Getting Started for Builders
Complete guide to finding and winning opportunities on Opentribe
Welcome to Opentribe!
Opentribe is your gateway to opportunities across the Polkadot ecosystem. Whether you're a developer, designer, writer, or community builder - there's work for you here.
Opentribe aggregates grants, bounties, and RFPs from across the Polkadot ecosystem in one place, making it easy to find work that matches your skills.
Quick Start
Head to opentribe.io and sign up using:
- Email + password
- Google account
- GitHub account
After signing up, fill out your builder profile so orgs know who you are.
Required Information
- Name, email (for notifications), username, and a one-line headline
Recommended Information
- Bio that tells your Polkadot story
- Skills (pick from suggestions or add custom)
- Location and time zone
- Social links (Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn)
- Portfolio/website links
- Wallet address for payouts
Add your wallet address right away. Organizations need it to send you payments.
Explore three types of listings:
Bounties: Fixed reward tasks for design, development, content, and community contributions Grants: Larger funding pools for infrastructure, research, and ecosystem tools RFPs: Open proposals you can vote on or contribute to before they become funded work
Found something you want to ship? Click into the bounty or grant, review the requirements, and submit:
- Click Submit
- Fill out deliverable details + links
- Attach repos, demos, or files
- Hit Send and track review status from your dashboard
Understanding Bounties
Types of Bounties
Single-Winner Bounties:
- One winner takes all
- Competitive
- Best for unique solutions
Multi-Winner Bounties:
- Multiple winners, each gets paid
- Collaborative atmosphere
- Different rewards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
Bounty Status
- Open: Accepting submissions
- In Review: Reviewing submissions, might still accept new ones
- Winners Announced: Winners selected, waiting for payment
- Completed: Winners paid, bounty closed
What Makes a Winning Submission
✅ Follow Instructions
- Read the brief completely
- Deliver exactly what's requested
- Meet all requirements
✅ Quality Over Quantity
- Polish your work
- Proofread everything
- Test your code
- Ensure designs are high-resolution
✅ Communicate Clearly
- Explain your approach
- Document your decisions
- Make it easy to understand your work
✅ Submit On Time
- Check the deadline
- Allow buffer time
- Don't wait until last minute
Understanding Grants
How Grants Work
Grants are larger funding opportunities for substantial projects:
- Find a Grant: Browse open grants on Opentribe
- Read Guidelines: Each grant has specific requirements
- Prepare Application: Write a detailed proposal
- Submit: Include all required information
- Wait for Review: Curators review applications
- If Approved: Receive funding to build your project
What to Include in Grant Applications
Project Overview:
- What you're building
- Why it's valuable for Polkadot
- Who it helps
Technical Approach:
- How you'll build it
- Technologies you'll use
- Architecture/design
Timeline & Milestones:
- Breakdown of work phases
- Deliverables for each milestone
- Realistic timeframes
Budget:
- Detailed breakdown
- Justification for costs
- Payment schedule
Team:
- Who's working on it
- Relevant experience
- Past projects
Grant Tips
- Start with smaller grants to build reputation
- Be realistic about timelines
- Show previous work
- Engage with the community
- Be responsive to questions
Setting Up for Payments
To receive payments when you win, you need a Polkadot wallet:
Pick a wallet that works for you:
- Talisman: User-friendly, great for desktop
- SubWallet: Works on both browser and mobile
- Polkadot.js Extension: Simple and lightweight
- Download from the official site only
- Install the extension or mobile app
- Create a new account and set a strong password
- Back up the seed phrase offline before moving on
Open the wallet, switch to the Polkadot network, and copy the address that starts with 1. This is the address orgs will pay.
Go to your profile settings, find the Wallet Address field, paste your address, and save. You can update it anytime.
For detailed wallet setup, see our wallet setup guide.
Finding the Right Opportunities
Use Filters
Filter opportunities by:
- Skills: Find work matching your expertise
- Token: Prefer payouts in DOT or another Asset Hub asset?
- Status: Open, In Review, Completed
- Amount: Filter by reward range
Search
Use the search bar to find:
- Specific technologies (e.g., "Rust", "UI design")
- Organizations you want to work with
- Project types
Following Organizations
Follow organizations you're interested in:
- Get notified of new bounties
- Stay updated on their projects
- Build relationships
Building Your Reputation
Complete Your First Bounty
Start small:
- Look for beginner-friendly bounties
- Choose something in your wheelhouse
- Deliver high-quality work
- Be professional
Showcase Your Work
- Link to completed bounties in your portfolio
- Share on social media
- Write case studies
- Get testimonials
Engage with Community
- Comment on RFPs
- Vote on proposals
- Help other builders
- Share knowledge
Consistency
- Submit regularly
- Meet deadlines
- Communicate proactively
- Build track record
Tips for Success
Do Your Research
Before applying/submitting:
- Research the organization
- Understand the Polkadot ecosystem context
- Check previous bounties/grants
- Read community discussions
Quality Submissions
- Proofread everything
- Include visuals/demos when possible
- Document your work
- Make it easy to evaluate
Communication
- Respond to messages promptly
- Ask questions if unclear
- Update on progress (for grants)
- Be professional always
Portfolio
- Keep your profile updated
- Link to best work
- Show diverse skills
- Highlight Polkadot experience
Common Questions
How much can I earn?
Bounties range from $50 for simple tasks to $5,000+ for complex work. Grants can be $10,000-$100,000+ for substantial projects.
How do I get paid?
Organizations send payments directly from their wallet to yours (outside of Opentribe). Payments are typically in DOT or any Asset Hub asset the org has budgeted for. Opentribe tracks and verifies these payments on-chain. See our payments guide.
How long until I receive payment?
After being selected as a winner, organizations typically pay within a few days to 2 weeks. The payment happens directly between wallets, and Opentribe verifies the transaction once complete.
Can I work on multiple bounties?
Yes! There's no limit to how many bounties you can apply to or work on simultaneously.
What if I don't have Polkadot experience?
Many bounties welcome builders from other ecosystems. Use it as an opportunity to learn!
Can I collaborate with others?
Some bounties explicitly allow team submissions. Check the bounty details. For grants, teams are often encouraged.