A continuing trend towards micro
MelodyTwitter is abuzz with raves about The Awesome Foundation, an organization that gives a $1,000 grant plus a month of free work space to people who submit proposals that are sufficiently "awesome". Each month, a new grant is awarded and a new creative-type gets to head to the BetaHouse with a grand in cash. The organization consists of 10 trustees who each chip in $100 per month.
The idea is fun enough, but with the bare website, I'm struggling to see the impact. The model of Kickstarter seems far more rewarding : creative types identify a project, determine the funding necessary to achieve their endstate, and solicit micro-contributions towards that end. The purpose is clear and goal-oriented, and all project backers get to share in the success of the venture through incentives and connection [and the site is so much more pleasant!].
The purpose of The Awesome Foundation is a little cloudier. The trustees say that it's about seeing more joy in the world and spending money on a cool idea rather than on "some random shopping trip". That is true -- it could be really fun to sift through proposals from people with awesome ideas. I wonder if $1,000 can really push an idea over the edge to something great -- especially because the backers seem to suggest a technology focus. Maybe the greater benefit just comes from the opportunity to work in a shared space with other creative people -- part of the typical startup incubator model.
I hope that the organization starts posting the outputs from the month of creative work. I'd like to be proven wrong -- can $1,000 really make a difference in Boston, MA?
Reader Comments (3)
The PR is probably worth more than $1000, plus the networking opportunities. But rather go to Boston for a vacation, not to work. I wouldn't show anyone my tech idea for $1000
Maybe they are hoping for a realty show.
Good point, Gordon. We should team up and do a "Super Awesome Foundation" that offers a $1,100 grant once every 29 days.
Ha! Nice hypothesis Gordon. And you're right about the risk of sharing your idea for such a small sum. The trustees make it clear that they will not keep submissions confidential.