> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://blueprint.builtbydao.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://blueprint.builtbydao.com/build-join/join.md).

# Join the Cohort

{% hint style="success" %}
Phase 1 — recruitment — is **live now** (Jun–Sep 2026). We're building the founding cohorts for the two co-leads: **Detroit + Chicago.**
{% endhint %}

## The funnel — wide top, hard gate

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    R["Reach<br/>8K email list · ~200 warm leads"]
    A["Apply + sponsor vouch<br/>referral required"]
    V["Vetting<br/>mission/alignment first · the human gate"]
    P["Sweat pledge<br/>signed hours/contribution commitment"]
    C["Committed member<br/>first task in week 1"]
    R -->|one big launch| A --> V --> P --> C
    C -.->|contribution-gated referral reward| A
```

Wide at the top, hard at the gate. **Both a referral vouch and vetting are required** — no open-door joining. The commitment threshold is a **signed sweat pledge**, not cash.

## The gate

| Requirement                  | What it means                                                                                 |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Referral / sponsor vouch** | A member brings you — this curates for dedication and alignment                               |
| **Vetting**                  | Screened for mission/ideology alignment first, then contribution capacity                     |
| **Sweat pledge**             | A signed hours/contribution commitment — the stake that self-selects builders over passengers |

No cash gate for builders or renters. The cash floor applies only to capital / community-investor members.

## Founding cohort → Framers

The first cohort's founders are designated **Framer** — symbolic founding recognition, **1.25× voting weight (local, permanent)**, plus an EQTBLT founding bonus. Framer is per-cohort and always open: every new community honors its own builders, not just the first city. (Framer weight is local to a node and globally capped — so an expanding Framer class can shape its own community strongly without entrenching network-wide.)

## Targets

* **\~100–150 committed members** across the two co-lead cohorts by end of summer (\~50–75 per city)
* Quality KPIs over headcount: alignment, sweat-pledge completion, week-1 activation, referral compounding

{% hint style="info" %}
**Geography follows the network** — where committed cohorts form decides which cities advance. No hub is built ahead of its community.
{% endhint %}


---

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