Author: Kevin Owocki
Status: Draft for discussion
Target Round: GG25, Q2 2026
Proposed Matching Size: $100k–$300k (initial)
Summary
This proposal explores a strategic partnership between Gitcoin and Octant to pilot a yield-powered funding pool for GG25. The core idea is simple: deploy capital into Octant’s non-custodial, trustless vaults, use generated yield to fund Gitcoin Grants matching, and validate a sustainable, non-extractive funding primitive for public goods.
Octant has committed to matching Gitcoin’s vault deployment up to $2M, alongside co-branding and joint signaling. If successful, this model creates a repeatable path for funding frontier public goods without drawing down Gitcoin’s treasury.
Motivation
Public goods funding is evolving. Historically, Gitcoin Grants relied on surplus treasuries and episodic generosity. That era is closing. The next chapter requires structural funding that compounds over time and aligns incentives across capital, builders, and communities.
Octant represents a promising experiment in this direction. Its vaults are non-custodial, zero-fee, and designed to channel yield toward public goods. This proposal tests whether yield can reliably underwrite meaningful matching at Gitcoin scale.
Proposed Structure
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Capital Deployment
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Gitcoin deploys an initial tranche into Octant vaults, starting small and scaling as confidence increases.
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Octant matches Gitcoin’s deployed capital up to $2M.
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Capital remains owned by Gitcoin and Octant respectively. Only yield is used.
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Matching Pool
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Yield accumulated through Q2 2026 is harvested to create a $200k–$300k matching pool for GG25.
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Based on current estimates, this implies $6M–$8M total capital deployed over time.
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Round Focus
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GG25 round focus proposed as d/acc and adjacent frontier domains where new funding mechanisms matter most.
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Final scope to be co-defined by Gitcoin and Octant.
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Brand and Signaling
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GG25 co-branded as a Gitcoin x Octant round.
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Octant receives top-tier sponsor recognition and explicit acknowledgment as a leader in next-gen public goods funding.
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Future Considerations
If GG25 performs well, Gitcoin and Octant will revisit deeper GLM integration options within six months, without committing prematurely.
Risks and Mitigations
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Smart contract risk: Octant is audited, but until its Lindyness grows, we cannot guarantee 100% capital deployment. Gitcoin will tranche capital gradually and only scale as confidence grows.
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Yield volatility: Matching size is conservative and based on realized yield, not projections.
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Operational complexity: This is a single-round pilot, not a long-term lock-in.
Success Criteria
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Fund GG25 with no loss of principal.
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Clear learnings on whether yield-based matching can scale.
Decision Requested
Approval to:
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Remove funds from Avantgarde treasury management.
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Proceed with a Gitcoin x Octant pilot for GG25.
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Deploy initial Gitcoin treasury funds into Octant vaults with matched capital up to $2M.
- Proposed tranches: $20k, $200k, $2m, $10m into Octant vaults.
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Structure GG25 matching using generated yield, starting in the $100k–$300k range.
This is an experiment in making public goods funding structural rather than episodic. If it works, it opens a new chapter for Gitcoin and the broader PGF ecosystem.