Polygon Community Grants Program Season 2: Recipients Announced

Polygon Labs has announced the selected recipients of its Community Grants Program: Season 2, continuing its commitment to supporting innovation across the Polygon ecosystem. A total of 1 billion POL tokens will be distributed to fund emerging projects focused on artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized infrastructure, and real-world applications.

Program Overview

• Launch Date: January 14, 2025
• Application Period: January 14 – April 15, 2025
• Funding Allocation: Up to 35 million POL tokens (valued at approximately $15.75 million, based on January 2025 rates)
• Objective: To accelerate development in AI, DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks), memecoins, and other Web3 sectors by providing strategic funding and support.

Key Differences from Season 1

• Token Standard: Season 2 uses POL (Polygon’s upgraded token), whereas Season 1 used MATIC.
• Funding Structure: Season 2 features a larger Direct Track with 20 million POL allocated, while Season 1 split funding across multiple tracks.
• Decentralization: Expanded use of independent grant allocators (e.g., Eliza Labs, Crossmint, IoTeX, AngelHack) increases transparency and decentralization compared to Season 1, which leaned heavily on Thrive Protocol.
• Thematic Focus: While Season 1 emphasized consumer crypto, Season 2 broadens its scope to include AI, DePIN, and memecoins, reflecting evolving market trends.