[BIP-786] Ecosystem ONsite Proposal Q2 2025

PR with Payload

Another Balancer ONsite edition is in the works!

As a DAO with globally distributed teams, Balancer recognizes the unique challenges (and opportunities) this presents. The ecosystem ONsites aim to address these by fostering genuine connections, enhancing collaboration, and reinforcing our web3 culture.


V3 talks in Bangkok…

TLDR:

  • Balancer OpCo Limited will take 17 contributors from the Balancer ecosystem to off retreat from May 12th to 17th, 2025 in Brazil.
  • Proposal includes flights, accommodations, meals, group activities, swag and meeting room rentals.
  • The request is capped at $35,200.

Summary

Twice a year, the ecosystem rounds-up Balancer DAO contributors and Balancer Labs. It’s a chance to connect, collaborate, and spark innovation in a dynamic environment. These meet-ups foster strong relationships and provide a valuable platform for shaping the future of decentralized finance.

This edition is being planned to take place in the vibrant city of Florianópolis, Brazil, also known as Island of Magic. Trying to balance quality coworking and hack sessions, with bonding activities in an exciting destination, we hope to gather our great minds for an unforgettable experience.

We will be staying at a beachfront hotel and will have a co-working space (only for us) from 1pm to 6pm with a coffee break included. In this space, we will be able to:

  • Work
  • Hold meetings
  • Provide a dedicated environment for hack sessions

The post-retreat will begin after hotel check-out on Friday and continue until Sunday. The idea is to stay in a cozy house, similar to a hacker house, with more relaxed activities, such as:

  • Work together
  • Visiting the TAMAR Project to see sea turtles
  • Dinner in the south of the island
  • Brazilian home-cooked lunch prepared by a chef

Unlike the Bangkok edition, where we focused on the attendance to Devcon as the main event, this edition will follow the “traditional” format of previous locations. After collecting some valuable feedback, we’ve learned our work sessions should be more focused and oriented, so we are keeping the touristic/bonding activities on separate days, which will make for a more productive agenda.

Again we are not using travel agents, so contributors can book their own flights or go through Balancer OpCo. This allows us to make our own plans and move faster.

This proposal seeks to allocate resources for 17 contributors, fostering collaboration and strengthening the Balancer ecosystem. The crew will join a group of 13+ contributors from Balancer Labs, with common expenses split proportionally.

Balancer OpCo will prioritize cost-effectiveness while mindful to ensure a positive experience for contributors traveling a significant distance. This proposal seeks to allocate 35,200 USDC to take 17 contributors to Brazil at $2,070.00/pax. These are initial estimates and we will continue to seek cost savings while ensuring a valuable and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

You can check last edition’s proposal for more info.

Objectives

  1. Drive Balancer Protocol Development: Dedicate focused time and resources to work sessions, hacking, and problem-solving to advance the Balancer Protocol.
  2. Encourage Team Collaboration: Provide opportunities for employees to engage beyond work and facilitate cross-functional interaction by making it easier for people from different areas to exchange ideas and work together.
  3. Celebrate Success & Motivate: Recognize achievements and keep the team motivated toward shared goals.

Pre & Post-Retreat Engagement

Pre-Retreat Virtual Events and Groupchats: Virtual icebreakers and team-building activities to build excitement and connections.

Post-Retreat Follow-Up: Feedback form to learn what we did right, and where we can improve to maintain momentum and connection.

Expected Outcomes

Stronger Team Connections: Better relationships and a greater sense of belonging.

Better Collaboration & Efficiency: Smoother communication across teams, leading to new ideas and improved workflows.

Higher Motivation & Retention: Recognition and support that keep contributors engaged and committed.

Conclusion

Ecosystem ONsites are an investment in what matters most: our community. By bringing people together, we reinforce DAO culture, encourage collaboration, and create space for new ideas to grow.

This edition will be a meaningful experience, especially for onboarding newcomers, and will help push Balancer forward.

Specification

The multisig 0x10A19e7eE7d7F8a52822f6817de8ea18204F2e4f will interact with USDC at 0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48 by writing transfer, passing 0x3B8910F378034FD6E103Df958863e5c684072693 as recipient and the amount 35200 as 35200000000.

Edit Maxis:

  • add payload PR
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The Ecosystem ONsites are a crucial part of our DAO coordination, and we are happy to provide all the operational infrastructure at OpCo to support it. Thank you @danimim for all your efforts putting this together.

This is a significantly lower amount from the previous comparable ask in Lisbon. Althought flights might be a little more pricey, we appreciate the energy to source such a great destination taking advantage of lower exchange rate, and at the same time providing a great experience for our contributors.

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https://snapshot.box/#/s:balancer.eth/proposal/0x7fe51934452b44929844a730aa1c4b7c8c99d92c2d3492190a9175cd0680d310

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GM, Balancer fam

From May 12th to 18th, we brought together contributors and partners for a new edition of our Ecosystem ONsite. This time in Florianópolis, Brazil

It couldn’t have come at a better moment. With so many developments moving across the Balancer ecosystem, we carved out dedicated time for in-person alignment, planning, and team-building. The kind of work that only happens when we’re all in the same room, either at a coworking space, or enjoying a few drinks together.

Here is the ONsite data presented as a report:

Attendees

A total of 23 contributors participated in this ONsite, including members from Balancer Labs, Balancer OpCo, Kpk, Maxis, and Beethoven. This edition was particularly special due to the participation of contributors from the broader ecosystem that build on Balancer, including Aura, Gyro and QuantAMM.

Group # of Participants
Balancer Labs* 9
Balancer OpCo 7
Kpk 2
Beethoven 1
Balancer Maxis 1
Aura 1
Gyroscope 1
QuantAMM 1
Total 23

*Note: As in previous editions, Balancer Labs expenses were accounted separately from DAO-funded participation.

Sessions and Activities

The week was a mix of technical deep dives and community bonding, but the main focus was on the Balancer roadmap and strategic alignment between the multiple service providers and contributors that make the Balancer protocol. Core sessions included:

  • Balancer Strategy: Pillars and Goals for 2025-2026
  • Dev team planning: new product launch iterations (QuantAMM, reCLAMM, LBPs, hooks)
  • GRC session and alignment: guidelines and narratives Trump era
  • QuantAMM launch party: introducing BTFs
  • Balancer Maxis: Reaching DAO sustainability in the next 12mo
  • BD Team: how Balancer will win!
  • Marketing Strategy: 2025 and beyond
  • Aura: Ecosystem collaboration and marketing
  • Kpk: State of the DAO and Treasury management

Outside work hours, we stayed together at a beachfront location in Jurerê, which allowed spontaneous sessions and great debates.

The workspace was equipped with a TV for hybrid meetings, coffee break, and ample space for rest and connection.

Pre & Post-Event Coordination

A dedicated Telegram group was used to coordinate logistics, travel, and side chats.
After the event, we hosted a two-day post-ONsite with a beachfront barbecue. Informal discussions continued well into the evening (around chess boards, in the hot tub, or even during a kayak break).

Also a feedback form was circulated. A few quotes:

“It was great to see how everyone gets along and it was super nice to have partners join.”

“It was great to see the longer term strategies presented and have input from various SPs and partners.”

Outcomes

This ONsite unlocked:

  • Clearer alignment between workstreams
  • Improved context-sharing between ecosystem orgs
  • Renewed motivation to contribute and collaborate
  • New ideas and adjustments to roadmap and GTM plans
  • Stronger sense of belonging among newer contributors

“The sessions were super efficient — the biggest value came from simply having everyone in the same room. It made alignment and decision-making much smoother and more productive overall. Definitely a positive experience.”


Cost Efficiency

We planned this ONsite with an eye on logistics, local prices, and shared accommodations — maximizing value while keeping costs low. Detailed breakdown to follow.

Hosting it in Brazil made this level of efficiency possible, thanks to the favorable cost difference compared to Europe, even with (overall) more expensive fights. However, the distance was unfavorable for many, and we’ve learned that these sessions are better to be hosted in Europe or some central location, making it worth the extra spend in our opinion.

Flight and transportation $ 9,725.20
Accommodations + coworking $ 8,150.84
F&B + Team activities $ 6,853.53
TOTAL $24,729.57

Final cost: $ 1,766.39 (pax)**

** Note: some ecosystem participants supported part of the expenses paying for their own flights, lowering the budget considerably from the initial forecast of $ 2,070.00/pax. Fair to say this value is unreal for future events if planning for Europe, or any central/hub location.*


Next Steps

We’re already discussing the next edition. Locations being considered include Lisbon, Madrid, and Budapest for Q4/2025! A proposal will follow soon to secure the budget and coordination timelines.


Closing Notes

This ONsite was especially meaningful. It was the first edition I helped lead since joining the team. In a few weeks, I’ll complete one year at Balancer, and organizing this event has been one of the highlights of my journey so far.

Thanks to everyone who trusted us (Danko, Marcus, and me) with your time, energy, and presence. It was incredibly rewarding to see real-time collaboration.

Focus. Ship. Repeat.

I’m more BALlish than ever. I hope you are too!

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Given the cost estimate transferred to OpCo was originally 35,200 USDC, then 10.470 USDC will remain unallocated in our books, and will be requested to rollover fo the next edition when the proposal hits the forum.

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