Mentor sessions to help you uncover the potential of DWeb technology for social impact, clarify your story, and prepare for funding opportunities.
Registration is currently closed for this program.
You know the current systems aren't working
Which is why you've been exploring blockchains, cryptocurrencies, DAOs and decentralized web technology for a while now. You know it has the values to drive impact for civil society and the potential to shift the way we communicate, buy, own, and mobilize...
But how can you specifically apply it to make your corner of the world a better place?
And how can you drive a story that gets buy-in from colleagues, board members, and funders?
Introducing Maker Studio Sessions
Maker Studio Sessions are 1-on-1 mentor discussions designed to take you from a mess of ideas to a clear and specific application of DWeb technology for social impact, and craft a story to drive it forward.
Through our two part model, you'll work with experienced technologists, developers, program managers and entrepreneurs who have experience with DWeb technology.
Explore Sessions
How Does It Work?
Part 1: Complete the Worksheet
In each Maker Studio Session you'll have a short worksheet to expand your thinking and bring clarity to your situation. These can be downloaded from this page, done on your own time, and are required with your registration for a Studio Session.
Time Requirement: ~60 minutes
Part 2: Attend a Maker Studio Session
Choose a time slot on Maker Mondays to have a 1-on-1 session with a Mentor. These Mentors have been vetted, have technical DWeb knowledge, and are ready to support your mission-driven project.
Time Requirement: ~60 minutes
Who Is This For?
If you're a mission-driven Maker who is looking at frontier technology, this is for you. Maybe you're a developer and are looking to better understand your users and the impact side. Or perhaps you're a Civil Society Leader and looking to better understand DWeb technology that can drive your mission - or somewhere in between.
This program is designed to bring you clarity, and help you move forward in communicating it with others so you can be a catalyst for advancing society.
Join Studio 1
Define Your DWeb Use Case
From global fundraising with crypto, to starting a DAO, or even leveraging supply chain traceability - the impact potential for DWeb is massive. In this Studio Session you're going to pick one use case that has the most potential for you to implement and dive deeper so that you're ready to communicate it to stakeholders.
The worksheet will take you through several strategic questions that help you outline what could be possible, and how it could be built. Then, register for a Studio Session with this completed worksheet and go deep in real time with a Mentor to help you prepare for taking it to the next level.
Supporting Resources
Get Started
1 - Download Worksheet
(.docx)
2 - Complete Worksheet
3 - Registration Closed
Join Studio 2
Craft Your DWeb Impact Story
In the previous studio we explore the mechanics, the what and the how of your use case. In this edition we want to build the story that will pique interest, exploring the who and the why. This impact story is how you'll move people to join your implementation, to fund your project, and to develop it with you.
Start with our worksheet to draft your story outline. It will take you through a simple framework for sequencing your ideas so that they're easy to digest, remember, and communicate.
Supporting Resources
Get Started
1 - Download Worksheet
(.docx)
2 - Complete Worksheet
3 - Registration Closed
What are People Saying?
"I was so in a place of I don't even know what I don't know [...]. Having this type of stepping stone type progress is really really helpful"
- Chaplain Heaslet
"Speaking with Evan gave my project a breath of renewal. I was blown away by his genuine enthusiasm for my project and this helped just as much as all the great insights and resources."
- Stephan Noel
Meet The Mentors
Mashal Waqar - Head of Ecosystem, Octant
She recently co-authored the State of Web3 Grants report, and created the Protocol Party game as a researcher in Ethereum Foundation’s Summer of Protocols program. She’s a Forbes 30 Under 30, 2-time TEDx speaker, and has worn many hats in prior years including being media entrepreneur, community builder, and writer.
Connect on LinkedIn
Jason Shim - Author, Editor, CTO
How can we harness technology to make a difference in the world? That's the question Jason loves to explore with organizations. In 2013, he led Pathways to Education Canada to become the first charity to issue tax receipts for Bitcoin donations. Jason serves as an editor at Ledger, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal at the University of Pittsburgh that publishes full-length original research articles on the subjects of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Connect on LinkedIn
Azeem Khan - Co-Founder, Morph
Azeem Khan is a serial entrepreneur, crypto investor, and Co-Founder of Morph. Azeem was also previously the Head of Impact at Gitcoin, a prominent social impact Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), Gitcoin has distributed over $60 million in grants and helped create more than $29 billion in global financial impact.
Connect on LinkedIn
Joel M. Harrison - Brand Messaging & Marketing Consultant
As a brand story, communications and experience designer to social enterprises and nonprofits, Joel is working with the Accelerating Makers team to bring new frameworks to advance public good tech projects. Joel has been a community builder, podcaster, entrepreneur, and recently served as Director of Marketing for a food rescue startup, helping them raise over $8 million in funding.
Connect on LinkedIn
Nathan Hewitt - COO Open Collective
Nathan Hewitt is an NYC-based nonprofit programs and small business operations professional, governance nerd, local activist, and ambient musician. He is a "radical administrator" in service of community resilience and autonomy, currently serving as ops strategist at Open Collective, and a board member for Social Impact Commons.
Connect on LinkedIn
Deepa Chaudhary - Founder Impact DAO Media
Deepa is a social entrepreneur passionate about technology and social impact. She has previously worked with Salesforce Foundation helping nonprofits adopt cloud technology and is currently focused on helping changemakers embrace the future of doing good. She is the founder of Impact DAO Media, the open source knowledge repository on Impact DAOs, the new form of digital social impact organizations.
Connect on LinkedIn
Gloria Kimbwala - Builder Relations Gitcoin
Gloria Kimbwala is a renowned tech industry leader, specializing in quadratic funding, regenerative cryptoeconomics, DAOs, and inclusive financial structures. As a Technical Advisor on the Board of Directors for the Black Women Blockchain Council, she's recognized as one of the Top Ten Women in Fintech. Gloria is also a speaker and mentor, sharing her expertise and empowering marginalized voices through hackathons and social justice causes.
Connect on LinkedIn
And more...
FAQ
Can I join a Maker Studio Session more than once?
Absolutely! We know these are iterative. If you have a second use case to explore, or if you've refined your thinking again and want to speak with another Mentor we would encourage it.
Does it cost anything?
There is no cost. Thanks to our funding sponsors at the Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web we're able to offer this program completely free.
When are the Studio Sessions?
We work with Mentors to make times available every Monday, typically during the day in Pacific Time (California). We're only opening a couple of spots each week so jump on the opportunity before they're booked. These sessions will run until March 2023.
Can I Become a Mentor?
Yes please! Mentors have an important role in supporting Makers to develop their thinking and their DWeb tools. Visit this page to learn more about becoming a Mentor and if it's right for you.