A network of DAO operators to improve coordination and accelerate learning across the DAO ecosystem

groundw3rk is a network of DAO operators formed for the purpose of building stronger relationships, improving the flow of information and resources across the ecosystem, and creating new pathways for DAOs to coordinate their efforts and support each other’s work.

groundw3rk lies just beneath the surface of the DAO movement. It facilitates connection, coordination, and collaboration among DAOs and their core contributors. The purpose is to strengthen the ecosystem as a whole and support the individuals who are moving the space forward. The concept of groundw3rk emerged from the recognition that there is deep value in creating a strong network that can help those at the leading edge of the DAO ecosystem–not just groundw3rk members–to navigate the challenges they are sure to encounter in the years ahead.

The current members of the groundw3rk DAO are people who are at the core of DAOs and who are doing important work in the ecosystem. The specific role doesn’t matter; what matters is that they have key roles in DAOs, are pushing the culture of DAOs, and are key influencers in their respective communities. At present, the DAOs and DAO-adjacent organizations represented in the network include: 0xx, BlackLeadersDAO, Blu3 DAO, Bloom Network, Boys Club, Cabin, Caribbean Blockchain Alliance, Clarity, Converge, Coordinape, CowDAO, DAO Masters, DAOhaus, DAOstack, dOrg, DreamDAO, EcoDAO, EvenGov, FactoryDAO, Forefront, FWB GitcoinDAO, Gnosis, Govrn, Holochain, IndexCoop, Krause House, Llama, MakerDAO, Metacartel Ventures DAO, MetaFactory, MetaGame, MetaGov, Mirror, MolochDAO, Multicoin, Mystic Whales, Orca Protocol, Otterspace, Panvala, Scalar Capital, SeedClub, SharkDAO, She 256, Songcamp, Spacemesh, SquiggleDAO, STATION, Surge, Syndicate, Tally, The Ready, YAP DAO and Zeitgeist.

As a general rule, we strive to keep the representation of a given DAO to 1 or 2 within groundw3rk in order to maximize cross-pollination across DAOs. Members see themselves as representatives of their DAOs, drawing other contributors from their DAOs into relevant groundw3rk conversations and convenings as needed. Over time, our intention is that individual members will pass their membership on to other contributors from their DAO, such that groundw3rk maintains a strong web of connectivity among the top DAOs in the space.

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How groundw3rk Works

As our name suggests, groundw3rk takes inspiration from the concept of mycorrhizal networks: the underground, interconnected root systems that provide pathways for communication and resource sharing among trees and plants to create a mutual support network that makes the whole ecosystem healthier and more resilient. In healthy forests, no tree grows on its own. This is the principle that drives us.

groundw3rk doesn’t seek to build a product, and we have no interest in building a brand or launching a token. Instead, we are fully committed to creating spaces for DAO leaders to connect at a deeper level, have honest conversations, support each other’s work, address emerging issues critical to the development of the ecosystem, and create pathways for information and resources to flow among DAOs to where they’re needed most. We trust that the right things will emerge from that groundw3rk.

In addition to its vibrant, invite-only Telegram group, the network uses four pathways to provide value to members and strengthen the DAO movement:**

• Convenings: Virtual and IRL groundw3rk convenings are organized every quarter, intentionally designed and facilitated to create generative spaces that transform the nature of relationships across the network and create moments when members can learn from and support one another’s work. The first IRL gathering of the network, called DAOCamp, was held May 6-9, 2022 at a Summer Camp near Austin, TX, featuring 20 groundw3rk members and 40 others leaders at the forefront of the emerging DAO ecosystem.
• “Common Ground” community calls: The network hosts a monthly community call, called “Common Ground”, on the last Friday of each month. Each community call is focused on creating connection, coordinating actions, advancing collaborative work, and building a community of support.
• Circles: Members form smaller groups to advance specific pieces of work that will benefit the ecosystem and to connect around shared interests. Current circles include:
  • Defining DAOs: A group that is developing a series of definitions for DAOs, at different levels of technical detail and meant for different audiences.
  • groundw3rk Writing Group: A place where groundw3rk members are supporting each other's writing goals, sharing drafts, and getting critical feedback on articles they’re working on.
  • Moloch DAOs: A group experimenting with applications for Moloch DAOs, NFT-membership and voting, and other governance protocols.
  • DAO Therapy: A cohort of DAO leaders who meet monthly in a facilitated setting to share learnings and discuss key issues such as leading in decentralized contexts and caring for mental health.
• Conversations: Members organize issue-specific conversations and workshops to dig into topics of interest and learn about each other’s work. Currently, these conversations are taking two forms:
  • DAO Showcases: a rotating showcase of each DAO that members are operating, featuring an overview of the DAO’s genesis, challenges, and tools, with open Q&A to advance shared understanding of the DAO ecosystem.
  • Case Clinics: workshops organized around a specific topic or question that members want to explore with others.

DAO Camp - Gathering to Strengthen the DAO Ecosystem

In collaboration with CABIN, groundw3rk hosted the first-ever DAO Camp from May 6-9, 2022, featuring 60 DAO leaders from across the ecosystem for the purpose of uniting the DAO community through connection and coherence. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.93/5 in a follow-up survey completed by 27 attendees.

The success of this gathering has inspired us to continue to host regular DAO Camp gatherings in the future to continue to advance our mission of bringing the ecosystem together to strengthen connection, coordination, and collaboration among DAOs and to grow the emerging DAO movement.

A selection of testimonials follow:

“DAO Camp was a unique combination of intentional gathering, deeply thoughtful discussion, and barefoot child-like play. I’m still processing and integrating this very special experience. thank you all for bringing your whole self. I’m even more optimistic for our space.” - Richie Bonilla, Co-founder & CEO, Clarity.so

“Beyond grateful to have had such a special place to laugh and play with old + new friends ❤️ Thank you to everyone for an absolutely incredible weekend.” - Chase Chapman, Host, On the Other Side