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info "What is this?" This is not mere theory. Smartup Zero is a real-time experiment in building a totally new kind of digital organization—one designed from the ground up to fix the system misalignments holding back progress on the SDGs. Here we present the core architecture of a Smartup.
??? tip "just give me the abstract" The Smartup Hypothese is a set of rules, processes, workflows and tools that together form an operation system designed to have large group of people work together efficiently, transparant and mission-driven on tools that should help people drive the SDG’s forward. In essence we are trying to build a better toolkit for future generations. The operation system is described below as a living oranganism. We’ll dive in it’s it’s natural habitat, it’s anatomy, it’s metabolism and In a Smartup, “citizens” work collaboratively and interchangeably on ideas that have the potential to break old paradigms and show new ways forward. It is an organization designed to create tools for people to work both on and within their communities.
:material-cube-outline: The Architecture of a Smartup
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.
At its core, every Smartup is built like a rocket: a solid foundation, three structural pillars, and a sharp point of execution.
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The Foundation (Our Fuel)
- 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; no 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.
The Three Pillars (Our Structure)
- Collective Ownership
Everyone who joins and contributes is an equal owner. There are no founders, investors, or external shareholders—just people "in it" together. - 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. - 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.
The Nose Cone (Our Edge)
- 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.
!!! info "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.
:material-tree: The 4 Phases of Creation - The Habitat of a Smartup
!!! info "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.
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:material-stamper:{ .lg .middle } Phase 1: Validation
The Question: "Does the world needs 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
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:simple-materialdesignicons:{ .lg .middle } 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
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:material-file-code:{ .lg .middle } 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
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:fontawesome-solid-magnifying-glass-chart:{ .lg .middle } 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
!!! tip "The Common Thread" Notice how each phase requires four key elements:
1. **Financial sustainability** - Resources to continue
2. **Concrete deliverable** - Something tangible produced
3. **Expert validation** - Scientific or market review
4. **Democratic approval** - The community decides
This ensures what's being built is wanted, sound, and fully owned by the community at every step.
flowchart LR
V[🔍 Validation<br/><sub>Prove demand</sub>]
D[📐 Design<br/><sub>Create blueprint</sub>]
P[🔨 Production<br/><sub>Build & test</sub>]
O[🚀 Organization<br/><sub>Launch ready</sub>]
V -.->|Community Vote| D
D -.->|Community Vote| P
P -.->|Community Vote| O
O ==>|To Market!| M[🌍]
style V stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px
style D stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px
style P stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px
style O stroke:#ffd23f,stroke-width:3px
style M stroke:#8bc34a,stroke-width:3px
!!! tip "Why these phases?" Each phase ensures what’s being built is wanted, sound, and fully owned by the community before advancing. Built-in checkpoints—majority votes and scientific reviews—keep momentum aligned with trust and quality at every step.
Next: See how Smartup teams, roles, and workflows make collective building a reality.
:material-arrow-right-bold: Continue to Anatomy & Workflows
:material-dna: The Smartup Organism
!!! info "What is this?" 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.
Democratic by Nature, Military in Execution
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.
!!! warning "Learning from Failed Models"
Pure Democracy Everywhere = Endless debates, nothing ships
Pure Hierarchy Everywhere = Mission drift, worker alienation
Our Hybrid = Collective ownership + Professional execution
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.
“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.
:material-layers-triple: The Six Groups of Productivity
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.
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:material-forum:{ .lg .middle } 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 -
:material-briefcase:{ .lg .middle } 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 -
:material-account-group:{ .lg .middle } 3. Teams
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 -
:material-card-account-details:{ .lg .middle } 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.
Members: Workers with same role (peers)
Moderated by: Team Captain -
:material-target:{ .lg .middle } 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 -
:material-checkbox-marked-circle:{ .lg .middle } 6. Tasks
Where work happens
The smallest—and most important—unit. Tasks create measurable progress. Complete task, create value, get rewarded.
Members: Assigned workers
Moderated by: Mission Leader
!!! tip "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
This creates clear accountability chains while maintaining democratic oversight at the top.
:material-arrow-right-bold: Continue to the Metabolism (ADM Triangle)