Fund14 Proposal Submission Notice
The full forum post is avaliable in the link below:
1. Why launch F14 Proposal Submissions before the DRep vote?
Catalyst has come a long way in five years. With nearly 2,100 funded projects and over 290 million ADA allocated through community governance, we’ve built a mature, battle-tested process that’s helped power one of the most vibrant ecosystems in Web3.
That maturity brings with it a responsibility: to keep delivering value, without compromising on trust or transparency.
Opening the Fund14 proposal submission stage now - and only the submission stage - allows the community to begin crafting, refining, and sharing innovative ideas without losing momentum. It’s about getting ready, not rushing ahead. When the DReps complete their vote on whether to fund Catalyst for 2025, we want to be ready to roll.
So we will respectfully await the DReps’ critical role and in the meantime, Catalyst is preparing responsibly for its outcome.
2. What's actually launching?
Proposal submission opens July 24 (or subsequent soonest available date) on the new Catalyst platform
No reviews until Cardano DRep approval
No voting until Cardano DRep approval
No funding decisions until Cardano DRep approval
You can think of this a time to shape bold solutions, form teams, and submit transformative proposals that can accelerate Cardano’s global impact. But none of these proposals will advance to review or funding unless - and until - the DRep budget vote supports the Catalyst roadmap.
3. Anticipating your questions (and concerns)
We know that some in the community will have fair and important questions. Here’s what you might be wondering - and how we’re thinking about it:
“How can Catalyst launch anything before DReps vote?”
Catalyst isn’t new. We’ve been delivering ecosystem funding rounds professionally since 2020, earning trust through transparency and measurable impact. What’s launching now is a non-binding, preparatory phase acting as a way to save time and reduce friction should DReps give the green light. In short: we’re preparing, not presuming.
“If you’re so ready, why not submit your own Treasury proposal instead of going through Intersect?”
Catalyst is proud to be part of a broader community effort to shape transparent, decentralized budgeting and governance. That’s why we’ve collaborated closely with Intersect and other ecosystem actors during this first-of-its-kind treasury process.
While we continue operating as a mature team with ongoing 2025 plans it is delivering, we also respect and uphold the governance structures we’re part of. By working within this new process, we’re contributing to the shared learning that will help make future treasury cycles more efficient and responsive.
Every organization, committee member, and DRep involved has faced (and helped tackle) the growing pains of building something truly decentralized. Catalyst will continue to work constructively with the appointed administrator and support the process, while following its roadmap to deliver maximum value to the Cardano community.
“What if DReps say no?”
Then we’ll face that reality transparently. If DReps vote against the Catalyst budget proposal, which includes three funding rounds of 20M ADA each, the retroactive funding pilot, and continued Catalyst platform development, it would mark a major turning point.
In that case:
Catalyst would pause all new funding rounds until an alternative proposal is approved.
The development of the Catalyst platform would stall, including key upgrades like:
A more intuitive overall experience and voting enhancements
Enabling support for regional and rapid funding rounds
Integration of the retroactive funding model
And it would leave thousands of voters, reviewers, moderators, and contributors in limbo, waiting for a new budget and new direction. So this would not just pause Catalyst, it would pause momentum across much of the community-led growth of the Cardano ecosystem.
We believe in the strength and purpose of Catalyst. We trust that DReps and the wider community see the same value and share our ambition for a thriving innovation engine. But if the decision is “not now,” then Catalyst will pause until a new proposal is approved.
4. What comes next?
We’re opening the doors to ideas, but we’re not stepping through them yet.
The community now has a valuable opportunity: to shape proposals that matter, to collaborate, and to show the world what’s possible when funding meets imagination. When DReps make their decision, Catalyst will be ready—either to accelerate forward or respectfully pause.
Let’s use this moment to lean into our shared values: transparency, readiness, and belief in the power of decentralized innovation.
5. Your Turn
The path ahead is one we walk together. So bring your ideas. Build your proposals. Collaborate with peers. Fund14 submission opens July 24 or few days following. Stay tuned for announcements.
And to our DReps: we thank you for the responsibility you’ve taken on, and the discernment you bring to this process. The Catalyst team stands ready to serve the Cardano community, now and into the future.
Let’s build together. United in innovation.
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