# Protocol Labs x ENS x Nouns Hackathon

## TL;DR

We propose that NounsDAO co-sponsor the upcoming [Modular Worlds: A PL Genesis Hackathon](https://www.plgenesis.com/) in partnership with [ENS DAO Public Goods Working Group](https://basics.ensdao.org/public-goods) , hosted by [Protocol Labs](https://www.protocol.ai/). The goal is to encourage developers to deploy NounsDAO-related frontends using **IPFS + ENS**, ensuring long-term accessibility, resilience, and neutrality. This initiative will help us address tooling sustainability issues and initiate long-term partnerships across public goods, infrastructure, and naming systems.

- **Funding Requested from NounsDAO**: 10,000 USDC (2 ETH reimbursed by ENS DAO) 
- **Event Date**: June 5, 2025 (Virtual) 
- **Theme**: "Nouns Frontends, Immutable by ENS" 

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## Problem Statement

Over the past few years, NounsDAO has funded multiple tools, clients, and community frontends. However, many of these sites break or disappear once funding ends, creating reliance on centralized infrastructure, loss of community value, and user experience gaps.

We want to reverse this pattern by encouraging the development of resilient frontends that live permanently on **IPFS** and are resolved through **ENS domains** using [EIP-1577](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-1577).

## Solution & Opportunity

Protocol Labs is hosting a global virtual hackathon in June 2025 titled Modular Worlds: A PL Genesis Hackathon. We have the opportunity to co-sponsor the event alongside **ENS DAO**, representing the a formal collaboration between NounsDAO and ENS DAO.

This hackathon gives us a strategic chance to:

- Launch an open-source bounty track focused on building and upgrading Nounish frontends using IPFS + ENS. 
- Educate new developers about NounsDAO infrastructure and decentralized web best practices. 
- Attract developer mindshare and build tooling that outlasts short-term grants. 
- Initiate a lasting relationship with both ENS DAO and Protocol Labs around **public goods funding** and **infrastructure collaboration**. 

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## Proposal Scope

### Hackathon Sponsorship

- **Tier**: Silver (shared between NounsDAO and ENS DAO) 
- **Total Cost**: 10,000 USDC
  - **Initial Contribution**: 10,000 USDC from NounsDAO 
  - **Reimbursement**: 2ETH from ENS DAO  

### Benefits

- Medium logo placement across websites, socials, and newsletters 
- Dedicated 45-minute workshop hosted by NounsDAO contributors 
- Sponsor bounty pool and participation in Founders Forge curriculum 
- Access to developer leads and project submissions 

### Nouns x ENS Track: "Nouns Frontends, Immutable by ENS"

Participants will be invited to:

- Tune or build NounsDAO-related frontends 
- Host the complete UI on **IPFS** (via [PinMe](https://pinme.eth.limo/)) 
- Resolve each site using **ENS domain names** 
- Include toggles to customize **RPC endpoints** and **subgraph keys** 

Winning submissions will be awarded bounties and invited to continue working with the DAO for potential long-term support.

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## Execution Plan

- **Lead**: 0xdusk.eth (coordination with ENS DAO & PL) 
- **Infrastructure Partner**: PinMe (ENS & IPFS deployment) 
- **Hackathon Host**: Protocol Labs (Modular Worlds team) 
- **Co-Funding Partner**: ENS DAO (reimbursing 50%) 

### Timeline

- **May 2025**: Sponsorship confirmed and campaign begins 
- **June 5, 2025**: Hackathon launches 
- **June-July 2025**: Track executed, projects submitted, winners selected 

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## Strategic Alignment

This proposal represents:

- A formal NounsDAO x ENS x Protocol Labs collaboration 
- A kickoff for public goods alignment across naming, infra, and storage 
- A step toward a more resilient, modular, and cross-compatible ecosystem 
- A way to reduce treasury waste by encouraging long-term tooling design 

We believe this initiative sets a strong precedent for recurring collaborations across infrastructure DAOs and positions NounsDAO as a forward-looking force in Ethereum's development ecosystem.

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## Budget

| Item                       | Cost (USDC)       |
| -------------------------- | ----------------- |
| Silver Tier Sponsorship    | $10,000 (upfront) |
| Reimbursement from ENS DAO | 2ETH              |
| Net Cost to NounsDAO       | Around $5,000     |

Funds will be distributed to the Modular Worlds hackathon address.

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## Closing

We respectfully request the approval of **10,000 USDC** to sponsor this high-impact hackathon track in collaboration with **ENS DAO** and **Protocol Labs**. This will not only produce valuable tooling, but also mark the beginning of a broader strategic alliance to support public goods and infrastructure in Web3.

Thank you for your consideration.

⌐◨-◨

Outcome: EXECUTED