WHITEPAPER
Together, we can
Build a world where web3
remains truly decentralised.
Community crowdfunding DAO
This is an open letter: a call to the curious, a bawl to the bold, a roar to the rebels… and a challenge to the change seekers! If you want to keep the decentralized space free while helping combat the hopelessness spread by real megalomaniacs… join us! We are MADdegens and so are you!
PREFACE
For most of recorded history, the spread and exchange of finances and information has been overseen by some form of central authority. Banks and various financial institutions have almost always controlled the usage of money, severely limiting the amount of people who are able to invest and develop their assets. For the longest time, information could only be spread long distances through publications, which meant it had to go through the rich and powerful. The past few decades have seen a worldwide renaissance, however, with the average person having more power than ever before. The internet, and subsequently blockchain technology, has provided the world with unprecedented decentralization.
In 2009, blockchain technology was popularized with the advent of Bitcoin. This revolutionary technology allowed for the decentralized, non-fungible recording of transactions on a public ledger. Soon after, in 2015, Ethereum went live and brought smart contracts into the mainstream. Complex financial transactions could now be performed without the need for a financial institution. Now, blockchain technology and smart contract implementation has started to merge with the World Wide Web into what has been coined, ‘Web3.’
Although Web3 does bring the possibility of a widely decentralized internet, large business interests have already set their sights on this rapidly developing financial space. VCs collectively invested an estimated $30 billion in 2021 alone and they are not showing any signs of slowing down, with some already having a large say in many “blue-chip” NFT or web3 projects.
In fact, a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), a VC firm, recently led a funding round for Yuga Labs and their Bored Ape Yacht Club project (currently the largest NFT project on the planet) that raised $450 million. Facebook is so confident in the future of Web3 and the ‘Metaverse’ that they rebranded their company to ‘Meta,’ and even though they lost nearly $3 billion in the first quarter of 2022 to their Metaverse venture, they have indicated they are still going full speed ahead into the 2030s. Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, has even stated “You don’t own ‘web3.’ The VCs and their LPs do… It’s ultimately a centralized entity with a different label.”
With so much ‘big money’ coming into crypto, it can be extremely difficult for smaller investors and the ‘builders’ to be noticed and receive the support they need. So many entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the decentralized space are criminally underfunded, especially outside of the USA. It doesn’t help that most VCs are looking to maintain the status quo and choose to provide funding to projects that fit their vision and goals. Despite many Web3 communities outcrying against this, nothing has stopped them. The decentralized space of crypto and Web3 fosters revolutionary ideas and innovative startups looking to change the world at its core, but their bold projects are being intentionally ignored. Banding together and providing power to the everyday person is the only way to truly keep Web3 as decentralized as possible.
Thankfully, Web3 provides the means for people of all creeds and color to come together to build real Community and each other up. Web3 needs a new DAO to stand up for what Web3 should and can be – decentralized, with everyone from all walks of life having an equal voice.
This is the mission of the MADdegens Community (MDC).
OVERVIEW
MADdegens is a social community-led culture of entrepreneurs, artists, creators, innovators, and ordinary investors with a cause-driven focus. Powerful investors threaten to buy up large amounts of influence over this new Web3 space and it can be difficult for smaller voices to gain the support they need. MADdegens aims to counter this monopolization by building a global community that will freely connect, share, organize, and aid one another. What better way is there to combat the large VCs and corporations eating up Web3 than to fight them with ‘de-VC’ – decentralized venture capital? Holders of the ‘Megalomaniacs‘, the first MADdegens NFT launch, will be core members of the MADdegens NFT and our social DAO Community. DAO members will have equal voting rights to decide on the direction of our community and support of projects that have been vetted by MADdegens Ventures (the company, accelerator, and caretaker of the DAO) and the future evolution of the MADdegens community (MDC).
1 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-20/inside-web3-crypto-s-plan-to-retool-the-internet-quicktake
2 https://www.coindesk.com/business/2022/03/22/bored-apes-owner-yuga-labs-raises-450m-led-by-a16z/
3 https://www.coindesk.com/business/2022/04/27/meta-reports-loss-of-3b-on-augmentedvirtual-reality-operations-in-q1/
4 https://twitter.com/jack/status/1473139010197508098?lang=en
WHAT IS MADdΞgΞns?
MADdegens is a scrapy, impactful, community project with a focus on attracting a global community of creators, builders, innovators, and all-around Web3 enthusiasts- all of whom believe in practicing the idea of a truly autonomous and decentralized web and a free world. Being a member of MADdegens means utilizing the power of community vibes that are built around art and technology to help combat the effects of large investor influence on the decentralized space. At the center of the project are the Megalomaniacs, a collection of 6,666 satirical NFTs on the Solana blockchain that combine elements of pop art and caricature to depict some of the world’s most notorious and heinous political or power icons. Aside from serving as an avenue for some well-needed venting, these humorous images provide full access to the MADdegens community by turning a holder into a – well… a MADdegen!
Members of the MADdegens community operate on the fringe of Web3; the sharing of unbiased news and opinions is incubated within the chat rooms, freedom of expression is a practiced tenet, and the support of community-led projects is a normalized event. The project team and community are on a mission to build a decentralized Web3 Accelerator and a social crowdfunding DAO to help foster a VC alternative and a truly free Web3 world. Utilizing the power of de-VC (decentralized venture capital), MADdegens charge forward to ensure that revolutionary startups that promise to build and further decentralization are given the support they need to carve out their name in the minds of millions. Billionaires, corporate big-wigs, and Web2 ‘kings’ are already trying to eat up as much of the Web3 pie as they can… and that just makes us ‘MAD’.
MEGALOMANIACS
An apt amount of 6,666 Megalomaniacs will be minted and held by MADdegens community members. These satirical pieces of art poke fun at some of the largest and most divisive figures in politics and power, including the likes of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Justin Trudeau, Kim Jung Un, and Gaddafi (to name a few). Our Megalomaniacs are hand drawn then expertly rendered by both our triple A artists (perhaps angrily?)! Each of the five core layers are randomly mixed to serve as different core traits: a background of solid color or of a setting, the political figure to serve as a base, with eyes and mouths (of varying sizes) of other megalomaniacs as an overlay, and humorous embellishments (gold chains? Devil horns? etc.) to accessorize our Megalomaniacs. These traits will turn some of these Megalomaniacs into the worst of the worst, or rather, the rarest of the rare. In addition to a unique combination of traits, they will also come with a unique name to go with them- perhaps it is “Trump Jung Putin,” or “Trudeau Jinping Wynne?”
Trait combinations do not stop after the initial minting. After public mint, a marketplace will be established on the MADdegens website to allow holders the ability to upgrade their NFTs with limited edition MADdegens accessories (phase 3). Doing so will in turn create a secondary NFT that could potentially have rarer traits. If NFT holders think their Megalomaniacs would look classier with a gold tooth, a JJ, or something more diabolical like a custom pair of laser eyes… they may just be able to find out.
ACCELERATOR AND DAO
MADdegens is a global community of citizens who freely connect, share, organize and support one another in Web3 and the human-cause. The Web3 space is already filled with the noise of elites seeking to use it for the purpose of personal gain and profit. ‘Decentralized’ is supposed to mean that everyone, from the average individual to the elite, has an equal voice and a level playing field.
Members of the MADdegens Community aim to be advocates for supporting and funding entrepreneurs, artists, creators, and innovators by building a social crowdfunding DAO and Web3 Accelerator to provide a helping hand to promising projects and their founders. This social crowdfunding DAO and associated accelerator, ‘MADdegen Ventures’, will work to provide onboarding and grants, from the seed stage through to MVP stages, all the way through to the launch of their projects. Doing so rewards these entrepreneurs for attempting to make a difference and rewards the MADdegens Community (MDC) with valuable opportunities, rewards, and connections. Assistance with funding for approved projects will be voted on and provided by the MADdegens Community Treasury. Unlike traditional VC funding, MADdegens utilizes the power of de-VC, and all investments or payments from the treasury are voted as a community and completely transparent on the blockchain.
Why an Accelerator?
An Accelerator is a program that gives developing projects access to mentorship, advisors, grants, investors and other support that help them to become stable, self-sufficient businesses.
Projects that use Accelerators are typically start-ups that have moved beyond the earliest stages of getting established. They have basically entered their “adolescence,” meaning they can almost stand on their own two feet but need guidance and peer support to gain strength.
In addition to mentorship and investment opportunities, an Accelerator gives growing companies access to marketing, technical, and other shared resources. An accelerator will also connect companies to networks of peers whose experience they can learn from.
An accelerator program can last anywhere from two to six months. The goal is for companies to emerge ready to run on their own, with strong positioning to begin claiming a share of their market.
There are generally two main kinds of accelerator programs:
Seed programs last two to four months and focus on less mature start-ups, building up their business fundamentals before giving them the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors (the MDC DAO).
Second-stage programs last up to six months and focus on more mature MVP stage start-ups, connecting them to the full range of launch support and opportunities.
Decisions on backing a MADdegen Accelerator project, with community-led crowdfunding, grants or profit sharing, and future evolution or support of the project will be made by the MADdegens DAO. Our MADdegens DAO fits nicely within the social DAO category. Our Accelerator will in time become a subDAO, falling into the Venture category. These DAOs pool capital or funds and resources in various ways to support early stage web3 startups, protocols, off-chain investments, (or even the average entrepreneurial person).
DAO’s (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) are an entity with no central leadership- no one member has more power or say than another member. This revolutionary form of governance is only made possible by blockchain technology and the MADdegens team believes a DAO embodies everything the community should stand for. Each member has an equal, non-fungible vote that will help decide which proposed projects and causes get the community’s support. Proposed projects will be sought out and initially vetted by MADdegens Ventures, who will serve as the caretakers of the Accelerator DAO. Once all utility and the DAO has been implemented, The MDC community will also suggest and vote on desired causes to support.
BENEFITS AND UTILITY
One of the largest benefits of being a Megalomaniacs holder is without a doubt the social opportunities recurring projects being provided by the MADdegens Ventures Accelerator. It’s difficult for most degens to invest early in promising startups and Web3 projects; not for MADdegens! Projects vetted by MADdegens Ventures will offer the MDC the ability to buy into a project early in pre-seed, MVP, and pre-ICO, etc. These are repeating opportunities not available to the average person! This is accomplished by buying project NFTs/Tokens or Community profit-sharing arrangements which have the potential to grow and repeat in value.
MADdegens holders will also enjoy an ever-evolving number of benefits, utility, and Partnerships. Plans for these include whitelists to all future MADdegens NFT releases, whitelist to our DAO token, whitelists, and early access to all MADdegen Ventures projects funded by the MADdegens DAO and Community (MDC), access to project partnerships, and fantastic MADdegens merch/swag. Benefits extend even further to offer discounts to our partners, including a lifetime discount to our heritage luxury brand partner, ALMA Shop. Who knows what other surprise benefits may be in store… perhaps winning a trip?
Additional benefits and utility will be developed as the MADdegens project goes on, with most of these developments being decided upon by the MADdegens Community (MDC) and eventual DAO!
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND SUPPORT
Being a member of the MADdegens community means you’ll be taking part in a lot of community discussions and decisions. After all, there are a lot of great startups with original ideas who are being ignored by the big-wig VCs. These revolutionaries could use a helping hand, and with thousands of MADdegens – well, that’s a lot of hands! Projects that have launched through MADdegen Ventures will have access to the MADdegens community to bounce their ideas off, as well as a team that will help them receive the support, marketing, and advice they need to get the initial traction required for their ventures.
Members of the MADdegens community will also get to revel in a multitude of events and games. After all, what good is it to hold an NFT with a punch-able face if you cannot do so… maybe you’ll be able to “Punch a Megalomaniac” via a P2E game? Perhaps your Megalomaniac deserves a place in the MADdegens ‘Hall of Fame?’ Holders never know what activities may emerge, but with a community full of degens, rebels, maximalists, and righteous pop art begging to be gamified, they can be certain that they will never feel bored while owning their Megalomaniac.
MADdΞgΞns TOKENOMICS
PROJECT NAME MADdegens: Megalomaniacs NFT Series
TOTAL SUPPLY
– 6666 — Total
– 666 — Genesis WL
– 6000 — Public Mint
– 333 — 5% to be allocated to Collabs, Partnerships, and Team
BLOCKCHAIN
-SOLANA (SOL)
MINT PRICE
– TBD SOL Genesis Mint — Most Rare to Super Rare
– TB SOL Public Mint — Common to Most Rare
ROYALTIES
[TBD]
ROYALTIES DISTRIBUTION
– MADdegens Community (MDC) Treasury: [45%]
– MADdegens Ventures operations and partners: [35%]
– Our Talented Artists: [20%]
MADdegens is a project that is being built for the long-term. To maintain the health of the project, a royalty fee of
8% will be charged on all secondary sales of MADdegens NFTs.
45% of these funds will be deposited into the MADdegens Community Treasury, for development, Benefits, and Utility
TBD% will be used to help sustain MADdegens Ventures operations and partners as they continue to assist the community and projects.
TBD% will be allocated to our very talented Artists.
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
The Megalomaniacs, and all future MADdegens NFTs, will be minted on the Solana blockchain. Solana is a fast, secure, public blockchain platform with advanced smart contract functionality. Currently, the most popular blockchain platform for smart contracts is Ethereum. However, the high transaction costs and environmental concerns that come with Ethereum’s “proof-of-work” mechanism can be a large barrier to many would-be crypto investors- it’s simply not fair to the new or little guy.
Solana’s “proof-of-stake” mechanism is faster, environmentally friendly, and significantly cheaper. Members of the MADdegens DAO will be having many (calm) discussions while casting many votes and shouldn’t have to worry about astronomical gas fees, especially when those funds would serve a more worthwhile purpose supporting our community and projects. Solana also has a rather large DApp and DeFi ecosystem, which is a perfect environment for a de-VC like MADdegens. In comparison to Cardano, Solana has a significantly larger total addressable market (TAM) and will provide a greater revenue potential for our community projects. Overall, the MADdegens team believes the attributes of SOL [at this time] best represent what the project is about – a de-VC that the everyday individual can easily and ethically participate in.
RESERVED SUPPLY
A small amount of 5%, or 333, of the Megalomaniacs NFT series will be reserved for several uses.
These include giveaways, partnerships and collaborations, an amount to be held in the MADdegens Community Treasury, and an amount to be provided to the MADdegens core-team.
MADdΞgΞns ROADMAP
Disclaimer: Roadmap timeline and dates may be subject to change as needed. *
PHASE 1 | SEPTEMBER 2022
Genesis Mint – 600 +66 NFTs of Most Rare to Super Rare Traits*
Airdrop Status and First (1st) WL for all future MADdegens NFT Releases
Airdrop Status and First (1st) WL for MADdegens Public Mint,
Airdrop Status and First (1st) WL for future MADdegens DAO Token
First (1st) Whitelist for all DAO crowdfunded MADdegen Ventures Projects
Genesis holders have a voice in the initial Benefits and Utility we work to release
Special Status and Voice in MADdegens Community and DAO
Owners of both Genesis and Public Mint NFTs get Alpha WL Status
Lifetime Discount (30% Off) at ALMA Shop (www.almashop.co) + Giveaways
Unique Genesis MADdegens Swag [TBD by Genesis Holders]
T-shirts, Hoodies, etc. (TBD by Community)
Win a One-Week Trip for two to the Carribean!
(1 Genesis Holder to be randomly selected after sell out)
Exclusive Partnerships and Collabs for Genesis holders
Owners of both Genesis and Public Mint NFTs get Alpha WL Status and x2Airdrop*
PHASE 2 | November 2022
Public Mint – 6000 NFTs with Common to Most Rare Traits*
Genesis Holders Have First WL for Public Mint
Genesis Holders get Airdrop for Public Mint
Public Mint holders have 2nd Whitelist Status to Future MADdegens Releases (The Narcissists)
Public Mint holders have 2nd Whitelist Status for MADdegens DAO Token
Owners of both Genesis and Public Mint NFTs get Alpha WL Status and x2Airdrop*
Unique MADdegens Swag
Mugs, T-shirts, Hoodies, etc.
Deck of Playing Cards
Other Swag Requested by the MDC
Creation of Weekly MADdegens satirical Meme Comic
Begin Work on Governance for MADdegens DAO
Exclusive Partnerships and Collabs
50$ Off at ALMA Shop for any one item (www.almashop.co) + Giveaways
Exclusive Partnerships & Collabs for MADdegens Community (MDC)
PHASE 3 & 4 | January 2023 Onward
Further Utility Voted on by the MADdegens Community (MDC)
Work begins on the Narcissts NFT series
Work begins on MADdegens Social DAO and MADdegen Ventures Accelerator DAO
MADdegens DAO Token drop (Alpha, 1 WL, then 2nd WL)
Formation of MADdegens DAO
Owners of both Genesis and Public Mint NFTs receive Alpha WL Status and x2 Token Airdrop*
Genesis Holders receive First (1st) WL NFT and Token Airdrop
Public Mint holders receive 2nd WL Status
First MADdegen Ventures projects presented to MADdegens DAO for support and funding
Yearly Grant Pool created for early or Seed stage projects
Explore and Setup a Solana Validator Stake node for MADdegens DAO and Solana network
Explore NFT / Token Staking (MADdegens Rewards/Tokens)
Formation of the MADdegens Foundation: Philanthropic Causes identified and presented to DAO
Further Partnerships & Collabs for MADdegens Community (MDC)
Explore acquisition of assets for the MADdegens DAO:
WL to the NARCISISSTS, and BILLIONAIES NFT series by MADdegens.
TBD/Voted Further Utility, Benefits, and Collabs as requested and suggested by the MADdegens Community.
THE MADdΞgΞns TEAM
Many of the projects being backed by MADdegens will need help engaging with their clientele, partners, and Community in the wild frontier of Web3. Well, it’s a good thing they have Nick! A decentralization and DAO maximalist, with over 12 successful years of experience in client, community, and partner engagement under his belt (or maybe that newsboy cap?). He’s on a mission to ensure that decentralized projects have a voice and to build outstanding one to one client and community experiences. MADdegens Ventures isn’t the only thing he’s founded either; utilizing 3D customization, ALMA Shop is one of the most advanced online luxury shopping services on the web! Combining a knowledge of tech and customer engagement, Nick is an asset to the MADdegens Community (MDC).
NICK J. MCLΞOD
FOUNDER 👊🏼 MADdegens Original
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjmcleod/
https://twitter.com/maddegen
SΞAN RΞNSHAW
FOUNDER 
MADdegens Original
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrseanrenshaw/
It can be intimidating for an entrepreneur to venture out and try to make a name for themselves. Thankfully, Sean Renshaw has already overcome this hurdle and fully understands what it takes for a project to find success. Anyone who has seen Dragons’ Den on CBC knows how difficult it is to get a single offer from their featured venture capitalists – Sean and his brother had the room fighting over their product (S7/E1). Since escaping with some of the dragons’ loot, the brothers’ company, RISE gear, has sold their patented luggage to an impressive gross sales amount of $4.3 million! MADdegens and their partner projects need not be afraid when traveling through Web3… Sean’s got his startup experience neatly packed and ready to go.
Jackson likes simplicity. In a space full of fomo and hype, he knows how to cut through the bullshit and get to the point.
With a background in Advertising, he’s helped big brands do big things, winning international awards at Cannes, The One Show, and about 30 other shows along the way. Now, he’s on the MADdegens Core team to help the little guy turn the tables on the centralized circles of influence that have seized their spot at the VC drivers seat of web3.
Bringing two years of Web3 experience to the team, Jackson is the CEO and Creative Director of EXSTNTL, a metaverse creative studio focused on pioneering how storytelling and experiences can build brands and communities in the space. With his hands in a few different muffin tins, Jackson is also the Marketing Partner at Excellerate, a Community Management and Staffing agency for Web3.
JACKSON KΞMP
CMO 👊🏼 MADdegens Original
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-kemp-831bb8164/
While serving as the Director of Culture and Talent Development at Mr. Clean Car Wash, James Turner made sure the company culture over there stayed squeaky clean. Now, serving as the head of community for MADdegens, James is out to clean up Web3. He’s currently the CEO of Excellerate, a company that builds up relationships and engaged communities by providing training, process development, and staffing for Web3 companies. As an excellent multi-tasker, James is also the business strategy consultant for EXSTNTL, a creative agency for building brand equity in the metaverse. MADdegens is all about the community. With James at the helm, all degens know they have a happy place… to be MAD.
JAMΞS TURNΞR
HEAD OF COMMUNITY 👊🏼 MADdegens Original
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesturnercm/
twitter.com/JamesGetsIt
KAI LINK
COMMUNITY MANAGER 👊🏼 MADdegens Original
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lady-kai-9350a3241
With a versatile background, Kai Link brings an array of knowledge with her as the MADdΞgΞns Community Manager. Her work exp IRL includes EE work within electronics, customer service development, marketing research, sales, project management, and recently completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has been working 24/7 in WEB3 for the past year, in which she has held positions such as mod, lead mod, ACM, HR (SOPs), training management, and CM in various projects. If I could describe her in just a few words, it would be something like, “Nomad meets ADD and incorporates great compassion for others”. This project, MADdΞgΞns, has really inspired her to allow her “degen” part to show up, stand up, and yell, “No! You aren’t going to take our Defi away” and “Degens are here to stay, we are MAD, we have had enough, and we are joining together to fight back”.
Luther B. – Artist Extraordinaire is a full-time contemporary traditional, digital, and NFT artist based in the North Cal SF Bay Area. His wide range of graphic styles is heavily influenced by street, pop, and sci-fi art.
Whether using a pen, brush, or a program, he is an avid creator and always drawing or painting. He is a product of a lifelong passion for all things “ART”. Luther is co-creator of The DumDumz and creator of The BooWho Babies NFT projects along with being a featured artist on many NFT projects and cultural events such as Nomad Blvd and FutureShape 360.
From Luther:
I am a full-time human. I do art. It keeps me alive. Like food for my human soul.
No piece is ever the same. It’s true my art evolves in the same manner. Layers upon layers until it gets too uncomfortable in my head and explodes into existence.
LUTHΞR B.
ARTIST 👊🏼 MADdegens Original
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luther-brown-a5779123a/
https://twitter.com/lutherarts
Websites and Marketplaces:
https://opensea.io/collection/luther
https://knownorigin.io/luther
https://twitter.com/lutherarts
https://www.instagram.com/lutherarts/
https://lutherarts.com/
Wes G. – Artist Extraordinaire
A brief history… has been a working triple A artist for the past 20 years.
More than five of those years were for Disney. Other IPs Wes has been involved with include: Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Pixar, Snoopy, and several successful digital or web3 art projects.
Portfolio: https://www.artstation.com/senatorgreaves
WES G.
ARTIST 👊🏼 MADdegens Original
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-greaves-a5135a14/
https://twitter.com/SenatorGreaves
https://linktr.ee/senatorgreaves