# Welcome to Built By DAO

{% hint style="success" %}

### Contribution creates ownership. Ownership creates governance.

Built By DAO is a member-owned collective building community infrastructure—[Foundries](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry), gathering spaces, businesses, and housing—where your stake grows with your participation. Not charity. Not traditional development. A different ownership model, built to compound.
{% endhint %}

[**⚙️ How It Works**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/getting-started/how-it-works) · [**🔨 Start Contributing**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/quick-start/quick-start-builder) · [**💰 Invest**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/investors/invest) · [**🚀 Join Now**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/onboarding/onboarding)

***

## The Thesis

Here's what usually happens: Outside investors acquire properties. Decisions get made by people who've never walked those streets. Wealth flows out of the neighborhood and into distant portfolios. The people who actually live and work there? Tenants in their own community.

We're building the inverse.

When you contribute to Built By DAO—through [work](https://docs.builtbydao.com/quick-start/quick-start-builder), through [residency](https://docs.builtbydao.com/onboarding/member-housing), through [governance participation](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/governance)—you accumulate [EQTBLT tokens](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt). These are non-transferable equity. Nobody can buy them. You earn them. They represent your permanent stake in everything we build together, and they give you proportional voice in how it's governed.

The mechanism is straightforward: contribution → equity → governance. The implications compound over decades.

***

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="🔨 Contribute" %}

### Work That Compounds

Traditional employment trades your time for wages that disappear the moment you spend them. Here, every task completed earns [EQTBLT](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt)—permanent equity in the collective that no one can take from you.

**Where the work happens:**

| Domain               | Examples                              | Learn More                                                                                                                                       |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| 🏗️ **Construction** | Trades, project management, site work | [Foundry](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry) · [Trades Roles](https://docs.builtbydao.com/divisions-and-roles/construction/trades) |
| 💻 **Technology**    | Development, design, blockchain       | [Tech Division](https://docs.builtbydao.com/divisions-and-roles/technology)                                                                      |
| 📋 **Operations**    | Logistics, admin, coordination        | [Operations](https://docs.builtbydao.com/operations/operations)                                                                                  |
| 👥 **Community**     | Outreach, events, member support      | [Community Division](https://docs.builtbydao.com/divisions-and-roles/membership-community)                                                       |
| 🗳️ **Governance**   | Proposals, committees, oversight      | [Governance](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/governance)                                                                                  |

**What you accumulate:**

* [EQTBLT tokens](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt) (10-100+ per hour based on role and rank)
* Progression through [14 membership ranks](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/ranks)
* [Voting power](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting) in DAO decisions
* Access to [training programs](https://docs.builtbydao.com/contributors/training) and [Foundry equipment](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/equipment)

{% content-ref url="../quick-start/quick-start-builder" %}
[quick-start-builder](https://docs.builtbydao.com/quick-start/quick-start-builder)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🏠 Reside" %}

### Housing That Builds Stake

In traditional rentals, your monthly payment builds your landlord's equity. In Built By DAO properties, a portion of your rent converts to [EQTBLT](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt)—your growing stake in the collective.

**The mechanics:**

* Pay rent in USDC or supported stablecoins
* A percentage automatically converts to EQTBLT via the [RentalAndRebate contract](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/rental-rebate)
* Your stake grows every month you reside
* If you move to another DAO property, your [equity is portable](https://docs.builtbydao.com/equity-and-membership/portability)

**What residency includes:**

* Full [community membership](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/membership)
* [Governance voting rights](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting) proportional to your EQTBLT
* Access to [Foundry workshops](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/workshop) and [training programs](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/programs)
* Priority for [contribution opportunities](https://docs.builtbydao.com/contributors/opportunities)

This isn't a lease with benefits. It's membership with housing.

{% content-ref url="../onboarding/member-housing" %}
[member-housing](https://docs.builtbydao.com/onboarding/member-housing)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="💰 Invest" %}

### Capital With Structural Alignment

Investment in Built By DAO isn't about acquiring control. It's about enabling community ownership at scale while participating in its success.

**The structure:**

| Tier                                                                    | Range      | What You Get                                     |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| [😇 Angel](https://docs.builtbydao.com/investors/tiers/angel)           | $10k–$250k | 10% BLTBY discount, 1.5× governance multiplier   |
| [🚀 VentureOne](https://docs.builtbydao.com/investors/tiers/ventureone) | $500k–$5M  | 15% discount, 2× multiplier, quarterly briefings |
| [🏛️ Trust](https://docs.builtbydao.com/investors/tiers/trust)          | $5M–$100M+ | 20% discount, 2.5× multiplier, advisory access   |

**The ceiling:** Investor governance multipliers are capped. [Quadratic voting](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting) further reduces concentration. You participate *with* contributors, not over them. This is by design—aligned incentives, not captured governance.

**The tokens:** You purchase [BLTBY](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/bltby) (the utility token). Contributors earn [EQTBLT](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt) (the equity token). Both have governance weight, but EQTBLT cannot be bought—only earned. The separation is the point.

{% content-ref url="../quick-start/quick-start-investor" %}
[quick-start-investor](https://docs.builtbydao.com/quick-start/quick-start-investor)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## The Build

Membership isn't a subscription. It's a construction project where you're both builder and building.

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Your Ownership Journey

```
FOUNDATION                FRAMING                   SYSTEMS                    FINISH
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

🌱 Seeker                 🔧 Contributor            🧭 Guide                   🛡️ Guardian
   Learn the work.           Execute projects.         Mentor others.            Protect the mission.

🌿 Apprentice             ⚙️ Operator               🏘️ Community Lead          📊 Strategist
   Prove commitment.         Run operations.           Build culture.            Shape direction.

                          🎯 Specialist             ⚓ Anchor                   ⚜️ Steward
                             Deep expertise.           Stabilize systems.        Govern the whole.

                          👷 Crew Lead              🖥️ Platform Lead
                             Lead teams.               Own major domains.

                          📋 Project Lead
                             Deliver outcomes.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Entry is open.            Advancement is earned.    Leadership is demonstrated. Legacy is built.
```

{% endhint %}

Each rank unlocks higher [EQTBLT earning rates](https://docs.builtbydao.com/guides/earning-eqtblt), expanded [governance weight](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting), and access to additional [roles](https://docs.builtbydao.com/divisions-and-roles/divisions). Progression happens through contribution reviews, not tenure.

👉 [**All 14 Ranks Explained**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/ranks) · [**Progression System**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/progression) · [**Membership NFT**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/nft)

***

## Four Pillars

What we build. What the DAO owns. What members govern.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="🔧 Foundries" %}
Physical hubs where the work happens. Not coworking spaces—production facilities.

**Seven zones:**

* [🏗️ The Yard](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/yard) — Material intake, sorting, outdoor work
* [🏪 The Depot](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/depot) — Storage, inventory, logistics
* [🔧 The Workshop](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/workshop) — Fabrication, repair, hands-on training
* [🔥 The Forge](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/forge) — Heavy manufacturing, metalwork
* [🖥️ The Station](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/station) — Operations command, digital work
* [🎭 The Hall](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/hall) — Community gathering, events, education
* [🏢 The Loft](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry/loft) — Administration, planning, leadership

Foundries process materials from deconstruction, train members in construction skills, and produce the components that build our other infrastructure.

👉 [**Foundry Overview**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/foundry) · [**Equipment**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/equipment) · [**Programs**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/the-foundry/programs)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🏛️ Community Spaces" %}
Gathering halls. Gardens. Shared facilities.

These are permanent DAO assets—owned collectively, never sold off. They anchor communities and provide space for connection beyond transactional relationships.

Governed by members. Maintained by members. Used by members.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🏪 DAO Businesses" %}
Commercial operations run by and for the community.

Revenue supports DAO operations. Work opportunities go to members. Services serve the community first.

Managed through the [DAOBusiness contract](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/dao-business) with transparent accounting and member oversight.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="🏠 Residential" %}
Housing where residency builds equity.

Not separate from the community—integrated with it. Residents are members. Members are stakeholders. Stakeholders govern.

Rent payments processed through [RentalAndRebate](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/rental-rebate). Equity accumulation tracked on-chain. [Portability](https://docs.builtbydao.com/equity-and-membership/portability) between DAO properties.

👉 [**Equity-Building Leases**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/equity-and-membership/overview) · [**How Equity Works**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/equity-and-membership/how-it-works) · [**Rent Payments**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/equity-and-membership/rent-payments)
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## The Mechanism

Two tokens. Different purposes. Intentional separation.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="💎 EQTBLT" %}
**The equity token.** Earned, not bought.

| Property           | Detail                                                                           |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Earned through** | Work, residency, governance participation                                        |
| **Transferable**   | No—[soul-bound](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt) to your wallet |
| **Governance**     | Voting power proportional to balance                                             |
| **Value**          | Redeemable for DAO services (\~$1 reference)                                     |
| **Contract**       | [EQTBLTToken](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/eqtblt-token)     |

EQTBLT cannot be purchased, traded, or speculated on. Your governance power reflects your contribution, not your capital.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="💜 BLTBY" %}
**The utility token.** Purchased for participation.

| Property             | Detail                                                                                 |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Acquired through** | Purchase, staking rewards                                                              |
| **Transferable**     | Yes—tradeable on exchanges                                                             |
| **Governance**       | Voting weight with [multiplier caps](https://docs.builtbydao.com/investors/governance) |
| **Uses**             | Staking, transactions, investor tier access                                            |
| **Contract**         | [BLTBYToken](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/bltby-token)             |

BLTBY enables investment participation while structural caps prevent capital from dominating governance.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

The innovation is the separation. Governance power comes from contribution. Capital participates but doesn't control.

👉 [**Dual-Token System**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/dual-token) · [**Token Utility**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/utility) · [**Full Token Economy**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/tokens)

***

## Governance

Power is distributed by design.

| Mechanism                                                                           | Purpose                                                                                      |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [**Quadratic Voting**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting)               | Reduces influence concentration—large holders have diminishing returns                       |
| [**Treasury Safety Rails**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/safety-rails)    | No single proposal moves >10%. Daily limit 5%. Monthly limit 20%. 15% floor always retained. |
| [**Leadership Council**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/leadership-council) | Elected oversight with limited veto for existential threats                                  |
| [**Proposal System**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/proposals)             | Any member can propose. Thresholds scale with impact.                                        |

All governance executes on-chain via the [Governance contract](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/governance). Transparent. Auditable. No backroom deals.

👉 [**How Governance Works**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/how-it-works) · [**Proposal Types**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/proposal-types) · [**Compliance**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/compliance)

***

## The Stack

Built on [**Base**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/developers) (Ethereum L2). 20 smart contracts managing:

| System     | Contracts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Tokens     | [EQTBLT](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/eqtblt-token), [BLTBY](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/bltby-token), [Vesting](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/token-vesting)                                                                             |
| Membership | [NFT](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/membership-nft), [Activity Tracker](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/activity-tracker), [Voting Registry](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/voting-registry)                                                    |
| Investment | [Angel](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/angel-nft), [VentureOne](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/ventureone-nft), [Trust](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/trust-nft), [Mint](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/investor-mint)       |
| Operations | [Treasury](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/treasury), [Governance](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/governance), [Rental](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/rental-rebate), [Business](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts/dao-business) |

Everything on-chain. Everything auditable. Trust through verification.

👉 [**Architecture**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/architecture) · [**Smart Contracts**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts) · [**Security**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/security)

***

## Building in Public

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Join the Founding Cohort

Built By DAO is in active development. Early members shape the organization as it grows. This is your opportunity to be part of building something from the foundation up.
{% endhint %}

### What's Built

| Milestone                 | Status | Details                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ------------------------- | :----: | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ⛓️ **Smart Contracts**    | ✅ Live | [20 contracts](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/contracts) deployed on Base                                                                                                               |
| 🏛️ **Governance System** | ✅ Live | [Proposals](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/proposals), [voting](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting), [treasury](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/treasury) operational |
| 👥 **Membership System**  | ✅ Live | [14-rank progression](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/ranks) with [NFT identity](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/nft)                                                             |
| 🪙 **Dual Token System**  | ✅ Live | [EQTBLT](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt) (equity) + [BLTBY](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/bltby) (utility)                                                        |
| 📱 **Platform**           | ✅ Live | app.builtbydao.com for member operations                                                                                                                                                        |
| 📖 **Documentation**      | ✅ Live | You're reading it                                                                                                                                                                               |

### What's Next

| Milestone                |    Status   | Target                                     |
| ------------------------ | :---------: | ------------------------------------------ |
| 🏭 **Foundry #1**        | 📋 Planning | Site selection and acquisition             |
| 🏠 **First Properties**  | 📋 Pipeline | Residential units for equity-lease program |
| 🏪 **DAO Businesses**    |  🔜 Future  | Post-Foundry commercial operations         |
| 🌐 **Network Expansion** |  🔜 Future  | Additional Foundry locations               |

Track all progress through [governance proposals](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/proposals).

***

<details>

<summary>⚖️ Legal Structure</summary>

Built By DAO operates as a **Wyoming DAO LLC**, providing:

* Recognized legal entity status
* Limited liability protection for members
* Smart contract integration for governance decisions
* Regulatory clarity for token operations

The Wyoming framework explicitly accommodates algorithmic governance and on-chain decision-making.

👉 [**Legal & Compliance**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/help-and-resources/legal) · [**The Organization**](https://docs.builtbydao.com/getting-started/what-is-built-by-dao)

</details>

<details>

<summary>🔐 Security &#x26; Trust</summary>

| Protection                        | Implementation                                                                                                      |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Treasury Safety Rails**         | [10% per proposal, 5% daily, 20% monthly, 15% floor](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/safety-rails)—hardcoded |
| **Multisig Control**              | No single-key access to treasury                                                                                    |
| **On-Chain Transparency**         | All transactions publicly verifiable on [Base](https://docs.builtbydao.com/developers/developers)                   |
| **Soul-Bound Identity**           | [Membership NFTs](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/nft) prevent identity fraud                                |
| **Contribution-First Governance** | [4× voting ceiling](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting) prevents capital capture                         |

</details>

***

## Reference

For existing members—quick access to key systems.

| System           | Links                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Membership**   | [Ranks](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/ranks) · [Progression](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/progression) · [Guilds](https://docs.builtbydao.com/membership/guilds)                               |
| **Contribution** | [Tasks](https://docs.builtbydao.com/contributors/tasks) · [Opportunities](https://docs.builtbydao.com/contributors/opportunities) · [Training](https://docs.builtbydao.com/contributors/training)                 |
| **Governance**   | [Proposals](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/proposals) · [Voting](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/voting) · [Treasury](https://docs.builtbydao.com/governance/treasury)                             |
| **Tokens**       | [EQTBLT](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/eqtblt) · [BLTBY](https://docs.builtbydao.com/token-economy/bltby) · [Earning Guide](https://docs.builtbydao.com/guides/earning-eqtblt)                        |
| **Guides**       | [First Task](https://docs.builtbydao.com/guides/first-task) · [Wallet Setup](https://docs.builtbydao.com/guides/wallet-setup) · [Level Up](https://docs.builtbydao.com/guides/level-up)                           |
| **Resources**    | [Glossary](https://docs.builtbydao.com/help-and-resources/glossary) · [Support](https://docs.builtbydao.com/help-and-resources/support) · [Guidelines](https://docs.builtbydao.com/help-and-resources/guidelines) |

***

## Get Started

| I want to...              | Start here                                                                               |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Contribute my skills**  | [Quick Start: Contributors](https://docs.builtbydao.com/quick-start/quick-start-builder) |
| **Live in DAO housing**   | [Member Housing](https://docs.builtbydao.com/onboarding/member-housing)                  |
| **Invest capital**        | [Quick Start: Investors](https://docs.builtbydao.com/quick-start/quick-start-investor)   |
| **Understand the vision** | [The Thesis](https://docs.builtbydao.com/getting-started/thesis)                         |
| **See how it works**      | [How It Works](https://docs.builtbydao.com/getting-started/how-it-works)                 |
| **Join now**              | [Joining Guide](https://docs.builtbydao.com/guides/join)                                 |

***

{% content-ref url="what-is-built-by-dao" %}
[what-is-built-by-dao](https://docs.builtbydao.com/getting-started/what-is-built-by-dao)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="how-it-works" %}
[how-it-works](https://docs.builtbydao.com/getting-started/how-it-works)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="thesis" %}
[thesis](https://docs.builtbydao.com/getting-started/thesis)
{% endcontent-ref %}