TL;DR

What

This proposal introduces a scalable Cross-DAO Collaboration Framework initiated by The Sandbox DAO to foster partnerships and shared governance, starting with ApeCoin DAO as a pilot. The first step is to acquire 100,000 ApeCoins using up to 312,500 SAND to begin participating in ApeCoin DAO governance and fostering cross-community collaboration, driving mass adoption of a decentralised metaverse vision.

Why

1. Expand Sandbox Influence: Position The Sandbox DAO as a thought leader in innovation and amplify our voice and presence across the Web3 ecosystem.
2. Enhance Collaboration: Foster cross-DAO initiatives, to deliver a more interconnected user experience that aligns with The Sandbox’s vision of building a global, open Metaverse.
3. Grow Community and User Base: Attract users from targeted communities (starting with the ApeCoin community) to explore The Sandbox product and engage with its ecosystem.

How

1. Acquire 100,000 APE tokens using the treasury
2. Establish a Snapshot subdomain for The Sandbox community to actively engage in ApeCoin DAO governance. Created a dedicated forum category to allow community members to express opinions and discuss AIPs effectively.
3. Following the outlined process in this proposal, community members are encouraged to propose co-branded initiatives with ApeCoin DAO. We will submit the first cross-DAO proposal using this framework, aiming to create a co-funded incentive program to foster and reward co-branded initiatives.

When

The acquisition of ApeCoin will be completed within one month of SIP approval, subject to market conditions. The governance setup and community engagement launch will be finalised within this timeframe. Within one month of acquiring ApeCoins and initiating governance participation, the first cross-DAO proposal (focused on establishing a co-funded incentive program) will be submitted to The Sandbox DAO for approval. In the meantime, community members are encouraged to submit their own cross-DAO proposals as soon as the ApeCoins are acquired, using the process outlined in this proposal.

Who

Katherine Webb and Cedric Lion, members of Animoca Brands’ Tokenomics Team, will engage with the TSB DAO admin team regarding the management and exclusion of the SIP. The authors and TSB DAO admin team will ensure active community involvement and maintain clear accountability through quarterly progress reports.

Council Recommandation

Positive 😊

Problem Description

Web3’s interconnected nature offers immense potential for collaboration, fostering innovative metaverse experiences and network effects. However, most DAOs operate in isolation, focusing on their goals and missing opportunities for cross-ecosystem partnerships. This siloed approach limits the collective value Web3 ecosystems can generate, especially for projects like The Sandbox, which aim to build an open and interconnected metaverse. Overcoming these challenges requires a scalable framework to facilitate efficient, impactful, and systematic cross-DAO collaborations.

Solution Proposed

Cross-DAO Proposal Framework

The proposed framework establishes a systematic process for The Sandbox community to identify, discuss, and implement co-branded initiatives with other DAOs. Key steps include:

1. Identifying Partner DAOs: The Sandbox community discusses and identifies DAOs with which they want to build partnerships. The Sandbox DAO acquires a reasonable quantity of the selected DAO’s tokens to participate in its governance.

2. Governance Integration: The Sandbox creates a Snapshot subdomain dedicated to the chosen DAO. This subdomain replicates the DAO’s proposals, enabling The Sandbox community to discuss and vote on them. A dedicated forum will facilitate debates and discussions around the proposals. Based on the voting outcomes, an appointed delegate leverages The Sandbox’s voting power to vote on the other DAO’s proposals accordingly.

3. Cross-DAO Proposal Process:

• Step 1: A community member creates a cross-DAO proposal and first submits it to The Sandbox Snapshot for discussion and voting to ensure it aligns with the community’s best interests.
• Step 2: If The SandboxDAO community approves, the proposal is duplicated and submitted to the partner DAO. The SandboxDAO casts its voting power in favour of the proposal based on the community’s decision.
• Step 3: The proposal is debated and voted on in the partner DAO’s forums and governance platforms. The prior approval by The Sandbox DAO and the associated debate support the proposal, increasing the likelihood of approval.
• Step 4: Once both DAOs approve, the cross-DAO proposal is implemented according to the conditions outlined in the proposal.

Pilot with ApeCoin DAO

To test and refine this framework, we propose initiating the process with ApeCoin DAO as a proof of concept. The following steps will be undertaken:

1. Acquire 100,000 ApeCoins using SAND, ensuring sufficient governance participation and signalling a commitment to collaboration.
2. The SandboxDAO will act as the delegator for the Sandbox community within ApeCoin DAO and will cast votes based on decisions made by The Sandbox community.
3. Establish a Snapshot subdomain to replicate ApeCoin DAO proposals; create a dedicated forum sub-category to enable debates and community discussions.
4. Actively participate in ApeCoin DAO governance, with The Sandbox community debating and voting on proposals to ensure their voice is heard and their interests are represented.
5. Cross-DAO Proposals: Following the earlier process, any community member can create a cross-DAO proposal by submitting it to The Sandbox for discussion and approval.

Therefore, this proposal establishes a theoretical framework for cross-DAO initiatives and begins its implementation with ApeCoin DAO as a proof of concept. Doing so paves the way for community members to propose numerous joint initiatives with ApeCoin DAO while also setting the stage for acquiring tokens from other DAOs to foster partnerships with targeted ecosystems.

Benefits to The Sandbox Ecosystem

Benefits of the Overall Framework

Stimulating Cross-DAO proposals…

This framework encourages The Sandbox community to actively debate and identify the DAOs they wish to partner with and the co-branded initiatives they want to implement. By fostering these discussions, we will stimulate creativity, generate fresh ideas, and lead to actionable proposals that align with the community’s vision.

… and facilitating the proposals' acceptance…

The Sandbox’s active involvement, demonstrated by acquiring tokens from targeted DAOs and participating in their governance, adds credibility and weight to its proposals. This “skin in the game” approach signals a genuine commitment to collaboration, significantly increasing the likelihood of proposal acceptance.

… to unlock the advantages of Cross-DAO collaboration.

By stimulating and facilitating cross-DAO partnerships and joint initiatives, this framework unlocks numerous benefits, including:

• Co-Funded and Co-Branded Initiatives: Greater financial resources, improved visibility, and increased chances of success through shared branding and pooled assets.
• Enhanced User Experience: Joint projects enable innovative, metaverse-like, cross-ecosystem experiences highlighting Web3’s unique value over Web2, driving mass adoption.
• Expanding Audiences: Access to each partner DAO’s community and audience, creating a win-win acquisition strategy that grows both ecosystems.

Benefits of Pilot Collaboration with ApeCoin DAO:

As a pilot for the proposed framework, we selected ApeCoin DAO due to the numerous benefits it offers:

Engaging a Strong, Loyal Community

ApeCoin DAO boasts a robust and loyal community tied to the iconic Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and the recent successful launch of ApeChain. This partnership allows The Sandbox to connect with ApeCoin’s active user base and gain increased visibility by associating with one of the most recognisable brands in Web3.

Powerful Co-Branded Marketing Opportunities The Sandbox DAO and ApeCoin DAO possess significant financial resources and strong branding. Co-branded initiatives between the two can generate substantial marketing impact, leveraging the combined strengths of both ecosystems. Aligning with ApeCoin DAO enhances The Sandbox’s credibility and opens the door to impactful co-marketing campaigns and joint projects.

Interoperability and Cross-Ecosystem Experiences

This collaboration paves the way for innovative cross-ecosystem experiences that leverage the strengths of both platforms:

• Sandbox Experiences with Apecoin Assets: Create immersive experiences in The Sandbox using Ape ecosystem assets and IP to attract and engage the ApeCoin community.
• ApeChain Experiences with Sandbox Assets: Integrate Sandbox assets into ApeChain to expand interoperability and utility.

These initiatives foster deeper user engagement by enabling in-game items and assets to gain functionality across platforms, enhancing the overall user experience and reinforcing the value of Web3 interoperability.

Risk analysis

Budget requested

Total Maximum Requested: Up to a maximum of 312,800 SAND (250,200 SAND estimated cost + 25% buffer for any additional expenses)

Implementation Plan

KPI’s for Success

If KPIs are not met, then the authors and the SandboxDAO team will review the SIP and its success after 1 year to see if any amendments and refinements should be made. => More info on the linked forum discussion