Do you have an innovative idea but lack the resources to implement it?
Have you developed a prototype but don’t know how to find your first users?
Do you want to validate your creativity in the Web5 wave but aren’t sure where to start?
The Spark Program is designed for you!
We provide quick, lightweight financial support (around $1,000) to help you transform your idea into a verifiable prototype or gather valuable early user feedback within 1-2 months. No complicated application process, no complex business plans, just your creativity and drive!
1 Background and Purpose
CKB Eco Fund officially launches the “Spark Program,” a small-scale project funding mechanism designed to help community developers initiate small prototype projects with low barriers and fast pace. Each project receives funding of up to $1,000, based on actual project needs, with a recommended timeframe of 1-2 months, supporting developers to validate ideas, build Proof of Concept prototypes, or iterate on demos.
We aim to continue the spirit advocated by Rock Web5, organic combination of Web2 and Web3, symbiosis of technology and community, small but real, user-centric, human-oriented, by enabling more solid “small ideas” to grow quickly through modest grants, laying the foundation for larger future funding. We recognize that successful technical innovation and product development depend not only on code implementation but also on interaction and feedback loops with early users. Therefore, the Spark Program supports both prototype development and initial user testing, helping developers balance technical iteration with user validation.
1.1 What Can the Spark Program Offer You?
As a developer or innovator joining the Spark Program, you will receive:
- Rapid Funding - No complex financing process, receive your first support within one week
- Flexible Usage - Funds can be used for development, user testing, or initial operations, based on your priorities
- Technical Guidance and Feedback - Weekly synchronization meetings for targeted advice and resource support
- Community Exposure - Showcase your project at monthly sharing sessions, connecting with potential users and partners
- Advanced Funding Channels - Outstanding projects will receive channels and guidance for applying for larger funding
1.2 Who Is the Spark Program For?
You have technical capabilities but need a clear goal and timeframe to implement a prototype; or you already have a prototype and need resources for key functional iterations.
Case: Alex is a full-stack developer who wants to develop a tool combining CKB and AI. With support from the Spark Program, he can focus on completing his MVP in one month and receive first-hand feedback from the community.
You have a product concept and need to quickly test market response; or you want to explore innovative interaction models in Web5 scenarios.
Case: Bob designed a new Web5 social application but was uncertain if users truly needed it. Using funds from the Spark Program, he recruited 30 seed users and, through structured testing, discovered the core value points and improvement directions for his product.
The reason to choose the Spark Program is simple: low barrier, quick response, genuine support. We don’t just provide funding; we offer fertile ground and possibilities for realizing your creativity.
2 Spark Program Operational Mechanism
The Spark Program adopts a clear and efficient operational approach. Drawing on industry experience, we’ve designed a lightweight process:
2.1 Project Application Method
- Developers submit applications directly in the Spark Program channel in the Developer section of the Nervos Network Discord
- Application format should include:
- Project name - Team/individual profile and contact information (brief) - Project description (problem, solution) - Expected deliverables (code repository, documentation, demonstration, etc.) - Required funding (typically project funding amounts are within **$1,000**, exceptionally outstanding or significantly impactful projects may apply for up to **$2,000**. We encourage reasonable applications based on actual project needs for more effective resource allocation. Applications must include a funding breakdown, and the Eco Fund evaluation Committee will determine the final grant amount based on project circumstances) - Estimated completion time (generally completable within 1-2 months; for long-term plans, we recommend narrowing the work scope in the application to focus on development and iteration within a short cycle) - Clear To-do list - Relevance to the CKB ecosystem: - Meeting actual needs in the CKB ecosystem - Or utilizing CKB's technical architecture to provide unique competitive advantages
- Project funding can be requested in the equivalent value of CKB or CKB + USDI (USDI proportion ≤ 50%)
2.2 Evaluation Method
- The Eco Fund evaluation Committee will complete the assessment within 1 week
- Evaluation points:
- Alignment with Web5 design philosophy
- Technical feasibility and innovation (technical projects)
- User testing and operational plan reasonability (when applicable)
- Team capability and project compatibility
- Potential value and contribution to the community
2.3 Funding Distribution Strategy
- Funding distribution uses multi-signature wallet tools for management:
- Each approved project establishes a multi-signature wallet for Spark funds management and distribution
- The multi-signature wallet requires confirmation from at least 3 Committee members before fund transfers
- Each fund distribution will be announced on the Nervos Network Discord server and Nervos Talk forum with transaction hash, ensuring the entire process is traceable and verifiable
- A flexible two-stage distribution model is adopted:
- 20% initial funding released at project launch to help start quickly
- The remaining 80% can be used flexibly according to project progress:
- On-demand application: Present specific funding needs, usage explanation, and progress status at weekly sync meetings; funds will be quickly allocated after the Committee evaluates reasonability
- Final providing: If the project completes its goals within the established funding range, remaining funds can be provided after project completion
- Key assessment points for on-demand applications include: consistency of fund usage with project objectives, previous progress, and clarity of the funding plan
- Projects must publicly disclose fund usage at completion for community learning and reference
2.4 Progress Synchronization Mechanism
- Submit application in the Spark Program channel of the Discord
- Eco Fund decides whether to fund within 1 week
- For funded projects, Eco Fund announces on Nervos Network Discord server + Nervos Talk forum:
- Basic project information
- Funding decision and evaluation rationale
- Funding distribution details (including multi-signature transaction hash)
- Eco Fund will ensure transparency throughout the project lifecycle:
- Major project adjustments and rationales will be promptly announced
- Project completion or termination circumstances and reasons will be fully disclosed
- Eco Fund conducts weekly synchronization and mentoring meetings with projects, focusing on:
- Technical development progress
- Early user feedback and test results (if applicable)
- Iteration adjustment plans
- Funding application and usage
- Eco Fund organizes a monthly platform-wide livestream, inviting funded and completed projects to share
- Projects are encouraged to actively share updates with the community through the Rock Web5 channel + Nervos Talk forum:
- Technical development progress
- Early user feedback and test results
- Iteration adjustment plans
- Funding application and usage
- At project completion, the community should be provided with:
- Project summary report
- Comparison of original plan with actual completion
- Key decisions and challenge solutions
- Project outcomes and value summary
- Transparent funding usage report (compared with the breakdown at application)
- Other experience and lesson sharing
- Technical deliverables (if applicable)
- Complete code repository (must comply with open-source requirements)
- Basic function demonstration (video or online demo)
- Concise technical documentation and deployment instructions
- User validation materials (if applicable)
- User testing data and key feedback
- Product improvement ideas and directions
- User acquisition experience and insights
- Project summary report
3 Project Requirements and Guidelines
3.1 Core Requirements
- Must be open source: All projects must adopt open-source licensing
- Bilingual application: Application materials must be provided in both Chinese and English
- Conform to Web5 philosophy: Projects should embody Web5 design philosophy
- Practical innovation: Projects focused on financial speculation or simply replicating existing industry bubbles will not be supported
3.2 Funding Usage Scope
The Spark Program recognizes the different needs of small projects at various stages; funding can be flexibly used for the following directions:
- Technical development: Support for prototype building, iterative improvements, technical research, etc.
- Initial user acquisition: Support for seed user testing, feedback collection, small-scale user interviews, etc.
- Basic operational validation: Support for small-scale content creation, initial community interaction, simple promotional material production, etc.
The Spark Program focuses on early concept validation and initial user feedback, not suitable for large-scale promotion and operation of mature products. For subsequent Go-To-Market strategies, we encourage teams with successfully completed Spark Program to apply for larger-scale funding from the Community Fund DAO.
3.3 Completion Policy
- In principle, the same project can only receive Spark funding once
- For project extensions, we understand challenges that may arise during the innovation process. If you anticipate being unable to complete on time, please submit a brief extension application at least 1 week before the original completion date, explaining the reason for the extension, time needed, and plans. The Eco Fund evaluation Committee will assess based on project progress and application reasonability. Typically, we support reasonable extension applications not exceeding 2 weeks.
- During exploration, projects may need to adjust direction based on discoveries and feedback. We maintain an open attitude toward this:
- Minor optimizations: Adjustments to feature priorities, implementation details, or user experience can be communicated directly in weekly sync meetings
- Significant adjustments: If major changes to target user groups, core values, or technical paths are needed, please prepare a brief explanation to present at weekly sync meetings; the Committee will evaluate the reasonability and potential value of the adjustment
- Complete pivot: If the current direction is found to be completely unfeasible and you wish to pivot to an entirely new area, the current project will be terminated, and we recommend reapplying with the new direction
- To ensure reasonable project pace and resource allocation, projects delayed beyond 2 weeks should enter the completion evaluation process. At this point, we will comprehensively assess based on completed work, recorded experiences, and outputs (using effective code commits and documentation on GitHub as important reference) to determine the final support plan. Even if plans cannot be fully implemented, we encourage submitting completion reports sharing valuable experiences, which is also an important contribution to the community.
- In the following situations, Eco Fund will terminate the project and stop remaining fund distributions:
- Continuous lack of substantial progress for an extended period (2 weeks) without reasonable cause
- Project direction completely deviates from the original application goals / fund usage severely deviates from the project plan without Committee approval
- Discovery of material falsification or other integrity issues
4 Follow-up Support
- For successfully completed Spark Program projects, Eco Fund will provide tiered support:
- For outstanding projects: Assistance in preparing Community Fund DAO proposals (Note: this does not represent Eco Fund endorsement), providing in-depth technical and resource support
- For projects that basically complete objectives: Providing product optimization suggestions and replanning support
- For projects partially completing objectives but with valuable experience: Assisting in summarizing lessons learned and providing repositioning advice
- All completed projects will have opportunities to share experiences and results at community events
- For uncompleted projects, circumstances will be announced to the community
- Eco Fund will regularly compile project experiences to form an open knowledge base for community reference
5 Transparency Commitment
The Spark Program upholds principles of openness and transparency, ensuring community members can fully understand project situations:
- Application evaluation transparency: Assessment results and rationales for all project applications will be publicly released
- Funding usage transparency: All funds managed through multi-signature wallets, with transaction records verifiable and checkable
- Progress tracking transparency: Project approval, major adjustments, and completion status promptly released, ensuring the community understands the latest status
- Decision process transparency: Project-related decisions and rationales will be public
- Completion evaluation transparency: Project completion status, outcome evaluation, and lessons learned will form public reports
We believe transparency is not only about responsible resource use but also key to promoting community learning and progress.
Whether you’ve generated new ideas at the recent Rock Web5 event or sparked insights during regular development, as long as your idea is mature enough to produce a prototype within a month or refine existing work, we encourage you to apply.
The original intention of the Spark Program is to lower barriers, allowing technology enthusiasts like you to focus on building without worrying about startup funding.
We look forward to witnessing, in the near future, one creative idea after another driven by the community ignite and flourish with the help of the Spark Program, radiating dazzling light.
Let’s create a bright future for the Nervos CKB community together!
