Helium Foundation Membership Program
Build the Future of Wireless Networks
Now onboarding 2024 members. Read about the program launch here
Overview
The Helium Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the proliferation of secure, cost-effective, peer-to-peer wireless networks.
The Foundation sits at the center of the Helium community serving as both steward and the coordination layer for the expansion and growth of decentralized wireless. The team plays multiple roles in supporting network growth and all its beneficiaries.
- Drive Ecosystem Growth. With wireless ubiquity as our north star, the Foundation is responsible for many things that support Network builders and users. This includes technical and commercial support, community management, managing developer resources, onboarding service providers, and running an open Grant Program.
- Educate and Inform. The Foundation is responsible for synthesizing and highlighting exciting developments across the community. By educating the public about the intersection of blockchain technology and wireless innovation, we validate the Network's utility and lower barriers for adoption. As our work benefits all types of wireless network operators, service providers, and end-users, we see this as a collaborative effort with stakeholders across the wireless industry.
- Shepherd Network Governance. The Foundation provides the framework to manage and maintain the open technologies that power peer-to-peer wireless networks to benefit the wireless industry and various types of wireless protocols (including but not limited to LoRaWAN, 5G, and WiFi). This includes network governance by the community and technical oversight.
- Protocol Development and Technical Support. The Foundation’s engineering team plays a key role in scaling Network performance and reliability, in addition to ongoing management and maintenance. The team is also responsible for supporting and managing all third-party integrations that benefit the community.
Member Ecosystem
The scope of our mission demands a thriving and supportive ecosystem and is the reason why we created the Helium Foundation Membership Program. The program is made up of institutions and individuals that share the mission and vision of the Helium Foundation. Membership supports passionate individuals and organizations with promotional opportunities, direct access to Network updates, and collaborative development.
The Membership Program is a dues-based membership. Dues will directly support the Foundation, membership offerings and benefits, and provide ecosystem stability and public advocacy to the network and beyond. The Foundation is a US-based 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association. Membership dues may be tax deductible for businesses.
If your organization is passionate about decentralized wireless networks and you want to contribute to the roadmap and shape the future of decentralized wireless, this is the membership for you.
Membership Tiers
There's a tier of membership for any business, organization, or individual. Contact us to help find the right fit for you.
Steering Member
Steering Members are strategic partners who represent the top-level of membership. You represent the future of the decentralized wireless ecosystem and are one of the most important and influential organizations. As a member, you are steering the entirety of the technology and industry toward the future.
Operating Member
Operating memberships are for organizations that want to drive and deliver wireless, peer-to-peer technologies to the market. You are an organization classified as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), supply chain and logistics company, service provider, or other B2B and B2B2C company. You are a key builder and already support strategic partnerships to grow the ecosystem.
Startup and Small Business Member
Startup and Small Business members are innovative companies that provide as much value as large corporations, especially when it comes to building tooling, coordinating micro-communities, and providing feedback. Startups must employ fewer than 20 people and have raised less than $5M. Because of your status as an early-stage startup, this membership tier is made more accessible.
Enthusiast Member
Enthusiast Members are the bedrock of membership. You are a passionate individual and Helium hotspot super host. Whether you are new to the ecosystem or a long-time supporter of peer-to-peer wireless networks, you want to support the Foundation and become an important voice in the Network. This tier is not eligible for organizations.
Institutional Member
This tier is for academic, non-profit, and governmental organizations who want to contribute to the success of wireless, peer-to-peer networks. This tier is also for organizations providing grant funding or conducting research on decentralized wireless, network security, cryptography, and more.
Genesis Cohort Membership Benefits
As a member, your contributions and collaborations to the decentralized, wireless, peer-to-peer network ecosystem are elevated and amplified. This first cohort of members will be known as the 'Genesis Cohort'. This title demonstrates your commitment as a pioneer in innovation.
Benefits of the Genesis Cohort include:
| Membership Benefits | Steering Member | Operating Member | Startup/Small Business Member | Enthusiast Member | Institutional Member |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotional | |||||
| Listed supporter on the Foundation website * | Top Tier | Second Tier | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to Quarterly Helium Foundation Newsletter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Feature in Monthly Foundation Newsletter * | Quarterly | Bi-Annual | Annual | - | - |
| Eligible to be a contributor to the Helium Blog | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Event sponsorship and participation | First Rights | Priority Access | Priority Access | - | - |
| Public recognition at Flagship events | ✓ | - | - | - | - |
| Ability to license Helium trademarks for business or product naming conventions * | ✓ | - | - | - | - |
| Collaboration | |||||
| Dedicated Channel in Helium Discord ** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - |
| Access to Helium Foundation press resources | ✓ | - | - | - | - |
| Ability to join member councils | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ability to create member councils | ✓ | - | - | - | - |
| Free Services | |||||
| OUI/DevAddresses | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | - |
| HNT Burns for Makers and OUI owners | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - |
| Access to free license of Helium trademarks for marketing materials * | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Inquire | Inquire |
| Access | |||||
| Recurring one-on-one meeting with a Foundation team member | Monthly | Quarterly | Bi-Annual | - | - |
| Dedicated Member Liaison | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | - |
| Access to a Private Dedicated Collaboration Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - |
| Access to Dedicated Members Discord Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VIP Access to Helium Foundation Events | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to Member Directory | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual Dues | |||||
| Mininum Contribution *** | $20,000 | $7,000 | $3,500 | $100 | No Fee |
*
Available in accordance with company membership policies.
**
Requires additional agreement.
***
Listed prices have been discounted for the 2024 genesis cohort. Inquire for special pricing for active LoRa Alliance members.
Becoming a Member
Foundation Membership aligns your organization with the forefront of wireless and blockchain innovation.
You'll have access to various marketing opportunities, have eyes on the latest developments, and help drive development priorities. Membership is available to all geographies, subject to any restrictions from OFAC sanctions.
The best members share the following characteristics:
- Demonstrate a long-term alignment to all peer-to-peer, decentralized wireless networks and their health, integrity and scale.
- Demonstrate relevant background in the wireless industry or blockchain technology space.
- Provide products and services relevant to the future of peer-to-peer, decentralized wireless networks.
- Demonstrate a passion and interest in developing product and service offerings for all peer-to-peer decentralized wireless networks.
Becoming a member is simple.
- Apply using the form below.
- Determine an agent or contact to act on behalf of your organization, or choose yourself.
- Follow all instructions on the form and demonstrate you or your organization’s relevant experience, knowledge, and commitment.
- List any relevant referrals or references.
The Foundation will review applications and welcome our initial cohort ("the Genesis Cohort") on a rolling basis over the next few months.
Email [email protected] with questions.