tldr: An opportunity for Nouns to make an unforgettable impact at NAKO 2024 by merging the kendama and web3 worlds, supporting global talent, and fostering creativity in a fun, inclusive subculture.
The North American Kendama Open (NAKO) is the premier kendama competition in North America, hosted by Sweets Kendamas, which brings together top players from around the world to showcase their creativity and skills to a global audience.
Kendama is more than just a toy — it’s a tool for mindfulness, community building, and self-expression. NAKO offers an ideal platform for Nouns to align its values of creativity, inclusivity, and play with a like-minded global community.
Building on the success of our collaboration with Mindfulness Through Play and activations at ETH Denver and the Blockchain Futurist Conference in Toronto, where we engaged crypto-savvy audiences, we now aim to introduce Nouns to the entire global kendama community.
Kendama is Nounish Highlight 1 and Highlight 2
Nouns has a unique opportunity to onboard the kendama community into web3 in an exciting and non-intrusive way. By blending the fun of kendama with accessible blockchain technology, we can show how anyone can meaningfully contribute to Nouns, use these tools to fund public goods, and create something impactful.
This proposal outlines how a Nouns sponsorship of NAKO will:
NAKO 2024 will be held in Minneapolis, featuring top kendama players from around the world. As the title sponsor, Nouns will create unforgettable experiences that not only immerse attendees in the event but also gently introduce them to web3 through fun, approachable activities. By aligning Nouns with the most exciting elements of NAKO, we will drive home our commitment to creativity, play, and community.
By sponsoring the main event, Nouns will be front and center at NAKO 2024, ensuring maximum visibility across livestreams, social media, and event signage. This top-tier exposure firmly positions Nouns as a driving force in the kendama community.
The Nouns DAO Panel and Workshop offer a unique educational experience at NAKO. The panel will provide attendees with an inside look at how blockchain technology intersects with creativity and community building, showcasing real-world examples of how this technology has improved people’s lives and showcasing the work that Nouns has supported through kendama thus far. The workshop creates an intimate space for deeper engagement, giving curious attendees a chance to explore the potential of DAOs and learn how they can leverage these tools to enhance their own creative projects.
We will introduce attendees to web3 in a simple, fun way that invites curiosity without pressure. By distributing Kendama DAO tokens, POAPs, and onchain prizes, Nouns will leave a lasting impression on attendees, giving them permanent souvenirs to take home and something to explore later. This non-invasive approach helps us onboard new members into the Nouns ecosystem while enhancing their experience at NAKO.
Through the distribution of Kendama DAO tokens, we aim to create a seamless bridge for attendees to explore and engage with web3 long after the event ends. By anchoring this initiative within Kendama DAO, Nouns will help foster a pipeline that introduces kendama enthusiasts to decentralized communities, encouraging them to actively participate in the broader Nouns ecosystem once they've gained their footing in the space. This approach allows for continued engagement long after the event, turning curiosity sparked at NAKO into ongoing involvement.
Our POAP scavenger hunt will inject an element of play and discovery into the event. This activity encourages attendees to explore various areas of the venue while interacting with Nouns branding and content in a fun, hands-on way. Participants who collect all POAPs will be entered into a raffle, encouraging engagement without overwhelming them with technical jargon or crypto complexity.
We're bringing in high-profile guest Bob Burnquist to add star power and excitement to NAKO 2024. Bob's presence connects Nouns to creativity and innovation in traditional communities like skateboarding, which shares a strong crossover with the kendama community. His involvement demonstrates how someone at the forefront of their field has embraced web3 tools to push boundaries, not just in their craft, but also in community building.
Supporting the travel of top kendama pros is a key element in elevating the competition at NAKO 2024. By helping these elite athletes attend, Nouns not only enhances the quality and hype of the event but also demonstrates our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering inclusivity in the kendama community.
Featured athletes will be finalized if this proposal passes. We are currently in talks with the following players:
To maintain momentum and engagement after NAKO, we will host weekly rounds throughout the month following the event. This continued engagement helps onboard the global community into Nouns and keeps momentum rolling as people earn rewards from Rounds and then tell their friends.
Nouns' support through Proposal 543 has had a profound impact, enabling the Mindfulness Through Play (MTP) initiative to inspire a new wave of young kendama enthusiasts. By providing students with their own Nouns Kendamas, MTP has cultivated creativity, focus, and a sense of accomplishment.
This fall, MTP has expanded to run 13 after-school programs across 9 schools. The first-ever student division at NAKO will feature these young players, marking a milestone as many compete using their Nouns Kendamas. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to attend workshops and play alongside some of the world's best kendama players, giving them a chance to learn from top talent and deepen their connection with the community.
This initiative fosters family involvement, strengthens community ties, and promotes mindfulness through play - values deeply aligned with Nouns' mission.
Many of these students will be competing in the first ever Student Division using Nouns kendamas
Students will have the opportunity to attend workshops and play with some of the best kendama players in the world
This initiative supports full family engagement and promotes mindfulness through play, aligning with Nouns' values
Partnering with NAKO 2024 is an opportunity for Nouns to make a massive impact in a new community that shares our values of creativity, play, and collaboration. By blending kendama and web3 in a fun, approachable way, we can onboard new members into the Nouns ecosystem and leave a lasting legacy of support for global talent. Nouns' presence at NAKO will advance our mission to fund public goods that strengthen global communities and inspire creative new forms of innovation and collaboration.
Summary of Revisions: By implementing these changes, we've addressed the primary concerns raised in the feedback, streamlined the budget, and emphasized the elements that make this proposal both impactful and cost-effective. We believe this revised proposal will resonate with voters and hope we can count on your support for our vision for NAKO 2024.