Updated Nov 21th 2024:
Here is the link to the report:
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cjW0z7pgSH1LpQyKwTJd2bgUbJHxf2OuQ6DONZecS-c/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cjW0z7pgSH1LpQyKwTJd2bgUbJHxf2OuQ6DONZecS-c/edit?usp=sharing</a>&nbsp;
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Update November 15th 2024:
Here are our updated expenses: <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bR9yDAil_1NEMcDN6RbkQGqoxbOxPzahffoFRVyqG-s/edit?gid=0#gid=0">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bR9yDAil_1NEMcDN6RbkQGqoxbOxPzahffoFRVyqG-s/edit?gid=0#gid=0</a>
We will post a summary report by the end of next week.&nbsp;
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Update October 15th 2024:
We received feedback stating that we should have a developer, solutions architect, or sales engineer accompany us. Most developers will be at the Sub0 event in Bangkok. However, we found a volunteer!
Luka from PBA Hong Kong will join us!
He is very technical and can explain in more detail which solutions would be most appropriate for each use case.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello everyone,
PolkaBiz (represented by Christian and Mario) will attend the <a href="https://websummit.com/">Web Summit</a> event in Lisbon from November 11-14. With over 70,000 participants, this is one of the largest web2 events in Europe.
Our mission:&nbsp;
We want to explore whether Web2 companies are open to integrating blockchain technology to solve their business challenges. If yes, could Polkadot provide the solutions they&rsquo;re looking for?
Why it matters:
We want to determine if Web2 events like this can help attract more businesses and enterprises to the Polkadot ecosystem. We believe Polkadot has the potential to offer solutions that surpass traditional cloud providers and even other blockchain protocols when it comes to solving real-world problems.
Our strategy &amp; KPI&rsquo;s:
We&rsquo;ll focus on quality over quantity, targeting 50 selected C-level executives. Our funnel approach is as follows ;
<ul>
<li>50 conversations with key stakeholders</li>
<li>10 executives expressing interest in blockchain technology</li>
<li>2 potential leads to explore how Polkadot solutions can benefit their business</li>
</ul>
Post-event, we&rsquo;ll compile a comprehensive report detailing our findings and the opportunities we uncovered for Polkadot.
This discussion post aims to gauge the community&rsquo;s thoughts about us asking for a future tip to cover our travel and accommodation costs (total approx. $2,200 for both of us).
Of course, we will provide a detailed report and proof of expenses after the event.
Why we didn't go through the event bounty:
The event bounty is not applicable to what we want to do. We won't have a booth or anything like that.&nbsp;
We look forward to the feedback from the community!&nbsp;
Mario &amp; Christian

Web Summit: Targeting Web2 companies to explore Polkadot's solutions to solve their problems. 

We were testing out new features for Polkassembly V2 and we published this proposal by mistake. We didn't know that this is something that would actually go on-chain. We wanted to do something good by helping out Polkassembly test out their V2, and then this happened....Please ignore.

This was created accidentally , please ignore. Sorry for the inconvenience. 

Hello everyone,
This Big Tipper request is related to the discussion post we did here - <a href="../post/2504">https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/post/2504</a>
The purpose of this report is to request budget approval of $4,533.88 to reimburse only travel and accommodation expenses for attendance at the WebSummit in Lisbon (November 11&ndash;14). The time spent working at the event will not incur any charges. The request is based on the discussion we posted on October 10th. The event, one of the largest Web2 gatherings in Europe with over 70,000 participants and 3,000 startups, provided valuable insights and networking opportunities to explore how Polkadot can address the needs of Web2 businesses.
<a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mpc0-QixoREAuvdtIWV5-UXtSXAlMd20?usp=sharing">Here is a link to our expenses</a>
The goal was to assess whether Web2 companies are open to adopting blockchain solutions for their business challenges and, if so, to determine how Polkadot can serve as a strategic enabler.
We identified 2 leads from governmental organizations and 2 leads from IT companies that are very interested in building on Polkadot.&nbsp;
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cjW0z7pgSH1LpQyKwTJd2bgUbJHxf2OuQ6DONZecS-c/edit?usp=sharing">Here is the link to the full report</a>

*"Mario and Christian formed an alliance following their time at PBA in Hong Kong. Since then, PolkaBiz has become a great tool to identify and nurture entrepreneurs for the Polkadot ecosystem. We’re really keen to keep working with them."* **- Tim Dobie, Director of Polkadot Blockchain Academy**

PolkaBiz has been quietly but effectively building the foundation for the next generation of startups within Polkadot.  In ref [1504](https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/referenda/1504), which received strong support from the majority of the community, we wanted to continue this kind of work. However, during the confirmation period, the proposal was unexpectedly rejected. 

After consulting W3F and some community members, we have therefore decided to present a retroactive funding proposal for the past 4 months (January - April).

 Here’s what we *already achieved*  -  **verifiable results** from January to April 2025:

* 100+ startup applications screened
* 68 startups mentored with 1:1 coaching on product-market fit, go-to-market strategies, business models, and pitching
* 8 startups secured Web3 Foundation grants in January alone, receiving $240,000 in total funding
* 3 additional startups funded via PBA-X, securing another $60,000 in grants
* Founder portal to track, guide, and support project onboarding within the ecosystem
* G6Networks signed an MOU with a national government, a deal facilitated through PolkaBiz connections
* A 100+ FTE Web2 development company introduced to the Web3 Deal Desk through our mentorship program

This work has been recognized not only by startups but by major ecosystem leaders such as the Web3 Foundation and the Polkadot Blockchain Academy.

This proposal only seeks **fair retroactive compensation** for 4 months of hard work:

* Originally $62,000 per quarter (approx. $20,666/month)
* Now $82,666.66 total including April

If Polkadot wants more applications, more builders, and more real usage, **programs like PolkaBiz are essential**. Together with the community, we are actively exploring the best ways to sustainably fund our efforts.

**Here is the link to the full proposal: https://docs.google.com/document/d/142EZKo4CKbwIlGQklGl1MaIBT3qdMEDQHATro9UOiZI/edit?usp=sharing**

Thank you all for your trust and support! 🙏

PolkaBiz Retroactive Treasury Request January - April 2025

Introduction PolkaBiz plays a key role in the Polkadot ecosystem, providing mentorship and business expertise to founders, builders, and programs such as PBA, PBA-X, Web3 Foundation, and Scytale Digital. To continue delivering high-value mentorship and guidance, this proposal seeks funding to support the PolkaBiz team for their work in 2025, ensuring Polkadot remains an attractive hub for Web3 entrepreneurship.
PolkaBiz actively identifies and mentors high-potential startups, already screening 100+ startups in 2025. We believe that entrepreneurial minds and ambitious builders deserve a platform to be heard and supported. Our mentorship program not only accelerates startups but also provides a valuable educational experience for students in PBA X and PBA Campus.
Why a Pitch &amp; Mentor program? Many Web3 founders lack business strategy and go-to-market expertise. This leads them to make wrong and sometimes detrimental decisions. PolkaBiz fills this gap. By helping founders succeed, we help create an environment where entrepreneurial, ambitious people feel welcomed.
Feedback from partners
<ul>
<li>
&ldquo;Mario and Christian put by far the most teams for the founders grants program in touch with us and supported us by preselecting the teams. They significantly contributed to the success of this first invite-only test run.&rdquo; David Hawig - Director of Ecosystem Development, Web3 Foundation.
</li>
<li>
&ldquo;Mario and Christian formed an alliance following their time at PBA in Hong Kong as students on the Founders track we ran at that time. Since then the original Polkabiz idea has become a great tool, proven to identify and nurture entrepreneurs who have places in PBA Campus or PBA-X into the ecosystem. The next step is to use Polkabiz as a means of attracting entrepreneurs to PBA via marketing of the benefits Polkabiz provides, thus creating a new funnel of projects into the ecosystem.Mario and Christian are great at what they do and are tireless in their efforts. We&rsquo;re really keen to keep working with them to help.&ldquo; - Tim Dobie - Director of Blockchain Academy.
</li>
<li>
&ldquo;I had the opportunity to work with Polkabiz at PBA Singapore and PBAX Wave 1, where I mentored teams that went through their initial screening and mentoring process. I can vouch for the quality of effort and time Polkabiz invests in mentoring these teams 1:1, which is evident from the qualitative and quantitative feedback received from the participants&rdquo; - Dr. Radha Dasari, Technical Education Lead, Web3 Foundation.
</li>
</ul>
See here the details of the full proposal: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EdAWrKn2JW3amysB3aFlDmb6uAAQIV9LcC36OZ0VAtc/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EdAWrKn2JW3amysB3aFlDmb6uAAQIV9LcC36OZ0VAtc/edit?usp=sharing</a>