# :material-flask: The Smartup 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.

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??? 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.

    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.

## What's a Smartup?

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)

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### :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)

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### :material-earth: External Adjustment  
**From "Distorted Incentives" to Planetary Focus**

**The Problem**  
National interests and profit motives override global needs.  
**Our Fix**  
Digital-first organizations beyond borders.

**Key innovations**:

- 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

[:material-arrow-right: Explore the external subsystem](external-subsystem.md)

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## Quick Start Guide

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- :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)

</div>

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## 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."

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## Ready to Dive Deeper?

<div class="grid" markdown>

:material-account-group:{ .lg }  
**Social Innovation**  
How we organize collectively  
[Explore Social Subsystem :material-arrow-right:](social-subsystem.md){ .md-button }

:material-server:{ .lg }  
**Technical Innovation**  
How we work and get paid  
[Explore Technical Subsystem :material-arrow-right:](technical-subsystem.md){ .md-button }

:material-earth:{ .lg }  
**External Innovation**  
How we transcend borders  
[Explore External Subsystem :material-arrow-right:](external-subsystem.md){ .md-button }

</div>

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<div class="grid" markdown>

: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 }

</div>

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