DAO of DAOs
Contextual Quote
"The future of decentralized organizations lies not in isolation, but in the emergence of deeply interconnected networks of DAOs that support and strengthen each other through multiple layers of collaboration. This “DAO of DAOs” concept represents a fundamental shift from the competitive dynamics of Web2 to a new paradigm of practical pluralism, where organizations thrive through mutual support and interoperability."
- Kevin Owocki [1]
Description
Kevin Owocki:
"A DAO of DAOs is an interconnected network where organizations collaborate through three progressively deeper layers:
- Social: Building trust through shared events, speaking engagements, and community interaction
- Technical: Creating interoperable products and shared infrastructure (e.g., identity verification, joint platforms)
- Governance: Sharing decision-making power through mutual grants and governance rights
Instead of competing like Web2 companies, these DAOs form an ecosystem where they support each other and collectively succeed or fail together, maximizing their shared impact through collaboration rather than competition."
(https://x.com/owocki/status/1879268830914265142)
Characteristics
Kevin Owocki:
1. Social Layer Interop
"At its foundation, these interconnected DAOs begin with social interoperability, the essential building block of trust and collaboration. This manifests through cross-pollination of ideas and community engagement, where members from different DAOs participate in each other’s events, share knowledge, and build genuine relationships. For instance, DAOs might invite each other’s members to speak at conferences, join Twitter spaces, or participate in community calls. These social connections create the human infrastructure necessary for deeper collaboration.
2. Technology Layer Interop
The second layer, technological interoperability, transforms theoretical alignment into practical cooperation. Here, DAOs invest resources into building compatible systems and shared infrastructure. This might involve one DAO incorporating another’s verification protocol, launching joint media initiatives, or creating integrated user experiences. The focus shifts from isolated development to creating an ecosystem where different protocols and platforms work seamlessly together, multiplying their individual effectiveness through combination.
3. Economic/Governance Layer Interop
The deepest level of integration occurs through governance rights interoperability, where DAOs begin sharing decision-making power and resources. This often takes the form of mutual grants committees, shared incubation programs, or reciprocal governance rights. For example, when one DAO allocates governance tokens to another or creates joint decision-making processes, they create formal mechanisms for shared destiny. This level of integration ensures that success or failure affects all participants, encouraging thoughtful collaboration and mutual support."
(https://x.com/owocki/status/1879268830914265142)
Discussion
Kevin Owocki:
"The DAO of DAOs represents a dramatic departure from traditional organizational relationships. Instead of competing for market share, these DAOs create value through complementary services and shared resources. The result is an ecosystem that becomes stronger through diversity, where each DAO contributes its unique strengths while benefiting from the capabilities of others. This practical pluralism allows for specialized focus while maintaining system-wide resilience.
Looking forward, this approach could transform how we think about organizational success. This model of layered interoperability - social, technological, and governance - provides a framework for building these relationships intentionally and systematically. Rather than measuring individual growth, we might evaluate the health of entire DAO ecosystems. Success would be measured not just in individual metrics, but in the strength of interconnections and the collective achievement of shared missions. This could lead to more sustainable and resilient organizational structures that are better equipped to tackle complex challenges.
...
DAO of DAOs represent a significant evolution in the world of decentralized governance. By fostering collaboration, resource sharing, and resilience, these networks have the potential to unlock new levels of innovation and impact. While challenges remain in terms of governance complexity, potential for conflict, and security risks, the benefits of increased collaboration, resource sharing, and community building are compelling. As the DAO landscape continues to mature, we can expect to see more sophisticated and impactful DAO of DAOs emerge, driving the adoption of decentralized governance across various industries and sectors. The future of DAOs lies in their ability to connect, collaborate, and collectively shape a more decentralized and participatory future.
The DAO of DAOS reminds us that true decentralization isn’t about standing alone, but about creating strong, flexible connections that allow independent organizations to rise and fall together, creating a more robust + successful future for each.
The ultimate articulation of this is an regen web3 ecosystem functioning as a grand DAO of DAOs, where a diverse array of protocols and organizations work in concert to create value greater than the sum of their parts. This wouldn’t eliminate healthy competition but would reframe it within a context of mutual support and shared success. As these networks mature, they could demonstrate how decentralized organizations can achieve remarkable outcomes through cooperation rather than competition."
(https://x.com/owocki/status/1879268830914265142)
Examples
- MetaCartel
- SeedClub
- Giveth
- Ape Foundation
More information
- Book: How to Dao. By Kevin Owocki and @puncarH2D. Penguin, 2025
URL = https://www.howtodao.xyz