# Raven Message

A **Raven Message** is the official project submission form in the Project Merlin DAO.\
It is the first step for any startup to **introduce their idea, collect community donations, and get selected for DAO funding**.

By submitting a Raven Message, founders can:

* Present their project, mission, and roadmap to the community
* Collect voluntary donations from supporters for 30 days
* Enter the DAO voting process for a **$25,000 grant package** (MRLN tokens + service credits)

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### Why is it important? (Benefits)

**For Startups:**

* **Visibility:** Your project becomes visible to the entire Project Merlin ecosystem and beyond.
* **Funding:** Collect donations for 30 days directly from the community—no intermediaries.
* **Grant Opportunity:** After the donation phase, your project can join up to **3 DAO proposal cycles** (Camelot) for a chance to win $25,000 in value.
* **Cross-chain Support:** Donations can come from multiple blockchains thanks to the Custodial Wallet system.

**For the Community:**

* **Early Access:** Discover and support startups at an early stage.
* **Engagement:** Vote on which projects deserve DAO funding.
* **Rewards:** Earn Vote2Earn points when participating in proposal voting.

***

### How it works – Step by step

1. **Prepare Your Proposal**
   * Define your project name, mission, goals, roadmap, and funding target in USDC value.
   * Add visuals, team details, and other supporting materials to build trust.
2. **Submit Your Raven Message**
   * Go to the Project Merlin platform and fill out the Raven Message form.
   * Pay the submission fee in **MRLN tokens** (see “What does it cost?” below).
3. **30-Day Donation Period**
   * Your project will be live for 30 days.
   * Community members can donate in MRLN tokens via their Custodial Wallets.
   * If your funding goal is reached, donations become claimable after the campaign ends.
   * If the goal is not met, donations are refundable to supporters.
4. **DAO Proposal Stage**
   * After the donation phase, your project automatically enters the **Camelot Proposal** pre-selection process.
   * You have up to **3 opportunities** (cycles) to be selected.
   * Selection is based on community voting in both shortlist and final proposal rounds.
5. **Grant Award**
   * If selected, you receive **$25,000 in value**:
     * $10,000 worth of MRLN tokens (claimable)
     * $15,000 in service credits (non-withdrawable) to use on Freelify, Taskium, and Funddex.

***

### What does it cost?

Submitting a Raven Message requires a **submission fee in MRLN tokens** equal to **100 USDC** in value.\
This fee:

* Helps filter out spam submissions
* Supports the DAO Treasury
* Keeps the process sustainable for the community

***

### What happens after submission?

* Your project becomes visible to the community for 30 days.
* You can collect donations, gain visibility, and build early support.
* Even if you do not win in your first Camelot Proposal attempt, you can join **two more cycles** (maximum of three in total).
* Each cycle gives you a new chance to secure the $25,000 DAO grant package.

***

💡 **In summary:**\
A Raven Message is more than an application—it’s your **entry ticket** into the Project Merlin ecosystem, giving you funding opportunities, visibility, and community backing in a fully transparent, decentralized process.