Abstract#

A five-month budget for the Executive Branch is proposed to continue work on scaling the Launchpad to more initiatives and cultivating a strong network of citizens and organizations in service to increasing the DAO's revenue and improving operational efficiency. In addition, the core team is responsible for maintaining core operations including governance, communications, marketing, financial operations, proposal system management, managing billing, treasury management, token liquidity management, website development, sales, community management, outreach, and everything in between. The EB will continue these operations while keeping an eye on reducing costs and dependencies for the DAO and furthering the DAO's mission by providing strategic leadership for the organization and increasing revenue to achieve our goal of full cash-flow sustainability for the DAO by the end of 2027. This cycle the EB will also prioritize deployment of the DePrize framework using the recently completed Frank White raise capital and launch a competitive lunar-focused simulation and prototyping initiative in the second half of the period to directly advance hardware and simulation progress toward the lunar base roadmap.

Problem Statement#

Last cycle we were able to finalize both a small-scale demonstration of the Launchpad to support Space Camp USA (achieving 200%+ of the original goal) and a scaled first raise to support sending Frank White to space which raised over $170,000 — achieving the goal of raising enough funding for Frank to go to space. Both initiatives prove the model for community-based fundraising using the MoonDAO platform and demonstrate a path toward scaling revenue. Each initiative also supported growth of the network with an influx of Citizens joining the MoonDAO network. Last cycle we achieved record revenue growth and we will continue to build on this momentum into 2026. We also received record project applications in Q1 and Q2 with over 35 projects being proposed to the community.

The Frank White raise is now complete. The immediate next requirement is to convert that capital and the proven Launchpad model into reusable infrastructure (DePrize) and a follow-on revenue-generating initiative that funds concrete simulation and building work rather than another one-off personal flight raise. Without disciplined execution on framework deployment, a timed mid-cycle lunar initiative, network expansion, and cost control, the DAO risks losing momentum on both revenue scaling and the 2026–2027 lunar base design-to-prototype phases outlined in the Master Plan.

Solution#

The Executive Branch will execute a focused five-month plan built around three integrated OKRs, the deployment of the DePrize framework seeded by the completed $175k Frank White capital, and the launch of a competitive Lunar Base Simulation & Prototyping challenge in months 3–6.

Core operations (governance, treasury, liquidity, communications, website, community, billing, and proposal management) will continue uninterrupted while the team implements a new project system for tracking and a standardized OKR cadence. The DePrize smart contracts and governance mechanics will be deployed in the first eight weeks so the Frank capital can immediately fund a live competitive pilot. By month 3–4 the system will be live and credible; the EB will then launch a targeted Launchpad crowdfund + DePrize for a concrete lunar objective (initial open-source Lunar Base Operations Simulator plus at least one validated analog prototype test). This initiative replaces any front-loaded personal-flight-style raise and directly funds simulation infrastructure and hardware learnings that advance the Master Plan 2026 design/sim phase and 2027 prototype/manufacturing phase.

Parallel work includes aggressive network growth from the current 199 Citizens and 20 Teams, utilization of jobs and marketplace services, structured discovery calls with Teams, and completion of the for-profit arm proposal (including a path for external capital into the lunar sim/build track). All spend will be gated through the new project system with monthly burn reviews against the $145.5k core five-month envelope. The flexible budget will be released only against highest-ROI items (DePrize development, minimal legal for the for-profit entity, and targeted network onboarding). Revenue events from the mid-cycle lunar initiative plus continued Launchpad and network activity are expected to offset a meaningful portion of the burn and demonstrate the path to 2027 cash-flow sustainability.

Benefits#

• Direct advancement of the lunar base roadmap through a live DePrize-powered simulation platform and prototype work rather than abstract planning.

• Reusable DePrize infrastructure that turns one-time raises into repeatable competitive capital formation for critical lunar components.

• Measurable revenue growth and on-chain ARR via the mid-cycle lunar initiative, platform fees, and expanded network utilization, moving the DAO closer to the 2027 sustainability target.

• Stronger, more engaged network (target +51% Citizens and +50% Teams) that supplies talent and utilization for jobs, marketplace, and future challenges.

• Operational resilience through the new project system, cost-reduction actions, and documented processes that reduce key-person dependency.

• Clear proof point for the decentralized model: community capital + competition produces tangible simulation and hardware outputs on a defined timeline.

• Positioned for-profit arm proposal that can attract external (VC/strategic) capital for scaling the lunar track without further treasury depletion.

Risks#

• Higher fixed personnel burn (Pablo and Ryan at full rates for five months) with no front-loaded raise in month 1 creates a steeper net draw in the first quarter; mitigation is disciplined flexible-budget control and rapid progress on the month 3–6 lunar initiative.

• Execution risk on DePrize smart-contract deployment and the subsequent lunar challenge; mitigation is focused scope in months 1–2 and use of the project system for milestone tracking.

• Timing risk on the mid-cycle raise — if it slips or underperforms, net burn remains elevated; mitigation is conservative flexible allocation early and parallel exploration of the for-profit capital path.

• Team capacity with only three people covering core ops plus new framework and initiative work; mitigation is the salary taper for Miguel after month 3 and ruthless prioritization via the project system.

• External factors (crypto market conditions, regulatory questions around the for-profit entity, or Launchpad adoption rates); mitigation is diversified revenue (network utilization + platform fees + potential external capital) and on-chain transparency.

• Governance or community adoption risk for the new lunar DePrize; mitigation is early transparent communication and tying the objective directly to the published Master Plan phases.

OKRs#

Objective #1: Secure at least one seat for Frank to go to space, either by contracting directly with a provider, or by deploying the DePrize framework using the completed Frank White capital and launch a prize model competitive lunar simulation and prototyping initiative to generate revenue and advance concrete progress toward the lunar base.

Key Results for Objective #1:

• Deploy core DePrize smart contracts, voting/allocation mechanics, and arbitration process by end of month 2.

• Launch the first lunar-component competitive challenge (open-source Lunar Base Operations Simulator + at least one validated analog prototype test) via Launchpad by month 4–5, with clear milestones and treasury inflow from platform activity.

• Achieve measurable progress on the defined lunar objective (simulator live and prototype test results published on-chain) with documented fund allocation and outcomes by end of the five-month period.

• Produce and ratify a reusable DePrize playbook based on the pilot so future challenges can be stood up rapidly.

Objective #2: Grow the Space Acceleration Network from current baselines while driving higher utilization of jobs listings, marketplace, and discovery services.

Key Results for Objective #2:

• Increase Citizen count from 199 to at least 300 by end of month 4.

• Increase active Teams from 20 to at least 30 by end of month 4.

• Achieve at least 60% Team utilization of jobs and marketplace services, producing a minimum of 15 new active job listings and 15 new marketplace listings.

• Complete structured 1:1 discovery calls with at least 15 Teams and ship the top two highest-impact service enhancements.

Objective #3: Manage executive functions and budget for the DAO to operate securely and efficiently while reducing costs, exploring a for-profit arm, and locking in realistic goals with project-system discipline, also running an election cycle for the executive branch.

Key Results for Objective #3:

• Implement the new project system and migrate all active initiatives by month 3, achieving 100% coverage.

• Deliver the for-profit arm proposal (structure, revenue models, lunar-track capital path, governance integration) ready for discussion by end of Q3.

• Complete operational audit and implement changes delivering measurable cost reduction starting month 4.

• Produce and ratify the Realistic Goals 2026–2027 document sequencing major deliverables, resource envelopes, and success metrics by month 4.

• Maintain core operations and budget within the approved five-month envelope with monthly public burn reporting.

• Run an election cycle for the executive branch by the end of the Q3.

• Expand in Europe by adapting GDPR compliant practices.

• Engage luminaries in the space industry to support MoonDAO as a strategic advisory board and put together a plan for how they may help guide the organization.

Performance Bonus Structure

To directly incentivize delivery on the hardest and highest-impact milestones, a milestone-based performance bonus pool is proposed for the core Executive Branch team. Bonuses are paid only upon verified achievement of specific, measurable Key Results (on-chain where possible, otherwise documented and governance-confirmed). This structure ties compensation to network growth, DePrize completion and lunar initiative execution, project-system implementation, and overall revenue-positive outcomes.

Total proposed bonus pool: $24,000 (approximately 16.5% of the core five-month personnel budget). Funding will come from reallocation within the flexible budget line and/or a success fee tranche from treasury inflows generated by the mid-cycle lunar initiative (e.g., 5–10% of new platform fees or alignment tokens from the raise). No bonuses are paid if milestones are missed. Payments are split equally across the three core team members unless otherwise agreed.

Milestone 1 — DePrize Framework Deployment (tied to Objective 1 KR 1): Full core smart contracts, voting/allocation mechanics, and arbitration process live and with the Frank White pilot pool or Lunar Simulation prize by end of month 3.

Bonus tranche: $6,000 (paid upon on-chain verification).

Milestone 2 — Lunar Simulation & Prototyping Initiative Launch & Initial Raise (tied to Objective 1 KR 2): Lunar challenge formally launched on Launchpad with clear rules/milestones and first meaningful capital raised by end of the cycle.

Bonus tranche: $8,000 (paid upon launch confirmation and documented raise close).

Milestone 3 — Network Growth Targets (tied to Objective 2): All network targets met or exceeded (≥300 Citizens, ≥30 Teams, ≥60% utilization with minimum 15 new job listings and 15 new marketplace listings) by end of the five-month period.

Bonus tranche: $6,000 total ($2,000 per metric – Citizenship, Team, and Utilization – up to $6000).

Milestone 4 — Operational Discipline & Revenue Impact (tied to Objective 3): Costs down to less than $1,000 per month in subscriptions. Project system update fully live with 100% migration, Constitution update live, Executive Branch election completed. and for-profit proposal delivered.

Bonus tranche: $4,000 ($1,000 per milestone completion, paid upon documented evidence).

This structure ensures execution focus on the DePrize completion, network expansion, and the lunar initiative that directly funds simulation and building work while protecting the overall burn target. Bonuses are at-risk and only triggered by results.

Budget#

The five-month core budget for the Executive Branch totals $157,000. This covers full salaries for Pablo and Ryan across all five months and part-time compensation for Miguel for the first three months only, plus baseline operational and flexible spend. The budget is sized as a bridge that maintains operational continuity while the team executes the OKRs and launches the mid-cycle lunar initiative. All figures are in USD.

Personnel:

• Pablo: 5 x 12,000/month = $60,000

• Ryan: 5 x 7,500/month = $37,500

• Miguel: 3 x 5,500/month, 2 x $2,750/month (part-time) = $22,000

• Subtotal personnel: $119,500

Fixed add-ons:

• Operational costs: 1,500 x 5 = $7,500

• Flexible budget: 1,000 x 5 = $5,000

• Bonus includes allocation for the $24,000 performance bonus pool upon milestone achievement)

• Total five-month core budget: $132,000 + $24,000 bonus if milestones achieved.

Net impact and sustainability path:

With current revenue of approximately $24,500k (per year approx $12,000 over five months), the net treasury draw is approximately $120,000 before any new Launchpad activity. Starting assets of ~$600k provide ample runway. The mid-cycle lunar DePrize/Launchpad initiative (months 3–6) is expected to generate platform fees, token alignment, and new capital that directly offsets a substantial portion of the second-half burn and funds the simulation/prototype work itself. Combined with network growth and continued Launchpad activity, this supports the target of moving toward full cash-flow sustainability by end of 2027 while keeping gross annual burn in the $200k range once revenue ramps.

The flexible budget (including the performance bonus pool) will be released only against approved project-system items and verified milestones. No additional headcount or large discretionary spend is included. Monthly burn reporting against this envelope will be published via the project system. This budget keeps the three-person core intact for the critical DePrize deployment and lunar initiative window while creating the conditions for revenue growth and external capital exploration that extend the runway and accelerate actual building progress.