Polinate

Polinate operates as a decentralized, permissionless crowdfunding platform built on blockchain technology, positioning itself as a key facilitator within the growing global creator economy. The company was co-founded by Babar Shabir, who serves as CEO, and Azeem Khan, the COO. Shabir, an Australian-American Fulbright Fellow with a PhD in Engineering, has a background in developing advanced radiological sensors and leveraging deep learning techniques. Khan brings operational leadership to the venture.

The platform addresses the challenge creators face with traditional funding models, which often involve intermediaries, high fees, and barriers to entry. Polinate aims to democratize access to capital by connecting creative projects directly with a global pool of investors, fans, and patrons, requiring no banks or agencies. In August 2021, the company announced it had raised $1.25 million through a combination of seed capital and a private sale to support its product development and growth.

Polinate's business model centers on enabling creators, including artists, gamers, and developers, to raise funds for their projects. It serves a diverse client base, from individual creatives to larger projects like game developers. The platform operates in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and creator economy markets, which have seen significant growth. Revenue is generated through mechanisms inherent to the platform's ecosystem, which is powered by its native utility token, POLI.

The core service is a blockchain-based crowdfunding solution that allows for direct funding from the community using cryptocurrency wallets. A key feature is the ability for creators to pre-sell assets, such as in-game NFTs, at discounted prices, which provides developers with upfront capital and funders with early access to valuable perks. This model creates a symbiotic relationship where developers can finance their work and supporters are rewarded for their early belief. The platform's native token, POLI, is integral to the ecosystem, providing holders with benefits like perks, discounts, and rewards.

Keywords: creator economy, crowdfunding, blockchain, decentralized finance, DeFi, Babar Shabir, Azeem Khan, crypto fundraising, POLI token, permissionless funding, NFT crowdfunding, GameFi, play-to-earn, P2E, tokenization, crypto investment, web3, creative projects, artist funding, game development funding, decentralized platform, digital assets