Type: Analysis Authors: Gitcoin Research
Sources:
What is Allo Protocol?
Allo Protocol is open-source infrastructure for capital allocation built by Gitcoin. It provides modular building blocks that developers can use to create any type of funding mechanism.
Architecture
Core Components
- Registry: Project and profile management
- Pools: Funding pools with configurable strategies
- Strategies: Pluggable allocation logic (QF, direct, milestone, etc.)
Key Features
- Modular: Mix and match components
- Multi-chain: Deployed on 10+ networks
- Open source: MIT licensed, forkable
- Gas efficient: Optimized for L2s
Adoption Data (2024)
Gitcoin Grants Stack
- Powers all GG rounds (GG20-23)
- 15+ community rounds per season
- $3M+ distributed per major round
Community Implementations
- Karma GAP for milestone tracking
- OpenQ for bounties
- Various DAO grant programs
Strategy Library
Available allocation strategies:
- Quadratic Funding: Democratic matching
- Direct Grants: Committee-based
- Milestone-based: Tranche releases
- RFP: Request for proposal
- Quadratic Voting: Preference allocation
Lessons Learned
- Infrastructure enables innovation: Others can build without starting from scratch
- Modularity matters: Different use cases need different strategies
- Multi-chain is essential: Users are everywhere
- Developer experience drives adoption: Good docs and SDKs matter
