IOG, the Development Team Behind Cardano, Aims to Secure $13.4 Million in Funding to Advance 2025 Strategic Initiatives
Input Output Global (IOG), the core development entity responsible for the Cardano blockchain, has announced plans to raise $13.4 million in funding to support its ambitious 2025 roadmap. The proposed capital will be allocated towards accelerating ecosystem growth, enhancing protocol scalability, and advancing decentralized governance features. This strategic funding round underscores IOG’s commitment to maintaining Cardano’s position as a leading platform for decentralized applications and smart contracts. Industry analysts suggest the move could catalyze further institutional interest in Cardano’s proof-of-stake ecosystem while enabling the implementation of key upgrades outlined in the Voltaire and Basho phases of development.
‘Cardano Vision 2025’
The proposal, archived on the Cardano Gov Tool, sits in the Research budget category and is formally titled “Input Output Research (IOR): Cardano Vision – Work Program 2025.” It seeks 26.848 million ADA—equivalent to $13.42 million at a placeholder rate of $0.50 per ADA—to finance a head‑count of 56.1 full‑time equivalents and the associated equipment, licences, subcontracting and overhead. According to the cost breakdown, the research department would receive roughly $5.895 million for 27.5 FTEs, while the innovation arm would absorb $7.525 million to field 28.6 FTEs. IOG says that equates to an average burdened cost of about $239,000 per person, or $1,030 per working day.
At the heart of the application is a five‑year vision that IOG describes as “an ambitious research initiative spanning nine thematic focus areas, organised into structured annual work programmes.” The 2025 tranche alone covers next‑generation consensus (Ouroboros Omega, Leios vertical scaling, the hybrid Minotaur protocol, proof‑of‑useful‑work schemes and congestion‑aware fee markets), macro‑level tokenomics, decentralised identity, a two‑part governance overhaul dubbed Democracy 4.0, an expanded Hydra layer‑2 stack, and a suite of Interchains studies on light clients and partner‑chain tokenomics. Each stream will, the firm says, be staffed by multidisciplinary teams drawn from what it calls “the leading blockchain research network worldwide including more than 14 universities,” a consortium whose previous output already exceeds 200 peer‑reviewed papers.
The problem statement attached to the filing is blunt: “Commercialising deep technologies like Web3 cannot rely solely on market demand; it depends on sustained scientific and technical excellence. Without proactive investment, valuable opportunities may be lost.” IOG argues that Cardano’s clean record of 100% uptime will count for little unless the protocol can absorb quantum‑resistant cryptography, high‑throughput zero‑knowledge proofs and sophisticated smart‑contract logic fast enough to match an accelerating competitive field. “By focusing on high‑potential R&D areas,” it writes, “this initiative builds a strong foundation for innovation, accelerates time to market, and drives meaningful economic and societal outcomes.”
Deliverables are framed in software‑readiness terms. On the research side, IOR promises “at least 20 peer‑reviewed publications and artefacts” every year, noting that a typical paper now takes two years from inception through conference acceptance. Six of those streams are expected to graduate each year to technology‑validation status, yielding formal specifications, prototypes, simulations, Cardano Problem Statements and Cardano Improvement Proposals. Quoting the proposal, “Prototypes and technical documentation will provide in‑depth analysis and serve as critical foundations for product development within the Cardano ecosystem,” while CIPs “promote transparency and community‑driven evolution.”
Cardano stakeholder endorsement, a prerequisite for funding, appears to be gathering momentum. The proposal notes that eighteen months of drafting culminated in six months of review by the Intersect Product Committee. According to the Cardano Gov Tool website, 63% of participating Delegated Representatives are signaling support for the proposal.
At press time, ADA traded at $0.61
