an interesting team? Join their public channel
Want to learn? Apply for junior roles in that team
Keep earning: Maintain senior roles in your expertise area
Grow gradually: Take on more advanced tasks as you learn
No permission needed: Your career path is yours to design
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#identity-protocols-who-we-become-in-each-space","title":"Identity Protocols: Who We Become in Each Space","text":"
What is this?
As we move between the 6 groups, we don't just change what we do\u2014we change who we are. These identity protocols teach us how to show up in each space for maximum collective effective$
The Six Identities We Embody
In the General Forum --- We are CITIZENS
Equal voice, equal vote, equal responsibility. Here, the newest contributor has the same rights as the founding team. We debate, propose, and decide as equals.
\"In this space, I am a citizen with rights and obligations\"
In the Workplace --- We are COLLEAGUES
United by shared mission. We may have different skills and tasks, but we're all building toward the same vision. Collaboration over competition.
\"In this space, I am a colleague working for our shared idea\"
In Teams --- We are TEAM MEMBERS
Aligned on objectives. We coordinate our diverse skills toward specific goals, supporting each other's growth and success.
\"In this space, I am a team member working on our objectives\"
In Roles --- We are PEERS
Sharing expertise. Whether senior or junior, we're united by our craft, helping each other improve and solve technical challenges.
\"In this space, I am a peer sharing skills and knowledge\"
In Objectives --- We are SQUAD MEMBERS
Aligned on objectives. We coordinate our diverse skills toward specific goals, supporting each other's growth and success.
\"In this space, I am a team member working on our objectives\"
In Roles --- We are PEERS
Sharing expertise. Whether senior or junior, we're united by our craft, helping each other improve and solve technical challenges.
\"In this space, I am a peer sharing skills and knowledge\"
In Objectives --- We are SQUAD MEMBERS
Present and focused. We're here now, working on this specific mission, coordinating in real-time to achieve our goal.
\"In this space, I am a squad member present and engaged\"
In Tasks --- We are ATTACKERS & DEFENDERS
Executing with discipline. We take on specific roles\u2014driving work forward or ensuring quality\u2014with clear accountability.
\"In this space, I am actively attacking or defending this task\"
Why Identity Shifting Matters
Identity in Action
Sarah is a senior developer in Smartup Zero. Watch how she shifts:
9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on whether to pursue mesh networking, weighing in equally with designers and business developers.
9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she reviews the overall ONLIFE roadmap, offering technical insights while respecting other disciplines.
10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a TEAM MEMBER, she coordinates with other developers on the sprint plan.
10:30 AM - Backend Role: As a PEER, she mentors a junior backend developer struggling with mesh protocols.
11:00 AM - \"Build MVP\" Objective: As a SQUAD MEMBER, she syncs with frontend and QA on today's integration.
11:30 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes the mesh discovery feature while her junior DEFENDER reviews and learns.
The Power of Context
By explicitly naming who we are in each space, we: - Prevent power dynamics from poisoning collaboration - Create psychological safety for honest communication - Enable rapid context switching without confusion - Build empathy by experiencing multiple perspectives
Learning the Dance New contributors often struggle with identity shifting at first. That's normal\u2014we're conditioned by traditional organizations to maintain rigid roles. But with practice, this fluidity becomes natural and empowering.
Identity Discipline
These aren't just nice ideas\u2014they're operational requirements. In our Matrix/Element spaces, channels are named and moderated to reinforce these identities. Bringing \"boss energy\" to a peer space or \"individual contributor\" mindset to the General Forum disrupts our collective intelligence
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-meta-transparency-layer-adm-between-groups","title":"The Meta-Transparency Layer: ADM Between Groups","text":"
What is this?
The ADM Triangle doesn't just operate within groups\u2014it creates a transparency cascade from the outside world all the way down to individual tasks, ensuring accountability and alignment at every level.
We've seen how the ADM Triangle works within each group. But the true power emerges when we see how it connects the groups themselves, creating what we call the meta-transparency layer\u2014a complete chain of accountability from public oversight to task execution.
The Oversight Cascade
Each group in our 6-layer structure maintains oversight of the group below it through its own ADM Triangle:
0_timeline \u2192 General Forum A: Citizens taking initiative with proposals/votes D: Leadership team ensuring quality moderation M: Bot documents everything to 0_timeline The outside world sees our governance in action
General Forum \u2192 Workplace A: Colleagues taking initiative with work D: Leadership team ensuring OSBP compliance M: Bot reports progress to General Forum Citizens oversee how work gets done
Workplace \u2192 Teams A: Team members taking initiative in teams D: Team captains ensuring strategy/budgets M: Bot reports team health to Workplace Colleagues oversee team formation
Teams \u2192 Roles A: Peers taking initiative in skill areas D: Team captain ensuring roles are filled M: Bot reports role coverage to Teams Teams oversee skill distribution
Roles \u2192 Objectives A: Squad members taking initiative on missions D: Mission leaders ensuring coordination M: Bot reports objective progress to Roles Peers oversee objective participation
Objectives \u2192 Tasks A: Worker taking initiative to complete D: Assistant ensuring quality/learning M: Bot reports task status to Objectives Squads oversee task execution
Let's follow a decision from inception to execution: Day 1 - Citizen Initiative: In the General Forum, citizens (A) propose adding mesh networking to ONLIFE. Leadership team (D) facilitates discussion. Bot (M) publishes proposal to 0_timeline. Day 3 - Vote Passes: Colleagues in Workplace (A) volunteer to implement. Leadership team (D) ensures it fits OSBP. Bot (M) reports commitment to General Forum. Day 5 - Team Forms: Dev team members (A) organize around mesh networking. Team captain (D) allocates budget and strategy. Bot (M) reports team formation to Workplace. Day 7 - Roles Activate: Backend peers (A) define mesh protocol skills needed. Team captain (D) ensures roles are properly staffed. Bot (M) reports skill gaps to Teams. Day 10 - Objective Launches: Squad members (A) begin \"Build Mesh Prototype\" objective. Mission leader (D) coordinates resources. Bot (M) reports progress to Roles. Day 12 - Tasks Execute: Senior dev (A) codes mesh discovery feature. Junior dev (D) assists and learns. Bot (M) logs 4 hours work, reports completion to Objective. Result: Complete transparency from public proposal to code commit. Every stakeholder can trace the path.
Why This Matters
Traditional organizations hide their operations behind closed doors. Our meta-transparency means: - Public can see how decisions become reality - Citizens can track their proposals through execution - Workers understand why they're building what they're building - No black boxes, no hidden agendas - Trust through transparency at every level
Information Overload?
With transparency at every level, we risk drowning in data. That's why the bot middleware is crucial\u2014it filters and summarizes, ensuring each level gets the right amount of detail. Citizens don't see every git commit; task workers don't get flooded with governance debates.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-official-smartup-business-plan-osbp","title":"The Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP)","text":"
What is this?
The OSBP is the living, breathing constitution of a Smartup\u2014where an entrepreneur's vision transforms into collective property through democratic participation and continuous evolution.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#from-my-idea-to-our-mission","title":"From \"My Idea\" to \"Our Mission\"","text":"
Every Smartup begins with an entrepreneur who sees a solution to an SDG challenge. But unlike traditional startups where founders retain control, the OSBP is the mechanism for transferring ownership to the collective.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-three-groundings","title":"The Three Groundings","text":"
Every OSBP must establish legitimacy through three essential groundings:
SDG Grounding --- Which SDGs does this address? Why is this problem critical? How does our solution help? What's the measurable impact? Links to UN frameworks
Scientific Grounding --- Evidence the solution works Research backing approach Technical feasibility studies Peer-reviewed references Testable hypotheses
Democratic Grounding --- The validation test: Current owners: X joined Target owners: Y needed Funding: \u20acX of \u20acY goal Teams forming: X of Y needed \"Do enough people want this?\"
Why Three Groundings?
SDG: Ensures we're solving real planetary problems Scientific: Proves our solution can actually work Democratic: Tests if enough people care to make it happen Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
The democratic grounding is the entrepreneur's ultimate reality check:
From 'I Think' to 'We Know'
\"I think this is a good idea and I've done my homework. Now let's find out if enough other people agree and want this as badly as I do. Not through surveys or likes, but through real commitment\u2014joining as owners, contributing funds, volunteering skills. If we can't rally enough people in validation, we shouldn't build it.\"
This democratic grounding happens through: - Crowdfunding success: People vote with their wallets - Team formation: Skilled people volunteer their time - Owner recruitment: Citizens join the mission - Financial thresholds: Real money proves real demand - Active participation: Not just watchers but builders
By the end of validation, we don't guess there's demand\u2014we've proven it through collective action.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#osbp-structure-for-validation-phase","title":"OSBP Structure for Validation Phase","text":"
The OSBP sections map directly to team responsibilities:
Section Responsible Team Core Questions 1. Executive Summary Leadership Team Why does the world need this? What's our vision? 2. Design Blueprint Design Team How will it work from user perspective? 3. Development Blueprint Development Team How do we build it? What's been built? 4. Business & Marketing Business Team How does it sustain itself? Validation budget? 5. Media & Message Media Team How do we communicate? What's our voice? 6. R&D Roadmap Science Team What research questions must we answer? 7. Definition of Ready Operational Team When are we ready for Design Phase?"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-living-document-process","title":"The Living Document Process","text":"
How OSBP Updates Work
Day 1: Design team improves user flow section Day 2: Team captain submits changes to Workplace Day 2-5: Lazy consensus period (72 hours) - No objections from 3+ colleagues = proceed - Objections = discussion and resolution Day 5-7: General Forum notification (48 hours) - Final chance for any owner to raise concerns Day 7: Auto-published to live OSBP on 0_timeline
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#version-evolution","title":"Version Evolution","text":"Version Phase Status Meaning v0.1 Pre-validation Entrepreneur's proposal Individual vision seeking collective v0.2-0.9 Validation Team assessments added Collective shaping and ownership v1.0 Design entry Validated plan Community approved, ready to design v2.0 Production entry Designed solution Blueprints complete, ready to build v3.0 Organization entry Built product MVP done, ready to organize v4.0 Market entry Launch ready Complete plan for sustainable operation"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#from-assessment-to-leadership","title":"From Assessment to Leadership","text":"
The OSBP naturally identifies leaders through work:
Teams collaborate on their OSBP section
Quality contributors emerge through the writing
Natural coordination becomes visible
Team elects captain based on demonstrated ability
Captains form Leadership Team
Not a Static Document
Traditional business plans are fiction about the future. The OSBP is living documentation of our evolving reality. Every pivot, every learning, every decision gets captured in real-time.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#access-and-transparency","title":"Access and Transparency","text":"
Where it lives: Version controlled in Forgejo, rendered on 0_timeline Who can read: Everyone (public) Who can propose changes: Team members for their sections Who approves: Lazy consensus through Workplace + Forum Update frequency: Continuous as we learn
The Document That Binds Us
\"The OSBP isn't what we pitch to investors\u2014we don't have any. It's what we promise each other and the world. It's our collective memory, our shared vision, and our operational reality all in one living document.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/","title":"A new technical subsyem","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#smartup-business-building-a-247-sdg-enterprise","title":"Smartup Business: Building a 24/7 SDG Enterprise","text":"
What is this?
A Smartup isn't a charity or volunteer project\u2014it's a professional business operation that measures success in SDG progress rather than profit margins. Here we document our economic model: how money flows, how work gets valued, and how ownership creates both efficiency and equity.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-business-reality","title":"The Business Reality","text":"
When we look at traditional approaches to SDG challenges, we see a pattern that keeps failing us. NGOs burn out on donation fatigue, never achieving the scale needed for real impact. Social enterprises start with good intentions but get pulled toward profit over purpose when investors come knocking. Volunteer projects, despite passionate contributors, can't maintain the professional quality that complex global challenges demand.
We need something different\u2014a model that combines business discipline with public good DNA.
What Makes a Smartup Different
We are a business that: - Attracts top talent with fair pay (not volunteerism) - Maintains professional standards (not hobby quality) - Operates 24/7 globally (not weekend projects) - Measures success in SDG progress (not stock prices) - Shares ownership equally among builders (not founders/VCs)
This isn't ideological\u2014it's practical. To solve civilization-scale problems, we need civilization-scale operations. That means professional quality, sustainable economics, and aligned incentives from day one.
Not Anti-Business, New Business
We're not rejecting capitalism or profit. We're demonstrating that business discipline can serve collective goals when ownership, incentives, and success metrics align with social good. Profit becomes fuel for mission, not the mission itself.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#revenue-model-the-four-license-system","title":"Revenue Model: The Four License System","text":"
What is this?
Every Smartup needs capital to operate. Instead of selling equity to VCs, we sell membership to our community. But unlike traditional equity, every license\u2014whether \u20ac200 or \u20ac5000\u2014carries exactly one vote and one equal share of future success.
Simplified grant admin Rights: Strategic partnership
Organizational License in Action
University Computer Science Department buys organizational license: - Students work on ONLIFE for real-world experience - University gets one vote in governance - Professor acts as designated representative - Students gain skills building emergency communication systems - University supports SDG progress while training talent Result: Win-win-win for education, SDGs, and Smartup
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#price-progression-through-phases","title":"Price Progression Through Phases","text":"
graph LR\n V[Validation<br/>Low prices<br/>High risk] --> D[Design<br/>2x prices<br/>Proven concept]\n D --> P[Production<br/>4x prices<br/>Working prototype]\n P --> O[Organization<br/>8x prices<br/>Market ready]
Why Prices Increase
Early supporters: Take more risk \u2192 Pay less Later joiners: Get more certainty \u2192 Pay more Free tier: Always available \u2192 Never excludes Transparency: Price increases announced in advance Leadership decides: Each Smartup sets based on needs
Equal Ownership Principle
\"Whether you buy a \u20ac200 work license or a \u20ac5000 organizational license, you get exactly one vote and one equal share. This isn't about how much money you have\u2014it's about joining the mission.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#labor-economics-how-work-gets-valued","title":"Labor Economics: How Work Gets Valued","text":"
What is this?
The heart of our business model: fair pay for good work. In early phases without cash, we use Smartup Credits (SC)\u2014a transparent, task-based currency that converts to euros when treasury allows.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-sc-system-work-value","title":"The SC System: Work = Value","text":"
At the core of our economy lies a simple principle: you earn by doing, not by being.
Core SC Principles --- 1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury Earning: Only through completed tasks Transparency: Public ledger.log file No inflation: 3x treasury cap Fair redemption: FIFO when cash arrives
The 90/10 Split --- Attacker (Senior): 90% of task bounty Defender (Junior): 10% of task bounty Why it works:
Seniors incentivized to mentor
Juniors paid to learn
Quality assurance built-in
SC in Practice
Task: \"Implement mesh networking protocol\" Bounty: 2000 SC (pre-assigned, visible to all) Senior Dev (Attacker): Claims task, implements solution \u2192 1800 SC Junior Dev (Defender): Reviews, learns, documents \u2192 200 SC Result: Feature built, knowledge transferred, both paid fairly
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#how-sc-flows-through-the-system","title":"How SC Flows Through the System","text":"
flowchart TD\n T[Task Created<br/>2000 SC bounty] \n W[Worker Claims<br/>Becomes Attacker]\n A[Assistant Joins<br/>Becomes Defender]\n C[Work Completed<br/>Captain Approves]\n L[Ledger Updated<br/>SC Minted]\n H{Hold or Cash?}\n\n T --> W\n W --> A\n A --> C\n C --> L\n L --> H\n\n H -->|Hold SC| F[Future Value<br/>As Treasury Grows]\n H -->|Cash Out| R[Redemption Window<br/>FIFO Order]
Outstanding SC can never exceed 3x cash treasury Treasury: \u20ac10,000 \u2192 Max SC: 30,000 This prevents runaway inflation and maintains SC value
Redemption Windows work like this: 1. Funding arrives (crowdfunding/grants) 2. Ops team calculates available redemption 3. FIFO order - earliest contributors cash out first 4. Ledger burns - SC removed, EUR transferred 5. Public record - everyone sees the process
The Hold Incentive
Month 1: Treasury \u20ac10k, Outstanding SC 50k = 20% redemption value Month 12: Treasury \u20ac200k, Outstanding SC 150k = 100%+ redemption value Early contributors who believe in collective success benefit most. But no one is forced to hold\u2014cash out anytime redemption windows open.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#why-this-works","title":"Why This Works","text":"
Fair Exchange --- No working for \"exposure\" No equity promises Clear value for clear work Transparent to everyone
Protected Value --- Can't print unlimited SC Can't favor friends Can't hide transactions Can't change history
Aligned Incentives --- Work more = earn more Help others = get 10% Build value = SC appreciates Stay active = stay earning
No Hidden Bonuses
\"The entire ledger lives in public view. Every SC minted, every redemption, every team budget\u2014transparent to all owners. When the CEO of a traditional company gets a \u20ac10M bonus while laying off workers, that's the system we're replacing.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#social-capital-the-sk-system","title":"Social Capital: The SK System","text":"
What is this?
Money isn't the only currency that matters. Smartup Karma (SK) recognizes contributions that SC can't measure\u2014the teammate who debugs at midnight, the member who mediates conflicts, the captain who builds team morale.
While SC rewards task completion, SK captures the intangible value that makes communities thrive.
How SK is Earned --- Quality defender feedback: +5-10 SK Successful proposals: +20 SK Mentoring juniors: +5 SK/week Team captain service: +10 SK/month Mission completion: +15 SK Conflict resolution: +10 SK
What SK Unlocks --- 50 SK: Propose in General Forum 100 SK: Apply for Team Captain 200 SK: Lead Missions 500 SK: Join Leadership Team Vote weight: Max 1.5x at 500+ SK
SK Decay Mechanism --- 10% monthly decay
Prevents founder privilege
Rewards active contribution
Makes room for new leaders
Keeps influence current Stay active or fade away
SK Cannot Be Gamed
Can't buy it: No amount of money gets you SK Can't transfer it: Your reputation is yours alone Can't hoard it: Use it or lose it to decay Can't fake it: Earned through peer recognition
graph TD\n HSL[High SC, Low SK<br/>Great Individual Worker<br/>Limited Influence<br/>Needs more community engagement]\n\n LSH[Low SC, High SK<br/>Community Pillar<br/>Trusted Voice<br/>Consider taking more tasks]\n\n HSH[High SC, High SK<br/>Natural Leader<br/>Productive + Connected<br/>Ready for Leadership Team]\n\n LSL[Low SC, Low SK<br/>New Member<br/>Learning Phase<br/>Pick a path to contribute]\n\n HSL --> HSH\n LSH --> HSH\n LSL --> HSL\n LSL --> LSH
SK in Action
Maria spends her evening: - Helps debug junior's code (not her task) \u2192 +5 SK - Mediates team conflict in public channel \u2192 +10 SK - Provides excellent defender feedback \u2192 +8 SK - Monthly captain duties \u2192 +10 SK Total: +33 SK for community building (0 SC earned) Her high SK opens leadership opportunities and increases her voting weight, recognizing that building community is as valuable as building code.
Traditional organizations: - Only pay for direct output - Community building goes unrewarded - Soft skills undervalued - Politics determine influence Smartup approach: - SC rewards direct work - SK rewards community value - Both needed for full participation - Merit determines influence
Beyond Individual Gain
\"In Silicon Valley, they optimize for 'unicorns'\u2014billion-dollar individuals. We optimize for collective intelligence. SK ensures those who make everyone better get recognized, not just those who code fastest.\"
How money flows in, how it's allocated, and why our operational model creates competitive advantages over traditional tech companies\u2014all while staying true to SDG missions.
Crowdfunding Rounds --- Each phase opens new funding Community-driven campaigns Transparent goals and usage Creates urgency through phases Builds momentum naturally
Organizational Licenses --- \u20ac5000+ institutional support Universities, NGOs, ethical business Simplified grant administration Strategic partnerships Stable funding base
Research Grants --- SDG-aligned funding No strings attached Project-based support Public good emphasis Mission preservation
What We Don't Take
No venture capital - Avoids exit pressure No corporate investment - Prevents mission drift No hidden funding - Everything transparent This isn't ideological purity\u2014it's practical. The moment we take traditional investment, incentives distort toward profit extraction rather than SDG impact.
flowchart LR\n TC[Team Captains<br/>Prepare Requests] --> LT[Leadership Team<br/>Monthly Meeting]\n LT --> P[Public Proposal<br/>With Rationale]\n P --> GF[General Forum<br/>Reviews & Votes]\n GF --> A[Approved Budget<br/>Allocated to Teams]\n A --> E[Execution<br/>Public Spending]\n E --> R[Report Back<br/>To General Forum]\n
Monthly Budget Meeting
Dev Team Captain: \"We need 5000 SC for mesh protocol development\" Design Team Captain: \"We need 3000 SC for UI/UX research\" Business Team Captain: \"We need 2000 SC for market analysis\" Leadership Team compiles requests, checks against treasury General Forum sees all requests, debates priorities Vote determines final allocation Result: Everyone knows why money goes where
\ud83c\udf0d Global 24/7 Operations Berlin developer \u2192 Bangkok designer \u2192 S\u00e3o Paulo tester The work never stops, following the sun \ud83d\udcb0 Zero Office Overhead No Silicon Valley rents or corporate campuses Every euro goes to actual work \ud83c\udfaf Intrinsic Motivation People choose us for mission, not just money Passion translates to quality \ud83d\udcda Learning-While-Earning Every senior task trains a junior Building tomorrow's experts today \ud83d\udd0d Radical Transparency No office politics or hidden agendas Energy goes to building, not navigating
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#phase-based-funding-reality","title":"Phase-Based Funding Reality","text":"Phase Typical Need Purpose Success Metrics Validation \u20ac50k Prove concept viable Community size, initial prototype Design \u20ac200k Create architecture Complete blueprints, team formation Production \u20ac500k Build the product Working MVP, user testing Organization \u20ac1M Market preparation Launch-ready product, exec team
Flexible by Design
These aren't fixed\u2014each Smartup's Leadership Team proposes budgets based on real needs. Building emergency communication needs different resources than water purification. The General Forum approves based on transparent justification.
Every owner can see in real-time: - Total funds in Open Collective - Outstanding SC liabilities - Team budget allocations - Individual task payments - Redemption window status
Trust Through Transparency
\"In traditional startups, employees discover the burn rate when layoffs hit. In a Smartup, every citizen watches the treasury like it's their own bank account\u2014because it is.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#from-smartup-to-market-the-ownership-model","title":"From Smartup to Market: The Ownership Model","text":"
What is this?
When a Smartup completes its four phases and launches a market entity, the Book of Owners becomes a shareholder registry. Every license holder gets an equal share\u2014a bonus for taking the journey together.
During Smartup Phase --- Book of Owners tracks licenses One license = One vote Focus on building together Earn SC through work Create collective value
At Market Launch --- Book \u2192 Shareholder registry 1000 owners = 1/1000 share each Equal shares regardless of:
When you joined
License type purchased
SC earned
After Market Entry --- Business generates revenue Profits distributed equally Shares are nice bonus Not why you joined Reward for collective risk
Shares Are Not The Point
We're clear about this: Join a Smartup to use your talent for SDG progress and earn fair pay through SC. The equal share is a bonus if we succeed together. If shares are your main motivation, this isn't for you. The goal: Make people want to work to earn money, not put in money to earn money.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#natural-team-efficiency","title":"Natural Team Efficiency","text":"
The equal share model creates interesting dynamics:
graph LR\n A[Need More Help?] --> B[Accept More Owners]\n B --> C[Smaller Individual Shares]\n\n D[Want Bigger Shares?] --> E[Keep Team Focused]\n E --> F[Work More Efficiently]\n\n G[Sweet Spot] --> H[Right-Sized Team]\n H --> I[Quality Over Quantity]\n\n style G fill:#8bc34a\n style I fill:#8bc34a
This tension naturally prevents bloat. Teams find their optimal size\u2014enough people to succeed, not so many that shares become meaningless.
After market launch, the Smartup community doesn't disappear\u2014it becomes a living resource for the business entity.
For the Business (e.g., ONLIFE Inc.): - Talent Pipeline: Hire from people who built the product - Beta Testing: Community knows the vision intimately - Expert Network: Original builders retain deep knowledge - Brand Advocates: Shareholders naturally promote success
For Community Members: - First hiring priority: Job opportunities at the company - Paid consulting: Testing and advisory contracts - Continued involvement: Stay connected to \"your baby\" - Shareholder returns: If profitable, receive dividends
Living Ecosystem in Practice
ONLIFE launches successfully - Needs iOS developer \u2192 Hires from Smartup community first - Testing new mesh protocol \u2192 Pays community members as testers - Strategic decision needed \u2192 Consults original architects - Growing to new markets \u2192 Community provides local insights The Smartup community remains a competitive advantage, not abandoned infrastructure.
Scenario Owners Annual Profit Per Person Conservative 500 \u20ac500k \u20ac1,000/year Moderate 500 \u20ac2M \u20ac4,000/year Success 500 \u20ac5M \u20ac10,000/year
It's About Impact, Not Riches
These aren't life-changing amounts for individuals. But imagine: - Contributing to multiple Smartups over time - Building a portfolio of mission-driven work - Earning fair SC wages during development - Creating lasting SDG impact The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
Collective Success
\"We work 24/7 because the SDGs can't wait. We pay fairly because talent deserves reward. We share ownership because collective problems require collective solutions. But the real return on investment? It's measured in lives improved, not just euros earned.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-technical-stack-tools-for-collective-intelligence","title":"The Technical Stack: Tools for Collective Intelligence","text":"
What is this?
A Smartup's technical infrastructure embodies our values: decentralized, open source, sovereignty-preserving. We chose European-based tools that give us independence from Silicon Valley's surveillance capitalism while enabling true collective work.
When we observe the current technical landscape, we see tools designed to extract value, not create it collectively. Silicon Valley platforms lock in users, harvest data, and change terms at will. We need infrastructure that serves our mission, not shareholders.
The Sovereignty Imperative
Given emerging geopolitical realities, we can't build critical infrastructure on platforms that could be weaponized or withdrawn. European-based, open-source tools give us the autonomy we need.
Open Source Everything --- No vendor lock-in Community maintained Fully auditable Fork if needed True ownership
European Sovereignty --- GDPR compliance built-in No NSA backdoors Democratic values Stable governance Long-term thinking
Integrated Ecosystem --- Tools talk to each other Single identity system Bots handle integration Humans stay focused Collective intelligence
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-core-stack","title":"The Core Stack","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#elementmatrix-communication-command-centre","title":"Element/Matrix - Communication & Command Centre","text":"
What it is: Decentralized, encrypted, real-time communication Why it matters: Non-coders never need to leave Element\u2014everything happens here How we use it: All 6 groups live here, bots bring external data inline
The Digital Workspace
Unlike Slack (US-controlled, data-mining) or Discord (gamer-focused), Matrix gives us: - Full data sovereignty - Federation capability - End-to-end encryption - Self-hosted control - Bot-friendly architecture
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#forgejo-the-mint-development-hub","title":"Forgejo - The Mint & Development Hub","text":"
What it is: Community-driven Git forge (ethical fork of Gitea) Why it matters: Source of truth for code, docs, and the SC ledger How we use it: Issues become tasks, repos hold everything, CI/CD automates
Forgejo in Action
Code repos: Every line transparent
Issue tracking: Tasks with SC bounties
Kanban boards: Visual workflow
The Ledger: ledger.log tracks all SC
CI/CD: Automated testing and deployment
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#engelbot-the-ultimate-midfielder","title":"Engelbot - The Ultimate Midfielder","text":"
What it is: Our custom bot honoring Douglas Engelbart Why it matters: Automates the ADM triangle's midfielder role How we use it: Bridges tools, documents decisions, enables workflows
graph LR\n M[Matrix/Element] <--> E[Engelbot]\n F[Forgejo] <--> E\n O[Open Collective] <--> E\n L[Ledger] <--> E\n\n E --> A[Automates Admin]\n E --> D[Documents Everything]\n E --> C[Coordinates Groups]\n
Why 'Engelbot'?
\"The real power of technology comes from augmenting human intelligence, not replacing it. Engelbot handles the boring stuff so humans can focus on what matters.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#infrastructure-layers","title":"Infrastructure Layers","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#layer-1-source-of-truth","title":"Layer 1: Source of Truth","text":"
Backup Strategy --- Nightly to Swiss storage Encrypted at rest Geographic distribution Tested restore process
Access Control --- Matrix identity = single source Role-based permissions No shared passwords Full audit trails
:material-monitor-heart:{ .lg .middle } Monitoring --- Health checks built-in Loki/Grafana planned Proactive alerts Public status page
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#why-this-stack-works-for-smartups","title":"Why This Stack Works for Smartups","text":"
Aligned with Our Values
Collective Ownership: Every tool is open source, forkable Collective Craftsmanship: Integrated workflows, no silos Collective Governance: Everything auditable, transparent Military Execution: Automated pipelines, clear processes
The tools don't just support our work\u2014they embody our principles. When a new contributor joins, they enter an ecosystem designed for collaboration, not extraction.
Still Evolving
We're starting with proven tools and will migrate to full EU sovereignty as we grow. Every technical decision is documented, debated in public, and aligned with our mission.
Continue to Live Experiment Status
"},{"location":"0_timeline/terminology/","title":"terminlogy being used:","text":"
0_timeline The public-facing, static website and primary transparency layer for the Smartup Zero experiment. Automatically updates from the project\u2019s code and content repository to show the latest progress, business plan, team structure, open roles, and project documentation.
1_general_forum The \u201cGeneral Forum\u201d\u2014the digital public square for all Smartup owners (workers and watchers). This is where deliberation, voting, oversight, and key discussions occur. It\u2019s the central arena for governance, transparency, and measuring the organization\u2019s overall health.
2_workplace The central, private hub for all active \u201cworkers\u201d within the Smartup. This is where work happens, teams assemble, and objectives are executed. Only those with a Work License may participate; the Workplace is the engine room of creation and productivity.
3_teams Skill-based groups within the Workplace, such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Teams focus on implementing specific aspects of the project. Each team is led by a Team Captain and organizes its own Roles and Objectives.
4_roles Function-specific assignments within a Team (e.g., UX Designer, Backend Developer, Copywriter). Each Role has requirements, compensation logic, and defines what kind of tasks the member can claim or be assigned.
5_objectives Distinct missions, project deliverables, or \u201csprints\u201d that drive the Smartup forward. Each Objective is attached to a Team, can contain multiple Tasks, and is led by a Mission Leader responsible for coordination and quality.
6_tasks The atomic units of work in Smartup Zero. Tasks are clearly defined, trackable, and billable work items that contribute directly to achieving Objectives. Each Task has an assigned Worker (attacker), an Assistant (defender), and is supported by bots or automation (midfielder).
(The rest below is alphabetical, for completeness and consistency in all documentation):
ADM Triangle Attacker\u2013Defender\u2013Midfielder: The operational triad present in every group within the Smartup. The attacker initiates work or proposals, the defender reviews and provides oversight, and the midfielder (often a bot or automation) facilitates transparency and communication between roles.
Advisory Vote / Binding Vote Advisory votes are used for team-level or ambiguous decisions; binding votes are required for major milestones, phase transitions, or conflict resolution. Binding votes require a majority in the General Forum.
Book of Owners The transparent registry listing all official Smartup owners and their rights and privileges.
Business Team The group responsible for developing a solid business proposition, marketing strategies, financial planning, and ensuring the product or service is ready for market. In charge of the business and financial side of the Smartup, and of updating the Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP).
Collective Craftsmanship A core Smartup value. Emphasizes that meaningful work and reward are distributed among all members based on contribution and merit, not hierarchy or tenure.
Collective Governance Democratic and transparent oversight of all Smartup operations, with formal processes for deliberation, voting, dispute resolution, and adaptation.
Collective IQ The enhanced problem-solving capability created when a group collaborates with transparency and shared purpose.
Collective Ownership Equal and inclusive ownership of the Smartup organization. Ownership is based on participation and willingness to contribute, not financial investment or seniority.
Crowdfunding Phases Funding rounds aligned with each major phase of Smartup creation. Each phase cannot progress to the next without meeting its designated funding target.
Design Team The group handling all design-related activities such as user experience (UX), interface, branding, wireframing, and prototyping. Responsible for the Design Blueprint and close cooperation with the Development Team and Science Team.
Development Team The technical heart of the Smartup. Builds and tests the core product or service, covering frontend, backend, security, architecture, and QA. Coordinates with Design, Science, and Operational Teams, and manages code versioning and repositories.
Isolated Human Doctrine A term describing the prevailing system in which technology platforms reinforce individualism and passive consumption, undermining collective action and responsibility.
Karma Points / Smartup Credits (SC) Karma Points are awarded for positive and constructive participation, teamwork, or peer review; these may be convertible to payouts. Smartup Credits (SC) are a tokenized internal currency (1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury funds), earned through completing tasks.
Leadership Team The decision-making and strategic core of a Smartup during creation phases, composed of all team captains and the initiating entrepreneur. This team orchestrates budgets, objectives, and major decisions while being accountable to the full community.
Media Team Ensures communication flows both inside the Smartup (internal reporting, progress updates) and outside (public relations, social media, storytelling). Produces engaging content to keep the community and backers informed.
Mission Leader A senior member appointed to maintain progress and oversight within a specific objective, assign tasks, and ensure quality of work.
Objectives Defined missions, focus areas, or sprints within the Teams structure; objectives break the organizational vision into actionable missions.
Observation The analytical foundation for Smartup Zero: the world is off track for the SDGs because collective action and problem-solving are obstructed by broken digital and organizational systems.
Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) A \u201cliving document\u201d that records strategy, key decisions, research, assessments, and design throughout all phases; accessible to all owners.
ONLIFE The first pilot project of Smartup Zero: a decentralized, emergency citizen mesh network prototype.
Operational Team Focuses on monitoring and improving processes between teams. Handles incident management, compliance, documentation, learning, and overall coordination, especially crucial for the first Smartup where learning is key.
Organization (Phase Four) The final phase of Smartup creation, in which the executive/operational structure is finalized, the business proposition is solidified, and the product or service is prepared for market launch.
Phases of Creation The four required stages for building a Smartup and its product or service: 1. Validation \u2013 Organize support, prove viability, reach the first funding target, and form coherent teams. 2. Design \u2013 Co-create blueprints and user experiences with scientific peer review and collective input. 3. Production \u2013 Build MVP/product, run beta tests, and refine based on review and feedback. 4. Organization \u2013 Establish operational structure, complete the final business plan, and prepare for launch.
Production (Phase Three) The phase in which the product or service is built, tested, and improved based on feedback and scientific review.
Roles Specific functional positions (e.g., Frontend Developer, UX Designer, Copywriter) within Teams; define both skill requirements and compensation rates.
Science Team Group responsible for independent scientific oversight and review, ensuring that all processes and outcomes align with sustainability best practices, evidence, and scalability. Holds power to request additional research or halt advancement if standards are not met.
Sociotechnical System (STS) An integrated approach to organizational design that balances social (human) and technical (infrastructural) factors for optimal collective performance and quality of life.
Smartup A new organizational model (the subject of Smartup Zero) designed to maximize democratic, scientific, and community-driven collaboration in creating technology for social and planetary benefit.
Smartup Constitution A codified document of learnings, rules, and governance logic, iteratively developed from the Smartup Zero experiment, designed to be adapted by future Smartups.
Smartup Credits (SC) Internal, auditable digital tokens or ledger entries, representing claimable value for contributors (1 SC = 1 EUR when funds are available in the treasury).
Smartup Metabolism Metaphor for the system of processes\u2014decision-making, feedback, payout, onboarding, and documentation\u2014that enable the Smartup to adapt, sustain itself, and grow.
Smartup Organism Metaphorical framing for the entire Smartup structure as a multi-layer, living system whose \u201corgans\u201d work together toward collective vitality and resilience.
Task The atomic unit of productive work. Clearly defined, assigned, and logged; completion triggers SC payouts and structured peer/advisor review.
Team A focused group of workers with a shared skillset, responsible for a domain such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Each team is led by a Team Captain and contains multiple Roles and Objectives.
Team Captain Elected leader within a given Team; manages roles, budgets, tasks, performance, and represents the team in the Leadership Team.
Validation (Phase One) The initial phase of building a Smartup: validating the concept, building community, securing funding, and operationalizing the vision.
Watch License / Work License A Watch License grants governance and observation rights within the Smartup, but not paid assignments. A Work License grants the full right to work, vote, and earn Smartup Credits.
Workplace The centralized collaborative production environment for all workers, where concurrent teamwork and objectives are managed.
Your quick guide to understanding Smartups \u2014 a new kind of organization that fixes what's broken in how we build technology for global challenges. Each section links to detailed explanations.
Just give me the abstract
The Smartup Hypothesis is a set of rules, processes, workflows, and tools that together form an operating system designed to help large groups collaborate transparently, efficiently, and mission-driven toward tools for the SDGs.
In essence, we're building a better toolkit for future generations. The system is described below as a living organism. We\u2019ll dive into its natural habitat, anatomy, and metabolism.
In a Smartup, \"citizens\" work collaboratively and interchangeably on ideas that break old paradigms and reveal new ways forward. It is an organization designed to create tools for people to work both on and within their communities.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-experiment/#whats-a-smartup","title":"What's a Smartup?","text":"
A Smartup is the opposite of a startup. Instead of racing toward an exit for venture capitalists, we're building sustainable technology businesses that tackle UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The key difference: Everyone who contributes owns an equal share. Everyone sees every decision. Everyone focuses on impact \u2014 not stock prices.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-experiment/#the-three-system-adjustments","title":"The Three System Adjustments","text":"
We identified three system faults blocking SDG progress. Here's how Smartups fix them:
From \"Hamsters in the Wheel\" to Collective Power
The Problem People feel powerless, trapped in systems that benefit from their distraction. Our Fix Democratic ownership and governance where every contributor has equal voice and stake.
What are we building? --- Currently: ONLIFE Emergency communication Works without internet Open source forever
Track progress
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-experiment/#why-this-matters","title":"Why This Matters","text":"
For You Fair pay, equal ownership, learn while earning, work on meaningful problems.
For the Planet Professional teams building real solutions for SDGs \u2014 not another ad platform.
The Bottom Line
\"We're proving that business discipline and public good aren't opposites. You can build professional technology companies that pay fairly, share ownership equally, and stay focused on what matters: solving humanity's biggest challenges.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-experiment/#ready-to-dive-deeper","title":"Ready to Dive Deeper?","text":"
Social Innovation How we organize collectively Explore Social Subsystem
Technical Innovation How we work and get paid Explore Technical Subsystem
External Innovation How we transcend borders Explore External Subsystem
Start from Why Understand the problems first Read the Observation
Join the Movement Become part of Smartup Zero Start Contributing
This page documents, through a sociotechnical lens, what the 2025 UN SDG Progress Report demonstrates about the state of global development systems. We observe\u2014not prescribe\u2014where and how deep misalignments persist between people, technology, and larger structures.
I just want the abstract
This Observation page documents a rigorous, up-to-date account of global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of sociotechnical systems theory. Drawing directly from the 2025 United Nations SDG Progress Report, we assemble evidence that confirms a troubling reality: while knowledge, innovation, and digital infrastructure have all advanced, structural misalignments persist between our social behaviors, technical systems, and external incentives. These misalignments\u2014identified as social, technical, and external subsystems\u2014are at the heart of why collective action on urgent global challenges continues to fall short. Here, we reference authoritative data and expert analysis, not to propose solutions, but to precisely clarify where the current system fails and why a new approach is urgently required. This scientific baseline serves as the foundation for the hypotheses and experiments developed on subsequent pages.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#sdg-progress-the-world-at-an-inflection-point","title":"SDG Progress \u2013 The World at an Inflection Point","text":"
United Nations SDG Report 2025
\u201cThe world remains far off track from achieving the 2030 Agenda. Of the 169 SDG targets, only 35% show adequate progress\u201418% are on track, 17% making moderate progress. In contrast, 48% show insufficient progress, and 18% of targets have regressed below 2015 baseline levels.\u201d
Global SDG Performance (2015\u20132025)
% of Targets On Track 18% Moderate 17% Marginal 31% Stagnating 17% Regressing 18%
\u201cSociotechnical theory is about joint optimization: designing systems where technical performance and human wellbeing are advanced together. It focuses on how social behaviors interact with technology, shaping both productivity and the quality of our collective work lives.\u201d \u2014 Wikipedia: Sociotechnical Systems
\u201cOriginally, computing focused on hardware, then software, then human-computer interaction, and now\u2014at the level of sociotechnical systems\u2014it considers how whole communities work through technology.\u201d \u2014 The Interaction Design Foundation, STS
\u201cA community works through people using technology.\u201d
In this spirit, our observations are grounded in the science of sociotechnical systems:
We ask: Where do our social, technical, and external systems align or misalign with collective wellbeing and progress? We observe: Not just individuals with tools, but communities and societies\u2014working, failing, or succeeding together, by and through their technologies.
graph TD\n SS[**Social Subsystem**<br/><sub>Attributes of people -skills, attitudes, values-, relationships, reward systems, authority</sub>]\n TS[**Technical Subsystem**<br/><sub>Processes, tasks, technology for transforming inputs to outputs</sub>]\n ES[**External Subsystem**<br/><sub>Outside influences, stakeholders, partnering perspectives</sub>]\n SS -- \"Work System Design\" --- JO[**Joint Optimization**]\n TS -- \"Work System Design\" --- JO\n ES -- \"Pulls/Influences\" --> JO
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#social-subsystem-fault-hamsters-in-the-wheel","title":"Social Subsystem Fault \u2014 Hamsters in the Wheel","text":"
As we become more connected and more informed about the thousands of challenges facing humanity, we can\u2019t help but notice a painful truth: despite our awareness, nothing we do as individuals seems to move the needle. Decades after the Club of Rome\u2019s \u2018Limits to Growth\u2019 warned us about the risks of unchecked development, growing awareness about the links between society and our natural world still hasn\u2019t triggered fundamental shifts in how we organize ourselves.
We measure more, know more, and have greater access to scientific insight than ever before. Yet, remarkably few of us are actually working on real solutions to real problems. Instead, we find ourselves trapped in a paradox: the better we get at calculating and exposing the effects of our culture on nature, the less agency we feel to change the course we\u2019re on.
We\u2019re overwhelmed, not just by the data and complexity, but by a constant barrage of conflicting information, misinformation, and cultural warfare\u2014conditions that make genuine collaboration and action feel impossible. It\u2019s as if the systems around us are designed to keep us running in place, growing tired, but never reaching meaningful progress.
Deep down, we recognize ourselves in this paradox. We are the hamsters, running tirelessly on wheels built by economies and power structures that benefit from our distraction and confusion. This is the central issue we need to name and break: the system that keeps us moving, but rarely moving forward.
UN Confirmation
\u201cPersistent inequalities continue to limit human potential... The broader context is increasingly complex. Climate change continues to accelerate... A $4 trillion annual financing gap constrains development progress.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#what-we-observe","title":"What We Observe:","text":"
Routines and incentive systems keep individuals in cycles that reinforce, not repair, the global crises.
Those most threatened by these risks are generally excluded from shaping system-level responses.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#technical-subsystem-fault-the-isolated-human-doctrine","title":"Technical Subsystem Fault \u2014 The Isolated Human Doctrine","text":"
When we look honestly at the world\u2019s urgent challenges, it\u2019s not just their complexity that weighs on us\u2014it\u2019s the shape our own societies are in to overcome them. We find ourselves divided, distracted, and often addicted to digital habits, while the most powerful organizations on earth benefit from keeping us apart. Increasingly, our technology is designed to isolate us\u2014as users, as consumers, not as collaborators or citizens. This is what we call the isolated human doctrine.
This doctrine does more than make us passive\u2014it also convinces us to wait for someone else to solve the crisis. We\u2019re conditioned to look to governments, powerful leaders, or brands to invent our way out of these problems. But the truth is, they won\u2019t. Deep down, we know we need to step up\u2014not as lone heroes, but as people who are a bit more organized, a bit more connected, and united by purpose.
We\u2019ve been told a better world starts with \u201cfixing yourself.\u201d If we face these challenges alone, everything feels too big to tackle. But if we face them together, maybe\u2014just maybe\u2014they become possible.
UN Confirmation
\u201cProgress has been deeply inadequate. This reflects... a fundamental problem in how we measure, monitor and respond to global development needs... Statistical systems remain chronically underfunded\u2014treated as technical afterthoughts.\u201d
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#what-we-observe_1","title":"What We Observe:","text":"
The explosion of data and connectivity isn\u2019t translating into collective agency or action.
Citizens are \u201cusers\u201d rather than full contributors.
Siloed data, vulnerable infrastructure, and lack of trust persist\u2014especially for the most vital SDGs.
graph LR\n subgraph Technical Subsystem\n D[Digital Growth] --> E(Increased Data)\n E --> F(\"Trust & Feedback Gaps\")\n F -->|Missed SDGs| G[Collective Inaction]\n end
We feel a growing sense of urgency as we watch our grip on the world slip away\u2014just when we need clarity and collective strength the most. The explosion of digital content and internet access was supposed to empower us. It did make knowledge more available than ever. Now, everyone can publish, create, and share at the speed of thought.
But all this information hasn\u2019t brought us together\u2014it\u2019s become a battleground for the agendas of corporations and political powers. Instead of uniting us, today\u2019s internet is often used to distract, confuse, and divide. Powerful interests, not people, steer the flow of content and shape what we believe.
Somehow, we have let this happen: the internet\u2019s promise hijacked by those who profit from division and distraction, instead of fostering the collaboration we urgently need. There\u2019s no single cause, but the result is clear\u2014a system that floods us with information, but makes meaningful, collective change harder than ever.
UN Confirmation
\u201cFunding for global data... remains heavily dependent on a small group of major funders... The fragility of data financing is well-illustrated after abrupt termination of funding... which now threatens the production of critical data needed to monitor progress on multiple SDG indicators.\u201d
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#what-we-observe_2","title":"What We Observe:","text":"
Funding, priorities, and risk tolerance sit outside the collective, subject to abrupt reversals.
Systemic dependence leads to fragility and volatility in critical development data and solutions.
flowchart TD\n SDG[Global SDG Targets\\nfalling short]\n subgraph Social\n A[Hamsters in the Wheel]\n end\n subgraph Technical\n B[Isolated Human Doctrine]\n end\n subgraph External\n C[Distorted Incentives]\n end\n SDG --> A\n SDG --> B\n SDG --> C\n A -- \"Traps talent & solidarity\"\\n(inequality, exclusion) --> A1[Low collective action]\n B -- \"Optimizes for reporting & consumption,\\nnot participatory agency\" --> B1[Fragile and siloed data systems]\n C -- \"Short-term, external \\(and boom-bust\\) priorities\" --> C1[Funding shocks, stalling progress]
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#convergence-sdg-data-meets-systems-theory","title":"Convergence \u2014 SDG Data Meets Systems Theory","text":"
Shared Analysis
\u201cThe challenges we face are inherently global and interconnected. No country... can address climate change, pandemic preparedness or inequality alone. ...Sustainable development is not a zero-sum game, but a shared endeavour that benefits all.\u201d
\u2014 UN SDG Progress Report 2025, Call for renewed multilateralism
Our Scientific Take: The 2025 SDG Progress Report confirms what systems theorists have observed for years: - Global stalling isn\u2019t due to ignorance or lack of effort, but structural misalignment\u2014across social, technical, and external (funding/governance) systems. - As long as these systems remain fragmented or externally steered, collective progress will remain slow, fragile, and easily reversed.
Continue to the Hypothesis
References: - The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 (PDF, unstats.un.org)
This section sets out our core scientific and practical hypothesis for Smartup Zero. Instead of patching old systems, we propose re-engineering the way technology is built, owned, and governed\u2014creating a new \u201cspecies\u201d of organization that can address the failures confirmed by both the latest SDG report and sociotechnical theory.
I just want to see the abstract
This page sets out the core hypothesis behind Smartup Zero. Building on our observations\u2014and the latest evidence from the UN\u2019s SDG report\u2014we believe the current way technology is created, owned, and governed keeps us from making real progress on urgent global challenges. Our hypothesis: If we redesign digital organizations\u2014so that ownership, contribution, and decision-making are collective, transparent, and grounded in science\u2014then we can finally create the digital toolset and community power needed to reach our shared goals. This page breaks down how we think these system shifts must happen, subsystem by subsystem.
Our world is missing its SDG targets not for lack of effort, ideas, or technical skill\u2014but because the systems we use to build, fund, and govern technology are fundamentally misaligned with collective needs.
Startups, NGOs, and even open source teams generally follow a logic that prioritizes shareholders, siloed expertise, or short-term results. These familiar models cannot fix our biggest problems at their roots.
We need a new kind of digital institution\u2014a true sociotechnical \u201corganism,\u201d designed from the ground up so that collective action is easy, meaningful, and sustainable.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#1-adjustment-to-the-social-subsystem","title":"1. Adjustment to the Social Subsystem","text":"
Today, ownership and power over technology live with founders and shareholders\u2014not the people who use and build it. Most people are locked out of real decision-making, or can only \u201chelp\u201d on the side.
Our hypothesis: If we move from shareholder-owned technology to people-owned technology, then joining, contributing, earning, and governing become accessible to all. Participating in positive change becomes a \u201cday job,\u201d not an afterthought.
In Practice
In a Smartup, all contributors\u2014no matter their background\u2014can own, shape, and steer the direction of projects together. How we do that is described in detail: - A new Social Subsystem
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#2-adjustment-to-the-technical-subsystem","title":"2. Adjustment to the Technical Subsystem","text":"
The mainstream model of digital design treats people as isolated \u201cusers.\u201d Our tools are engineered for personal consumption or individual productivity\u2014not for communities trying to solve big problems together.
Our hypothesis: If we explicitly design technology for citizen groups\u2014drawing on the lessons of Douglas Engelbart and others\u2014then our collective intelligence and ability to take coordinated action will accelerate. \u201cSmartup tech is built for groups to collaborate, deliberate, and act as one.\u201d
Inspiration
\u201cThe real breakthrough comes when technology supports groups solving problems together.\u201d \u2014 Douglas Engelbart (paraphrased)
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#3-adjustment-to-the-external-subsystem","title":"3. Adjustment to the External Subsystem","text":"
Traditional organizations\u2014corporations, governments, even many NGOs\u2014depend on closed funding streams, proprietary platforms, and top-down decision-making. These systems are vulnerable to external shocks and often shaped by priorities at odds with public value.
Our hypothesis: If we shift to decentralized, open funding (via crowdfunding, community partnerships, and open-source collaboration), then technology projects can remain truly accountable and resilient\u2014serving society, not distant investors or powerbrokers.
Mechanism
Smartup Zero is structured so that funding, data, and decision rights are distributed and transparent\u2014not captured by single entities or platforms.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#blueprint-for-a-new-kind-of-organization","title":"Blueprint for a New Kind of Organization","text":"
In summary: To realign our systems with societal and planetary needs, we hypothesize that a new kind of organization\u2014one that rewires ownership, technical design, and external relationships\u2014can transform collective intent into real progress.
What's Next?
The next section documents how we are testing these hypotheses through the Smartup Zero experiment, step by step.
0_timeline The space where Smartups are designed, tested, and documented\u2014in public. All progress is shared here, step by step.
"},{"location":"_snippets/join-cta/","title":"Join cta","text":""},{"location":"_snippets/join-cta/#ready-to-contribute","title":"Ready to Contribute?","text":"
status card: This snippet can be included in any page using:
"},{"location":"_snippets/sdg-grid/","title":"Sdg grid","text":""},{"location":"_snippets/smartup-ownership-meaning/","title":"Smartup ownership meaning","text":"What does it mean to be a smartup owner
Being the owner of a Smartup is more like being a citizen of a new country than a shareholder of a new company. You need to contribute to the creation of the country. You've got all kinds of rights and obligations to do that. You share responsibility with co-owners for what the Smartup is creating. With your rights, you can perform those responsibilities. You've got the right to vote, supervise and work. At the same time, you offer your best and take part in good faith and with good intention. To show your good faith and good intention as an owner, you can work or govern.
Captain: @username Members: 5 active Mission: One-line mission statement
Current Focus: - Current objective 1 - Current objective 2
"},{"location":"_snippets/the-book-of-owners/","title":"The book of owners","text":"The book of owners
Every Smartup owner is documented in The Book of Owners\u2014a public ledger that records who owns and governs the organization together.
What it tracks: - Owner identity (anonymous or named) - Owership status (Worker/Watcher/Campaigner) - Voting rights and participation - Contribution history
It Lives as a ledger in the General Forum's Forgejo repository\u2014transparent, immutable, and collectively maintained.
"},{"location":"_templates/","title":"\ud83d\udccb Smartup Zero Content Templates","text":"
This directory contains templates for common page types. Using these templates ensures consistency across all documentation.
"},{"location":"_templates/#then-edit-to-fill-in-the-placeholders","title":"Then edit to fill in the [placeholders]","text":"
When to use:
Documenting any of the 4 phases (Validation, Design, Production, Organization) Creating phase-specific status pages Planning future phases How to Use Templates Copy the template to your target location Replace all [placeholder] text with actual content Remove any sections that aren't relevant Follow the style guide for formatting Creating New Templates When creating new templates:
Use clear placeholders in [Square Brackets] Include all standard components from the style guide Add usage instructions to this README Test the template by creating a sample page
"},{"location":"_templates/phase-page/#deliverables","title":"Deliverables","text":"Deliverable Description Owner Status [Name] [What it is] @team/person Done [Name] [What it is] @team/person In Progress [Name] [What it is] @team/person Planned"},{"location":"_templates/phase-page/#timeline","title":"Timeline","text":"
```mermaid gantt title Phase [Number] Timeline dateFormat YYYY-MM-DD section Preparation [Task 1] :2025-01-01, 7d section Development [Task 2] :7d [Task 3] :7d section Review [Task 4] :3d Budget & Resources Financial Requirements Target Funding: \u20ac[Amount] Raised: \u20ac[Amount] Burn Rate: \u20ac[Amount]/month Human Resources Contributors Needed: [Number] Current Team Size: [Number] Key Roles to Fill: [List] Key Decisions & Gates
Phase Gate Requirements
Before proceeding to the next phase, we must:
text 1. Achieve financial target of \u20ac[Amount] 2. Complete all primary deliverables 3. Pass scientific review (if applicable) 4. Hold binding vote to proceed Lessons Learned
Insights from this phase
Document key learnings as the phase progresses:
text - What worked well - What didn't work - What we'd do differently - Recommendations for future phases
Related Documents Previous Phase Next Phase Overall Experiment Project Timeline
Captain: @username Members: X active contributors Formed: [Month Year]
"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#team-members","title":"Team Members","text":"Member Role Joined Specialties @captain Team Captain Jan 2025 Leadership, [Skill] @member1 [Role] Jan 2025 [Skills] @member2 [Role] Jan 2025 [Skills]"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#mission-statement","title":"Mission Statement","text":"
[One clear paragraph describing what this team is responsible for]
"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#completed-objectives","title":"Completed Objectives","text":"View completed work
[Objective] - Completed [Date]
[Objective] - Completed [Date]
"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#how-we-work","title":"How We Work","text":""},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#communication","title":"Communication","text":"
Primary Channel: Element room #3_[team-name]
Meetings: [Frequency] at [Time] UTC
Decisions: Made by consensus, escalated to captain if needed
Captain: @username Members: X active contributors Formed: Month Year
Mission: One clear sentence describing the team's purpose.
Current Objectives: - Objective 1 with deadline - Objective 2 with deadline
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/","title":"The General Forum","text":"
What is this?
The democratic heart of Smartup Zero where all owners gather to debate, vote, and shape our collective future. This is where ownership means something.
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#join-the-live-discussion","title":"Join the Live Discussion","text":"
Enter the Forum --- Our public square on Matrix Open 24/7 for all owners
Join #1_general_forum
Book of Owners --- See who owns Smartup Zero Transparent ownership registry
Started: January 15, 2025 Target End: April 15, 2025 Progress: 15% Complete
Key Milestones: - [x] Initial team formation - [x] Matrix infrastructure deployed - [ ] 50 owner threshold - [ ] \u20ac50,000 crowdfunding target - [ ] Official Smartup Business Plan ready - [ ] Validation phase vote
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#upcoming-decisions","title":"Upcoming Decisions","text":"Date Topic Type Status Feb 1 Approve February Budget Allocation Budget Vote Proposal Draft Feb 15 Ratify ONLIFE Technical Architecture Technical Decision In Discussion Mar 1 Elect Design Phase Leadership Team Leadership Election Scheduled Apr 1 Vote to Enter Design Phase Phase Transition Requirements Pending"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#leadership-team-meetings","title":"Leadership Team Meetings","text":"
Next Public Meeting
Date: Monday, January 27, 2025 Time: 19:00 CET (18:00 UTC) Where: #1_general_forum Agenda: - Treasury update - Team captain reports - New owner onboarding - Q&A with all owners
All owners welcome! These meetings are fully transparent.
Total Owners --- 23 citizens 19 Work licenses 3 Watch licenses 1 Organizational license
Treasury Status --- \u20ac4,600 total 12,500 SC outstanding 0.37 SC/EUR ratio Next redemption: TBD
Forum Activity --- 147 messages this week 18 active participants 3 proposals in discussion 92% average vote turnout
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#how-decisions-work-here","title":"How Decisions Work Here","text":""},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#what-we-vote-on","title":"What We Vote On","text":"
Jan 15: Approved Matrix as primary communication platform (21-2) Jan 18: Elected interim Leadership Team (unanimous) Jan 22: Approved 5000 SC for infrastructure setup (19-3-1)
\"In traditional companies, decisions happen in closed boardrooms. Here, every decision happens in the open, with your input. This is what collective ownership looks like in practice.\"
The Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) is the central repository for all Smartup information, accessible to all owners. It originates from the entrepreneur's initial business plan, encompassing the product presentation, research sources, and the definition of \u2018ready for design\u2019. During the Validation phase, teams complete domain-specific assessments using the OSBP. This fosters organization and leads to Team Captain selection and the Project Leaders Team formation. This team, including captains and the entrepreneur, manages day-to-day operations, aligns via video conferences, makes decisions, and prepares the OSBP. Their completeness is essential to proceed beyond Validation.
Abstract:
Onlive is a novel transient network protocol designed for smartphones forming dynamic groups within a shared physical context, omitting the need for traditional servers, transmission towers, or even satellites. Operating independently of standard internet infrastructure, the protocol enables connectivity based on the prevalence of mobile phones in a specific area. It outlines procedures for connecting smartphones as they transition through various situations, events, and areas with their owners, establishing a transient communication infrastructure utilizing UDP. This facilitates the sharing of vital information during dire circumstances, such as natural or manmade disasters, serving as a resilient tool for communities. Onlive empowers communities to enhance disaster response, expedite resource sharing, and foster informed discussions in classrooms, ultimately offering a self-reliant solution for navigating the impacts of a rapidly changing natural and cultural climate. The netowork achieves these goals without dependency on third-party hardware or software.
Smartup Zero presents a collaborative initiative to develop and manage Onlive-mesh, an open-source ad hoc mesh network technology designed for groups of smartphones. This novel implementation enables the rapid establishment of local private networks, fostering quick and resilient data sharing, particularly suited for small to medium-sized networks in post-disaster communication blackouts.
The project encompasses preliminary research, culminating in the design of a mesh network protocol tailored for WiFi-capable devices like smartphones, signalling readiness for the programming phase. Anticipated by the end of Q1 2025, a beta testable version of the Android app leveraging this networking technology aims to be released. This application empowers users to seamlessly create, navigate and join different groups (networks). Within these groups, mesh networks are deployed, facilitating the execution of specific software accessible to all group members, enhancing communication in diverse scenarios.
Ultimately, the Smartup Zero collective aims to provide a self-sufficient solution for overcoming communication challenges in the wake of rapidly changing natural and cultural climates. Notably, Onlive operates independently, free from external hardware or software dependencies, exemplifying its innovative and resilient network technology potential.
Executive Summary The time for startups is over. It\u2019s time to grow up. In a world facing a natural and cultural crisis, it is evident that we need the right toolset to stand a chance. To me, it\u2019s also evident that our current one, does not do the trick.
This Official Smartup Zero Business Plan (OSBP) is the central hub of information for all participants in the Smartup Zero experiment. If you made it this far, it means you are now a co-owner of a technology that has the potential to help communities all over the world to be resilient, humane and intelligent in their fight for a safe, sustainable and social environment. You seek to prove that by empowering communities with a new toolset, we have a better shot at dealing with our changing natural and cultural climate. You commit to help build and govern the first tool of that toolset. By giving us control over our own digital tools, we can still make it. You have seen how fast digital technologies are able to cause mass behaviour. That is a power that can be forged for good as well.
Unlike traditional startups, Smartups are founded on the principle that technology should serve the needs of humanity, not the other way around. To define \u2018what serves humanity\u2019 we rely on the most comprehensive political and scientific framework in the world that has been designed and researched to tackle critical global challenges: the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most important conditions for a Smartup to exist is that it should create a technology that complies with at least one of these goals.
Smartup technologies are democratically governed, scientifically validated, and created with the explicit intention of being owned and managed by the people who use and build them. The current paradigm, dominated by corporate interests and profit-driven technology, has led to widespread issues such as data exploitation, misinformation, democratic influences and environmental degradation. Billionaire entrepreneurs are diverting resources to trivial pursuits, while the planet faces unprecedented challenges, technology leaves us naked and volnerable. It is time to move beyond the juvenile stage of startups and step into a more mature, responsible era of technological development. Smartup Zero introduces a new type of organization\u2014the Smartup\u2014where technology is built collectively, owned democratically, and governed scientificly. The first technology to be developed under this model is Onlive, a decentralized communication network that functions independently of traditional infrastructure. Onlive empowers communities to create their own networks, ensuring connectivity and coordination during crises and beyond. It serves as a tool for local resilience, enabling citizens to organize and respond to real-world issues without relying on corporate or governmental control. This experiment is not about creating a single solution but about developing the tools and frameworks necessary for future generations to address our complex challenges. We aim to foster a culture of collective action and shared responsibility by providing communities with technologies they own and control. The experiment can lead to a blueprint that we can use to identify, create and market humane technologies fast and furious. Technologies we need in our daunting quest for a future for all mankind. We all feel and see our world change fast. Tetanic plates are crashing. Our cultural AND natural systems are colliding.
The business plan invites coders, designers, researchers, investors, innovators, and community leaders to join this transformative journey. By supporting Smartup Zero, you are investing in a new model of technological development that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its people over profits. Together, we can build the digital tools needed to navigate our most pressing challenges and ensure a sustainable future for all for all mankind.
Let\u2019s get to work,
Robbert Schep
Figure 1: Onlive is designed as a dimension between the online and the offline world.
Smartup hypothese: a method to define if the world needs a technology? The Smartup Hypothesis asserts a fundamental distinction between a Smartup and a traditional startup: a Smartup exclusively creates technologies that the world genuinely needs. This necessity is defined in three key dimensions: Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Smartups ensure that the technologies they create address one or more of the 17 SDGs, which provide a globally agreed-upon framework for solving critical social, environmental, and economic challenges. Scientific Grounding: A Smartup's technology must have a solid scientific basis, meaning there is evidence that the proposed solution can effectively solve the targeted problem. This is achieved by conducting research, gathering data, and validating the technology through scientific inquiry and peer-reviewed studies. Democratic Grounding: Finally, a Smartup must prove that enough people actually want and support the creation of the technology. This is achieved through crowdfunding and community-building efforts. By building teams, rallying support, and reaching financial thresholds, the project demonstrates that there is collective interest and demand, ensuring the technology will serve real, widespread needs. Together, these three pillars\u2014global alignment, scientific validation, and democratic support\u2014form the core of the Smartup approach, ensuring that each project is not only innovative but also impactful, necessary, and desired by the community.
Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Onlive enhances communication infrastructure, particularly in areas lacking traditional networks or during crises when infrastructure is compromised. By enabling decentralized, peer-to-peer networks, Onlive ensures that communities can maintain connectivity without the need for centralized towers, satellites, or servers. This directly contributes to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation in technology.
How it Contributes: Onlive provides a scalable, low-cost infrastructure that can be deployed in remote regions and disaster-stricken areas. Its innovative approach to communication can accelerate the digital transformation of underserved areas.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Onlive supports sustainable cities and communities by offering a tool for real-time communication during crises, events, or in dense urban environments. By enabling local, decentralized communication networks, it promotes safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.
How it Contributes: During emergencies or natural disasters, Onlive can keep citizens connected, allowing for better coordination of relief efforts and more effective disaster response. It also facilitates communication within urban settings for local governance and citizen engagement, enhancing the livability of cities.
SDG 13: Climate Action
As climate-related disasters become more frequent, Onlive\u2019s decentralized networks can play a critical role in disaster response and recovery, especially in remote or hard-hit areas. Onlive supports emergency communications for climate-related events like floods, hurricanes, and fires, where traditional infrastructure often fails.
How it Contributes: Onlive enables quick deployment of communication systems during and after climate disasters, ensuring that relief efforts are organized and efficient. This supports adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, improving disaster preparedness and response.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Onlive facilitates international cooperation and technology transfer in disaster recovery and public safety. It enables partnerships between governments, NGOs, and communities, creating an international network of collaboration focused on disaster response, technology deployment, and citizen participation.
How it Contributes: By creating networks that allow local governments, international aid organizations, and displaced tech professionals to collaborate seamlessly, Onlive supports the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Onlive indirectly supports good health and well-being by ensuring communication is maintained during emergencies, helping coordinate medical response and health services in disaster scenarios. Reliable communication is essential for saving lives and ensuring that medical resources are allocated effectively during crises.
How it Contributes: Onlive enables health workers to communicate in disaster zones, where traditional systems might be down. It also allows citizens to reach medical services or coordinate community-led health initiatives in real-time.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Onlive bridges the digital divide by providing accessible communication networks, even in areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This can reduce inequalities in access to information, services, and opportunities, particularly for marginalized or rural communities.
How it Contributes: By offering a low-cost, infrastructure-independent communication solution, Onlive ensures that underserved populations, including those in rural or remote regions, have access to essential services, information, and participation in governance, helping to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
Conclusion: Onlive is a versatile technology with the potential to impact several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. From improving communication infrastructure (SDG 9) to enabling resilient, connected communities (SDG 11) and facilitating better disaster response (SDG 13), its deployment can drive progress across multiple fronts. By aligning with these global goals, Onlive offers a scalable, innovative solution that supports sustainable development, disaster preparedness, and citizen empowerment. Scientific Grounding
To demonstrate the potential of Onlive to solve real-world problems, particularly in disaster recovery and citizen participation, several scientific studies and reviews validate the utility of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) like Onlive in critical situations. Below is a list of relevant articles and studies that provide scientific proof and context for the development and deployment of Onlive technology: 1. Post-Disaster Communications: Enabling Technologies, Architectures, and Open Challenges This comprehensive review discusses various communication technologies used in disaster situations, including MANETs. It highlights the resilience of ad hoc networks when traditional infrastructure fails, offering insights into how MANETs like Onlive can be vital in disaster-stricken areas by enabling real-time communication between survivors and rescue teams. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s decentralized nature directly addresses the need for resilient communication in disaster zones, ensuring connectivity without relying on damaged infrastructure\u200b( Study: ar5iv
Design of a Mobile Ad Hoc Network Communication App for Disaster Recovery This paper explores the design of MANET apps for disaster recovery, emphasizing the role of real-time data in organizing and prioritizing resources in emergencies. It shows how MANETs can efficiently manage communication in scenarios like earthquakes and floods, where traditional communication channels are down. Relevance to Onlive: The study supports Onlive\u2019s vision as a disaster recovery tool, allowing for organized, data-driven response in disaster situations through local, decentralized communication. Study: ar5iv
Ad Hoc Networks and Mobile Devices in Emergency Response This study analyzes the use of wireless ad hoc networks as part of emergency response solutions, highlighting the necessity for robust communication systems. It underscores the compatibility of MANETs with emergency systems and the role of mobile devices in real-time data dissemination during crisis events. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive builds on these principles by using mobile devices to create ad hoc networks that ensure continuous communication during emergencies, even in the absence of central infrastructure\u200b Article: SpringerLink
Implementing Wireless Ad Hoc Networks for Disaster Relief Communication This paper presents case studies of Wi-Fi-based ad hoc networks implemented in disaster areas. It demonstrates how portable wireless nodes can establish communication links for rescuers and survivors. The study also focuses on smartphone-based solutions, making it highly relevant to Onlive\u2019s mobile-first approach. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s focus on smartphone interconnectivity mirrors the findings in this study, proving its potential as a solution for post-disaster communication by leveraging widely available devices like smartphones\u200b. Article: ar5iv
Disaster Network Science: Research and Applications This research emphasizes how network science, specifically the study of distributed communication networks, can enhance disaster response. It highlights how data from different sources can be used to coordinate relief efforts effectively. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s decentralized network structure aligns with the principles of disaster network science, enabling a system where communication and data sharing happen seamlessly, aiding both citizens and first responders\u200b( Article: ar5iv Conclusion The scientific literature consistently points to the vital role of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) in disaster recovery and emergency situations. By providing resilient, decentralized communication that functions even when traditional infrastructure is down, Onlive has the potential to become a crucial tool in disaster recovery, citizen participation, and community resilience. The use of widely available smartphones ensures scalability and accessibility, making Onlive a promising solution for addressing real-world challenges as supported by these studies. Democratic grounding: are there enough people who want this technology? The most crucial and daunting objective of a Smartup in the validation phase is to determine if there are enough people who want this technology to exist. It\u2019s the task ofthe 4_1_1_entrepreneur to prove this through:
Crowdfunding a target budget
Finding all the team captains
We've designed Onlive specifically for disaster recovery and enhancing community resilience in times of crisis. Onlive enables individuals to remain connected and share vital information, even when traditional infrastructure, like the internet or cellular networks, is unavailable. Whether it's a natural disaster like an earthquake or a public emergency, Onlive ensures that people in proximity can form dynamic communication networks on the spot. The core function of Onlive is to support citizen cooperation and coordination during disasters, creating an autonomous, decentralized network based entirely on the devices of the people in the area that is affected. Without the need for centralized infrastructure, Onlive operates using a mesh-network protocol that connects smartphones directly, fostering a local, self-sustaining communication environment. How It Works in Disaster Scenarios: Ad Hoc Network Creation (Groups): When a disaster strikes and cuts off traditional communication channels, Onlive automatically creates groups based on proximity. Citizens, first responders, and relief workers within the affected area form an instant, temporary network. For example, survivors in an affected neighborhood automatically become part of a local group, facilitating communication even if cellular towers are down. Within these groups, you exist exclusively within a temporary, dynamic, and autonomous network, with the software and data residing solely on smartphones in the same group. Crisis-Specific Tools (Plugins): Each group operates under a group host, who may be a local government official, aid worker, or tech specialist. The group host manages specific tools (plugins) relevant to the crisis\u2014like emergency messaging, resource tracking, or location sharing. These plugins run directly within the group, allowing users to send messages, share their status, or request help, without relying on external servers. Dynamic User Interface (Cards): Onlive also provides a clear, intuitive user interface through \"cards.\" In this interface, citizens can access real-time updates and share essential information, like their location or health status, through cards that are shared across the group. Key Features for Disaster Recovery: Decentralized Communication: No need for internet or cell networks\u2014Onlive uses nearby devices to keep communication flowing. Autonomous Data Management: Data and interactions are stored locally within the group, giving citizens control over their information. Rapid Deployment: Onlive can be activated in any emergency, allowing citizens to organize and share resources or information quickly and effectively. By empowering communities to establish their resilient networks, Onlive contributes directly to faster, more coordinated disaster recovery efforts. It bridges communication gaps, ensures vital information flows, and enhances community resilience when every second counts.
"}]}
\ No newline at end of file
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The clock is ticking. The tools we rely on are not helping us progress on the UN Sutainable Development Goals . We need a new toolset.
0_timeline is the place where we can forge that new toolset. Right now, we are building the first one..
"},{"location":"#what-is-0_timeline","title":"What is 0_timeline?
A living public experiment. Everything happens here: ideas, decisions, roles, challenges, breakthroughs.
We\u2019re building technology like a scientific experiment: - Transparent - Community-owned - Measured and documented
","text":""},{"location":"#the-four-elements-of-our-atom","title":"\ud83e\uddec The Four Elements of Our Atom 0_timeline The space where Smartups are designed, tested, and shared\u2014step by step. Smartup A new way to build technology: Transparent. Community-driven. Experimental. Smartup Zero Our first live experiment. Testing the Smartup model\u2014failures and successes both matter. ONLIFE The technology we\u2019re building: A decentralized emergency network for European citizen resilience.","text":""},{"location":"#our-alignment-with-the-un-sdgs","title":"\ud83c\udf0d Our Alignment with the UN SDGs
We\u2019re not just building tech\u2014we\u2019re contributing to global goals.
We believe the next generation of digital infrastructure must be open:
Open decisions
Open failures
Open success tracking
Open governance
","text":""},{"location":"#why-are-we-doing-this","title":"Why are we doing this?
Because the system isn\u2019t working. We need new methods to create\u2014and govern\u2014the technology that shapes our world.
Smartup Zero is our experiment to test that belief. In the open. For everyone to see.
","text":""},{"location":"#join-the-experiment","title":"Join the Experiment","text":""},{"location":"style-guide/","title":"\ud83d\udcd6 0_timeline Content Style Guide","text":"
Purpose
This guide ensures consistent content across the 0_timeline website. All contributors should reference this when creating or editing content. Our goal is to make complex ideas accessible while maintaining the experimental, transparent spirit of Smartup Zero.
###:material-forum: Our General Forum\n\n!!! info \"What is this?\"\n The public square for all Smartup Zero owners where governance happens.\n\n### Purpose\n\nThis is where we make collective decisions that shape our project's future.\n
Renders as:
"},{"location":"style-guide/#our-general-forum","title":"Our General Forum","text":"
What is this?
The public square for all Smartup Zero owners where governance happens.
Purpose
This is where we make collective decisions that shape our project's future.
**:material-account-group: Development Team**\n\n<aside class=\"md-typeset\" markdown>\n!!! tip inline end \"Quick Links\"\n :material-git: [Team Repos](https://smartup-zero-forgejo.fly.dev/smartup-zero/dev-team) \n :material-chat: [Team Room](#3_dev-team) \n :material-clipboard-list: [Open Tasks](#)\n</aside>\n\n**Captain:** [@alice](https://matrix.to/#/@alice:matrix.org) \n**Members:** 5 active contributors \n**Formed:** January 2025 \n\n**Mission:** Build the ONLIFE emergency communication protocol and apps.\n\n**Current Objectives:**\n- Complete Android MVP by Feb 28\n- Implement mesh networking core\n
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Development Team
Quick Links
Team Repos Team Room Open Tasks
Captain: @alice Members: 5 active contributors Formed: January 2025
Mission: Build the ONLIFE emergency communication protocol and apps.
Current Objectives: - Complete Android MVP by Feb 28 - Implement mesh networking core
**:material-numeric-0-circle: Phase 0: Micro-Pilot**\n\n<aside class=\"md-typeset\" markdown>\n!!! info inline end \"Phase Status\"\n **Status:** Active \n **Duration:** 30 days \n **Started:** Jan 1, 2025 \n **Target:** Jan 31, 2025\n</aside>\n\n**Goals for This Phase**\n\n- [x] Deploy core infrastructure\n- [ ] Onboard 15-20 contributors\n- [ ] Complete one full work cycle\n\n**Key Deliverables**\n\n| Deliverable | Description | Status |\n|-------------|-------------|---------|\n| Tech Stack | Forgejo + Matrix deployed | :material-check: Done |\n| Engelbot | Automation bot v0.1 | :material-progress-wrench: In Progress |\n| First Task | Test the SC system | :material-calendar: Planned |\n
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Phase 0: Micro-Pilot
Phase Status
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[ ] Complete one full work cycle
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For encouraging participation.
Example Code:
**:material-rocket-launch: Ready to Contribute?**\n\n<div class=\"grid\" markdown>\n\n:material-account-plus:{ .lg }\n\n**Join the Project**\n\nBecome a Smartup Zero owner\n\n[Join via Open Collective :material-open-in-new:](https://opencollective.com/smartup-zero){ .md-button }\n\n:material-chat:{ .lg }\n\n**Start Discussing**\n\nConnect with the community\n\n[Enter Matrix Space :material-open-in-new:](#){ .md-button }\n\n:material-hammer:{ .lg }\n\n**Start Building**\n\nPick up your first task\n\n[Browse Open Tasks :material-open-in-new:](#){ .md-button }\n\n</div>\n
Start with Why: Lead with purpose/problem before solution
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use examples and diagrams
Progressive Disclosure: Overview first, details in expandable sections
Example Code:
** The Smartup Credit System\n\n**Why it exists:** We need a fair way to track and reward contributions before cash arrives.\n\n??? info \"How it works (Technical Details)\"\n When a contributor completes a task, the Team Captain approves it and \n Smartup Credits are minted to the ledger. These credits represent a \n future claim on treasury funds at a 1 SC = 1 EUR rate.\n
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Why it exists: We need a fair way to track and reward contributions before cash arrives.
How it works (Technical Details)
When a contributor completes a task, the Team Captain approves it and Smartup Credits are minted to the ledger. These credits represent a future claim on treasury funds at a 1 SC = 1 EUR rate.
!!! example \"How This Works in Practice\"\n When a developer completes a task worth 500 SC, the Team Captain \n approves it, triggering an automatic ledger update via Engelbot.\n
Renders as:
How This Works in Practice
When a developer completes a task worth 500 SC, the Team Captain approves it, triggering an automatic ledger update via Engelbot.
!!! quote \"Our Inscription\"\n We don't accept our reality but seek to alter it. We are not too late \n or too early but precisely on time. The next big thing will be a mosaic \n of small things.\n
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Our Inscription
We don't accept our reality but seek to alter it. We are not too late or too early but precisely on time. The next big thing will be a mosaic of small things.
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Example Code:
=== \":material-account: For Contributors\"\n\n Learn how to join the project and start earning Smartup Credits \n by contributing your skills to building ONLIFE.\n\n=== \":material-currency-eur: For Supporters\"\n\n Discover how your financial support directly enables the development \n of public-good technology with transparent fund allocation.\n\n=== \":material-cellphone: For Future Users\"\n\n Understand how ONLIFE will provide emergency communication when \n traditional networks fail.\n
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Learn how to join the project and start earning Smartup Credits by contributing your skills to building ONLIFE.
Discover how your financial support directly enables the development of public-good technology with transparent fund allocation.
Understand how ONLIFE will provide emergency communication when traditional networks fail.
??? question \"What are Smartup Credits?\"\n\n Smartup Credits (SC) are internal units that track contributions \n before cash is available. 1 SC = 1 EUR claim on the treasury.\n\n??? tip \"Pro Tip: Claiming Your First Task\"\n\n Start with tasks labeled \"good-first-task\" in Forgejo. Comment \n on the issue to claim it before starting work.\n
Renders as:
What are Smartup Credits?
Smartup Credits (SC) are internal units that track contributions before cash is available. 1 SC = 1 EUR claim on the treasury.
Pro Tip: Claiming Your First Task
Start with tasks labeled \"good-first-task\" in Forgejo. Comment on the issue to claim it before starting work.
```console\n$ git clone https://smartup-zero-forgejo.fly.dev/smartup-zero/0_timeline.git\n$ cd 0_timeline\n$ mkdocs serve\nINFO - Building documentation...\nINFO - Documentation built in 2.43 seconds\n```\n
Renders as:
$ git clone https://smartup-zero-forgejo.fly.dev/smartup-zero/0_timeline.git\n$ cd 0_timeline\n$ mkdocs serve\nINFO - Building documentation...\nINFO - Documentation built in 2.43 seconds\n
"},{"location":"style-guide/#tables-and-data","title":"\ud83d\udcca Tables and Data","text":""},{"location":"style-guide/#standard-table-format","title":"Standard Table Format","text":"
**:material-icon: Page Title\n\n!!! info \"What is this?\"\n One-sentence explanation of what this page covers.\n\n**Purpose**\n\nBrief paragraph explaining why this matters in the Smartup Zero context.\n\n**Main Content**\n\nYour content here, following the patterns above...\n\n**:material-rocket-launch: Next Steps**\n\nWhat the reader should do after reading this page.\n\n!!! tip \"Related Topics\"\n - [Related Page 1](link)\n - [Related Page 2](link)\n
Ready to Create Content!
Now you have all the patterns and examples needed to create consistent, beautiful content for 0_timeline. Remember to reference this guide whenever you're unsure about formatting or style choices.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/","title":"A new external subsystem","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#the-external-subsystem-a-planetary-organization","title":"The External Subsystem: A Planetary Organization","text":"
What is this?
Smartups are designed as digital-first, globally-distributed organizations that transcend national boundaries and political cycles. We envision a new external framework where planetary challenges get planetary solutions, free from the distortions of nation-state politics.
When we look at why organizations fail to address SDGs, we see a pattern: they get trapped in political cycles, pulled by national interests, and distracted by daily crises. A startup in Silicon Valley optimizes for US tax law. An NGO in Brussels navigates EU regulations. A company in Singapore plays different rules than one in S\u00e3o Paulo.
Meanwhile, climate change doesn't care about borders. Inequality doesn't pause for elections. The SDGs don't shift with news cycles.
The Defocused Organization
Smartups are intentionally defocused from: - Daily political drama - National election cycles - Geopolitical tensions - Regulatory arbitrage - News cycle reactions We stay focused on: - SDGs (always on the horizon) - Long-term planetary health - Human needs regardless of nationality - Scientific reality over political narrative
Exists in Cyberspace --- No physical headquarters No national registration Digital infrastructure only Operates 24/7 globally Jurisdiction: The Internet
Open to All Humanity --- Join from anywhere Contribute from anywhere No visa requirements No geographic discrimination Talent without borders
Equal Pay Globally --- Same task = same pay No geographic arbitrage Value work, not location Purchasing power parity? That's their problem
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#why-national-frameworks-fail-digital-organizations","title":"Why National Frameworks Fail Digital Organizations","text":"
The Friction of Nation-States
Scenario: A climate-focused Smartup needs a developer Traditional hiring: - Best candidate is in Bangladesh \u274c Visa complexity - Second choice in France \u274c Employment law maze - Third choice in Brazil \u274c Tax treaty issues - Settle for local candidate \u2713 But not optimal Smartup approach: - Best candidate in Bangladesh \u2713 Joins immediately - Earns same as anyone else \u2713 500 SC for the task - No visa, no employment contract \u2713 Just contribution - Optimal talent for optimal solution \u2713 SDGs advance
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#the-vision-planetary-governance-for-planetary-organizations","title":"The Vision: Planetary Governance for Planetary Organizations","text":"
graph TD\n UN[UN or Global Body<br/>Planetary Jurisdiction] --> SR[Smartup Registry<br/>Digital Entity Recognition]\n SR --> S1[Smartup Alpha<br/>Clean Energy]\n SR --> S2[Smartup Beta<br/>Food Security]\n SR --> S3[Smartup Gamma<br/>Health Access]\n SR --> SZ[Smartup Zero<br/>Emergency Comms]\n\n S1 --> G[Global Talent Pool]\n S2 --> G\n S3 --> G\n SZ --> G\n\n style UN fill:#4ecdc4\n style G fill:#8bc34a
Learning from Estonia's E-Residency
Estonia proved digital citizenship works: - 100,000+ e-residents from 170+ countries - Digital identity enables business creation - Geography becomes irrelevant - Services delivered digitally Smartups take this further: not just digital residency, but digital-native organizations with planetary purpose.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#immunity-from-political-volatility","title":"Immunity from Political Volatility","text":"
Traditional organizations get pulled into: - Trade wars affecting supply chains - Sanctions limiting talent access - Political pressure on priorities - Regulatory capture by incumbents - Nationalism over global good
Smartups remain steady: - Contributors work under digital identity - Payment in SC avoids banking politics - Open source means no export controls - SDG focus transcends party politics - Scientific merit over political favor
Above the Fray
\"While nations argue about carbon credits, we build. While politicians debate inequality, we act. While borders close, we remain open. The SDGs don't have time for political theater.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#the-path-to-recognition","title":"The Path to Recognition","text":"
Phase 1: Proof --- Smartups operate informally Build real solutions Demonstrate viability Create undeniable value Show the model works
Phase 2: Precedent --- Multiple successful Smartups Cross-border collaboration SDG impact measured Model replication proven Community grows globally
Phase 3: Recognition --- UN working group forms Legal framework drafted Digital entity status Planetary jurisdiction New organizational species
"},{"location":"0_timeline/external-subsystem/#why-this-isnt-utopian","title":"Why This Isn't Utopian","text":"
We're Not Naive
We know: - Nation-states won't disappear - Politics won't vanish - Borders still matter for humans - Local laws affect contributors But digital organizations can operate above this layer, just as the internet routes around censorship.
The Internet already works this way: - TCP/IP doesn't care about borders - Open source projects span nations - Cryptocurrencies ignore jurisdictions - Remote work proves geography optional
We're just formalizing what's already emerging: planetary organizations for planetary challenges.
While the world argues about: - Which nation leads on climate - Who pays for inequality - Whose tech standards win - Which currency dominates Smartups quietly build: - Emergency networks that work everywhere - Water solutions without borders - Health tools for all humans - Energy systems beyond nations Defocused from drama. Focused on delivery.
The North Star
\"The SDGs are our constitution, science is our law, and humanity is our citizenship. Everything else\u2014every border, every political cycle, every national interest\u2014is just noise we filter out.\"
The decade-long journey from a TNO research project to ONLIFE\u2014and how it birthed the Smartup model itself. This is our collective memory of how we got here.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#the-evolution-from-apps-to-emergency-infrastructure","title":"The Evolution: From Apps to Emergency Infrastructure","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#phase-1-the-origin-transient-apps-2016-2017","title":"Phase 1: The Origin - Transient Apps (2016-2017)","text":"
Our story begins with a research collaboration between TNO (Dutch research organization) and RS New Media Concepts. The problem: smartphone users drowning in app choices. The solution: \"Transient Apps\"\u2014lightweight applications that appear when needed, disappear when not.
What we built: - The Context Engine: An algorithm predicting user needs based on physical location - Automatic delivery of relevant web apps - Working prototype proving the concept
What stopped us: Platform gatekeepers (Google, Apple) would never allow it. They were already building their own versions (Instant Apps, Progressive Web Apps). We hit a dead end.
Phase 1 Outcome
Research validated but path blocked by platform control: - Context-aware app delivery proven - User need confirmed - Technical feasibility demonstrated - Platform dependency identified
Transient Apps Research Report
"},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#phase-2-the-first-pivot-onlive-social-networks-2017-2019","title":"Phase 2: The First Pivot - \"Onlive\" Social Networks (2017-2019)","text":"
Rather than abandon the Context Engine, we pivoted. If we couldn't change how apps work, could we change how people connect?
The ethical awakening: As Facebook's scandals mounted, we faced a choice: build another data-harvesting social network or find a different path. We chose differently. Instead of connecting individuals online, we'd connect groups of people in their immediate physical world.
\"Onlive: the social network for the real world\" - Context Engine repurposed to identify relevant groups - Seven Dutch business partners provided feedback - UX and architecture developed
The revelation: We weren't building an app. We were building an Operating System for group interaction in the real world.
Phase 2 Outcome
Proof of Concept delivered: - Android prototype functional - Backend architecture designed - UX patterns established - Business validation complete
Onlive Research Report
"},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#phase-3-the-governance-pivot-birth-of-the-smartup-model-2019-2020","title":"Phase 3: The Governance Pivot - Birth of the Smartup Model (2019-2020)","text":"
With research complete, the logical next step was forming a traditional startup. But was it the right step?
The dilemma: - Public-good technology - Complex social mission - Poor fit for VC model
The insight:
\"How we create is as important as what we create.\"
The organizational structure itself needed to embody our values: open, democratic, mission-driven.
The Smartup Model emerges: We began designing a new type of organization based on: - Collective ownership - Democratic governance - Scientific rigor - SDG alignment
Phase 3 Outcome
New organizational model conceptualized: - Smartup governance structure defined - Economic model designed - Democratic principles embedded - Blueprint for future documented
Smartup Zero Original Whitepaper
"},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#phase-4-the-covid-pivot-academic-validation-2020-2022","title":"Phase 4: The COVID Pivot & Academic Validation (2020-2022)","text":"
The pandemic provided an urgent, real-world test case. Could Onlive enable \"Digital Herd Immunity\" through group-tracing rather than individual contact-tracing?
Academic collaboration with Erasmus Programme: - Security challenges addressed - UX refined for crisis scenarios - Concept validation in pandemic context - Technical feasibility confirmed
The world suddenly understood why decentralized, resilient communication matters.
Phase 4 Outcome
Academic validation achieved: - UX patterns for crisis communication - Security model validated - User research completed - Emergency use cases confirmed
UX Research Report
"},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#phase-5-technical-deep-dive-mesh-networking-2023-2024","title":"Phase 5: Technical Deep Dive - Mesh Networking (2023-2024)","text":"
To truly work without internet, we needed to go deeper into the networking layer.
Partnership with HanzeHogeschool: - Open-source mesh network implementation - Smartphone-native protocols - Beyond proof-of-concept to production-ready - Ad-hoc network formation without infrastructure
We weren't just building an app anymore. We were building alternative internet infrastructure.
Phase 5 Outcome
Mesh protocol designed and tested: - 75+ node networks achieved - Android implementation working - Bluetooth/WiFi Direct integration - Open source architecture defined
Mesh Network Protocol Design
"},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#phase-6-the-final-pivot-onlife-emergency-network-2025-present","title":"Phase 6: The Final Pivot - ONLIFE Emergency Network (2025-Present)","text":"
Ten years of pivots, research, and refinement crystallized into a clear mission.
From ONLIVE to ONLIFE: Not just \"online live\"\u2014but a network for LIFE itself. When everything else fails, ONLIFE remains.
The focus sharpens: - Emergency communication for citizens - Works without internet or telecoms - Mesh network using existing smartphones - European civil resilience infrastructure
Phase 6 Outcome
The experiment begins: - Smartup Zero launched - Community forming - Development starting - Everything transparent
As an owner, you get access to all code, documentation, and decisions in real-time.
Why the Name Change
\"ONLIVE was about being online in live settings. ONLIFE is about staying connected when life itself is at stake. It's not just a network\u2014it's a lifeline.\"
What makes our history unique is that we didn't just develop technology\u2014we developed a new way to develop technology:
ONLIFE: The emergency communication protocol
Smartup Model: The organizational form to build it
Both innovations emerged from the same insight: existing systems\u2014technical and organizational\u2014aren't fit for planetary challenges.
From Research to Reality
10 years of research
Multiple pivots based on ethical considerations
Academic validation
Technical proof of concept
Organizational innovation
Now: Building it together as Smartup Zero
"},{"location":"0_timeline/history/#key-partners-along-the-journey","title":"Key Partners Along the Journey","text":"
TNO: Original research partner (2016-2017)
RS New Media Concepts: Initial development
Seven Dutch businesses: Early feedback partners
Erasmus Programme: COVID-era validation
HanzeHogeschool: Mesh networking research
You: The next chapter begins with collective ownership
Read the Current Mission
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/","title":"A new social subsystem","text":"
What is this?
The Social Subsystem describes how people in a Smartup organize, collaborate, and make decisions together. It replaces hierarchical management and fragmented teams with a decentralized system of shared ownership, trust-based roles, and mutual accountability. This subsystem creates the social architecture needed to build technology in a way that's fair, resilient, and aligned with the public good.
Just give me the abstract
In this new design for a the Social Subsystem redesigns how people work together by introducing democratic governance, peer support structures, and fluid identity protocols. Instead of traditional management, Smartups rely on a balance between autonomy, discipline, and mission-alignment \u2014 enforced not by authority, but by structure. Contributors operate in role-based groups, make collective decisions using the ADM Triangle, and support each other through systems like the Buddy Program. This model aims to unlock large-scale collaboration by treating contributors as citizens \u2014 not employees \u2014 in a shared mission to build public-interest technology.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-architecture-of-a-smartup","title":"The Architecture of a Smartup","text":"
Definition: A Smartup creates trustworthy digital tools that help people\u2014and the communities they form\u2014become more resilient, resourceful, and effective in advancing the SDGs.
At its core, every Smartup is built like a rocket: a solid foundation, three structural pillars, and a sharp point of execution.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-foundation-our-fuel","title":"The Foundation (Our Fuel)","text":"
Science Every tool we create is grounded in facts, evidence, and tested knowledge. The problems we tackle are science-proven, and solutions must stand up to real-world scrutiny.
Democracy Our process and decisions are open and participatory. Everyone has a voice and a vote\u2014no gated hierarchies, no closed rooms.
Collective IQ We are smarter together. All skills and ideas are pooled so we solve more, faster, and with better results than any one person or small group could alone.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-three-pillars-our-structure","title":"The Three Pillars (Our Structure)","text":"
Collective Ownership Everyone who joins and contributes is an equal owner. There are no founders, investors, or external shareholders\u2014just people \u201cin it\u201d together. --8<-- \"_snippets/smartup-ownership-meaning.md\" --8<-- \"_snippets/the-book-of-owners.md\"
Collective Craftsmanship All work and effort are shared\u2014teams build, improve, and sustain everything the Smartup delivers. Value is earned by doing, not by owning capital.
Collective Governance Decision-making and oversight are for everyone. Every contributor holds both rights and responsibilities for what the Smartup does and how it does it.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#our-modus-operandi","title":"Our Modus Operandi","text":"
Military Execution While we are democratic in nature, we are military in execution. When the General Forum sets a target, the Workplace hits it with precision. Clear chains of command, proven processes like the buddy system, and professional discipline ensure we don't just talk about change\u2014we deliver it.
Why a rocket?
A Smartup is a vehicle for change. The foundation powers us, the pillars keep us stable, and military execution cuts through obstacles. Together, these elements create an organization that can actually reach its destination: a world where digital tools serve collective human needs.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-4-phases-of-creation-the-habitat-of-a-smartup","title":"The 4 Phases of Creation - The Habitat of a Smartup","text":"
What is this?
Every Smartup grows through four clear, community-driven phases. This rhythm\u2014from first idea to real-world launch\u2014ensures that only validated, sustainable, and well-governed solutions reach the market. At every step, the decision to move forward belongs to the entire Smartup community.
Phase 1: Validation The Question: \"Does the world need this?\" Entrepreneurs and early adopters rally a vibrant community around a solution, showing real traction in people and resources.
Thresholds to advance: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Official Smartup Business Plan ready - [ ] Leadership Team formed - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
Phase 2: Design The Question: \"How can we build this sustainably and efficiently?\" Contributors create blueprints through open collaboration, with rigorous scientific review before development begins.
Thresholds to advance: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Design Blueprint delivered - [ ] Science Team review passed - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
Phase 3: Production The Focus: From thinking to building The community creates an MVP, tests with real citizens, and prepares for launch after scientific and market validation.
Thresholds to advance: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Version 1.0 beta tested - [ ] Market assessment complete - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
Phase 4: Organization The Goal: Ready for the world Build the team and structure for market launch. Executive team chosen, legal framework set, always with community validation.
Thresholds for launch: - [ ] Financial target reached - [ ] Executive team formed - [ ] Final Business Plan ready - [ ] Majority community vote
Learn more
The Common Thread
Notice how each phase requires four key elements: 1. Financial sustainability \u2013 Resources to continue 2. Concrete deliverable \u2013 Something tangible produced 3. Expert validation \u2013 Scientific or market review 4. Democratic approval \u2013 The community decides
This ensures what's being built is wanted, sound, and fully owned by the community at every step.
flowchart TB\n V[\ud83d\udd0d Validation<br/><sub>Prove demand</sub>]\n D[\ud83d\udcd0 Design<br/><sub>Create blueprint</sub>]\n P[\ud83d\udd28 Production<br/><sub>Build & test</sub>]\n O[\ud83d\ude80 Organization<br/><sub>Launch ready</sub>]\n\n V -.->|Community Vote| D\n D -.->|Community Vote| P\n P -.->|Community Vote| O\n O ==>|To Market!| M[\ud83c\udf0d]\n\n style V stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style D stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style P stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style O stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px\n style M stroke:#8bc34a,stroke-width:3px
Why these phases?
Each phase ensures what\u2019s being built is wanted, sound, and fully owned by the community before advancing. Built-in checkpoints\u2014majority votes and scientific reviews\u2014keep momentum aligned with trust and quality at every step.
Next: See how Smartup teams, roles, and workflows make collective building a reality.
To create real, relevant technology, a Smartup can\u2019t just be a loose network\u2014it needs to be a productive, living system. But if nobody has absolute power\u2014not even a CEO\u2014how do decisions get made and meaningful work actually happen? The answer: the Smartup is a new kind of \u201corganism\u201d built for collective intelligence and self-organization.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#democratic-by-nature-military-in-execution","title":"Democratic by Nature, Military in Execution","text":"
A Smartup is a unique sociotechnical organism that combines democratic governance with military-precision execution. This hybrid design solves a fundamental challenge: how to maintain collective ownership while actually getting things done.
The Design Principle
We are democratic where it matters most: In the General Forum, every citizen has equal voice, equal vote, equal responsibility. Here we decide WHAT we build and WHY\u2014our mission, values, and strategic direction.
We are disciplined where speed matters: In the Workplace, we apply military-inspired command structures and proven operational processes. Here we decide HOW we build\u2014with clear roles, accountability, and chains of command.
Learning from Failed Models
Pure Democracy Everywhere = Endless debates, nothing ships Pure Hierarchy Everywhere = Mission drift, worker alienation Our Hybrid = Collective ownership + Professional execution
If you could slice a Smartup open, you\u2019d see something that looks more like a living ecosystem than a traditional corporate pyramid. Instead of strict hierarchy and top-down control, power and responsibility are distributed through a holacratic structure: nested groups, each supporting the whole.
\u201cHolacracy is a new way of structuring and running your organization that replaces the conventional management hierarchy. Instead of top-down, power is distributed throughout, giving individuals and teams more freedom to self-manage, while staying aligned to the organization\u2019s purpose.\u201d \u2014 holacracy.org
In a Smartup, these circles are groups\u2014each one crucial for the whole, each one depending on\u2014and empowering\u2014the next.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-six-groups-of-productivity","title":"The Six Groups of Productivity","text":"
A Smartup is designed so that all ownership, work, and governance flow through six nested groups. Think of them as a set of Russian dolls: each group contains smaller subgroups, but all belong to the \"mother\" at the center, the General Forum.
1. General Forum
The heart of the Smartup
All citizens (owners) gather here to discuss, propose, vote, and oversee everything. It's the public square for collective direction and accountability.
Members: All Smartup owners Moderated by: Leadership Team
2. Workplace
The production engine
Citizens with a work license join to build what matters. Here, talk turns into action: plans become teams, teams build real things.
Members: All workers (colleagues) Moderated by: Leadership Team
3. Teams
Home base for specialized work
Every worker joins at least one team\u2014design, development, business. Teams focus effort and harness specific skills toward shared goals.
Members: Workers in same team (teammates) Moderated by: Team Captain
4. Roles
How you contribute
In each team, workers apply for roles that fit their talents\u2014UX designer, developer, communicator. Roles define responsibility and access.
Members: Workers with same role (peers) Moderated by: Team Captain
5. Objectives
What's to be achieved
Teams progress by accomplishing specific missions, like \"Create Android app front-end.\" Each objective unites multiple roles.
Members: Workers on same objective (squad) Moderated by: Mission Leader
6. Tasks
Where work happens
The smallest\u2014and most important\u2014unit. Tasks create measurable progress. Complete task, create value, get rewarded.
Each group lives within the one above it: - General Forum contains \u2192 Workplace - Workplace contains \u2192 Teams - Teams contain \u2192 Roles - Roles work on \u2192 Objectives - Objectives break into \u2192 Tasks This creates clear accountability chains while maintaining democratic oversight at the top.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-metabolism-how-a-smartup-lives-and-breathes","title":"The Metabolism - How a Smartup Lives and Breathes","text":"
What is this?
If the 6 Groups show a Smartup's anatomy (structure), the metabolism shows how it actually functions\u2014how we communicate, make decisions, and get work done through the ADM Triangle system powered by the buddy system.
When we examine a Smartup as a living organism, we need to understand not just its structure, but how it sustains itself. Just as a body needs circulation and digestion, a Smartup needs processes for communication, decision-making, and documentation. This is where we discover the ADM Triangle\u2014the metabolic engine that powers every interaction.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-buddy-system-never-work-alone","title":"The Buddy System: Never Work Alone","text":"
At the core of our metabolism lies a simple but powerful principle borrowed from military operations: you never work alone. In a Smartup, every task, every decision, every action involves at least two people working in partnership.
Why Buddies Matter
The buddy system serves multiple vital functions: - Accountability: Freedom with responsibility - Support: Help when stuck or overwhelmed - Quality: Built-in peer review - Learning: Juniors learn by observing seniors - Resilience: No single point of failure
The Learning Loop
What makes our buddy system special is that it's designed as a learning mechanism:
graph LR\n J[Junior Role<br/><sub>Defender/Assistant</sub>] \n S[Senior Role<br/><sub>Attacker/Worker</sub>]\n T[Task Execution]\n L[Learning & Growth]\n\n S -->|Performs| T\n J -->|Observes & Assists| T\n T -->|Creates| L\n L -->|Promotes| J\n J -.->|Becomes| S
The 90/10 Split: When a task is completed: - Worker (Senior) receives 90% of the budget - Assistant (Junior) receives 10%
This isn't just payment for monitoring\u2014it's investment in developing the next generation of senior contributors.
Building on the buddy system, every interaction in a Smartup follows the Attacker, Defender, Midfielder (ADM) pattern:
graph TD\n A[Attacker/Senior<br/><sub>Drives action forward</sub>]\n D[Defender/Junior<br/><sub>Learns while ensuring quality</sub>]\n M[Midfielder/Bot<br/><sub>Coordinates & documents</sub>]\n\n A <--> M\n D <--> M\n A -.->|Mentors| D\n
How It Works in Practice
ADM in Action: Task Execution
Scenario: A senior developer takes on the task \"Deploy emergency mesh network prototype\" 1. Senior Developer (Attacker): Implements solution, explains decisions 2. Junior Developer (Defender): Assists, learns patterns, validates effort 3. Bot (Midfielder): Logs activity, manages check-ins The junior isn't just watching\u2014they're actively learning deployment processes, understanding architectural decisions, and preparing to lead similar tasks in the future.
Learning by Doing
\"The assistant learns how the worker solves a specific task and gains knowledge and skills. Defenders are literally learning to become seniors.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#beyond-surveillance-a-learning-organization","title":"Beyond Surveillance: A Learning Organization","text":"
This Isn't About Control
Traditional organizations use monitoring for compliance and control. In a Smartup, the buddy system creates a learning environment where: - Juniors gain real experience with safety nets - Seniors develop mentoring and leadership skills - Knowledge spreads organically through the organization - No one carries administrative burden alone The defender role isn't a watchdog\u2014it's an apprenticeship. This transforms what could feel like surveillance into an opportunity for growth.
The Freedom to Shift: Horizontal Career Development
What makes Smartup identity truly revolutionary is voluntary role shifting. Unlike traditional organizations where you're locked into your expertise, we embrace career fluidity.
Role Shifting in Practice
Marcus has been a senior backend developer for 5 years. He's excellent at it, but getting bored. Traditional Organization: Marcus is stuck. His value is tied to his seniority in backend. Moving to UX means starting over, losing status and pay. In a Smartup: Marcus can: - Continue taking senior backend tasks when he wants (90% as attacker) - Join the UX team as a junior member - Take on UX tasks as a defender (10%, learning from senior UX designers) - Gradually build UX skills while maintaining backend income - Eventually take on senior UX roles as skills develop Result: Marcus expands his skillset, stays engaged, and the Smartup gains a developer who understands both backend AND user experience.
Why This Matters
For Individuals: - Never get trapped in a single role - Learn new skills while earning - Find renewed passion through variety - Build cross-functional understanding For the Smartup: - Retain talented people who might otherwise leave from boredom - Create bridges between teams through shared members - Build resilience\u2014more people can cover more roles - Foster innovation through cross-pollination
The Learning Economy
This fluid identity system creates what we call a learning economy:
graph LR\n SE[Senior Expert<br/><sub>Feeling Stagnant</sub>]\n JL[Junior Learner<br/><sub>in New Domain</sub>]\n ME[Multi-skilled Expert<br/><sub>Cross-functional</sub>]\n IV[Increased Value<br/><sub>To Individual & Smartup</sub>]\n\n SE -->|Chooses to Explore| JL\n JL -->|Learns Through Tasks| ME\n ME -->|Creates| IV\n IV -->|Enables More| SE
Breaking the Specialization Trap
\"Traditional organizations want you to stay in your box\u2014it's easier to manage. But humans aren't meant to do one thing forever. A Smartup embraces our natural desire to grow, learn, and evolve.\"
Why Identity Shifting Matters
Identity in Action
Sarah is a senior developer who's curious about business development. Watch her fluid day: 9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on strategic direction, her voice equal to everyone's. 9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she discusses overall progress in the OSBP. 10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a senior TEAM MEMBER, she guides technical architecture decisions. 11:00 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes a critical feature (earning 90% of task value). 2:00 PM - Business Team: As a junior TEAM MEMBER, she joins market research discussions. 3:00 PM - Task #78: As a DEFENDER, she assists on a competitor analysis task, learning from the senior business developer (earning 10% while learning). End of Day: Sarah earned well from her senior work AND gained business skills. The Smartup gets a developer who understands market pressures.
The Power of Context
By explicitly naming who we are in each space, we: - Prevent power dynamics from poisoning collaboration - Create psychological safety for honest communication - Enable rapid context switching without confusion - Build empathy by experiencing multiple perspectives - Allow graceful transition between expert and learner modes
Making the Shift Switching roles in a Smartup is designed to be frictionless:
See an interesting team? Join their public channel
Want to learn? Apply for junior roles in that team
Keep earning: Maintain senior roles in your expertise area
Grow gradually: Take on more advanced tasks as you learn
No permission needed: Your career path is yours to design
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#identity-protocols-who-we-become-in-each-space","title":"Identity Protocols: Who We Become in Each Space","text":"
What is this?
As we move between the 6 groups, we don't just change what we do\u2014we change who we are. These identity protocols teach us how to show up in each space for maximum collective effective$
The Six Identities We Embody
In the General Forum --- We are CITIZENS
Equal voice, equal vote, equal responsibility. Here, the newest contributor has the same rights as the founding team. We debate, propose, and decide as equals.
\"In this space, I am a citizen with rights and obligations\"
In the Workplace --- We are COLLEAGUES
United by shared mission. We may have different skills and tasks, but we're all building toward the same vision. Collaboration over competition.
\"In this space, I am a colleague working for our shared idea\"
In Teams --- We are TEAM MEMBERS
Aligned on objectives. We coordinate our diverse skills toward specific goals, supporting each other's growth and success.
\"In this space, I am a team member working on our objectives\"
In Roles --- We are PEERS
Sharing expertise. Whether senior or junior, we're united by our craft, helping each other improve and solve technical challenges.
\"In this space, I am a peer sharing skills and knowledge\"
In Objectives --- We are SQUAD MEMBERS
Aligned on objectives. We coordinate our diverse skills toward specific goals, supporting each other's growth and success.
\"In this space, I am a team member working on our objectives\"
In Roles --- We are PEERS
Sharing expertise. Whether senior or junior, we're united by our craft, helping each other improve and solve technical challenges.
\"In this space, I am a peer sharing skills and knowledge\"
In Objectives --- We are SQUAD MEMBERS
Present and focused. We're here now, working on this specific mission, coordinating in real-time to achieve our goal.
\"In this space, I am a squad member present and engaged\"
In Tasks --- We are ATTACKERS & DEFENDERS
Executing with discipline. We take on specific roles\u2014driving work forward or ensuring quality\u2014with clear accountability.
\"In this space, I am actively attacking or defending this task\"
Why Identity Shifting Matters
Identity in Action
Sarah is a senior developer in Smartup Zero. Watch how she shifts:
9:00 AM - General Forum: As a CITIZEN, she votes on whether to pursue mesh networking, weighing in equally with designers and business developers.
9:30 AM - Workplace: As a COLLEAGUE, she reviews the overall ONLIFE roadmap, offering technical insights while respecting other disciplines.
10:00 AM - Dev Team: As a TEAM MEMBER, she coordinates with other developers on the sprint plan.
10:30 AM - Backend Role: As a PEER, she mentors a junior backend developer struggling with mesh protocols.
11:00 AM - \"Build MVP\" Objective: As a SQUAD MEMBER, she syncs with frontend and QA on today's integration.
11:30 AM - Task #42: As an ATTACKER, she codes the mesh discovery feature while her junior DEFENDER reviews and learns.
The Power of Context
By explicitly naming who we are in each space, we: - Prevent power dynamics from poisoning collaboration - Create psychological safety for honest communication - Enable rapid context switching without confusion - Build empathy by experiencing multiple perspectives
Learning the Dance New contributors often struggle with identity shifting at first. That's normal\u2014we're conditioned by traditional organizations to maintain rigid roles. But with practice, this fluidity becomes natural and empowering.
Identity Discipline
These aren't just nice ideas\u2014they're operational requirements. In our Matrix/Element spaces, channels are named and moderated to reinforce these identities. Bringing \"boss energy\" to a peer space or \"individual contributor\" mindset to the General Forum disrupts our collective intelligence
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-meta-transparency-layer-adm-between-groups","title":"The Meta-Transparency Layer: ADM Between Groups","text":"
What is this?
The ADM Triangle doesn't just operate within groups\u2014it creates a transparency cascade from the outside world all the way down to individual tasks, ensuring accountability and alignment at every level.
We've seen how the ADM Triangle works within each group. But the true power emerges when we see how it connects the groups themselves, creating what we call the meta-transparency layer\u2014a complete chain of accountability from public oversight to task execution.
The Oversight Cascade
Each group in our 6-layer structure maintains oversight of the group below it through its own ADM Triangle:
0_timeline \u2192 General Forum A: Citizens taking initiative with proposals/votes D: Leadership team ensuring quality moderation M: Bot documents everything to 0_timeline The outside world sees our governance in action
General Forum \u2192 Workplace A: Colleagues taking initiative with work D: Leadership team ensuring OSBP compliance M: Bot reports progress to General Forum Citizens oversee how work gets done
Workplace \u2192 Teams A: Team members taking initiative in teams D: Team captains ensuring strategy/budgets M: Bot reports team health to Workplace Colleagues oversee team formation
Teams \u2192 Roles A: Peers taking initiative in skill areas D: Team captain ensuring roles are filled M: Bot reports role coverage to Teams Teams oversee skill distribution
Roles \u2192 Objectives A: Squad members taking initiative on missions D: Mission leaders ensuring coordination M: Bot reports objective progress to Roles Peers oversee objective participation
Objectives \u2192 Tasks A: Worker taking initiative to complete D: Assistant ensuring quality/learning M: Bot reports task status to Objectives Squads oversee task execution
Let's follow a decision from inception to execution: Day 1 - Citizen Initiative: In the General Forum, citizens (A) propose adding mesh networking to ONLIFE. Leadership team (D) facilitates discussion. Bot (M) publishes proposal to 0_timeline. Day 3 - Vote Passes: Colleagues in Workplace (A) volunteer to implement. Leadership team (D) ensures it fits OSBP. Bot (M) reports commitment to General Forum. Day 5 - Team Forms: Dev team members (A) organize around mesh networking. Team captain (D) allocates budget and strategy. Bot (M) reports team formation to Workplace. Day 7 - Roles Activate: Backend peers (A) define mesh protocol skills needed. Team captain (D) ensures roles are properly staffed. Bot (M) reports skill gaps to Teams. Day 10 - Objective Launches: Squad members (A) begin \"Build Mesh Prototype\" objective. Mission leader (D) coordinates resources. Bot (M) reports progress to Roles. Day 12 - Tasks Execute: Senior dev (A) codes mesh discovery feature. Junior dev (D) assists and learns. Bot (M) logs 4 hours work, reports completion to Objective. Result: Complete transparency from public proposal to code commit. Every stakeholder can trace the path.
Why This Matters
Traditional organizations hide their operations behind closed doors. Our meta-transparency means: - Public can see how decisions become reality - Citizens can track their proposals through execution - Workers understand why they're building what they're building - No black boxes, no hidden agendas - Trust through transparency at every level
Information Overload?
With transparency at every level, we risk drowning in data. That's why the bot middleware is crucial\u2014it filters and summarizes, ensuring each level gets the right amount of detail. Citizens don't see every git commit; task workers don't get flooded with governance debates.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-official-smartup-business-plan-osbp","title":"The Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP)","text":"
What is this?
The OSBP is the living, breathing constitution of a Smartup\u2014where an entrepreneur's vision transforms into collective property through democratic participation and continuous evolution.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#from-my-idea-to-our-mission","title":"From \"My Idea\" to \"Our Mission\"","text":"
Every Smartup begins with an entrepreneur who sees a solution to an SDG challenge. But unlike traditional startups where founders retain control, the OSBP is the mechanism for transferring ownership to the collective.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-three-groundings","title":"The Three Groundings","text":"
Every OSBP must establish legitimacy through three essential groundings:
SDG Grounding --- Which SDGs does this address? Why is this problem critical? How does our solution help? What's the measurable impact? Links to UN frameworks
Scientific Grounding --- Evidence the solution works Research backing approach Technical feasibility studies Peer-reviewed references Testable hypotheses
Democratic Grounding --- The validation test: Current owners: X joined Target owners: Y needed Funding: \u20acX of \u20acY goal Teams forming: X of Y needed \"Do enough people want this?\"
Why Three Groundings?
SDG: Ensures we're solving real planetary problems Scientific: Proves our solution can actually work Democratic: Tests if enough people care to make it happen Together, they prevent building solutions nobody needs.
The democratic grounding is the entrepreneur's ultimate reality check:
From 'I Think' to 'We Know'
\"I think this is a good idea and I've done my homework. Now let's find out if enough other people agree and want this as badly as I do. Not through surveys or likes, but through real commitment\u2014joining as owners, contributing funds, volunteering skills. If we can't rally enough people in validation, we shouldn't build it.\"
This democratic grounding happens through: - Crowdfunding success: People vote with their wallets - Team formation: Skilled people volunteer their time - Owner recruitment: Citizens join the mission - Financial thresholds: Real money proves real demand - Active participation: Not just watchers but builders
By the end of validation, we don't guess there's demand\u2014we've proven it through collective action.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#osbp-structure-for-validation-phase","title":"OSBP Structure for Validation Phase","text":"
The OSBP sections map directly to team responsibilities:
Section Responsible Team Core Questions 1. Executive Summary Leadership Team Why does the world need this? What's our vision? 2. Design Blueprint Design Team How will it work from user perspective? 3. Development Blueprint Development Team How do we build it? What's been built? 4. Business & Marketing Business Team How does it sustain itself? Validation budget? 5. Media & Message Media Team How do we communicate? What's our voice? 6. R&D Roadmap Science Team What research questions must we answer? 7. Definition of Ready Operational Team When are we ready for Design Phase?"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#the-living-document-process","title":"The Living Document Process","text":"
How OSBP Updates Work
Day 1: Design team improves user flow section Day 2: Team captain submits changes to Workplace Day 2-5: Lazy consensus period (72 hours) - No objections from 3+ colleagues = proceed - Objections = discussion and resolution Day 5-7: General Forum notification (48 hours) - Final chance for any owner to raise concerns Day 7: Auto-published to live OSBP on 0_timeline
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#version-evolution","title":"Version Evolution","text":"Version Phase Status Meaning v0.1 Pre-validation Entrepreneur's proposal Individual vision seeking collective v0.2-0.9 Validation Team assessments added Collective shaping and ownership v1.0 Design entry Validated plan Community approved, ready to design v2.0 Production entry Designed solution Blueprints complete, ready to build v3.0 Organization entry Built product MVP done, ready to organize v4.0 Market entry Launch ready Complete plan for sustainable operation"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#from-assessment-to-leadership","title":"From Assessment to Leadership","text":"
The OSBP naturally identifies leaders through work:
Teams collaborate on their OSBP section
Quality contributors emerge through the writing
Natural coordination becomes visible
Team elects captain based on demonstrated ability
Captains form Leadership Team
Not a Static Document
Traditional business plans are fiction about the future. The OSBP is living documentation of our evolving reality. Every pivot, every learning, every decision gets captured in real-time.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/social-subsystem/#access-and-transparency","title":"Access and Transparency","text":"
Where it lives: Version controlled in Forgejo, rendered on 0_timeline Who can read: Everyone (public) Who can propose changes: Team members for their sections Who approves: Lazy consensus through Workplace + Forum Update frequency: Continuous as we learn
The Document That Binds Us
\"The OSBP isn't what we pitch to investors\u2014we don't have any. It's what we promise each other and the world. It's our collective memory, our shared vision, and our operational reality all in one living document.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/","title":"A new technical subsyem","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#smartup-business-building-a-247-sdg-enterprise","title":"Smartup Business: Building a 24/7 SDG Enterprise","text":"
What is this?
A Smartup isn't a charity or volunteer project\u2014it's a professional business operation that measures success in SDG progress rather than profit margins. Here we document our economic model: how money flows, how work gets valued, and how ownership creates both efficiency and equity.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-business-reality","title":"The Business Reality","text":"
When we look at traditional approaches to SDG challenges, we see a pattern that keeps failing us. NGOs burn out on donation fatigue, never achieving the scale needed for real impact. Social enterprises start with good intentions but get pulled toward profit over purpose when investors come knocking. Volunteer projects, despite passionate contributors, can't maintain the professional quality that complex global challenges demand.
We need something different\u2014a model that combines business discipline with public good DNA.
What Makes a Smartup Different
We are a business that: - Attracts top talent with fair pay (not volunteerism) - Maintains professional standards (not hobby quality) - Operates 24/7 globally (not weekend projects) - Measures success in SDG progress (not stock prices) - Shares ownership equally among builders (not founders/VCs)
This isn't ideological\u2014it's practical. To solve civilization-scale problems, we need civilization-scale operations. That means professional quality, sustainable economics, and aligned incentives from day one.
Not Anti-Business, New Business
We're not rejecting capitalism or profit. We're demonstrating that business discipline can serve collective goals when ownership, incentives, and success metrics align with social good. Profit becomes fuel for mission, not the mission itself.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#revenue-model-the-four-license-system","title":"Revenue Model: The Four License System","text":"
What is this?
Every Smartup needs capital to operate. Instead of selling equity to VCs, we sell membership to our community. But unlike traditional equity, every license\u2014whether \u20ac200 or \u20ac5000\u2014carries exactly one vote and one equal share of future success.
Simplified grant admin Rights: Strategic partnership
Organizational License in Action
University Computer Science Department buys organizational license: - Students work on ONLIFE for real-world experience - University gets one vote in governance - Professor acts as designated representative - Students gain skills building emergency communication systems - University supports SDG progress while training talent Result: Win-win-win for education, SDGs, and Smartup
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#price-progression-through-phases","title":"Price Progression Through Phases","text":"
graph LR\n V[Validation<br/>Low prices<br/>High risk] --> D[Design<br/>2x prices<br/>Proven concept]\n D --> P[Production<br/>4x prices<br/>Working prototype]\n P --> O[Organization<br/>8x prices<br/>Market ready]
Why Prices Increase
Early supporters: Take more risk \u2192 Pay less Later joiners: Get more certainty \u2192 Pay more Free tier: Always available \u2192 Never excludes Transparency: Price increases announced in advance Leadership decides: Each Smartup sets based on needs
Equal Ownership Principle
\"Whether you buy a \u20ac200 work license or a \u20ac5000 organizational license, you get exactly one vote and one equal share. This isn't about how much money you have\u2014it's about joining the mission.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#labor-economics-how-work-gets-valued","title":"Labor Economics: How Work Gets Valued","text":"
What is this?
The heart of our business model: fair pay for good work. In early phases without cash, we use Smartup Credits (SC)\u2014a transparent, task-based currency that converts to euros when treasury allows.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-sc-system-work-value","title":"The SC System: Work = Value","text":"
At the core of our economy lies a simple principle: you earn by doing, not by being.
Core SC Principles --- 1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury Earning: Only through completed tasks Transparency: Public ledger.log file No inflation: 3x treasury cap Fair redemption: FIFO when cash arrives
The 90/10 Split --- Attacker (Senior): 90% of task bounty Defender (Junior): 10% of task bounty Why it works:
Seniors incentivized to mentor
Juniors paid to learn
Quality assurance built-in
SC in Practice
Task: \"Implement mesh networking protocol\" Bounty: 2000 SC (pre-assigned, visible to all) Senior Dev (Attacker): Claims task, implements solution \u2192 1800 SC Junior Dev (Defender): Reviews, learns, documents \u2192 200 SC Result: Feature built, knowledge transferred, both paid fairly
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#how-sc-flows-through-the-system","title":"How SC Flows Through the System","text":"
flowchart TD\n T[Task Created<br/>2000 SC bounty] \n W[Worker Claims<br/>Becomes Attacker]\n A[Assistant Joins<br/>Becomes Defender]\n C[Work Completed<br/>Captain Approves]\n L[Ledger Updated<br/>SC Minted]\n H{Hold or Cash?}\n\n T --> W\n W --> A\n A --> C\n C --> L\n L --> H\n\n H -->|Hold SC| F[Future Value<br/>As Treasury Grows]\n H -->|Cash Out| R[Redemption Window<br/>FIFO Order]
Outstanding SC can never exceed 3x cash treasury Treasury: \u20ac10,000 \u2192 Max SC: 30,000 This prevents runaway inflation and maintains SC value
Redemption Windows work like this: 1. Funding arrives (crowdfunding/grants) 2. Ops team calculates available redemption 3. FIFO order - earliest contributors cash out first 4. Ledger burns - SC removed, EUR transferred 5. Public record - everyone sees the process
The Hold Incentive
Month 1: Treasury \u20ac10k, Outstanding SC 50k = 20% redemption value Month 12: Treasury \u20ac200k, Outstanding SC 150k = 100%+ redemption value Early contributors who believe in collective success benefit most. But no one is forced to hold\u2014cash out anytime redemption windows open.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#why-this-works","title":"Why This Works","text":"
Fair Exchange --- No working for \"exposure\" No equity promises Clear value for clear work Transparent to everyone
Protected Value --- Can't print unlimited SC Can't favor friends Can't hide transactions Can't change history
Aligned Incentives --- Work more = earn more Help others = get 10% Build value = SC appreciates Stay active = stay earning
No Hidden Bonuses
\"The entire ledger lives in public view. Every SC minted, every redemption, every team budget\u2014transparent to all owners. When the CEO of a traditional company gets a \u20ac10M bonus while laying off workers, that's the system we're replacing.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#social-capital-the-sk-system","title":"Social Capital: The SK System","text":"
What is this?
Money isn't the only currency that matters. Smartup Karma (SK) recognizes contributions that SC can't measure\u2014the teammate who debugs at midnight, the member who mediates conflicts, the captain who builds team morale.
While SC rewards task completion, SK captures the intangible value that makes communities thrive.
How SK is Earned --- Quality defender feedback: +5-10 SK Successful proposals: +20 SK Mentoring juniors: +5 SK/week Team captain service: +10 SK/month Mission completion: +15 SK Conflict resolution: +10 SK
What SK Unlocks --- 50 SK: Propose in General Forum 100 SK: Apply for Team Captain 200 SK: Lead Missions 500 SK: Join Leadership Team Vote weight: Max 1.5x at 500+ SK
SK Decay Mechanism --- 10% monthly decay
Prevents founder privilege
Rewards active contribution
Makes room for new leaders
Keeps influence current Stay active or fade away
SK Cannot Be Gamed
Can't buy it: No amount of money gets you SK Can't transfer it: Your reputation is yours alone Can't hoard it: Use it or lose it to decay Can't fake it: Earned through peer recognition
graph TD\n HSL[High SC, Low SK<br/>Great Individual Worker<br/>Limited Influence<br/>Needs more community engagement]\n\n LSH[Low SC, High SK<br/>Community Pillar<br/>Trusted Voice<br/>Consider taking more tasks]\n\n HSH[High SC, High SK<br/>Natural Leader<br/>Productive + Connected<br/>Ready for Leadership Team]\n\n LSL[Low SC, Low SK<br/>New Member<br/>Learning Phase<br/>Pick a path to contribute]\n\n HSL --> HSH\n LSH --> HSH\n LSL --> HSL\n LSL --> LSH
SK in Action
Maria spends her evening: - Helps debug junior's code (not her task) \u2192 +5 SK - Mediates team conflict in public channel \u2192 +10 SK - Provides excellent defender feedback \u2192 +8 SK - Monthly captain duties \u2192 +10 SK Total: +33 SK for community building (0 SC earned) Her high SK opens leadership opportunities and increases her voting weight, recognizing that building community is as valuable as building code.
Traditional organizations: - Only pay for direct output - Community building goes unrewarded - Soft skills undervalued - Politics determine influence Smartup approach: - SC rewards direct work - SK rewards community value - Both needed for full participation - Merit determines influence
Beyond Individual Gain
\"In Silicon Valley, they optimize for 'unicorns'\u2014billion-dollar individuals. We optimize for collective intelligence. SK ensures those who make everyone better get recognized, not just those who code fastest.\"
How money flows in, how it's allocated, and why our operational model creates competitive advantages over traditional tech companies\u2014all while staying true to SDG missions.
Crowdfunding Rounds --- Each phase opens new funding Community-driven campaigns Transparent goals and usage Creates urgency through phases Builds momentum naturally
Organizational Licenses --- \u20ac5000+ institutional support Universities, NGOs, ethical business Simplified grant administration Strategic partnerships Stable funding base
Research Grants --- SDG-aligned funding No strings attached Project-based support Public good emphasis Mission preservation
What We Don't Take
No venture capital - Avoids exit pressure No corporate investment - Prevents mission drift No hidden funding - Everything transparent This isn't ideological purity\u2014it's practical. The moment we take traditional investment, incentives distort toward profit extraction rather than SDG impact.
flowchart LR\n TC[Team Captains<br/>Prepare Requests] --> LT[Leadership Team<br/>Monthly Meeting]\n LT --> P[Public Proposal<br/>With Rationale]\n P --> GF[General Forum<br/>Reviews & Votes]\n GF --> A[Approved Budget<br/>Allocated to Teams]\n A --> E[Execution<br/>Public Spending]\n E --> R[Report Back<br/>To General Forum]\n
Monthly Budget Meeting
Dev Team Captain: \"We need 5000 SC for mesh protocol development\" Design Team Captain: \"We need 3000 SC for UI/UX research\" Business Team Captain: \"We need 2000 SC for market analysis\" Leadership Team compiles requests, checks against treasury General Forum sees all requests, debates priorities Vote determines final allocation Result: Everyone knows why money goes where
\ud83c\udf0d Global 24/7 Operations Berlin developer \u2192 Bangkok designer \u2192 S\u00e3o Paulo tester The work never stops, following the sun \ud83d\udcb0 Zero Office Overhead No Silicon Valley rents or corporate campuses Every euro goes to actual work \ud83c\udfaf Intrinsic Motivation People choose us for mission, not just money Passion translates to quality \ud83d\udcda Learning-While-Earning Every senior task trains a junior Building tomorrow's experts today \ud83d\udd0d Radical Transparency No office politics or hidden agendas Energy goes to building, not navigating
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#phase-based-funding-reality","title":"Phase-Based Funding Reality","text":"Phase Typical Need Purpose Success Metrics Validation \u20ac50k Prove concept viable Community size, initial prototype Design \u20ac200k Create architecture Complete blueprints, team formation Production \u20ac500k Build the product Working MVP, user testing Organization \u20ac1M Market preparation Launch-ready product, exec team
Flexible by Design
These aren't fixed\u2014each Smartup's Leadership Team proposes budgets based on real needs. Building emergency communication needs different resources than water purification. The General Forum approves based on transparent justification.
Every owner can see in real-time: - Total funds in Open Collective - Outstanding SC liabilities - Team budget allocations - Individual task payments - Redemption window status
Trust Through Transparency
\"In traditional startups, employees discover the burn rate when layoffs hit. In a Smartup, every citizen watches the treasury like it's their own bank account\u2014because it is.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#from-smartup-to-market-the-ownership-model","title":"From Smartup to Market: The Ownership Model","text":"
What is this?
When a Smartup completes its four phases and launches a market entity, the Book of Owners becomes a shareholder registry. Every license holder gets an equal share\u2014a bonus for taking the journey together.
During Smartup Phase --- Book of Owners tracks licenses One license = One vote Focus on building together Earn SC through work Create collective value
At Market Launch --- Book \u2192 Shareholder registry 1000 owners = 1/1000 share each Equal shares regardless of:
When you joined
License type purchased
SC earned
After Market Entry --- Business generates revenue Profits distributed equally Shares are nice bonus Not why you joined Reward for collective risk
Shares Are Not The Point
We're clear about this: Join a Smartup to use your talent for SDG progress and earn fair pay through SC. The equal share is a bonus if we succeed together. If shares are your main motivation, this isn't for you. The goal: Make people want to work to earn money, not put in money to earn money.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#natural-team-efficiency","title":"Natural Team Efficiency","text":"
The equal share model creates interesting dynamics:
graph LR\n A[Need More Help?] --> B[Accept More Owners]\n B --> C[Smaller Individual Shares]\n\n D[Want Bigger Shares?] --> E[Keep Team Focused]\n E --> F[Work More Efficiently]\n\n G[Sweet Spot] --> H[Right-Sized Team]\n H --> I[Quality Over Quantity]\n\n style G fill:#8bc34a\n style I fill:#8bc34a
This tension naturally prevents bloat. Teams find their optimal size\u2014enough people to succeed, not so many that shares become meaningless.
After market launch, the Smartup community doesn't disappear\u2014it becomes a living resource for the business entity.
For the Business (e.g., ONLIFE Inc.): - Talent Pipeline: Hire from people who built the product - Beta Testing: Community knows the vision intimately - Expert Network: Original builders retain deep knowledge - Brand Advocates: Shareholders naturally promote success
For Community Members: - First hiring priority: Job opportunities at the company - Paid consulting: Testing and advisory contracts - Continued involvement: Stay connected to \"your baby\" - Shareholder returns: If profitable, receive dividends
Living Ecosystem in Practice
ONLIFE launches successfully - Needs iOS developer \u2192 Hires from Smartup community first - Testing new mesh protocol \u2192 Pays community members as testers - Strategic decision needed \u2192 Consults original architects - Growing to new markets \u2192 Community provides local insights The Smartup community remains a competitive advantage, not abandoned infrastructure.
Scenario Owners Annual Profit Per Person Conservative 500 \u20ac500k \u20ac1,000/year Moderate 500 \u20ac2M \u20ac4,000/year Success 500 \u20ac5M \u20ac10,000/year
It's About Impact, Not Riches
These aren't life-changing amounts for individuals. But imagine: - Contributing to multiple Smartups over time - Building a portfolio of mission-driven work - Earning fair SC wages during development - Creating lasting SDG impact The shares are acknowledgment of shared risk, not a get-rich scheme.
Collective Success
\"We work 24/7 because the SDGs can't wait. We pay fairly because talent deserves reward. We share ownership because collective problems require collective solutions. But the real return on investment? It's measured in lives improved, not just euros earned.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-technical-stack-tools-for-collective-intelligence","title":"The Technical Stack: Tools for Collective Intelligence","text":"
What is this?
A Smartup's technical infrastructure embodies our values: decentralized, open source, sovereignty-preserving. We chose European-based tools that give us independence from Silicon Valley's surveillance capitalism while enabling true collective work.
When we observe the current technical landscape, we see tools designed to extract value, not create it collectively. Silicon Valley platforms lock in users, harvest data, and change terms at will. We need infrastructure that serves our mission, not shareholders.
The Sovereignty Imperative
Given emerging geopolitical realities, we can't build critical infrastructure on platforms that could be weaponized or withdrawn. European-based, open-source tools give us the autonomy we need.
Open Source Everything --- No vendor lock-in Community maintained Fully auditable Fork if needed True ownership
European Sovereignty --- GDPR compliance built-in No NSA backdoors Democratic values Stable governance Long-term thinking
Integrated Ecosystem --- Tools talk to each other Single identity system Bots handle integration Humans stay focused Collective intelligence
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#the-core-stack","title":"The Core Stack","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#elementmatrix-communication-command-centre","title":"Element/Matrix - Communication & Command Centre","text":"
What it is: Decentralized, encrypted, real-time communication Why it matters: Non-coders never need to leave Element\u2014everything happens here How we use it: All 6 groups live here, bots bring external data inline
The Digital Workspace
Unlike Slack (US-controlled, data-mining) or Discord (gamer-focused), Matrix gives us: - Full data sovereignty - Federation capability - End-to-end encryption - Self-hosted control - Bot-friendly architecture
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#forgejo-the-mint-development-hub","title":"Forgejo - The Mint & Development Hub","text":"
What it is: Community-driven Git forge (ethical fork of Gitea) Why it matters: Source of truth for code, docs, and the SC ledger How we use it: Issues become tasks, repos hold everything, CI/CD automates
Forgejo in Action
Code repos: Every line transparent
Issue tracking: Tasks with SC bounties
Kanban boards: Visual workflow
The Ledger: ledger.log tracks all SC
CI/CD: Automated testing and deployment
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#engelbot-the-ultimate-midfielder","title":"Engelbot - The Ultimate Midfielder","text":"
What it is: Our custom bot honoring Douglas Engelbart Why it matters: Automates the ADM triangle's midfielder role How we use it: Bridges tools, documents decisions, enables workflows
graph LR\n M[Matrix/Element] <--> E[Engelbot]\n F[Forgejo] <--> E\n O[Open Collective] <--> E\n L[Ledger] <--> E\n\n E --> A[Automates Admin]\n E --> D[Documents Everything]\n E --> C[Coordinates Groups]\n
Why 'Engelbot'?
\"The real power of technology comes from augmenting human intelligence, not replacing it. Engelbot handles the boring stuff so humans can focus on what matters.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#infrastructure-layers","title":"Infrastructure Layers","text":""},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#layer-1-source-of-truth","title":"Layer 1: Source of Truth","text":"
Backup Strategy --- Nightly to Swiss storage Encrypted at rest Geographic distribution Tested restore process
Access Control --- Matrix identity = single source Role-based permissions No shared passwords Full audit trails
:material-monitor-heart:{ .lg .middle } Monitoring --- Health checks built-in Loki/Grafana planned Proactive alerts Public status page
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#why-this-stack-works-for-smartups","title":"Why This Stack Works for Smartups","text":"
Aligned with Our Values
Collective Ownership: Every tool is open source, forkable Collective Craftsmanship: Integrated workflows, no silos Collective Governance: Everything auditable, transparent Military Execution: Automated pipelines, clear processes
The tools don't just support our work\u2014they embody our principles. When a new contributor joins, they enter an ecosystem designed for collaboration, not extraction.
Still Evolving
We're starting with proven tools and will migrate to full EU sovereignty as we grow. Every technical decision is documented, debated in public, and aligned with our mission.
The Smartup Administration Index is our unified, semantic numbering convention. It assigns every governance channel, team, role, objective, and task a clear, machine-readable identifier\u2014ensuring transparency, accountability, and automation across Forgejo, Element, and Engelbot.
Purpose
\ud83c\udfaf Clarity: Instantly locate any process or discussion
\ud83e\udd16 Automation-Ready: Bots can parse, filter, and trigger workflows
\ud83d\udd04 Consistency: Uniform identifiers in Matrix/Element, Forgejo, and docs
\ud83e\uddfe Auditability: Every event logged with a traceable ID
"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#numbering-layers-16","title":"\ud83d\udd22 Numbering Layers (1\u20136)","text":"Prefix Layer Description Example Identifier 1_ General Forum Public governance, debate & voting (Element room) 1_general_forum 2_ Workplace Coordination hub for all Workers & PLT (Element room) 2_workplace 3_ Teams Skill-based groups (each team gets an index) 3_4 (Team #4) 4_ Roles Contributor roles within a team 4_1_4 (Role #1 in Team 4) 5_ Objectives Project boards / OKRs (main & sub-objectives) 5_2 (Obj #2) / 5_3_4 (Sub-Obj 3 of Obj 4) 6_ Tasks Individual work units 6_2_3_4 (Task #2 of Sub-Obj 3 of Obj 4)"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#examples-in-practice","title":"Examples in Practice","text":"Concept Identifier Human-Readable Name Notes Forum 1_general_forum #1_general_forum (Element) All-owner discussions & votes Workplace 2_workplace #2_workplace (Element) Cross-team coordination & PLT planning Team 3_4 #3_4_business (Element/Git) Business Team Role 4_1_44_1_4_marketing_lead Marketing Lead role in Business Team Objective 5_25_2_onlife-mvp ONLIFE MVP Phase Sub-Obj 5_3_45_3_4_ui-refinement 3rd sub-objective under Obj 4 Task 6_2_3_46_2_3_4_design-login-screen 2nd task under Sub-Obj 3 of Obj 4"},{"location":"0_timeline/technical-subsystem/#why-this-works_1","title":"\u2705 Why This Works","text":"Benefit Explanation \ud83e\udded Clarity Semantic IDs show layer, parent context, and sequence at a glance \ud83d\udd04 Consistency One simple rule everywhere\u2014no special cases \ud83e\udd16 Automation-Ready Engelbot/CI parse prefixes to route notifications, trigger bots, filter logs \ud83e\uddfe Auditability Every issue, vote, and task references a stable ID for full traceability
Use these identifiers:
In Element room names (#3_4, #2_workplace, etc.)
As Forgejo issue/project prefixes (6_2_3_4_task-title)
In docs and bots for filtering and linking
With a single, right-to-left numbering scheme, our Smartup remains organized, transparent, and ready for scale.
Continue to Live Experiment Status
"},{"location":"0_timeline/terminology/","title":"terminlogy being used:","text":"
0_timeline The public-facing, static website and primary transparency layer for the Smartup Zero experiment. Automatically updates from the project\u2019s code and content repository to show the latest progress, business plan, team structure, open roles, and project documentation.
1_general_forum The \u201cGeneral Forum\u201d\u2014the digital public square for all Smartup owners (workers and watchers). This is where deliberation, voting, oversight, and key discussions occur. It\u2019s the central arena for governance, transparency, and measuring the organization\u2019s overall health.
2_workplace The central, private hub for all active \u201cworkers\u201d within the Smartup. This is where work happens, teams assemble, and objectives are executed. Only those with a Work License may participate; the Workplace is the engine room of creation and productivity.
3_teams Skill-based groups within the Workplace, such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Teams focus on implementing specific aspects of the project. Each team is led by a Team Captain and organizes its own Roles and Objectives.
4_roles Function-specific assignments within a Team (e.g., UX Designer, Backend Developer, Copywriter). Each Role has requirements, compensation logic, and defines what kind of tasks the member can claim or be assigned.
5_objectives Distinct missions, project deliverables, or \u201csprints\u201d that drive the Smartup forward. Each Objective is attached to a Team, can contain multiple Tasks, and is led by a Mission Leader responsible for coordination and quality.
6_tasks The atomic units of work in Smartup Zero. Tasks are clearly defined, trackable, and billable work items that contribute directly to achieving Objectives. Each Task has an assigned Worker (attacker), an Assistant (defender), and is supported by bots or automation (midfielder).
(The rest below is alphabetical, for completeness and consistency in all documentation):
ADM Triangle Attacker\u2013Defender\u2013Midfielder: The operational triad present in every group within the Smartup. The attacker initiates work or proposals, the defender reviews and provides oversight, and the midfielder (often a bot or automation) facilitates transparency and communication between roles.
Advisory Vote / Binding Vote Advisory votes are used for team-level or ambiguous decisions; binding votes are required for major milestones, phase transitions, or conflict resolution. Binding votes require a majority in the General Forum.
Book of Owners The transparent registry listing all official Smartup owners and their rights and privileges.
Business Team The group responsible for developing a solid business proposition, marketing strategies, financial planning, and ensuring the product or service is ready for market. In charge of the business and financial side of the Smartup, and of updating the Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP).
Collective Craftsmanship A core Smartup value. Emphasizes that meaningful work and reward are distributed among all members based on contribution and merit, not hierarchy or tenure.
Collective Governance Democratic and transparent oversight of all Smartup operations, with formal processes for deliberation, voting, dispute resolution, and adaptation.
Collective IQ The enhanced problem-solving capability created when a group collaborates with transparency and shared purpose.
Collective Ownership Equal and inclusive ownership of the Smartup organization. Ownership is based on participation and willingness to contribute, not financial investment or seniority.
Crowdfunding Phases Funding rounds aligned with each major phase of Smartup creation. Each phase cannot progress to the next without meeting its designated funding target.
Design Team The group handling all design-related activities such as user experience (UX), interface, branding, wireframing, and prototyping. Responsible for the Design Blueprint and close cooperation with the Development Team and Science Team.
Development Team The technical heart of the Smartup. Builds and tests the core product or service, covering frontend, backend, security, architecture, and QA. Coordinates with Design, Science, and Operational Teams, and manages code versioning and repositories.
Isolated Human Doctrine A term describing the prevailing system in which technology platforms reinforce individualism and passive consumption, undermining collective action and responsibility.
Karma Points / Smartup Credits (SC) Karma Points are awarded for positive and constructive participation, teamwork, or peer review; these may be convertible to payouts. Smartup Credits (SC) are a tokenized internal currency (1 SC = 1 EUR claim on treasury funds), earned through completing tasks.
Leadership Team The decision-making and strategic core of a Smartup during creation phases, composed of all team captains and the initiating entrepreneur. This team orchestrates budgets, objectives, and major decisions while being accountable to the full community.
Media Team Ensures communication flows both inside the Smartup (internal reporting, progress updates) and outside (public relations, social media, storytelling). Produces engaging content to keep the community and backers informed.
Mission Leader A senior member appointed to maintain progress and oversight within a specific objective, assign tasks, and ensure quality of work.
Objectives Defined missions, focus areas, or sprints within the Teams structure; objectives break the organizational vision into actionable missions.
Observation The analytical foundation for Smartup Zero: the world is off track for the SDGs because collective action and problem-solving are obstructed by broken digital and organizational systems.
Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) A \u201cliving document\u201d that records strategy, key decisions, research, assessments, and design throughout all phases; accessible to all owners.
ONLIFE The first pilot project of Smartup Zero: a decentralized, emergency citizen mesh network prototype.
Operational Team Focuses on monitoring and improving processes between teams. Handles incident management, compliance, documentation, learning, and overall coordination, especially crucial for the first Smartup where learning is key.
Organization (Phase Four) The final phase of Smartup creation, in which the executive/operational structure is finalized, the business proposition is solidified, and the product or service is prepared for market launch.
Phases of Creation The four required stages for building a Smartup and its product or service: 1. Validation \u2013 Organize support, prove viability, reach the first funding target, and form coherent teams. 2. Design \u2013 Co-create blueprints and user experiences with scientific peer review and collective input. 3. Production \u2013 Build MVP/product, run beta tests, and refine based on review and feedback. 4. Organization \u2013 Establish operational structure, complete the final business plan, and prepare for launch.
Production (Phase Three) The phase in which the product or service is built, tested, and improved based on feedback and scientific review.
Roles Specific functional positions (e.g., Frontend Developer, UX Designer, Copywriter) within Teams; define both skill requirements and compensation rates.
Science Team Group responsible for independent scientific oversight and review, ensuring that all processes and outcomes align with sustainability best practices, evidence, and scalability. Holds power to request additional research or halt advancement if standards are not met.
Sociotechnical System (STS) An integrated approach to organizational design that balances social (human) and technical (infrastructural) factors for optimal collective performance and quality of life.
Smartup A new organizational model (the subject of Smartup Zero) designed to maximize democratic, scientific, and community-driven collaboration in creating technology for social and planetary benefit.
Smartup Constitution A codified document of learnings, rules, and governance logic, iteratively developed from the Smartup Zero experiment, designed to be adapted by future Smartups.
Smartup Credits (SC) Internal, auditable digital tokens or ledger entries, representing claimable value for contributors (1 SC = 1 EUR when funds are available in the treasury).
Smartup Metabolism Metaphor for the system of processes\u2014decision-making, feedback, payout, onboarding, and documentation\u2014that enable the Smartup to adapt, sustain itself, and grow.
Smartup Organism Metaphorical framing for the entire Smartup structure as a multi-layer, living system whose \u201corgans\u201d work together toward collective vitality and resilience.
Task The atomic unit of productive work. Clearly defined, assigned, and logged; completion triggers SC payouts and structured peer/advisor review.
Team A focused group of workers with a shared skillset, responsible for a domain such as Development, Design, Media, Business, Operations, or Science. Each team is led by a Team Captain and contains multiple Roles and Objectives.
Team Captain Elected leader within a given Team; manages roles, budgets, tasks, performance, and represents the team in the Leadership Team.
Validation (Phase One) The initial phase of building a Smartup: validating the concept, building community, securing funding, and operationalizing the vision.
Watch License / Work License A Watch License grants governance and observation rights within the Smartup, but not paid assignments. A Work License grants the full right to work, vote, and earn Smartup Credits.
Workplace The centralized collaborative production environment for all workers, where concurrent teamwork and objectives are managed.
A concise map of our experiment design: how we put the Smartup Hypothesis into practice by redesigning the Social, Technical, and External subsystems. Follow the links to dive deeper.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-experiment/#from-hypothesis-to-experiment","title":"From Hypothesis to Experiment","text":"
Building on our core hypothesis, Smartup Zero tests three system tweaks:
Social Subsystem From fragmented \u201cusers\u201d to democratic citizens\u2014transparent governance, peer workflows, and collective ownership.
Technical Subsystem From isolated tools to group-first design\u2014dual-currency economy, license model, sovereign open-source stack, and automated administration.
External Subsystem From national silos to planetary organizations\u2014borderless operations, equal pay, and a roadmap to global recognition.
Don't Be Overwhelmed
A Smartup is a new species of organization with many novel tools, processes, and workflows. You won\u2019t master it all at once\u2014learn by doing in the live experiment!
We frame each subsystem by its defining elements. Click through to explore details and examples.
Social Subsystem Technical Subsystem External Subsystem
Architecture - Rocket model: foundation (Science, Democracy, Collective IQ) + 3 pillars + military execution. - Four Phases (0\u2192Validation\u2192Design\u2192Production\u2192Organization). - Six Groups of Productivity (Forum, Workplace, Teams, Roles, Objectives, Tasks). - ADM Triangle + Buddy System for quality, learning, and accountability. - Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) as living constitution. - :material-coin: Smartup Credits (SC) for transparent contribution tracking.
Economy & Access - Dual-Currency Model (SC + Social Karma). - Four License System (Campaign \u2192 Watch \u2192 Work \u2192 Organizational).
Infrastructure & Automation - EU-sovereign, open-source stack (Matrix/Element, Forgejo, Open Collective). - Smartup Administration Index (semantic numbering & workflows). - Engelbot & CI for automated task routing, voting, and SC minting.
Planetary Scope - Digital-first, no HQ, operates under Internet jurisdiction. - Borderless participation & equal pay worldwide. - Defocused from politics; focused on SDGs & scientific reality. - Roadmap to UN/global recognition as a new org \u201cspecies.\u201d
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-experiment/#explore-the-experiment","title":"Explore the Experiment","text":"
Social Subsystem See Social Details
Technical Subsystem See Technical Details
External Subsystem See External Details
A high end overview of the lifecylce of a Smartup:
This page documents, through a sociotechnical lens, what the 2025 UN SDG Progress Report demonstrates about the state of global development systems. We observe\u2014not prescribe\u2014where and how deep misalignments persist between people, technology, and larger structures.
I just want the abstract
This Observation page documents a rigorous, up-to-date account of global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of sociotechnical systems theory. Drawing directly from the 2025 United Nations SDG Progress Report, we assemble evidence that confirms a troubling reality: while knowledge, innovation, and digital infrastructure have all advanced, structural misalignments persist between our social behaviors, technical systems, and external incentives. These misalignments\u2014identified as social, technical, and external subsystems\u2014are at the heart of why collective action on urgent global challenges continues to fall short. Here, we reference authoritative data and expert analysis, not to propose solutions, but to precisely clarify where the current system fails and why a new approach is urgently required. This scientific baseline serves as the foundation for the hypotheses and experiments developed on subsequent pages.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#sdg-progress-the-world-at-an-inflection-point","title":"SDG Progress \u2013 The World at an Inflection Point","text":"
United Nations SDG Report 2025
\u201cThe world remains far off track from achieving the 2030 Agenda. Of the 169 SDG targets, only 35% show adequate progress\u201418% are on track, 17% making moderate progress. In contrast, 48% show insufficient progress, and 18% of targets have regressed below 2015 baseline levels.\u201d
Global SDG Performance (2015\u20132025)
% of Targets On Track 18% Moderate 17% Marginal 31% Stagnating 17% Regressing 18%
\u201cSociotechnical theory is about joint optimization: designing systems where technical performance and human wellbeing are advanced together. It focuses on how social behaviors interact with technology, shaping both productivity and the quality of our collective work lives.\u201d \u2014 Wikipedia: Sociotechnical Systems
\u201cOriginally, computing focused on hardware, then software, then human-computer interaction, and now\u2014at the level of sociotechnical systems\u2014it considers how whole communities work through technology.\u201d \u2014 The Interaction Design Foundation, STS
\u201cA community works through people using technology.\u201d
In this spirit, our observations are grounded in the science of sociotechnical systems:
We ask: Where do our social, technical, and external systems align or misalign with collective wellbeing and progress? We observe: Not just individuals with tools, but communities and societies\u2014working, failing, or succeeding together, by and through their technologies.
graph TD\n SS[**Social Subsystem**<br/><sub>Attributes of people -skills, attitudes, values-, relationships, reward systems, authority</sub>]\n TS[**Technical Subsystem**<br/><sub>Processes, tasks, technology for transforming inputs to outputs</sub>]\n ES[**External Subsystem**<br/><sub>Outside influences, stakeholders, partnering perspectives</sub>]\n SS -- \"Work System Design\" --- JO[**Joint Optimization**]\n TS -- \"Work System Design\" --- JO\n ES -- \"Pulls/Influences\" --> JO
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#social-subsystem-fault-hamsters-in-the-wheel","title":"Social Subsystem Fault \u2014 Hamsters in the Wheel","text":"
As we become more connected and more informed about the thousands of challenges facing humanity, we can\u2019t help but notice a painful truth: despite our awareness, nothing we do as individuals seems to move the needle. Decades after the Club of Rome\u2019s \u2018Limits to Growth\u2019 warned us about the risks of unchecked development, growing awareness about the links between society and our natural world still hasn\u2019t triggered fundamental shifts in how we organize ourselves.
We measure more, know more, and have greater access to scientific insight than ever before. Yet, remarkably few of us are actually working on real solutions to real problems. Instead, we find ourselves trapped in a paradox: the better we get at calculating and exposing the effects of our culture on nature, the less agency we feel to change the course we\u2019re on.
We\u2019re overwhelmed, not just by the data and complexity, but by a constant barrage of conflicting information, misinformation, and cultural warfare\u2014conditions that make genuine collaboration and action feel impossible. It\u2019s as if the systems around us are designed to keep us running in place, growing tired, but never reaching meaningful progress.
Deep down, we recognize ourselves in this paradox. We are the hamsters, running tirelessly on wheels built by economies and power structures that benefit from our distraction and confusion. This is the central issue we need to name and break: the system that keeps us moving, but rarely moving forward.
UN Confirmation
\u201cPersistent inequalities continue to limit human potential... The broader context is increasingly complex. Climate change continues to accelerate... A $4 trillion annual financing gap constrains development progress.\"
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#what-we-observe","title":"What We Observe:","text":"
Routines and incentive systems keep individuals in cycles that reinforce, not repair, the global crises.
Those most threatened by these risks are generally excluded from shaping system-level responses.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#technical-subsystem-fault-the-isolated-human-doctrine","title":"Technical Subsystem Fault \u2014 The Isolated Human Doctrine","text":"
When we look honestly at the world\u2019s urgent challenges, it\u2019s not just their complexity that weighs on us\u2014it\u2019s the shape our own societies are in to overcome them. We find ourselves divided, distracted, and often addicted to digital habits, while the most powerful organizations on earth benefit from keeping us apart. Increasingly, our technology is designed to isolate us\u2014as users, as consumers, not as collaborators or citizens. This is what we call the isolated human doctrine.
This doctrine does more than make us passive\u2014it also convinces us to wait for someone else to solve the crisis. We\u2019re conditioned to look to governments, powerful leaders, or brands to invent our way out of these problems. But the truth is, they won\u2019t. Deep down, we know we need to step up\u2014not as lone heroes, but as people who are a bit more organized, a bit more connected, and united by purpose.
We\u2019ve been told a better world starts with \u201cfixing yourself.\u201d If we face these challenges alone, everything feels too big to tackle. But if we face them together, maybe\u2014just maybe\u2014they become possible.
UN Confirmation
\u201cProgress has been deeply inadequate. This reflects... a fundamental problem in how we measure, monitor and respond to global development needs... Statistical systems remain chronically underfunded\u2014treated as technical afterthoughts.\u201d
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#what-we-observe_1","title":"What We Observe:","text":"
The explosion of data and connectivity isn\u2019t translating into collective agency or action.
Citizens are \u201cusers\u201d rather than full contributors.
Siloed data, vulnerable infrastructure, and lack of trust persist\u2014especially for the most vital SDGs.
graph LR\n subgraph Technical Subsystem\n D[Digital Growth] --> E(Increased Data)\n E --> F(\"Trust & Feedback Gaps\")\n F -->|Missed SDGs| G[Collective Inaction]\n end
We feel a growing sense of urgency as we watch our grip on the world slip away\u2014just when we need clarity and collective strength the most. The explosion of digital content and internet access was supposed to empower us. It did make knowledge more available than ever. Now, everyone can publish, create, and share at the speed of thought.
But all this information hasn\u2019t brought us together\u2014it\u2019s become a battleground for the agendas of corporations and political powers. Instead of uniting us, today\u2019s internet is often used to distract, confuse, and divide. Powerful interests, not people, steer the flow of content and shape what we believe.
Somehow, we have let this happen: the internet\u2019s promise hijacked by those who profit from division and distraction, instead of fostering the collaboration we urgently need. There\u2019s no single cause, but the result is clear\u2014a system that floods us with information, but makes meaningful, collective change harder than ever.
UN Confirmation
\u201cFunding for global data... remains heavily dependent on a small group of major funders... The fragility of data financing is well-illustrated after abrupt termination of funding... which now threatens the production of critical data needed to monitor progress on multiple SDG indicators.\u201d
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#what-we-observe_2","title":"What We Observe:","text":"
Funding, priorities, and risk tolerance sit outside the collective, subject to abrupt reversals.
Systemic dependence leads to fragility and volatility in critical development data and solutions.
flowchart TD\n SDG[Global SDG Targets\\nfalling short]\n subgraph Social\n A[Hamsters in the Wheel]\n end\n subgraph Technical\n B[Isolated Human Doctrine]\n end\n subgraph External\n C[Distorted Incentives]\n end\n SDG --> A\n SDG --> B\n SDG --> C\n A -- \"Traps talent & solidarity\"\\n(inequality, exclusion) --> A1[Low collective action]\n B -- \"Optimizes for reporting & consumption,\\nnot participatory agency\" --> B1[Fragile and siloed data systems]\n C -- \"Short-term, external \\(and boom-bust\\) priorities\" --> C1[Funding shocks, stalling progress]
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-observation/#convergence-sdg-data-meets-systems-theory","title":"Convergence \u2014 SDG Data Meets Systems Theory","text":"
Shared Analysis
\u201cThe challenges we face are inherently global and interconnected. No country... can address climate change, pandemic preparedness or inequality alone. ...Sustainable development is not a zero-sum game, but a shared endeavour that benefits all.\u201d
\u2014 UN SDG Progress Report 2025, Call for renewed multilateralism
Our Scientific Take: The 2025 SDG Progress Report confirms what systems theorists have observed for years: - Global stalling isn\u2019t due to ignorance or lack of effort, but structural misalignment\u2014across social, technical, and external (funding/governance) systems. - As long as these systems remain fragmented or externally steered, collective progress will remain slow, fragile, and easily reversed.
Continue to the Hypothesis
References: - The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 (PDF, unstats.un.org)
This section sets out our core scientific and practical hypothesis for Smartup Zero. Instead of patching old systems, we propose re-engineering the way technology is built, owned, and governed\u2014creating a new \u201cspecies\u201d of organization that can address the failures confirmed by both the latest SDG report and sociotechnical theory.
I just want to see the abstract
This page sets out the core hypothesis behind Smartup Zero. Building on our observations\u2014and the latest evidence from the UN\u2019s SDG report\u2014we believe the current way technology is created, owned, and governed keeps us from making real progress on urgent global challenges. Our hypothesis: If we redesign digital organizations\u2014so that ownership, contribution, and decision-making are collective, transparent, and grounded in science\u2014then we can finally create the digital toolset and community power needed to reach our shared goals. This page breaks down how we think these system shifts must happen, subsystem by subsystem.
Our world is missing its SDG targets not for lack of effort, ideas, or technical skill\u2014but because the systems we use to build, fund, and govern technology are fundamentally misaligned with collective needs.
Startups, NGOs, and even open source teams generally follow a logic that prioritizes shareholders, siloed expertise, or short-term results. These familiar models cannot fix our biggest problems at their roots.
We need a new kind of digital institution\u2014a true sociotechnical \u201corganism,\u201d designed from the ground up so that collective action is easy, meaningful, and sustainable.
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#1-adjustment-to-the-social-subsystem","title":"1. Adjustment to the Social Subsystem","text":"
Today, ownership and power over technology live with founders and shareholders\u2014not the people who use and build it. Most people are locked out of real decision-making, or can only \u201chelp\u201d on the side.
Our hypothesis: If we move from shareholder-owned technology to people-owned technology, then joining, contributing, earning, and governing become accessible to all. Participating in positive change becomes a \u201cday job,\u201d not an afterthought.
In Practice
In a Smartup, all contributors\u2014no matter their background\u2014can own, shape, and steer the direction of projects together.
The experiment setting: A New Social Subsystem
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#2-adjustment-to-the-technical-subsystem","title":"2. Adjustment to the Technical Subsystem","text":"
The mainstream model of digital design treats people as isolated \u201cusers.\u201d Our tools are engineered for personal consumption or individual productivity\u2014not for communities trying to solve big problems together.
Our hypothesis: If we explicitly design technology for citizen groups\u2014drawing on the lessons of Douglas Engelbart and others\u2014then our collective intelligence and ability to take coordinated action will accelerate. \u201cSmartup tech is built for groups to collaborate, deliberate, and act as one.\u201d
Inspiration
\u201cThe real breakthrough comes when technology supports groups solving problems together.\u201d \u2014 Douglas Engelbart (paraphrased)
The experiment setting: A New Technical Subsystem
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#3-adjustment-to-the-external-subsystem","title":"3. Adjustment to the External Subsystem","text":"
Traditional organizations\u2014corporations, governments, even many NGOs\u2014depend on closed funding streams, proprietary platforms, and top-down decision-making. These systems are vulnerable to external shocks and often shaped by priorities at odds with public value.
Our hypothesis: If we shift to decentralized, open funding (via crowdfunding, community partnerships, and open-source collaboration), then technology projects can remain truly accountable and resilient\u2014serving society, not distant investors or powerbrokers.
Mechanism
Smartup Zero is structured so that funding, data, and decision rights are distributed and transparent\u2014not captured by single entities or platforms.
The experiment setting: A New External Subsystem
"},{"location":"0_timeline/the-smartup-hypothesis/#blueprint-for-a-new-kind-of-organization","title":"Blueprint for a New Kind of Organization","text":"
To realign our systems with societal and planetary needs, we hypothesize that a new kind of organization\u2014one that rewires ownership, technical design, and external relationships\u2014can transform collective intent into real progress.
What's Next?
The next section documents how we are testing these hypotheses through the Smartup Zero experiment, step by step.
0_timeline The space where Smartups are designed, tested, and documented\u2014in public. All progress is shared here, step by step.
"},{"location":"_snippets/join-cta/","title":"Join cta","text":""},{"location":"_snippets/join-cta/#ready-to-contribute","title":"Ready to Contribute?","text":"
status card: This snippet can be included in any page using:
"},{"location":"_snippets/sdg-grid/","title":"Sdg grid","text":""},{"location":"_snippets/smartup-ownership-meaning/","title":"Smartup ownership meaning","text":"What does it mean to be a smartup owner
Being the owner of a Smartup is more like being a citizen of a new country than a shareholder of a new company. You need to contribute to the creation of the country. You've got all kinds of rights and obligations to do that. You share responsibility with co-owners for what the Smartup is creating. With your rights, you can perform those responsibilities. You've got the right to vote, supervise and work. At the same time, you offer your best and take part in good faith and with good intention. To show your good faith and good intention as an owner, you can work or govern.
Captain: @username Members: 5 active Mission: One-line mission statement
Current Focus: - Current objective 1 - Current objective 2
"},{"location":"_snippets/the-book-of-owners/","title":"The book of owners","text":"The book of owners
Every Smartup owner is documented in The Book of Owners\u2014a public ledger that records who owns and governs the organization together.
What it tracks: - Owner identity (anonymous or named) - Owership status (Worker/Watcher/Campaigner) - Voting rights and participation - Contribution history
It Lives as a ledger in the General Forum's Forgejo repository\u2014transparent, immutable, and collectively maintained.
"},{"location":"_templates/","title":"\ud83d\udccb Smartup Zero Content Templates","text":"
This directory contains templates for common page types. Using these templates ensures consistency across all documentation.
"},{"location":"_templates/#then-edit-to-fill-in-the-placeholders","title":"Then edit to fill in the [placeholders]","text":"
When to use:
Documenting any of the 4 phases (Validation, Design, Production, Organization) Creating phase-specific status pages Planning future phases How to Use Templates Copy the template to your target location Replace all [placeholder] text with actual content Remove any sections that aren't relevant Follow the style guide for formatting Creating New Templates When creating new templates:
Use clear placeholders in [Square Brackets] Include all standard components from the style guide Add usage instructions to this README Test the template by creating a sample page
"},{"location":"_templates/phase-page/#deliverables","title":"Deliverables","text":"Deliverable Description Owner Status [Name] [What it is] @team/person Done [Name] [What it is] @team/person In Progress [Name] [What it is] @team/person Planned"},{"location":"_templates/phase-page/#timeline","title":"Timeline","text":"
```mermaid gantt title Phase [Number] Timeline dateFormat YYYY-MM-DD section Preparation [Task 1] :2025-01-01, 7d section Development [Task 2] :7d [Task 3] :7d section Review [Task 4] :3d Budget & Resources Financial Requirements Target Funding: \u20ac[Amount] Raised: \u20ac[Amount] Burn Rate: \u20ac[Amount]/month Human Resources Contributors Needed: [Number] Current Team Size: [Number] Key Roles to Fill: [List] Key Decisions & Gates
Phase Gate Requirements
Before proceeding to the next phase, we must:
text 1. Achieve financial target of \u20ac[Amount] 2. Complete all primary deliverables 3. Pass scientific review (if applicable) 4. Hold binding vote to proceed Lessons Learned
Insights from this phase
Document key learnings as the phase progresses:
text - What worked well - What didn't work - What we'd do differently - Recommendations for future phases
Related Documents Previous Phase Next Phase Overall Experiment Project Timeline
Captain: @username Members: X active contributors Formed: [Month Year]
"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#team-members","title":"Team Members","text":"Member Role Joined Specialties @captain Team Captain Jan 2025 Leadership, [Skill] @member1 [Role] Jan 2025 [Skills] @member2 [Role] Jan 2025 [Skills]"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#mission-statement","title":"Mission Statement","text":"
[One clear paragraph describing what this team is responsible for]
"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#completed-objectives","title":"Completed Objectives","text":"View completed work
[Objective] - Completed [Date]
[Objective] - Completed [Date]
"},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#how-we-work","title":"How We Work","text":""},{"location":"_templates/team-page/#communication","title":"Communication","text":"
Primary Channel: Element room #3_[team-name]
Meetings: [Frequency] at [Time] UTC
Decisions: Made by consensus, escalated to captain if needed
Captain: @username Members: X active contributors Formed: Month Year
Mission: One clear sentence describing the team's purpose.
Current Objectives: - Objective 1 with deadline - Objective 2 with deadline
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/","title":"The General Forum","text":"
What is this?
The democratic heart of Smartup Zero where all owners gather to debate, vote, and shape our collective future. This is where ownership means something.
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#join-the-live-discussion","title":"Join the Live Discussion","text":"
Enter the Forum --- Our public square on Matrix Open 24/7 for all owners
Join #1_general_forum
Book of Owners --- See who owns Smartup Zero Transparent ownership registry
Started: January 15, 2025 Target End: April 15, 2025 Progress: 15% Complete
Key Milestones: - [x] Initial team formation - [x] Matrix infrastructure deployed - [ ] 50 owner threshold - [ ] \u20ac50,000 crowdfunding target - [ ] Official Smartup Business Plan ready - [ ] Validation phase vote
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#upcoming-decisions","title":"Upcoming Decisions","text":"Date Topic Type Status Feb 1 Approve February Budget Allocation Budget Vote Proposal Draft Feb 15 Ratify ONLIFE Technical Architecture Technical Decision In Discussion Mar 1 Elect Design Phase Leadership Team Leadership Election Scheduled Apr 1 Vote to Enter Design Phase Phase Transition Requirements Pending"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#leadership-team-meetings","title":"Leadership Team Meetings","text":"
Next Public Meeting
Date: Monday, January 27, 2025 Time: 19:00 CET (18:00 UTC) Where: #1_general_forum Agenda: - Treasury update - Team captain reports - New owner onboarding - Q&A with all owners
All owners welcome! These meetings are fully transparent.
Total Owners --- 23 citizens 19 Work licenses 3 Watch licenses 1 Organizational license
Treasury Status --- \u20ac4,600 total 12,500 SC outstanding 0.37 SC/EUR ratio Next redemption: TBD
Forum Activity --- 147 messages this week 18 active participants 3 proposals in discussion 92% average vote turnout
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#how-decisions-work-here","title":"How Decisions Work Here","text":""},{"location":"smartup-zero/1_general_forum/#what-we-vote-on","title":"What We Vote On","text":"
Jan 15: Approved Matrix as primary communication platform (21-2) Jan 18: Elected interim Leadership Team (unanimous) Jan 22: Approved 5000 SC for infrastructure setup (19-3-1)
\"In traditional companies, decisions happen in closed boardrooms. Here, every decision happens in the open, with your input. This is what collective ownership looks like in practice.\"
Continue to the Workplace
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/","title":"The central document for all Smartup Zero owners","text":"
The Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) is the central repository for all Smartup information, accessible to all owners. It originates from the entrepreneur's initial business plan, encompassing the product presentation, research sources, and the definition of \u2018ready for design\u2019. During the Validation phase, teams complete domain-specific assessments using the OSBP. This fosters organization and leads to Team Captain selection and the Project Leaders Team formation. This team, including captains and the entrepreneur, manages day-to-day operations, aligns via video conferences, makes decisions, and prepares the OSBP. Their completeness is essential to proceed beyond Validation.
Onlive is a novel transient network protocol designed for smartphones forming dynamic groups within a shared physical context, omitting the need for traditional servers, transmission towers, or even satellites. Operating independently of standard internet infrastructure, the protocol enables connectivity based on the prevalence of mobile phones in a specific area. It outlines procedures for connecting smartphones as they transition through various situations, events, and areas with their owners, establishing a transient communication infrastructure utilizing UDP. This facilitates the sharing of vital information during dire circumstances, such as natural or manmade disasters, serving as a resilient tool for communities. Onlive empowers communities to enhance disaster response, expedite resource sharing, and foster informed discussions in classrooms, ultimately offering a self-reliant solution for navigating the impacts of a rapidly changing natural and cultural climate. The netowork achieves these goals without dependency on third-party hardware or software. Smartup Zero presents a collaborative initiative to develop and manage Onlive-mesh, an open-source ad hoc mesh network technology designed for groups of smartphones. This novel implementation enables the rapid establishment of local private networks, fostering quick and resilient data sharing, particularly suited for small to medium-sized networks in post-disaster communication blackouts.
The project encompasses preliminary research, culminating in the design of a mesh network protocol tailored for WiFi-capable devices like smartphones, signalling readiness for the programming phase. Anticipated by the end of Q1 2025, a beta testable version of the Android app leveraging this networking technology aims to be released. This application empowers users to seamlessly create, navigate and join different groups (networks). Within these groups, mesh networks are deployed, facilitating the execution of specific software accessible to all group members, enhancing communication in diverse scenarios.
Ultimately, the Smartup Zero collective aims to provide a self-sufficient solution for overcoming communication challenges in the wake of rapidly changing natural and cultural climates. Notably, Onlive operates independently, free from external hardware or software dependencies, exemplifying its innovative and resilient network technology potential.
The time for startups is over. It\u2019s time to grow up. In a world facing a natural and cultural crisis, it is evident that we need the right toolset to stand a chance. To me, it\u2019s also evident that our current one, does not do the trick.\u00a0\u00a0
This Official Smartup Zero Business Plan (OSBP) is the central hub of information for all participants in the Smartup Zero experiment. If you made it this far, it means you are on the verge of becoming a co-owner of a technology that has the potential to help communities all over the world to be resilient, humane and intelligent in their fight for a safe, sustainable and social environment.\u00a0 You seek to prove that by empowering communities with a new toolset, we have a better shot at dealing with our changing natural and cultural climate. You commit to help build and govern the first tool of that toolset. By giving us control over our own digital tools, we can still make it. You have seen how fast digital technologies are able to\u00a0 cause mass behaviour. That is a power that can be forged for good as well.\u00a0
Unlike traditional startups, Smartups are founded on the principle that technology should serve the needs of humanity, not the other way around. To define \u2018what serves humanity\u2019 we rely on the most comprehensive political and scientific framework in the world that has been designed and researched to tackle critical global challenges: the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most important conditions for a Smartup to exist is that it should create a technology that complies with at least one of these goals. Smartup technologies are democratically governed, scientifically validated, and created with the explicit intention of being owned and managed by the people who use and build them. The current paradigm, dominated by corporate interests and profit-driven technology, has led to widespread issues such as data exploitation, misinformation, democratic influences and environmental degradation. Billionaire entrepreneurs are diverting resources to trivial pursuits, while the planet faces unprecedented challenges, technology leaves us naked and volnerable. It is time to move beyond the juvenile stage of startups and step into a more mature, responsible era of technological development.
Smartup Zero introduces a new type of organization\u2014the Smartup\u2014where technology is built collectively, owned democratically, and governed scientificly. The first technology to be developed under this model is Onlive, a decentralized communication network that functions independently of traditional infrastructure. Onlive empowers communities to create their own networks, ensuring connectivity and coordination during crises and beyond. It serves as a tool for local resilience, enabling citizens to organize and respond to real-world issues without relying on corporate or governmental control.
This experiment is not about creating a single solution but about developing the tools and frameworks necessary for future generations to address our complex challenges. We aim to foster a culture of collective action and shared responsibility by providing communities with technologies they own and control. The experiment can lead to a blueprint that we can use to identify, create and market humane technologies fast and furious. Technologies we need in our daunting quest for a future for all mankind. We all feel and see our world change fast. Tetanic plates are crashing. Our cultural AND natural systems are colliding.\u00a0 The business plan invites coders, designers, researchers,\u00a0 investors, innovators, and community leaders to join this transformative journey. By supporting Smartup Zero, you are investing in a new model of technological development that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its people over profits. Together, we can build the digital tools needed to navigate our most pressing challenges and ensure a sustainable future for all for all mankind.Let\u2019s get to work,Robbert Schep
Figure 1: Onlive is designed as a dimension between the online and the offline world.\u00a0
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#smartup-hypothese-a-method-to-define-if-the-world-needs-a-technology","title":"Smartup hypothese: a method to define if the world needs a technology?","text":"
The Smartup Hypothesis asserts a fundamental distinction between a Smartup and a traditional startup: a Smartup exclusively creates technologies that the world genuinely needs. This necessity is defined in three key dimensions:
Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Smartups ensure that the technologies they create address one or more of the 17 SDGs, which provide a globally agreed-upon framework for solving critical social, environmental, and economic challenges.
Scientific Grounding: A Smartup's technology must have a solid scientific basis, meaning there is evidence that the proposed solution can effectively solve the targeted problem. This is achieved by conducting research, gathering data, and validating the technology through scientific inquiry and peer-reviewed studies.
Democratic Grounding: Finally, a Smartup must prove that enough people actually want and support the creation of the technology. This is achieved through crowdfunding and community-building efforts. By building teams, rallying support, and reaching financial thresholds, the project demonstrates that there is collective interest and demand, ensuring the technology will serve real, widespread needs.
Together, these three pillars\u2014global alignment, scientific validation, and democratic support\u2014form the core of the Smartup approach, ensuring that each project is not only innovative but also impactful, necessary, and desired by the community.
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#alignment-with-the-un-sustainable-development-goals","title":"Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals","text":""},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#1-sdg-9-industry-innovation-and-infrastructure","title":"1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure","text":"
Onlive enhances communication infrastructure, particularly in areas lacking traditional networks or during crises when infrastructure is compromised. By enabling decentralized, peer-to-peer networks, Onlive ensures that communities can maintain connectivity without the need for centralized towers, satellites, or servers. This directly contributes to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation in technology.
How it Contributes: Onlive provides a scalable, low-cost infrastructure that can be deployed in remote regions and disaster-stricken areas. Its innovative approach to communication can accelerate the digital transformation of underserved areas.
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#2-sdg-11-sustainable-cities-and-communities","title":"2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities","text":"
Onlive supports sustainable cities and communities by offering a tool for real-time communication during crises, events, or in dense urban environments. By enabling local, decentralized communication networks, it promotes safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.
How it Contributes: During emergencies or natural disasters, Onlive can keep citizens connected, allowing for better coordination of relief efforts and more effective disaster response. It also facilitates communication within urban settings for local governance and citizen engagement, enhancing the livability of cities.
As climate-related disasters become more frequent, Onlive\u2019s decentralized networks can play a critical role in disaster response and recovery, especially in remote or hard-hit areas. Onlive supports emergency communications for climate-related events like floods, hurricanes, and fires, where traditional infrastructure often fails.
How it Contributes: Onlive enables quick deployment of communication systems during and after climate disasters, ensuring that relief efforts are organized and efficient. This supports adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, improving disaster preparedness and response.
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#4-sdg-17-partnerships-for-the-goals","title":"4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals","text":"
Onlive facilitates international cooperation and technology transfer in disaster recovery and public safety. It enables partnerships between governments, NGOs, and communities, creating an international network of collaboration focused on disaster response, technology deployment, and citizen participation.
How it Contributes: By creating networks that allow local governments, international aid organizations, and displaced tech professionals to collaborate seamlessly, Onlive supports the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development.
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#5-sdg-3-good-health-and-well-being","title":"5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","text":"
Onlife indirectly supports good health and well-being by ensuring communication is maintained during emergencies, helping coordinate medical response and health services in disaster scenarios. Reliable communication is essential for saving lives and ensuring that medical resources are allocated effectively during crises.
How it Contributes: Onlive enables health workers to communicate in disaster zones, where traditional systems might be down. It also allows citizens to reach medical services or coordinate community-led health initiatives in real-time.
Onlive bridges the digital divide by providing accessible communication networks, even in areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This can reduce inequalities in access to information, services, and opportunities, particularly for marginalized or rural communities.
How it Contributes: By offering a low-cost, infrastructure-independent communication solution, Onlive ensures that underserved populations, including those in rural or remote regions, have access to essential services, information, and participation in governance, helping to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
Conclusion:
Onlive is a versatile technology with the potential to impact several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. From improving communication infrastructure (SDG 9) to enabling resilient, connected communities (SDG 11) and facilitating better disaster response (SDG 13), its deployment can drive progress across multiple fronts. By aligning with these global goals, Onlive offers a scalable, innovative solution that supports sustainable development, disaster preparedness, and citizen empowerment.
To demonstrate the potential of Onlive to solve real-world problems, particularly in disaster recovery and citizen participation, several scientific studies and reviews validate the utility of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) like Onlive in critical situations. Below is a list of relevant articles and studies that provide scientific proof and context for the development and deployment of Onlive technology:
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#1-post-disaster-communications-enabling-technologies-architectures-and-open-challenges","title":"1. Post-Disaster Communications: Enabling Technologies, Architectures, and Open Challenges","text":"
This comprehensive review discusses various communication technologies used in disaster situations, including MANETs. It highlights the resilience of ad hoc networks when traditional infrastructure fails, offering insights into how MANETs like Onlive can be vital in disaster-stricken areas by enabling real-time communication between survivors and rescue teams.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s decentralized nature directly addresses the need for resilient communication in disaster zones, ensuring connectivity without relying on damaged infrastructure\u200b(
Study: ar5iv
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#2-design-of-a-mobile-ad-hoc-network-communication-app-for-disaster-recovery","title":"2. Design of a Mobile Ad Hoc Network Communication App for Disaster Recovery","text":"
This paper explores the design of MANET apps for disaster recovery, emphasizing the role of real-time data in organizing and prioritizing resources in emergencies. It shows how MANETs can efficiently manage communication in scenarios like earthquakes and floods, where traditional communication channels are down.Relevance to Onlive: The study supports Onlive\u2019s vision as a disaster recovery tool, allowing for organized, data-driven response in disaster situations through local, decentralized communication.\u00a0
Study: ar5iv
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#3-ad-hoc-networks-and-mobile-devices-in-emergency-response","title":"3. Ad Hoc Networks and Mobile Devices in Emergency Response","text":"
This study analyzes the use of wireless ad hoc networks as part of emergency response solutions, highlighting the necessity for robust communication systems. It underscores the compatibility of MANETs with emergency systems and the role of mobile devices in real-time data dissemination during crisis events.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive builds on these principles by using mobile devices to create ad hoc networks that ensure continuous communication during emergencies, even in the absence of central infrastructure\u200b
Article: SpringerLink
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#4-implementing-wireless-ad-hoc-networks-for-disaster-relief-communication","title":"4. Implementing Wireless Ad Hoc Networks for Disaster Relief Communication","text":"
This paper presents case studies of Wi-Fi-based ad hoc networks implemented in disaster areas. It demonstrates how portable wireless nodes can establish communication links for rescuers and survivors. The study also focuses on smartphone-based solutions, making it highly relevant to Onlive\u2019s mobile-first approach.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s focus on smartphone interconnectivity mirrors the findings in this study, proving its potential as a solution for post-disaster communication by leveraging widely available devices like smartphones\u200b.
Article: ar5iv
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#5-disaster-network-science-research-and-applications","title":"5. Disaster Network Science: Research and Applications","text":"
This research emphasizes how network science, specifically the study of distributed communication networks, can enhance disaster response. It highlights how data from different sources can be used to coordinate relief efforts effectively.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s decentralized network structure aligns with the principles of disaster network science, enabling a system where communication and data sharing happen seamlessly, aiding both citizens and first responders\u200b(
The scientific literature consistently points to the vital role of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) in disaster recovery and emergency situations. By providing resilient, decentralized communication that functions even when traditional infrastructure is down, Onlive has the potential to become a crucial tool in disaster recovery, citizen participation, and community resilience. The use of widely available smartphones ensures scalability and accessibility, making Onlive a promising solution for addressing real-world challenges as supported by these studies.
"},{"location":"smartup-zero/executive-summary/#democratic-grounding-are-there-enough-people-who-want-this-technology","title":"Democratic grounding: are there enough people who want this technology?","text":"
The most crucial and daunting objective of a Smartup in the validation phase is to determine if there are enough people who want this technology to exist. It\u2019s the task ofthe 4_1_1_entrepreneur to prove this through:1. Crowdfunding a target budget 2. Finding all the team captains
The Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) is the central repository for all Smartup information, accessible to all owners. It originates from the entrepreneur's initial business plan, encompassing the product presentation, research sources, and the definition of \u2018ready for design\u2019. During the Validation phase, teams complete domain-specific assessments using the OSBP. This fosters organization and leads to Team Captain selection and the Project Leaders Team formation. This team, including captains and the entrepreneur, manages day-to-day operations, aligns via video conferences, makes decisions, and prepares the OSBP. Their completeness is essential to proceed beyond Validation.
Abstract:
Onlive is a novel transient network protocol designed for smartphones forming dynamic groups within a shared physical context, omitting the need for traditional servers, transmission towers, or even satellites. Operating independently of standard internet infrastructure, the protocol enables connectivity based on the prevalence of mobile phones in a specific area. It outlines procedures for connecting smartphones as they transition through various situations, events, and areas with their owners, establishing a transient communication infrastructure utilizing UDP. This facilitates the sharing of vital information during dire circumstances, such as natural or manmade disasters, serving as a resilient tool for communities. Onlive empowers communities to enhance disaster response, expedite resource sharing, and foster informed discussions in classrooms, ultimately offering a self-reliant solution for navigating the impacts of a rapidly changing natural and cultural climate. The netowork achieves these goals without dependency on third-party hardware or software.
Smartup Zero presents a collaborative initiative to develop and manage Onlive-mesh, an open-source ad hoc mesh network technology designed for groups of smartphones. This novel implementation enables the rapid establishment of local private networks, fostering quick and resilient data sharing, particularly suited for small to medium-sized networks in post-disaster communication blackouts.
The project encompasses preliminary research, culminating in the design of a mesh network protocol tailored for WiFi-capable devices like smartphones, signalling readiness for the programming phase. Anticipated by the end of Q1 2025, a beta testable version of the Android app leveraging this networking technology aims to be released. This application empowers users to seamlessly create, navigate and join different groups (networks). Within these groups, mesh networks are deployed, facilitating the execution of specific software accessible to all group members, enhancing communication in diverse scenarios.
Ultimately, the Smartup Zero collective aims to provide a self-sufficient solution for overcoming communication challenges in the wake of rapidly changing natural and cultural climates. Notably, Onlive operates independently, free from external hardware or software dependencies, exemplifying its innovative and resilient network technology potential.
Executive Summary The time for startups is over. It\u2019s time to grow up. In a world facing a natural and cultural crisis, it is evident that we need the right toolset to stand a chance. To me, it\u2019s also evident that our current one, does not do the trick.
This Official Smartup Zero Business Plan (OSBP) is the central hub of information for all participants in the Smartup Zero experiment. If you made it this far, it means you are now a co-owner of a technology that has the potential to help communities all over the world to be resilient, humane and intelligent in their fight for a safe, sustainable and social environment. You seek to prove that by empowering communities with a new toolset, we have a better shot at dealing with our changing natural and cultural climate. You commit to help build and govern the first tool of that toolset. By giving us control over our own digital tools, we can still make it. You have seen how fast digital technologies are able to cause mass behaviour. That is a power that can be forged for good as well.
Unlike traditional startups, Smartups are founded on the principle that technology should serve the needs of humanity, not the other way around. To define \u2018what serves humanity\u2019 we rely on the most comprehensive political and scientific framework in the world that has been designed and researched to tackle critical global challenges: the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most important conditions for a Smartup to exist is that it should create a technology that complies with at least one of these goals.
Smartup technologies are democratically governed, scientifically validated, and created with the explicit intention of being owned and managed by the people who use and build them. The current paradigm, dominated by corporate interests and profit-driven technology, has led to widespread issues such as data exploitation, misinformation, democratic influences and environmental degradation. Billionaire entrepreneurs are diverting resources to trivial pursuits, while the planet faces unprecedented challenges, technology leaves us naked and volnerable. It is time to move beyond the juvenile stage of startups and step into a more mature, responsible era of technological development. Smartup Zero introduces a new type of organization\u2014the Smartup\u2014where technology is built collectively, owned democratically, and governed scientificly. The first technology to be developed under this model is Onlive, a decentralized communication network that functions independently of traditional infrastructure. Onlive empowers communities to create their own networks, ensuring connectivity and coordination during crises and beyond. It serves as a tool for local resilience, enabling citizens to organize and respond to real-world issues without relying on corporate or governmental control. This experiment is not about creating a single solution but about developing the tools and frameworks necessary for future generations to address our complex challenges. We aim to foster a culture of collective action and shared responsibility by providing communities with technologies they own and control. The experiment can lead to a blueprint that we can use to identify, create and market humane technologies fast and furious. Technologies we need in our daunting quest for a future for all mankind. We all feel and see our world change fast. Tetanic plates are crashing. Our cultural AND natural systems are colliding.
The business plan invites coders, designers, researchers, investors, innovators, and community leaders to join this transformative journey. By supporting Smartup Zero, you are investing in a new model of technological development that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its people over profits. Together, we can build the digital tools needed to navigate our most pressing challenges and ensure a sustainable future for all for all mankind.
Let\u2019s get to work,
Robbert Schep
Figure 1: Onlive is designed as a dimension between the online and the offline world.
Smartup hypothese: a method to define if the world needs a technology? The Smartup Hypothesis asserts a fundamental distinction between a Smartup and a traditional startup: a Smartup exclusively creates technologies that the world genuinely needs. This necessity is defined in three key dimensions: Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Smartups ensure that the technologies they create address one or more of the 17 SDGs, which provide a globally agreed-upon framework for solving critical social, environmental, and economic challenges. Scientific Grounding: A Smartup's technology must have a solid scientific basis, meaning there is evidence that the proposed solution can effectively solve the targeted problem. This is achieved by conducting research, gathering data, and validating the technology through scientific inquiry and peer-reviewed studies. Democratic Grounding: Finally, a Smartup must prove that enough people actually want and support the creation of the technology. This is achieved through crowdfunding and community-building efforts. By building teams, rallying support, and reaching financial thresholds, the project demonstrates that there is collective interest and demand, ensuring the technology will serve real, widespread needs. Together, these three pillars\u2014global alignment, scientific validation, and democratic support\u2014form the core of the Smartup approach, ensuring that each project is not only innovative but also impactful, necessary, and desired by the community.
Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Onlive enhances communication infrastructure, particularly in areas lacking traditional networks or during crises when infrastructure is compromised. By enabling decentralized, peer-to-peer networks, Onlive ensures that communities can maintain connectivity without the need for centralized towers, satellites, or servers. This directly contributes to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation in technology.
How it Contributes: Onlive provides a scalable, low-cost infrastructure that can be deployed in remote regions and disaster-stricken areas. Its innovative approach to communication can accelerate the digital transformation of underserved areas.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Onlive supports sustainable cities and communities by offering a tool for real-time communication during crises, events, or in dense urban environments. By enabling local, decentralized communication networks, it promotes safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.
How it Contributes: During emergencies or natural disasters, Onlive can keep citizens connected, allowing for better coordination of relief efforts and more effective disaster response. It also facilitates communication within urban settings for local governance and citizen engagement, enhancing the livability of cities.
SDG 13: Climate Action
As climate-related disasters become more frequent, Onlive\u2019s decentralized networks can play a critical role in disaster response and recovery, especially in remote or hard-hit areas. Onlive supports emergency communications for climate-related events like floods, hurricanes, and fires, where traditional infrastructure often fails.
How it Contributes: Onlive enables quick deployment of communication systems during and after climate disasters, ensuring that relief efforts are organized and efficient. This supports adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, improving disaster preparedness and response.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Onlive facilitates international cooperation and technology transfer in disaster recovery and public safety. It enables partnerships between governments, NGOs, and communities, creating an international network of collaboration focused on disaster response, technology deployment, and citizen participation.
How it Contributes: By creating networks that allow local governments, international aid organizations, and displaced tech professionals to collaborate seamlessly, Onlive supports the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Onlive indirectly supports good health and well-being by ensuring communication is maintained during emergencies, helping coordinate medical response and health services in disaster scenarios. Reliable communication is essential for saving lives and ensuring that medical resources are allocated effectively during crises.
How it Contributes: Onlive enables health workers to communicate in disaster zones, where traditional systems might be down. It also allows citizens to reach medical services or coordinate community-led health initiatives in real-time.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Onlive bridges the digital divide by providing accessible communication networks, even in areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This can reduce inequalities in access to information, services, and opportunities, particularly for marginalized or rural communities.
How it Contributes: By offering a low-cost, infrastructure-independent communication solution, Onlive ensures that underserved populations, including those in rural or remote regions, have access to essential services, information, and participation in governance, helping to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
Conclusion: Onlive is a versatile technology with the potential to impact several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. From improving communication infrastructure (SDG 9) to enabling resilient, connected communities (SDG 11) and facilitating better disaster response (SDG 13), its deployment can drive progress across multiple fronts. By aligning with these global goals, Onlive offers a scalable, innovative solution that supports sustainable development, disaster preparedness, and citizen empowerment. Scientific Grounding
To demonstrate the potential of Onlive to solve real-world problems, particularly in disaster recovery and citizen participation, several scientific studies and reviews validate the utility of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) like Onlive in critical situations. Below is a list of relevant articles and studies that provide scientific proof and context for the development and deployment of Onlive technology: 1. Post-Disaster Communications: Enabling Technologies, Architectures, and Open Challenges This comprehensive review discusses various communication technologies used in disaster situations, including MANETs. It highlights the resilience of ad hoc networks when traditional infrastructure fails, offering insights into how MANETs like Onlive can be vital in disaster-stricken areas by enabling real-time communication between survivors and rescue teams. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s decentralized nature directly addresses the need for resilient communication in disaster zones, ensuring connectivity without relying on damaged infrastructure\u200b( Study: ar5iv
Design of a Mobile Ad Hoc Network Communication App for Disaster Recovery This paper explores the design of MANET apps for disaster recovery, emphasizing the role of real-time data in organizing and prioritizing resources in emergencies. It shows how MANETs can efficiently manage communication in scenarios like earthquakes and floods, where traditional communication channels are down. Relevance to Onlive: The study supports Onlive\u2019s vision as a disaster recovery tool, allowing for organized, data-driven response in disaster situations through local, decentralized communication. Study: ar5iv
Ad Hoc Networks and Mobile Devices in Emergency Response This study analyzes the use of wireless ad hoc networks as part of emergency response solutions, highlighting the necessity for robust communication systems. It underscores the compatibility of MANETs with emergency systems and the role of mobile devices in real-time data dissemination during crisis events. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive builds on these principles by using mobile devices to create ad hoc networks that ensure continuous communication during emergencies, even in the absence of central infrastructure\u200b Article: SpringerLink
Implementing Wireless Ad Hoc Networks for Disaster Relief Communication This paper presents case studies of Wi-Fi-based ad hoc networks implemented in disaster areas. It demonstrates how portable wireless nodes can establish communication links for rescuers and survivors. The study also focuses on smartphone-based solutions, making it highly relevant to Onlive\u2019s mobile-first approach. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s focus on smartphone interconnectivity mirrors the findings in this study, proving its potential as a solution for post-disaster communication by leveraging widely available devices like smartphones\u200b. Article: ar5iv
Disaster Network Science: Research and Applications This research emphasizes how network science, specifically the study of distributed communication networks, can enhance disaster response. It highlights how data from different sources can be used to coordinate relief efforts effectively. Relevance to Onlive: Onlive\u2019s decentralized network structure aligns with the principles of disaster network science, enabling a system where communication and data sharing happen seamlessly, aiding both citizens and first responders\u200b( Article: ar5iv Conclusion The scientific literature consistently points to the vital role of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) in disaster recovery and emergency situations. By providing resilient, decentralized communication that functions even when traditional infrastructure is down, Onlive has the potential to become a crucial tool in disaster recovery, citizen participation, and community resilience. The use of widely available smartphones ensures scalability and accessibility, making Onlive a promising solution for addressing real-world challenges as supported by these studies. Democratic grounding: are there enough people who want this technology? The most crucial and daunting objective of a Smartup in the validation phase is to determine if there are enough people who want this technology to exist. It\u2019s the task ofthe 4_1_1_entrepreneur to prove this through:
Crowdfunding a target budget
Finding all the team captains
We've designed Onlive specifically for disaster recovery and enhancing community resilience in times of crisis. Onlive enables individuals to remain connected and share vital information, even when traditional infrastructure, like the internet or cellular networks, is unavailable. Whether it's a natural disaster like an earthquake or a public emergency, Onlive ensures that people in proximity can form dynamic communication networks on the spot. The core function of Onlive is to support citizen cooperation and coordination during disasters, creating an autonomous, decentralized network based entirely on the devices of the people in the area that is affected. Without the need for centralized infrastructure, Onlive operates using a mesh-network protocol that connects smartphones directly, fostering a local, self-sustaining communication environment. How It Works in Disaster Scenarios: Ad Hoc Network Creation (Groups): When a disaster strikes and cuts off traditional communication channels, Onlive automatically creates groups based on proximity. Citizens, first responders, and relief workers within the affected area form an instant, temporary network. For example, survivors in an affected neighborhood automatically become part of a local group, facilitating communication even if cellular towers are down. Within these groups, you exist exclusively within a temporary, dynamic, and autonomous network, with the software and data residing solely on smartphones in the same group. Crisis-Specific Tools (Plugins): Each group operates under a group host, who may be a local government official, aid worker, or tech specialist. The group host manages specific tools (plugins) relevant to the crisis\u2014like emergency messaging, resource tracking, or location sharing. These plugins run directly within the group, allowing users to send messages, share their status, or request help, without relying on external servers. Dynamic User Interface (Cards): Onlive also provides a clear, intuitive user interface through \"cards.\" In this interface, citizens can access real-time updates and share essential information, like their location or health status, through cards that are shared across the group. Key Features for Disaster Recovery: Decentralized Communication: No need for internet or cell networks\u2014Onlive uses nearby devices to keep communication flowing. Autonomous Data Management: Data and interactions are stored locally within the group, giving citizens control over their information. Rapid Deployment: Onlive can be activated in any emergency, allowing citizens to organize and share resources or information quickly and effectively. By empowering communities to establish their resilient networks, Onlive contributes directly to faster, more coordinated disaster recovery efforts. It bridges communication gaps, ensures vital information flows, and enhances community resilience when every second counts.
The democratic heart of Smartup Zero where all owners gather to debate, vote, and shape our collective future. This is where ownership means something.
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The democratic heart of Smartup Zero where all owners gather to debate, vote, and shape our collective future. This is where ownership means something.
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Where: #1_general_forum Agenda:
- Treasury update
-- Team captain reports
+- Team captain reports
- New owner onboarding
- Q&A with all owners
All owners welcome! These meetings are fully transparent.
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"In traditional companies, decisions happen in closed boardrooms. Here, every decision happens in the open, with your input. This is what collective ownership looks like in practice."
The Official Smartup Business Plan (OSBP) is the central repository for all Smartup information, accessible to all owners. It originates from the entrepreneur's initial business plan, encompassing the product presentation, research sources, and the definition of ‘ready for design’. During the Validation phase, teams complete domain-specific assessments using the OSBP. This fosters organization and leads to Team Captain selection and the Project Leaders Team formation. This team, including captains and the entrepreneur, manages day-to-day operations, aligns via video conferences, makes decisions, and prepares the OSBP. Their completeness is essential to proceed beyond Validation.
Onlive is a novel transient network protocol designed for smartphones forming dynamic groups within a shared physical context, omitting the need for traditional servers, transmission towers, or even satellites. Operating independently of standard internet infrastructure, the protocol enables connectivity based on the prevalence of mobile phones in a specific area. It outlines procedures for connecting smartphones as they transition through various situations, events, and areas with their owners, establishing a transient communication infrastructure utilizing UDP. This facilitates the sharing of vital information during dire circumstances, such as natural or manmade disasters, serving as a resilient tool for communities. Onlive empowers communities to enhance disaster response, expedite resource sharing, and foster informed discussions in classrooms, ultimately offering a self-reliant solution for navigating the impacts of a rapidly changing natural and cultural climate. The netowork achieves these goals without dependency on third-party hardware or software. Smartup Zero presents a collaborative initiative to develop and manage Onlive-mesh, an open-source ad hoc mesh network technology designed for groups of smartphones. This novel implementation enables the rapid establishment of local private networks, fostering quick and resilient data sharing, particularly suited for small to medium-sized networks in post-disaster communication blackouts.
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The project encompasses preliminary research, culminating in the design of a mesh network protocol tailored for WiFi-capable devices like smartphones, signalling readiness for the programming phase. Anticipated by the end of Q1 2025, a beta testable version of the Android app leveraging this networking technology aims to be released. This application empowers users to seamlessly create, navigate and join different groups (networks). Within these groups, mesh networks are deployed, facilitating the execution of specific software accessible to all group members, enhancing communication in diverse scenarios.
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Ultimately, the Smartup Zero collective aims to provide a self-sufficient solution for overcoming communication challenges in the wake of rapidly changing natural and cultural climates. Notably, Onlive operates independently, free from external hardware or software dependencies, exemplifying its innovative and resilient network technology potential.
The time for startups is over. It’s time to grow up. In a world facing a natural and cultural crisis, it is evident that we need the right toolset to stand a chance. To me, it’s also evident that our current one, does not do the trick.
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This Official Smartup Zero Business Plan (OSBP) is the central hub of information for all participants in the Smartup Zero experiment. If you made it this far, it means you are on the verge of becoming a co-owner of a technology that has the potential to help communities all over the world to be resilient, humane and intelligent in their fight for a safe, sustainable and social environment. You seek to prove that by empowering communities with a new toolset, we have a better shot at dealing with our changing natural and cultural climate. You commit to help build and govern the first tool of that toolset. By giving us control over our own digital tools, we can still make it. You have seen how fast digital technologies are able to cause mass behaviour. That is a power that can be forged for good as well.
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Unlike traditional startups, Smartups are founded on the principle that technology should serve the needs of humanity, not the other way around. To define ‘what serves humanity’ we rely on the most comprehensive political and scientific framework in the world that has been designed and researched to tackle critical global challenges: the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most important conditions for a Smartup to exist is that it should create a technology that complies with at least one of these goals. Smartup technologies are democratically governed, scientifically validated, and created with the explicit intention of being owned and managed by the people who use and build them. The current paradigm, dominated by corporate interests and profit-driven technology, has led to widespread issues such as data exploitation, misinformation, democratic influences and environmental degradation. Billionaire entrepreneurs are diverting resources to trivial pursuits, while the planet faces unprecedented challenges, technology leaves us naked and volnerable. It is time to move beyond the juvenile stage of startups and step into a more mature, responsible era of technological development.
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Smartup Zero introduces a new type of organization—the Smartup—where technology is built collectively, owned democratically, and governed scientificly. The first technology to be developed under this model is Onlive, a decentralized communication network that functions independently of traditional infrastructure. Onlive empowers communities to create their own networks, ensuring connectivity and coordination during crises and beyond. It serves as a tool for local resilience, enabling citizens to organize and respond to real-world issues without relying on corporate or governmental control.
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This experiment is not about creating a single solution but about developing the tools and frameworks necessary for future generations to address our complex challenges. We aim to foster a culture of collective action and shared responsibility by providing communities with technologies they own and control. The experiment can lead to a blueprint that we can use to identify, create and market humane technologies fast and furious. Technologies we need in our daunting quest for a future for all mankind. We all feel and see our world change fast. Tetanic plates are crashing. Our cultural AND natural systems are colliding. The business plan invites coders, designers, researchers, investors, innovators, and community leaders to join this transformative journey. By supporting Smartup Zero, you are investing in a new model of technological development that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its people over profits. Together, we can build the digital tools needed to navigate our most pressing challenges and ensure a sustainable future for all for all mankind.Let’s get to work,Robbert Schep
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Figure 1: Onlive is designed as a dimension between the online and the offline world.
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Smartup hypothese: a method to define if the world needs a technology?¶
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The Smartup Hypothesis asserts a fundamental distinction between a Smartup and a traditional startup: a Smartup exclusively creates technologies that the world genuinely needs. This necessity is defined in three key dimensions:
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Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Smartups ensure that the technologies they create address one or more of the 17 SDGs, which provide a globally agreed-upon framework for solving critical social, environmental, and economic challenges.
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Scientific Grounding: A Smartup's technology must have a solid scientific basis, meaning there is evidence that the proposed solution can effectively solve the targeted problem. This is achieved by conducting research, gathering data, and validating the technology through scientific inquiry and peer-reviewed studies.
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Democratic Grounding: Finally, a Smartup must prove that enough people actually want and support the creation of the technology. This is achieved through crowdfunding and community-building efforts. By building teams, rallying support, and reaching financial thresholds, the project demonstrates that there is collective interest and demand, ensuring the technology will serve real, widespread needs.
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Together, these three pillars—global alignment, scientific validation, and democratic support—form the core of the Smartup approach, ensuring that each project is not only innovative but also impactful, necessary, and desired by the community.
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Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals¶
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1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure¶
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Onlive enhances communication infrastructure, particularly in areas lacking traditional networks or during crises when infrastructure is compromised. By enabling decentralized, peer-to-peer networks, Onlive ensures that communities can maintain connectivity without the need for centralized towers, satellites, or servers. This directly contributes to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation in technology.
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How it Contributes: Onlive provides a scalable, low-cost infrastructure that can be deployed in remote regions and disaster-stricken areas. Its innovative approach to communication can accelerate the digital transformation of underserved areas.
Onlive supports sustainable cities and communities by offering a tool for real-time communication during crises, events, or in dense urban environments. By enabling local, decentralized communication networks, it promotes safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.
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How it Contributes: During emergencies or natural disasters, Onlive can keep citizens connected, allowing for better coordination of relief efforts and more effective disaster response. It also facilitates communication within urban settings for local governance and citizen engagement, enhancing the livability of cities.
As climate-related disasters become more frequent, Onlive’s decentralized networks can play a critical role in disaster response and recovery, especially in remote or hard-hit areas. Onlive supports emergency communications for climate-related events like floods, hurricanes, and fires, where traditional infrastructure often fails.
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How it Contributes: Onlive enables quick deployment of communication systems during and after climate disasters, ensuring that relief efforts are organized and efficient. This supports adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, improving disaster preparedness and response.
Onlive facilitates international cooperation and technology transfer in disaster recovery and public safety. It enables partnerships between governments, NGOs, and communities, creating an international network of collaboration focused on disaster response, technology deployment, and citizen participation.
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How it Contributes: By creating networks that allow local governments, international aid organizations, and displaced tech professionals to collaborate seamlessly, Onlive supports the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development.
Onlife indirectly supports good health and well-being by ensuring communication is maintained during emergencies, helping coordinate medical response and health services in disaster scenarios. Reliable communication is essential for saving lives and ensuring that medical resources are allocated effectively during crises.
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How it Contributes: Onlive enables health workers to communicate in disaster zones, where traditional systems might be down. It also allows citizens to reach medical services or coordinate community-led health initiatives in real-time.
Onlive bridges the digital divide by providing accessible communication networks, even in areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This can reduce inequalities in access to information, services, and opportunities, particularly for marginalized or rural communities.
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How it Contributes: By offering a low-cost, infrastructure-independent communication solution, Onlive ensures that underserved populations, including those in rural or remote regions, have access to essential services, information, and participation in governance, helping to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
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Conclusion:
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Onlive is a versatile technology with the potential to impact several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. From improving communication infrastructure (SDG 9) to enabling resilient, connected communities (SDG 11) and facilitating better disaster response (SDG 13), its deployment can drive progress across multiple fronts. By aligning with these global goals, Onlive offers a scalable, innovative solution that supports sustainable development, disaster preparedness, and citizen empowerment.
To demonstrate the potential of Onlive to solve real-world problems, particularly in disaster recovery and citizen participation, several scientific studies and reviews validate the utility of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) like Onlive in critical situations. Below is a list of relevant articles and studies that provide scientific proof and context for the development and deployment of Onlive technology:
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1. Post-Disaster Communications: Enabling Technologies, Architectures, and Open Challenges¶
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This comprehensive review discusses various communication technologies used in disaster situations, including MANETs. It highlights the resilience of ad hoc networks when traditional infrastructure fails, offering insights into how MANETs like Onlive can be vital in disaster-stricken areas by enabling real-time communication between survivors and rescue teams.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive’s decentralized nature directly addresses the need for resilient communication in disaster zones, ensuring connectivity without relying on damaged infrastructure(
2. Design of a Mobile Ad Hoc Network Communication App for Disaster Recovery¶
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This paper explores the design of MANET apps for disaster recovery, emphasizing the role of real-time data in organizing and prioritizing resources in emergencies. It shows how MANETs can efficiently manage communication in scenarios like earthquakes and floods, where traditional communication channels are down.Relevance to Onlive: The study supports Onlive’s vision as a disaster recovery tool, allowing for organized, data-driven response in disaster situations through local, decentralized communication.
3. Ad Hoc Networks and Mobile Devices in Emergency Response¶
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This study analyzes the use of wireless ad hoc networks as part of emergency response solutions, highlighting the necessity for robust communication systems. It underscores the compatibility of MANETs with emergency systems and the role of mobile devices in real-time data dissemination during crisis events.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive builds on these principles by using mobile devices to create ad hoc networks that ensure continuous communication during emergencies, even in the absence of central infrastructure
4. Implementing Wireless Ad Hoc Networks for Disaster Relief Communication¶
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This paper presents case studies of Wi-Fi-based ad hoc networks implemented in disaster areas. It demonstrates how portable wireless nodes can establish communication links for rescuers and survivors. The study also focuses on smartphone-based solutions, making it highly relevant to Onlive’s mobile-first approach.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive’s focus on smartphone interconnectivity mirrors the findings in this study, proving its potential as a solution for post-disaster communication by leveraging widely available devices like smartphones.
5. Disaster Network Science: Research and Applications¶
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This research emphasizes how network science, specifically the study of distributed communication networks, can enhance disaster response. It highlights how data from different sources can be used to coordinate relief efforts effectively.Relevance to Onlive: Onlive’s decentralized network structure aligns with the principles of disaster network science, enabling a system where communication and data sharing happen seamlessly, aiding both citizens and first responders(
The scientific literature consistently points to the vital role of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) in disaster recovery and emergency situations. By providing resilient, decentralized communication that functions even when traditional infrastructure is down, Onlive has the potential to become a crucial tool in disaster recovery, citizen participation, and community resilience. The use of widely available smartphones ensures scalability and accessibility, making Onlive a promising solution for addressing real-world challenges as supported by these studies.
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Democratic grounding: are there enough people who want this technology?¶
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The most crucial and daunting objective of a Smartup in the validation phase is to determine if there are enough people who want this technology to exist. It’s the task ofthe 4_1_1_entrepreneur to prove this through:1. Crowdfunding a target budget 2. Finding all the team captains
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diff --git a/site/smartup-zero/osbp/index.html b/site/smartup-zero/osbp/index.html
index 999f471..07b4b34 100644
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This guide ensures consistent content across the 0_timeline website. All contributors should reference this when creating or editing content. Our goal is to make complex ideas accessible while maintaining the experimental, transparent spirit of Smartup Zero.
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This guide ensures consistent content across the 0_timeline website. All contributors should reference this when creating or editing content. Our goal is to make complex ideas accessible while maintaining the experimental, transparent spirit of Smartup Zero.
**:material-account-group: Development Team**
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Captain:@alice Members: 5 active contributors Formed: January 2025
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Mission: Build the ONLIFE emergency communication protocol and apps.
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Current Objectives:
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Mission: Build the ONLIFE emergency communication protocol and apps.
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Current Objectives:
- Complete Android MVP by Feb 28
- Implement mesh networking core
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| First Task | Test the SC system | :material-calendar: Planned |
Renders as:
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Phase 0: Micro-Pilot
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Phase 0: Micro-Pilot
Phase Status
Status: Active
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future claim on treasury funds at a 1 SC = 1 EUR rate.
Renders as:
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The Smartup Credit System
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The Smartup Credit System
Why it exists: We need a fair way to track and reward contributions before cash arrives.
How it works (Technical Details)
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When a contributor completes a task, the Team Captain approves it and
-Smartup Credits are minted to the ledger. These credits represent a
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When a contributor completes a task, the Team Captain approves it and
+Smartup Credits are minted to the ledger. These credits represent a
future claim on treasury funds at a 1 SC = 1 EUR rate.
