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Progression Rules

The Laws of Venture Evolution

Progression through Studio3's seven phases follows clear rules designed to ensure sustainable growth while maintaining ecosystem integrity. These rules create a fair, transparent system where success is earned, not given.

Core Progression Principles

Fundamental Rules

📏 The Five Laws

  • 1. Sequential Progress
  • Phases must be completed in order

2. No Skipping

  • Every venture experiences every phase

3. Merit-Based

  • Advancement requires proven achievement

4. Community Validated

  • Progress confirmed by ecosystem

5. Time Bounded

The Progression Framework

graph TD
    A[Meet Phase Requirements] --> B{Anchor Validation}
    B -->|Pass| C[Community Vote]
    B -->|Fail| D[Address Issues]
    C -->|Approve| E[Phase Transition]
    C -->|Reject| D
    D --> A
    E --> F[New Phase Begins]

Phase Requirements

Universal Requirements

All phase transitions require:

Base Requirements

  • ✅ Complete all declared milestones (or approved pivots)
  • 📡 Maintain >60% belief ratio throughout phase
  • ⚓ Pass Anchor validation assessment
  • 🕒 Meet minimum phase duration
  • 📊 Achieve phase-specific metrics

Phase-Specific Requirements

✨ Spark → Forge

  • 100+ $SIGNAL in belief
  • 10+ unique supporters
  • Clear problem
  • solution fit
  • Feasible execution plan
  • 7
  • day minimum duration

⚔️ Forge → Ignition

  • Win founder duel
  • Claim Signal NFT
  • 1,000+ $SIGNAL staked
  • Present winning vision
  • Automatic upon victory

🚀 Ignition → Drift

  • Container DAO formed
  • Core team assembled (3+)
  • MVP launched publicly
  • Initial users onboarded
  • 14
  • day minimum

🌊 Drift → Orbit

  • Product
  • market fit signals
  • 40%+ user retention
  • Sustainable unit economics
  • Clear growth trajectory
  • 60
  • day minimum

🛸 Orbit → Flare

  • 6 months stable operations
  • 80%+ milestone success rate
  • Revenue/usage growing 10%+ monthly
  • External funding interest
  • 180
  • day minimum

🔥 Flare → Ascension

  • Funding secured
  • 20+ team members
  • Market leadership position
  • Buyback funds available
  • 180
  • day minimum

Validation Process

Anchor Assessment

⚓ Validation Framework

Anchors evaluate:

1. Milestone Completion (40%) All declared goals achieved?

  • Evidence properly documented?
  • Quality meets standards?

2. Community Health (30%) - Supporter engagement level

  • Belief/doubt ratio
  • Communication quality

3. Operational Excellence (20%) - Team performance

  • Resource management
  • Process maturity

4. Strategic Position (10%) - Market opportunity

  • Competitive advantage
  • Growth potential

Minimum score: 70% to proceed

Community Confirmation

After Anchor approval:

flowchart LR
    A[Anchor Approval] --> B[48hr Review Period]
    B --> C[Community Discussion]
    C --> D{Token Vote}
    D -->|>66% Yes| E[Progression Approved]
    D -->|<66% Yes| F[Progression Delayed]
    F --> G[Address Concerns]
    G --> B

Time Boundaries

Duration Requirements

Phase Minimum Target Maximum Extensions
Spark 7 days 14 days 30 days Not allowed
Forge 3 days 5 days 7 days Not allowed
Ignition 14 days 30 days 60 days 1x30 days
Drift 60 days 120 days 365 days 2x60 days
Orbit 180 days 365 days No max Unlimited
Flare 180 days 365 days No max Unlimited
Ascension 30 days 60 days 180 days 1x60 days

Extension Mechanics

Extension Rules

  • Request before phase maximum reached

  • Provide compelling justification

  • Maintain >50% community support

  • Anchor approval required

  • Only one extension per phase (except Orbit/Flare)

Performance Metrics

Success Indicators

📊 Quantitative Metrics

  • Milestone completion rate
  • Revenue/user growth
  • Token signal volume
  • Team expansion rate
  • Funding secured

🌟 Qualitative Metrics

  • Community sentiment
  • Product quality
  • Team cohesion
  • Market position
  • Innovation level

Phase Health Scoring

Phase Health Score Calculation:

The system calculates a venture's readiness for progression on a 0-100 scale:

Score Components:
• Milestone Completion: 40% of total score
  - Based on successful milestone completion rate
• Community Support: 30% of total score  
  - Measured by belief vs doubt signal ratio
• Operational Excellence: 20% of total score
  - Team efficiency and process maturity
• Growth Metrics: 10% of total score
  - Revenue, users, or other KPI growth

Special Modifiers:
• Drift Phase Pivot: -10% penalty if venture has pivoted
• Orbit Phase Consistency: +10% bonus for consistent delivery
• Final Score: Capped at maximum 100 points
• Minimum Required: 70 points to progress to next phase

Special Circumstances

Accelerated Progression

⚡ Fast Track Qualification

Exceptional ventures may progress faster if:

  • Exceed all metrics by 200%+
  • Unanimous Anchor approval
  • 90%+ community support
  • Demonstrated exceptional execution
  • Strategic opportunity requires speed

Fast Track Limits:

  • Minimum durations still apply
  • Cannot skip phases
  • Extra scrutiny on validation
  • Higher evidence standards

Regression Scenarios

When Ventures Move Backward

Regression only allowed during Drift phase:

  • Failed product-market fit

  • Major pivot required

  • Team reformation needed

    Regression Process:

    1. Founder requests regression
    2. Anchors assess situation
    3. Community votes on allowing
    4. Return to Ignition if approved
    5. Reputation penalty applied

Stalled Progressions

When ventures can't advance:

Scenario Options Consequences
Missing Requirements Extension or remediation Delayed progression
Failed Validation Address issues and retry Reputation impact
Lost Community Support Rebuild confidence Potential dissolution
Resource Depletion Seek emergency funding May force pivot
Team Collapse Recruit replacements Major delays

Progression Strategies

For Founders

🎯 Planning Ahead

Know next phase requirements from day one

  • Study successful transitions
  • Build buffer time
  • Over-deliver on metrics
  • Document everything

🤝 Community First

Progression requires ecosystem support

  • Communicate constantly
  • Address concerns early
  • Build believer base
  • Engage doubters respectfully

For Echoes

Supporting Smart Progression

  • Signal strategically

  • on transition milestones Provide feedback

  • during phase reviews** Support extensions**

  • when justified Challenge rushers
  • - who aren't ready Reward consistency
  • over speed

Complex Scenarios

🤔 What If...

Q: Venture succeeds wildly but hasn't met time minimum?A: Must wait. Time requirements ensure proper foundation.

Q: All requirements met but Anchors see red flags?A: Anchors can require additional evidence or delays.

Q: Community loves venture but metrics are weak?A: Objective metrics must be met. Sentiment alone insufficient.

Q: External event disrupts progress (pandemic, war)?A: Force majeure provisions allow special extensions.

Q: Founders want to stay in current phase longer?A: Allowed in Orbit/Flare. Other phases have maximums.

Historical Progression Data

Success Rates by Transition

graph LR
    A[Spark] -->|60%| B[Forge]
    B -->|100%| C[Ignition]
    C -->|75%| D[Drift]
    D -->|40%| E[Orbit]
    E -->|65%| F[Flare]
    F -->|80%| G[Ascension]
    G -->|95%| H[Sovereignty]

Average Duration by Phase

Phase Average Fastest Slowest
Spark 12 days 7 days 30 days
Forge 4 days 3 days 7 days
Ignition 28 days 14 days 58 days
Drift 142 days 64 days 361 days
Orbit 287 days 182 days 548 days
Flare 394 days 186 days 892 days
Ascension 47 days 31 days 176 days

Common Mistakes

Progression Pitfalls

Avoid These Errors

  • Rushing progression

  • Meeting minimums isn't enough

  • Ignoring community

  • Support can evaporate quickly

  • Weak documentation

  • Evidence must be bulletproof

  • Surprise pivots

  • Changes need community buy-in

  • Burning bridges

  • Failed progressions damage reputation

Appeals Process

Challenging Decisions

If progression is denied:

  1. Review Feedback
  2. Understand specific issues
  3. Prepare Appeal
  4. Address each concern
  5. Submit to Council
  6. Anchor Council reviews
  7. Community Input
  8. Public comment period
  9. Final Decision
  10. Binding determination**!!! info "Appeal Success Rate: 23%"** Most denials are upheld. Better to address issues than appeal.

Your Progression Path

Planning Your Journey