Lisk DAO Marks a New Chapter After Transition to Ethereum Layer 2

In mid-2024, as Lisk entered its next phase as an Ethereum Layer 2, the Lisk DAO was launched to ensure that governance, funding, and long-term strategy would be shaped together with the community. From the outset, the DAO was designed to provide a fair and accessible framework for builders to receive support and for contributors to actively participate in the network’s growth. As engagement increased, the need for clearer structure became apparent, leading to the adoption of a seasonal governance model that defines how initiatives are proposed, evaluated, and funded.

From Experiment to Structured Governance

Nearly eighteen months later, and with almost two full seasons completed, the Lisk DAO has matured into a more organized and intentional governance body. According to Luuk Weber, Founder of EcoLabs and a Strategy Council member of the Lisk DAO, the introduction of the Seasons Strategy in early 2025 was a turning point. This approach brought discipline to governance processes and aligned treasury spending more closely with Lisk’s broader objectives.

Season 1 Focused on Adoption and Early Builders

The first season centered on accelerating adoption and supporting early teams building on Lisk Mainnet. During this period, the DAO approved sixteen milestone-based builder grants, onboarded development teams through initiatives in Africa and Southeast Asia, and ran a nine-week liquidity campaign that increased total value locked from around five million to nearly twenty-five million. Deployments by teams such as Re7 Labs, Morpho, and Mellow helped position Lisk more firmly within the Superchain ecosystem.

Season 2 Expanded Collaboration and Onchain Activity

Season 2 built on this momentum with a focus on collaborations that drive real-world development. With a total budget of 3.925 million LSK and more than ninety-five percent allocated directly to developers, applications, and ecosystem initiatives, the season targeted builder funding, TVL growth, onchain activity, Superchain contributions, and more accessible governance. Programs ranged from infrastructure and development grants to incubation initiatives, an expanded Ambassador Program, and ecosystem incentives aligned with Superchain goals.

DAO Funding Evolves Toward Founder Support

Following the approval of the Lisk DAO Fund in October 2025 and the launch of the Lisk EMpower Fund, the DAO’s priorities have shifted toward backing the most promising founders and helping them scale successfully within the Lisk ecosystem. This evolution sets the stage for a more focused and intentional approach as the DAO enters its next season.

Season 3 Aims to Turn Lisk Into a Launchpad for Emerging Markets

Season 3 is designed to position Lisk as a launchpad for founders from emerging markets, with a strong emphasis on projects demonstrating real-world adoption. Builders will receive milestone-based support to scale their products, while high-potential teams will be guided toward dedicated funding tracks such as the Lisk DAO Fund and the Lisk EMpower Fund. Alignment with the Superchain will be reinforced through a focus on measurable onchain impact, and the entire grants workflow will transition to KarmaGAP to improve transparency across applications, milestones, and reporting.

Two Funding Paths With Distinct Roles

The Lisk DAO Fund and the Lisk EMpower Fund operate as two independent but collaborative funding pathways. The DAO Fund targets early-stage teams at the pre-seed or seed stage that already have live applications on Lisk, often prioritizing graduates from Lisk accelerator programs with typical funding tickets between twenty-five and fifty thousand dollars. The EMpower Fund, in contrast, supports high-potential founders and startups regardless of whether they are already live on Lisk, offering more flexible funding and hands-on support to help teams reach product-market fit and prepare for follow-on investment.

Community Governance at the Core of Treasury Decisions

All programs and budgets within the Lisk DAO are reviewed and approved through Lisk Governance, giving every LSK holder a voice in how funds are allocated. Seasonal budgets support established initiatives such as Builder Grants, Ambassador Rewards, and Ecosystem Incentives, alongside the newer Lisk DAO Fund, which provides a structured way for the community to back high-impact solutions that can drive meaningful ecosystem growth.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

As 2025 concludes with initiatives like the Builder Reward Campaign allocating seventy-five thousand LSK toward builder activation, the DAO is already focused on the future. In 2026, Lisk DAO aims to deepen support for founders in emerging markets, accelerate real onchain usage, and help businesses building on Lisk reach meaningful scale. Decision-making is expected to become increasingly data-driven, enabling the community to identify and fund initiatives that create sustained value for both builders and users across the ecosystem.