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.

Introduction

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.

• ETH Denver Recap

  

• Blockchain Futurist Conference Toronto First Spikes Recap

  

• 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:

• Introduce attendees to web3 and Nouns through engaging experiences
• Support top international kendama pros, elevating competition and excitement
• Bring in special guests to enhance Nouns’ impact and visibility in the kendama community

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Overview

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.

1. Title Sponsorship

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.

• Nouns branding across the event, including livestreams and signage
• Amplifies Nouns’ presence in the kendama community and showcases our support for creativity and play
• Free registration for Nouners and other nounish DAO members (please reach out if interested!)

2. Nouns DAO Panel and Workshop

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.

• Panel explores how web3, and Nouns in particular, can be used for creative projects and community building
• Workshop provides hands-on learning about crypto, NFTs, and DAOs, helping participants understand how they can get directly involved

3. Onboarding Attendees Onchain

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.

• Attendees receive a POAP upon registration and introduction to the scavenger hunt, unlocking further engagement throughout the event
• Airdrop of Kendama DAO tokens on the final day, strengthening Nouns’ connection to the community through an immediate opportunity to contribute to an onchain movement they already love
• Prizes will be awarded onchain and will also include NFT trophies, giving winners a lasting, meaningful connection to the event

4. POAP Scavenger Hunt

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.

• Interactive scavenger hunt for attendees, incorporating nounish art
• Creates excitement and deeper involvement, leading to a memorable experience associated with Nouns

5. Special Guest: Bob Burnquist

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.

6. Travel Sponsorships

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.

• Travel support for kendama pros raises the bar for competition and signals Nouns’ support for the global community
• Nouns solidifies its reputation as a champion of global talent and creativity
• International flights and lodging for 3 professional kendama players and Bob Burnquist, domestic flights and lodging for 2 pro kendama players

Featured athletes will be finalized if this proposal passes. We are currently in talks with the following players:

• Ryoga Kawamoto, Lotus Kendamas Pro from Japan (Kendama World Cup 2024 Champion)
  • Kendama World Cup 2024 Finals Run
• Takuya Igarashi, Kendama Israel Pro from Japan (3-time Kendama World Cup Champion)
  • Kendama World Cup 2023 Finals Run
• Yasu Chiba, Krom Kendama Pro and member of High Receipts from Japan (Multiple freestyle championships)
  • European Kendama Championship Freestyle Run
  • European Kendama Championship 2024 Freestyle Final Analysis - Yasu vs Takuya
• Adrian Vilau from Romania (European Kendama Championship 2024 Champion)
• Edwin Tickner, former 365 Kendama Pro from USA (NAKO 2023 Champion)
  • THE PM SHREDMOD - Pro Model V2 Edit
• Rod Ansell, Terra Kendama Pro from Canada (Baguette Kendama Cup 2022 Freestyle 3rd Place)
  • RodDama vs Mexico Edit

7. Rounds for Continued Engagement

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.

• Round themes will include:
  • NAKO Weekend: Share any content captured during NAKO weekend
  • Kendama Collection: Share your collection of kendamas or your favorite individual piece
  • Kendama Art: Share your custom painted tamas, woodburned kens, animated kendama art, etc
  • Kendama Tricks: Share a clip of your coolest line or trick

8. Mindfulness Through Play Students Competing at NAKO

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

  

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Team

• Kendama DAO
  • Satori
  • Gabriel Klemm - CEO of Sweets Kendamas
  • Joshua Grove - Founder of Mindfulness Through Play, Sweets Kendamas Pro
  • Poox - Designer at Sweets Kendamas

Budget

• Title Sponsorship: $16,000
  • Competition prizes for podium finishers in Amateur Open, Pro Open, Girls Open, and Freestyle
    • 1st place: $1,000
    • 2nd place: $500
    • 3rd place: $250
    • Total: $7,000
  • Minigame and Side Event Prizes
    • $500 for minigames during NAKO
    • $50 each for 10 brands hosting their own side events
    • Total: $1,000
  • Scavenger hunt prizes: $500
  • Catering for volunteers: $2,500
  • Marketing and associated materials (pre-, during, and post-event): $2,000
  • Event production, videography, and content creation: $3,000
• Travel Sponsorships: $10,000
  • International flights and lodging for 3 professional kendama players and Bob Burnquist
  • Domestic flights and lodging for 2 professional kendama players
• Noggles: $2,000
• Rounds: $2,000
  • 4 weekly rounds post-NAKO with $500 prizes each for continued engagement
• Project Management: $5,000
• Total: $35,000

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Conclusion

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.

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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.

• Title Sponsorship: Added detailed breakdown of how funds will be used, scaled down scavenger hunt, using in-house videographer and content creation
• Side Event Sponsorships: Significantly reduced the prizes for side events, incorporated these costs into Title Sponsorship budget
• Reduced merch: Noggles only
• Added Rounds: Introduced weekly rounds post-NAKO for continued engagement, with $500 prizes for each round
• Added “Mindfulness Through Play Students Competing at NAKO” Section: Highlighted the new student division and the impact of Nouns’ previous support
• Removed Special DJ Guest: Focused on Bob Burnquist as the special guest to reduce costs and align with feedback
• Future plans: We believe that introducing Nouns to the global community in this manner is an ideal way to show the community that Nouns and web3 can have a positive influence on the game of kendama and community surrounding it. This paves the way for our efforts to put together a professional Nouns kendama team and gamification via a kendama app which is in the works. This is just the beginning