Introduction

Imagine a crowdfunding campaign that not only hits its goal but also leaves a lasting impact… It’s designed to continue growing indefinitely, generating billions of dollars from millions of participants worldwide. This is the essence of the world’s largest crowdfunding model…

RAIZE (Raising Awareness and Impact Through Zealous Engagement) funding model, a groundbreaking approach outlined in Acorn Energy and Agriculture’s Nexus project. Designed and spearheaded by yours truly, specifically for this project, I intend to initially raise over $10 billion through a blockchain-powered AI application, making it not only the largest in scale but also perpetual in nature. Unlike one-off campaigns, it creates an ongoing ecosystem where continuous contributions fuel ongoing growth, supporting massive global initiatives like Nexus, ending hunger, and sustainable energy production, while helping fund other like-minded projects that prioritize purpose, people, and the planet.

What makes this model truly innovative is its blend of technology, inclusivity, and viral mechanics, turning everyday merchants and consumers into active stakeholders. By leveraging AI for seamless interactions and blockchain for transparency, it redefines crowdfunding as a self-sustaining force for good. Its significance? IMO, it will shift the paradigm of how we fund world-changing projects, proving that massive impact doesn’t require deep pockets… just smart, collective action.

Overview of the Funding Model

At its core, the RAIZE is a blockchain-based, AI-driven platform that connects merchants (small business owners, professionals, service providers… even artists and musicians) and consumers in a mutually beneficial network. Think of it as a digital marketplace where businesses offer attractive perks… discounts, vouchers, or free services, and people make a small one-time contribution to access them. But here’s the twist… every participant can earn income through referrals, creating exponential growth that keeps the funds flowing indefinitely.

Here’s how it operates in simple terms: Merchants sign up by paying a one-time fee ($1,000 for small businesses, professionals, and service providers) for lifetime access. They then use a conversational AI interface to describe their business and the benefits they offer, such as a restaurant offering a $20 purchase voucher. Consumers pay a modest one-time fee ($200) for unlimited lifetime access to browse and claim these perks. The AI handles everything from onboarding to searches. For instance, if a consumer says, “Find a lawn service provider in my area with benefits,” the app lists options, facilitates bids, and verifies quality through user feedback.  Merchant Members (MMs) attract additional market share at a cost significantly less than traditional methods, the bulk of which is point of sale (a small portion of profits at the time of sale vs having to pay ongoing fees while “hoping” they will get a return on their advertising spend). 

The perpetual aspect comes from a built-in “2 in 24” referral program: Participants are encouraged to invite two friends within 24 hours, earning commissions (up to 50%) on their referrals’ fees. This viral loop, powered by AI prompts, ensures ongoing participation without needing new campaigns. Blockchain technology records all transactions transparently, building trust and preventing tampering. The goal?… Onboard 1 million merchant members, each contributing honest value in the form of digital perks accessible to our 100 million Consumer members, ultimately raising over $10 billion, funding Nexus and other like-minded projects, while everyone benefits from the ecosystem.

Key Features and Benefits

This funding model stands out due to several core features that make it scalable, sustainable, and inclusive:

• Conversational AI Interface: An agentic AI system engages with users to onboard them, match their needs, and handle requests, making the experience user-friendly, much like interacting with a helpful assistant.
• Blockchain Transparency: All data, transactions, and feedback are stored on a tamper-proof ledger, ensuring honesty and allowing community verification.
• Viral Referral System: The “2 in 24” mechanic drives rapid growth… inviting just two people within 24 hours could theoretically reach the global population in a matter of weeks.
• Lifetime Access: One-time fees provide perpetual benefits, transforming participants into long-term stakeholders rather than one-time donors.
• Perpetual Funding Mechanism: Unlike finite campaigns, the model generates ongoing revenue through new sign-ups and referrals, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.

The benefits are widespread. For contributors (merchants and consumers), it’s a “no-brainer”: Merchants expand their market share inexpensively by offering digital perks at the point of sale, while consumers gain access to deals potentially worth millions in honest value. Beneficiaries, such as projects like the Nexus campuses, receive massive funding for initiatives in energy, food, and environmental restoration. The broader community benefits from economic inclusion, as small businesses thrive, marginalized groups earn referral income, and the model promotes ethical marketing over aggressive ads.

Scalability is baked in, with plans to launch a minimum viable product (MVP) by 2026 and scale to 1 million merchants and 10 million consumers by 2027. Sustainability comes from reinvesting funds into purpose-driven ventures, ensuring long-term impact without relying on constant appeals.

Comparison with Traditional Crowdfunding

Traditional crowdfunding, such as campaigns on platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe, typically involves setting a fixed goal, running a time-limited drive, and delivering rewards once the goal is reached. If successful, the project gets a lump sum; if not, funds are often returned. These are great for startups or creative endeavors, but they struggle with long-term sustainability. Once the campaign ends, the momentum also comes to an end, and follow-up funding requires a fresh start.

In contrast, the RAIZE model flips this script. Its scale is unmatched: Aiming for $10 billion from 100 million participants dwarfs even the most significant traditional efforts (e.g., the most successful Kickstarter raised about $20 million). Longevity is key… It’s perpetual, with no end date, thanks to viral referrals that keep attracting new users. Inclusivity shines too: Anyone can join as a merchant or consumer, earning income along the way, whereas traditional models often favor big donors or viral ideas.

Imagine traditional crowdfunding as a sprint to a finish line, whereas this model is a marathon relay where runners continually join, passing the baton indefinitely. It achieves “largest” status through sheer numbers and innovation, utilizing AI and blockchain to lower barriers and ensure that everyone benefits, not just the project creators.

Real-World Impact

While still in its conceptual phase, as outlined in the Nexus white paper, the potential of this funding model is immense, with projections that illustrate its transformative power. For instance, raising $10 billion could seed a 20-acre proof-of-concept campus in Oregon, pay cash for the first full-scale campus, also in Oregon, and purchase or develop the first cattle operation, allowing Acorn Energy and Agriculture to scale to 2,500 global facilities in the coming years. Each campus should produce sustainable food for 1.6 million people annually (including organic non-GMO chicken, fish, beef, and vegetables), generate 500 MW of clean energy to power 400,000 homes, and reduce 500,000 tons of CO2 yearly… contributing to carbon-negative operations.

In high-need areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, these campuses will directly combat hunger and pollution, saving 70-90% on water use through aquaponics and reducing cattle methane emissions by up to 97% by adding a small amount of seaweed to their feed. The model’s economic ripple effects include empowering small businesses. For instance, a fitness coach offering a $50 purchase voucher or a free session could attract clients and earn referrals, while consumers save on everyday services.  There are literally unlimited examples across all industries.

Data from the white paper suggests that viral growth could onboard over 1 million merchants within weeks to months, funding the first campus with $120 million and leaving a surplus for broader initiatives. Ethically, it generates anonymized AI training data shared via a future DAO, promoting transparent tech development. If realized, it should feed 4 billion people and reduce 1.25 billion tons of CO2 annually, reshaping industries such as agriculture, energy, and technology toward sustainability.

Conclusion and Call to Action

RAIZE isn’t just about raising money… It’s a blueprint for uniting people in a purpose-driven economy where prosperity benefits everyone and the planet. By harnessing AI, blockchain, and human ingenuity, it transforms a bold vision into a perpetual engine for change, proving that massive global challenges can be tackled with minimal resources.  And if an old, has-been guy with a sorted past like me can pull it off, you, the person reading this article right now, should be able to do much more!

Ready to be part of this revolution? Dive deeper into the Acorn Nexus project by exploring the white paper and sharing it with your network.  Remember, if everyone invites just two others within 24 hours, we could reach billions in a few weeks. Download RAIZE [App is in development] to learn how to contribute as a merchant, consumer, or founding member. Your action today could help build a cleaner, hunger-free world tomorrow.

Please… help me make it happen! You can literally help change the world!