JOULE CONTRIBUTION TIERS

The Rising Tide System

Liana Banyan Corporation Created: December 1, 2025 Updated: January 31, 2026

OVERVIEW

Joules are platform service units that lock in the exchange rate at time of earning (the “forever stamp” mechanic). Large Joule contributions are available through the medallion system, but require matching Credit commitment to platform projects and initiatives.

This ensures large contributions benefit the entire ecosystem, not just the contributor.

Principle: “The Rising Tide — Your Contribution Lifts All Boats”

IMPORTANT: Joules are NOT securities, equity, or ownership stakes. They are platform service units with locked-in value — like arcade tokens that always buy the same amount of services regardless of price changes. They cannot be cashed out, transferred, or exchanged for money.

CONTRIBUTION TIERS

FOR-PROFIT PROJECT SUPPORT (HexIsle, Let’s Make Dinner, etc.)

Example — Orca Tier ($20,000):

• Contributor purchases: $20,000 in Joules (locked-value service credits)
• Required Credit match: $15,000 (75%)
• Total commitment: $35,000
• Contributor receives: 20,000 Joules (locked at today’s service rates)
• Project receives: $15,000 in service funding (manufacturing, development, etc.)
• Contributor also receives: Attribution, governance weight, priority service access

Example — Leviathan Tier ($1,000,000):

• Contributor purchases: $1,000,000 in Joules
• Required Credit match: $1,500,000 (150%)
• Total commitment: $2,500,000
• Contributor receives: 1,000,000 Joules (locked at today’s service rates)
• Project receives: $1,500,000 in service funding
• Result: Massive project support, large contributor has significant governance weight and service access

CHARITABLE PROJECTS (Defense Klaus, Initiatives, Foundation Programs)

Example — Charitable Contribution ($10,000,000):

• Contributor purchases: $10,000,000 in Joules (charitable designation)
• Required Credit match: $1,000,000 (10%)
• Total commitment: $11,000,000
• Contributor receives: 10,000,000 Joules + potential tax benefits (consult your tax advisor)
• Charitable fund receives: Full designation to initiative
• Matching pool receives: $1,000,000 for project support
• Result: Charitable cause funded, other projects supported, contributor gets stored service value

CREDIT MATCH DESTINATIONS

Contributors choose where their Credit match goes:

Option A: Specific Project Support

• Select from active projects (HexIsle, Let’s Make Dinner, Defense Klaus, etc.)
• Credits fund platform services FOR that project (manufacturing, fulfillment, development)
• Contributor receives Joules with attribution to that project

Option B: Support Projects Pool

• Credits enter the “50% Matching Fund”
• Fund matches small project contributions at 50%
• Spreads benefit across emerging projects

Option C: Designated Initiative

• Credits fund a specific initiative (education, food access, healthcare, etc.)
• Works through Liana Banyan Foundation (501c3)
• May qualify for additional tax benefits (consult your tax advisor)

WHAT JOULES PROVIDE

Service Access (Locked Value)

• Joules always buy services at the rate when you earned them
• Platform prices may change; YOUR Joules keep their original value
• Like a lifetime gym membership at locked-in rates

Governance Weight

• Higher Joule balances = more voting influence
• Shape what projects get prioritized
• Influence platform direction

Priority Access

• Early access to new features
• Priority for limited services
• Preferential manufacturing queues

Attribution & Recognition

• Your name in project ledgers
• Tier-based recognition (Dolphin, Orca, Whale, Leviathan)
• Badge display on profile

TIER BENEFITS

THE RISING TIDE MECHANIC

Why this works:

1. Large contributions enter as Joules — stored service value, not immediate spending power
2. Credit match funds projects immediately — ecosystem benefits now
3. Joules provide gradual service access — influence is time-buffered
4. Higher tiers = higher match — biggest contributors fund more ecosystem services
5. Charitable option — potential tax benefits drive more capital to good causes

The Result: Large contributions create a rising tide that lifts all boats, not a tsunami that drowns small participants.

WHAT JOULES DO NOT PROVIDE

If you want to make money: Use your Joules for platform services (manufacturing, fulfillment, etc.) to build YOUR OWN business. Raise capital externally (Kickstarter, Wefunder). Keep your profits. LB is your service vendor, not your investor.

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

DISCLAIMER: This is not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional.

Joule Purchases

• Joules are prepaid service credits
• Tax treatment depends on jurisdiction and use
• Consult your CPA

Charitable Contributions

• Contributions to Liana Banyan Foundation (501c3) may be tax-deductible
• Foundation provides acknowledgment letters
• Deductibility depends on your tax situation
• Consult your tax advisor

Building a Business

• If you use LB services to build a business, your business tax treatment is standard
• LB is a service vendor; you report your business income/expenses normally
• Raising capital externally (Kickstarter, Wefunder) has its own tax implications

CAMPAIGN LANGUAGE

Rising Tide (For-Profit Projects)

“The Rising Tide — Your Contribution Lifts All Boats”

When you contribute at the Dolphin tier or above, your Joules are locked at today’s rates while your Credit match funds real projects. You’re not just building your service access — you’re building the platform that makes everyone’s ventures possible.

Lighthouse Fund (Charitable)

“The Lighthouse Fund — Resources That Illuminate”

Charitable Joule purchases support causes you care about while banking service value for your future. Your contribution funds initiatives like Defense Klaus (protecting service workers) and Let’s Make Bread (community food systems). Light the way.

EXAMPLES

Dolphin — Individual Contributor ($3,000)

• Joules: 3,000 (locked at current service rates)
• Credit match: $1,500 (50%)
• Chooses: HexIsle development
• Total: $4,500 commitment
• Gets: 3,000 Joules + project attribution + Dolphin recognition
• One year later, service prices up 50%: Joules still access $3,000 worth of services at original rates

Orca — High-Net-Worth ($25,000)

• Joules: 25,000
• Credit match: $18,750 (75%)
• Chooses: Let’s Make Dinner expansion
• Total: $43,750 commitment
• Gets: 25,000 Joules + project attribution + Orca recognition + named sponsor credit

Whale — Significant Contributor ($200,000)

• Joules: 200,000
• Credit match: $200,000 (100%)
• Chooses: Platform infrastructure fund
• Total: $400,000 commitment
• Gets: 200,000 Joules + major attribution + advisory input + founding supporter status

Leviathan — Major Contributor ($2,000,000)

• Joules: 2,000,000
• Credit match: $3,000,000 (150%)
• Chooses: HexIsle + Let’s Make Dinner + Defense Klaus split
• Total: $5,000,000 commitment
• Gets: 2,000,000 Joules + major attribution across three projects + named initiative + significant governance weight

Charitable Contributor ($10,000,000)

• Joules: 10,000,000
• Credit match: $1,000,000 (10%)
• Designates: Defense Klaus legal fund
• Total: $11,000,000 commitment
• Gets: 10,000,000 Joules + potential tax benefits (consult advisor) + named fund + legacy recognition
• Defense Klaus: Fully funded
• Matching pool: $1,000,000 for other projects

LEGAL STRUCTURE

Liana Banyan Corporation

• For-profit entity
• Issues Credits, Marks, Joules (platform service units)
• Manages platform operations
• Holds IP and patents
• Provides B2B services to member businesses

Member Businesses

• Members may form their own businesses (LLCs, etc.)
• These are SEPARATE from LB
• Members raise capital externally (Kickstarter, Wefunder, etc.)
• LB provides services TO these businesses
• Members keep their profits

Liana Banyan Foundation (Rally Group DBA)

• 501c3 nonprofit
• Operating since 1984, filed 2011
• Handles charitable designations
• Issues acknowledgment letters for donations
• Board: Founder + Godfather

Document Created: December 1, 2025 Updated: January 31, 2026 — Aligned with SEC-compliant service platform model Part of Innovation #54: Three-Gear Currency Differential FOR THE KEEP ⚔️