ValleyDAO Growth Update - July 2023
Summer slump? Not at ValleyDAO!
As the sun rises on another month of exciting developments and groundbreaking achievements, it is safe to say we bring the heat to July. It has been a month of immense growth and collaboration, and we're thrilled to bring you all the remarkable key points:
Saved Ape: Our first IP-NFT minted!
Celebrating 1000 Discord members
Open funding call
Highlights from ETHCC Paris
Valley DAO hosted Science Spotlights with Dr Jenny Malloy
Community Spotlight with Toluwani Aguda
Short News & Events
Saved Ape: Our first IP-NFT minted!
This is so huge!
ValleyDAO has now officially funded and minted its first IP-NFT at Imperial College London with Dr. Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro. Just under 18 months we’ve gone from a scrappy and enthusiastic Discord server to a 1000+ community that is funding a research project at one of the world's top synthetic biology universities. At this pace and enthusiasm from the community, ValleyDAO is primed to become one of the leading DeSci and OpenScience projects!
Meet SavedApe: Microbial Lipid Production with Synthetic Biology including its on-chain link for the IP-NFT https://etherscan.io/nft/0xcaD88677CA87a7815728C72D74B4ff4982d54Fc1/3
Why the Ape?
The IP-NFT artwork symbolizes humans and orangutans, victims of deforestation for palm oil, working together to build sustainable solutions. This represents ValleyDAO's commitment to sustainability.
What does the IP-NFT contain?
ValleyDAO's holding of this IP-NFT signifies a unique collaboration. This NFT token contains a research contract with Imperial, granting ValleyDAO ownership of the project's intellectual property. The IP-NFT bridges the IP on-chain, enabling ValleyDAO GROW token holders to collectively govern the IP. As a token holder, you can vote on the IP's use, licensing, and future development, allowing the community to shape the direction of its technology assets.
Celebrating 1000 Discord Members
We're thrilled to announce that we've hit 1,000 members on our Discord! This milestone is a testament to the dynamic and vibrant community we've built together.
Each of you has contributed in your own way, making this more than just a server but a space for collaboration and learning. Your passion is what makes ValleyDAO a thriving ecosystem.
A heartfelt thank you to all, from our earliest members to our newest. Your participation has been invaluable. We're excited for what the future holds and can't wait to continue this journey together!
Open Funding Call
Are you a boundary-pushing researcher in synthetic biology with a game-changing concept or want to bring your idea to the market? Struggling with the rigid legacy academic funding system? ValleyDAO is ready to support your translational research with funding between $50k-$250k.
Three reasons why to apply through ValleyDAO:
Harness Impact Potential: We specifically champion initiatives with the potential to create far-reaching climate, food, or environmental impact. If your idea promises such a significant contribution, you are exactly the pioneering mind we're eager to back.
Vibrant Supportive Community: When you choose ValleyDAO, you receive more than just financial backing. You join a dynamic, diverse community of scientists, founders, and KOLs eager to support you to create groundbreaking research or help you translate your work into a successful business.
Lean & Personal Application Process: There's no deadline, and the application takes just a few moments to complete. If we find your project suitable, you'll be invited to a call within two weeks. Even if your project isn't eligible for our support this time, we'll invite you to join our community, where you can foster your project's growth and discover other opportunities.
Apply now by filling out the form or share it with an interesting researcher!
Paris is always a good idea - especially when ETHCC calls!
July saw us at EthCC Paris. Impressed by new insights and happy to connect with new and old frens, we want to share a highlight: our workshop with the Foresight Institute on Synthetic Biology's role in global warming. We mapped out viable pathways to climate solutions using state-of-the-art tools such as Lateral.io and ChatGPT. The resulting tech trees were stunning!
To all who attended and contributed, we can't thank you enough. Your ideas and enthusiasm not only made this workshop a success!
Upon bringing the inspiring results back to our community, the ideas were not only well-received, but also sparked a series of productive sessions focused on integrating the technology into our deal flow sourcing and due diligence processes.
We would not be ValleyDAO if we would not share and commonly develop this with the whole field and will make the tech & learning available publicly.
Join our Discord to get involved!
New Science Spotlights Episode
On the 19th of July, we were very excited to host Dr. Jenny Molloy, a pioneer in the field of open science. Working towards a globally inclusive and equitable bioeconomy, she spoke about her Cambridge University-based research group, the Open Bioeconomy Lab.
Inspirational Session
We discussed the need for an overlap of community, technology, and enterprise, to improve open access to the supply chain, enabling equitable possibilities for biology to drive future innovation. Hosted by our community member Diana Jorge, the event was an illuminating glance into the past, present, and future of SynBio. If you couldn't join us live, you can watch the full recording here.
Shorts & Events
VIP-5 is live on Discourse!
Join us at Desci Berlin on 8 + 9 September 2023
…or at iGEM Grand Jamboree on 2-5 November, 2023 in Paris
Community Spotlight
"ValleyDAO empowers researchers, sustainability enthusiasts, and individuals like me who envision a world where technology and nature coexist harmoniously through synthetic biology."
Meet Toluwani Aguda, also known as Aguboss, a 22-year-old Nigerian student and a vibrant member of ValleyDAO's Communications Growth Group. Aguboss' strengths lie in his passion for delivering high-quality content on a regular basis. He has a great work ethic and is responsible for curating the Synbio Weekly Digest, showcasing his excellent communication skills and keeping the community informed and engaged. Aguboss' contributions are valued in the community, and his commitment to empowering synthetic biology and sustainability enthusiasts aligns with ValleyDAO's vision.
See you next time!
-The ValleyDAO Community