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: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.
??? 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 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:
:material-arrow-right: Explore the social subsystem
: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:
:material-arrow-right: Explore the technical subsystem
: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
- Future UN recognition as planetary entities
:material-arrow-right: Explore the external subsystem
Quick Start Guide
-
:material-help-circle:{ .lg .middle } How do I join?
- Visit Open Collective
- Choose your license type
- Enter our Matrix space
-
:material-currency-eur:{ .lg .middle } How do I earn?
- Find tasks in Forgejo
- Complete work
- Earn Smartup Credits
- Cash out when treasury allows
-
:material-vote:{ .lg .middle } What are my rights?
- Equal vote in decisions
- Equal ownership share
- Access to all information
- Choose your own path
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:material-target:{ .lg .middle } What are we building?
Currently: ONLIFE
Emergency communication
Works without internet
Open source forever
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?
:material-account-group:{ .lg }
Social Innovation
How we organize collectively
Explore Social Subsystem :material-arrow-right:{ .md-button }
:material-server:{ .lg }
Technical Innovation
How we work and get paid
Explore Technical Subsystem :material-arrow-right:{ .md-button }
:material-earth:{ .lg }
External Innovation
How we transcend borders
Explore External Subsystem :material-arrow-right:{ .md-button }
:material-book-open:{ .lg }
Start from Why
Understand the problems first
Read the Observation :material-arrow-right:{ .md-button }
:material-rocket-launch:{ .lg }
Join the Movement
Become part of Smartup Zero
Start Contributing :material-arrow-right:{ .md-button .md-button--primary }
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