My Experiences as a Pollinator with DAOStack

by Yannick Hoffmann

When I first found DAOstack during my research for my master thesis, I was blown away by the possible uses of such a project. I found the project because I was interested in solutions that tackle problems in large-scale decision making, and I was very new to the blockchain technology and projects. Erik invited me to connect with other researchers and promised I would meet an “interesting collection of individuals…” and this turned out to be true in a very positive sense.

After a few quiet weeks from my side (since I had to write my thesis etc.), I began taking part in the weekly Genesis DAO calls, and one thing led to another. Ezra asked me if I would be keen to run a proposal and make it happen. Of course, I was very up for it, and a few days later, the proposal was ready and uploaded on “Alchemy,” the first D-App built on top of DAOStack for budget and resource allocation.

After three days, the proposal went through, and it was accepted. That meant I got the budget allocated to my wallet and was able to start my work. There I was: from knowing nothing about blockchain and DAOs at the beginning of the year to getting paid in cryptocurrencies from a DAO in order to bring forward an amazing project with amazing people. I went around and told everybody I thought could understand about the DAOStack project, and that I got paid in cryptocurrencies. Responses varied from “What is a cryptocurrency?” to “So, it might be worth nothing tomorrow?” to “How do you even tax that?” (looking at you my fellow Germans), and those questions were important feedback for me and DAOStack since they apply to everyone taking part.

Lucky enough, I was able to attend the Berlin Blockchain Week. There, in the first-ever event to be funded by a DAO, I met many of the team that I just knew from the weekly Genesis calls. It was exciting to meet the “interesting collection of individuals” in person and I could not have asked for a better first meeting of “our” DAO. I could not say it better than Pat, who said something like, “I think I have never been in a room together with so many intelligent people.”

I can tell you working for a DAO and being part of the pollinators of DAOStack is a thrilling and new experience I never thought I would have. The verdict on the outcome of my work is still yet to come from the DAO, but I can just encourage everyone to get involved and try this new form of organisational structure, which I believe will be a great alternative to existing systems.