Incentive Fund Cohort 2 Update

The Venice Incentive Fund launched earlier this year to support builders creating on top of our API. The response exceeded expectations. We received 110+ applications from developers, founders, and creators wanting to work on everything from API integrations to entirely new use cases for private, uncensored AI.

Selected projects from Cohort 1 have been onboarded, received their first grants, and started building. Some are already live with users. Others are still in early development. Your feedback from that first cohort gave us valuable direction for what comes next.

Cohort 2 will launch alongside Venice v2. This round brings a more structured approach informed by what we learned: clearer timelines, more transparent selection criteria, and upfront expectations about funding.

What we learned from Cohort 1

Running the first cohort gave us direct insight into what builders need from an incentive program. We received clear feedback from our community on several fronts: selection criteria could be more transparent, communication could be more frequent throughout the process, and the target audience for the program needed clearer definition.

Cohort 2 addresses this feedback directly with more structured timelines, transparent evaluation criteria, and upfront clarity about what we're looking for and what the program offers.

How Cohort 2 will work

Cohort 2 centers on Venice v2, which represents a significant expansion of the platform's vision. We're building Venice v2 into the true open platform for unrestricted intelligence, empowering creators by vertically integrating VVV with the platform's growth.

More details on v2's full capabilities will be shared as development continues, but we're sharing the high-level structure of Cohort 2 now so builders understand how the program will work.

Upfront clarity on funding

We're leading with what the Incentive Fund Cohort 2 offers:

• DIEM token loans for subsidized Venice API access

• Milestone-based bonuses in VVV of up to $25,000

The DIEM tokens give you the compute resources you need to build and iterate without worrying about inference costs. The VVV bonuses reward execution at specific milestones rather than funding entire projects upfront.

Projects that hit their milestones earn priority consideration for continued funding through the Incentive Fund and get moved to the front of the line in subsequent cohorts. Prove you can execute, and we'll support continued development.

If you're looking for traditional startup funding, this isn't that. For larger partnership discussions, reach out to explore bespoke arrangements: [email protected]

A more structured selection process

Once applications open, we'll move through a structured timeline with clear communication at each stage:

• We review all submissions over two weeks and select roughly 30 semifinalists

• Applications that don't make the semifinalist list receive immediate notification

• All semifinalists get a conversation with the Venice team over a two-week period

• Final cohort selected and announced a week after semifinalist conversations

Clear evaluation criteria

To ensure consistency across all submissions, each application will be evaluated across multiple dimensions:

• Originality and innovation of the concept

• Alignment with Venice ecosystem and v2 capabilities

• Potential for user adoption and virality

• Technical complexity and execution depth

• Evidence of execution (MVP, demo, or working prototype)

Projects with something already built have an advantage. Demos and working products prove you can execute.

Milestone-based funding structure

VVV bonuses are distributed in phases tied to concrete achievements. Milestones might include launching your product, reaching specific user numbers, achieving engagement targets, or implementing particular features. We'll work with each project to define milestones that make sense for what you're building.

Timeline and next steps

We'll announce the application opening date once we have a clear view on when Venice v2 will launch. When we do open applications, here's what the timeline will look like:

• Applications open and close within a defined two-week window

• Venice team evaluates applications over two weeks

• Semifinalists selected, non-selected applications notified

• Team conversations with all semifinalists over a two-week period

• Final cohort selected and announced a week later

We'll communicate at each milestone. If timelines shift, you'll hear from us.

Community-led fund

We're also considering a community-led extension of the Incentive Fund that would earmark a small fund for projects selected by the community. If this resonates with you, join the discussion in the incentive-fund Discord channel to help shape how it could work.

Building for the ecosystem

Cohort 1 taught us a lot about what builders need and how to structure a program that serves them, as well as what we need to grow the Venice ecosystem. Cohort 2 takes those lessons and creates a tighter, more transparent process.

This program exists to strengthen what's being built on Venice. If you're a builder who sees what Venice enables and wants to create something that benefits from private, uncensored AI infrastructure, this program gives you resources and support to make it happen.

We'll announce the application date once Venice v2 launch timing is confirmed. Keep an eye out on our channels.