Funding

How is Subvert funded?

Subvert is currently self-funded and has not accepted any outside investment. The project has been supported by two fellowship grants totaling $35,000 awarded to founder Austin Robey:

• $15,000 from IDEO CoLab's Creative Residency Program (May 2024)
• $20,000 from Center for Cultural Innovation's AmbitioUS initiative (October 2024)

These grants have helped partially cover initial startup costs, but Subvert remains independently bootstrapped at this stage.

View a breakdown of our startup costs here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/189aFilMNy60JGCQGy1LnMZwVasT7u3mB-RuZs5CIT_E/edit?usp=sharing

What is Subvert's position on funding?

Subvert recognizes that adequate funding is necessary to build a high-quality platform, but we approach fundraising carefully:

• We seek funding transparently, with community input
• We implement safeguards to preserve collective ownership and control
• We accept funding through inclusive decision-making processes
• We aim to align interests between users and investors
• We prioritize non-extractive funding sources where possible

Our goal is to raise only what's needed while maintaining our cooperative principles.

An underfunded project doesn't serve anyone. Artists need high-quality, resilient services, and workers deserve fair compensation to avoid burnout. Adequate funding is essential to create a platform that truly meets the needs of our community while ensuring the well-being of those building it.