Company: DeReticularMission: To build the decentralized public infrastructure for the AI revolution, making high-performance computing and intelligent networks accessible to everyone, from Main Street to the globe.
The Problem: The future is being built on AI, but its foundational infrastructure is becoming a digital oligarchy. The immense cost and centralization of hyperscale data centers create an insurmountable barrier to entry, stifling innovation and concentrating power in the hands of a few tech giants. This digital divide is the single biggest threat to a competitive and equitable technological future.
Our Solution: DeReticular is building both the physical and digital layers of the decentralized future. Our solution is twofold:
- The Physical Network (DePIN): We deploy advanced, AI-embedded WiFi 7 mesh networks that create high-performance “smart environments” for businesses, researchers, and communities.The Digital Marketplace (Directory & “Thunder”): We are creating the premier curated directory for the AI and DePIN industry, connecting services, hardware, and compute power. Our “secret weapon” is Thunder, an AI-powered agent that automates the grant application process, securing non-dilutive funding for research and commercialization projects across our network.
Our Unfair Advantage: While others are building component pieces, DeReticular is a full-stack ecosystem enabler. Our integration with real-world data generators (Kurb Kars, Digital Adventures, Agra Energy) provides the perfect fuel for Thunder’s grant-writing success. We don’t just build the network; we provide the funding engine to accelerate its adoption and utility.
Financial Highlights: Our multi-pronged revenue model (Network-as-a-Service, SaaS, and Grant Success Fees) is projected to achieve $5.1M in revenue by Year 3, driven by the highly scalable and profitable grant acquisition model, targeting a 45% EBITDA margin.
The Ask: We are seeking $2.5 million in seed funding in exchange for a 20% equity stake. This capital will be used for a strategic hardware rollout for new DePIN campuses, a significant expansion of the engineering team to scale Thunder and the directory platform, and to build out our business development and university partnership programs.
Valuation: The requested financing implies a
10.0Mpre−moneyvaluation∗∗anda∗∗10.0Mpre−moneyvaluation∗∗anda∗∗
12.5M post-money valuation. This is justified by our proprietary AI technology (Thunder), first-mover advantage in creating a full-stack DePIN ecosystem, significant intellectual property, and the immense scalability of our business model.
Pitch Deck for DeReticular
(Slide 1: Title)
- DeReticularThe Network for the Next WebLogoConfidential & Proprietary
(Slide 2: The Problem: The AI Iron Curtain)
- The power of AI is locked behind a wall of centralized, multi-billion dollar data centers.Inaccessible: Startups and SMBs can’t afford the compute power.Inefficient: Centralized models struggle with real-time, edge-of-network tasks.Fragile: Creates single points of failure.Innovation is being throttled before it can even begin.
(Slide 3: Our Solution: The Decentralized Stack)
- We are building the open-access public infrastructure for AI.(A simple diagram with two layers)Layer 1: The Physical Network: AI-powered WiFi 7 mesh networks (DePIN) that bring high-performance compute to the edge.Layer 2: The Digital Marketplace: A curated directory connecting AI services, hardware, and users.Catalyst: Our AI Agent, Thunder, which funds the ecosystem’s growth.
(Slide 4: How We Make Money)
- A Diversified, High-Margin Revenue Model(Icon 1) Network-as-a-Service (NaaS): Project-based fees for deploying and managing private DePIN campuses for clients like DAO R Us.(Icon 2) SaaS Subscriptions: Recurring revenue from premium listings, analytics, and API access for our AI/DePIN Directory.(Icon 3) Grant Success Fees: A percentage (8-10%) of the non-dilutive funding secured by our proprietary AI agent, Thunder. This is our growth accelerator.
(Slide 5: Our Secret Weapon: Thunder)
- The World’s First Automated Grant Funding AgentThunder leverages the unique, real-world data from our network partners (transportation, agriculture, hospitality) to…Identify relevant, high-value grant opportunities.Generate compelling, data-rich applications.Secure millions in non-dilutive capital for R&D and commercialization.This creates a self-funding flywheel for innovation.
(Slide 6: Market Opportunity)
- Positioned at the Intersection of Three Massive MarketsTAM (Cloud + AI): $1.5 TrillionSAM (DePIN + Edge AI): $120 BillionSOM (Our Year 3 Target): $5.1M – We are creating a new, high-value category within this enormous serviceable market.
(Slide 7: Traction & Proof of Concept)
- Our Ecosystem is Live and Generating DataLive Deployments: Active networks with Digital Adventures Outdoors R Us & Agra Energy Uganda.Proven Use Cases: Powering autonomous logistics with Kurb Kars.Thunder is Operational: Currently identifying and preparing initial grant submissions.We are not an idea on a napkin. We are a network in motion.
(Slide 8: The Team)
- The Architects of the Decentralized FutureMichael Noel, Co-Founder: The visionary founder, expert in business development, “New World Marketing,” and ecosystem strategy.Josh Banks, Co-Founder: The technical founder and lead architect of “Thunder,” with deep expertise in AI, automation, and network engineering.
(Slide 9: Financial Projections)
- (A clean bar chart showing Revenue and EBITDA for Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3)Key Figures (Year 3):Revenue: $5.1MGross Margin: 85% (driven by high-margin software & success fees)EBITDA: $2.3M (45% Margin)Our model is designed for explosive, software-driven scalability.
(Slide 10: The Ask)
- Seeking: $2.5 MillionFor: 20% Equity (Seed Round)Pre-Money Valuation: $10.0MUse of Funds:40% – Hardware & Network Rollout: Secure hardware for the next 10 DePIN campuses.40% – R&D and Engineering: Triple the engineering team to scale Thunder’s capabilities and build out the Directory V2.20% – Business Development: Build partnerships with universities and research institutions.
(Slide 11: Contact)
- DeReticular: Join Us in Building the Network for What’s Next.[Contact Information]https://dereticular.com
Detailed Business Plan
1.0 Company DescriptionDeReticular is a technology company dedicated to building the foundational infrastructure for a decentralized AI-powered world. We design, deploy, and manage AI-embedded Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). We also operate a digital marketplace and directory for the AI/DePIN industry and have developed “Thunder,” a proprietary AI agent for automating grant funding applications.
2.0 Market AnalysisThe primary market is composed of entities excluded by the current centralized cloud infrastructure model: SMBs, startups, academic researchers, and enterprises in rural or underserved areas. The competitive landscape includes centralized giants (AWS, Azure) and decentralized protocols (Akash Network, Render). DeReticular’s differentiation is its full-stack, curated approach. We don’t just provide a protocol; we provide a managed network, a marketplace, and a unique funding mechanism (Thunder), making us an end-to-end ecosystem partner, not just a raw utility.
3.0 Organization & ManagementThe company is led by co-founders Michael Noel (CEO) and Josh Banks (CTO). The seed funding will support the hiring of a Head of Network Operations, a Grant Program Manager to work alongside Thunder, and four additional software/AI engineers.
4.0 Products and ServicesOur revenue is generated through three distinct streams:
- Network-as-a-Service (NaaS): For clients needing private, high-performance networks. Pricing includes a one-time deployment fee ($50k – 250kdependingonscale)andamonthlymanagementandmaintenanceretainer(250kdependingonscale)andamonthlymanagementandmaintenanceretainer(5k – $20k).Directory SaaS Platform: A tiered subscription model for companies and service providers in our directory.Basic (Free): Standard listing.Professional ($250/mo): Enhanced visibility, analytics, lead generation.Partner ($1,000/mo): API access, co-marketing, featured placement.Grant Acquisition Success Fee: We will take an 8% commission on the total value of all grants successfully awarded through the efforts of our “Thunder” agent. This is our key value driver.
5.0 Marketing & Sales StrategyOur go-to-market strategy is focused on B2B and B2D (Business-to-Developer/Researcher).
- Ecosystem-Led Growth: Our initial clients (DAO R Us, Kurb Kars) serve as powerful case studies.University Partnerships: Engage with university research departments that are prime candidates for grant-funded DePIN projects.Developer & DePIN Community Outreach: Active participation in relevant online forums, conferences, and open-source communities.Content Marketing: Publishing research and white papers on the performance and economic advantages of our decentralized network model.
6.0 Financial Plan
6.1 Key Assumptions:
- NaaS deployments grow from 4 in Year 1 to 20 in Year 3.SaaS directory grows to 500 paying “Professional” subscribers by Year 3.Thunder’s success: Secures $2.5M in grants for partners in Year 1 (at 8% fee = $200k), growing to $50M in Year 3 (at 8% fee = $4M).COGS include hardware for NaaS deployments and cloud hosting costs.
6.2 Pro-Forma Income Statement (Simplified)
| Metric | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Revenue | |||
| NaaS (Deployment & Retainer) | $640,000 | $1,600,000 | $3,200,000 |
| SaaS Subscriptions | $30,000 | $150,000 | $450,000 |
| Grant Success Fees (at 8%) | $200,000 | $1,200,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Total Revenue | $870,000 | $2,950,000 | $7,650,000 |
| Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) | |||
| Hardware & Deployment Costs | $200,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Cloud & Platform Hosting | $50,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
| Gross Profit | $620,000 | $2,350,000 | $6,450,000 |
| Gross Margin % | 71% | 80% | 84% |
| Operating Expenses (OPEX) | |||
| R&D / Engineering Salaries | $600,000 | $900,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Sales & Marketing | $130,500 | $442,500 | $1,147,500 |
| G&A (Founders, Ops, etc.) | $300,000 | $450,000 | $600,000 |
| Total OPEX | $1,030,500 | $1,792,500 | $3,247,500 |
| EBITDA | ($410,500) | $557,500 | $3,202,500 |
| EBITDA Margin % | N/A | 19% | 42% |
(Note: The plan shows a Year 1 loss, typical for a seed-stage, high-growth tech company investing heavily in R&D, with profitability achieved in Year 2.)
6.3 Financing RequirementsWe are seeking $2.5 million for a 20% equity stake. This provides a 24-month runway to aggressively scale and capture the market.
- $1,000,000: Hardware procurement for 10 new DePIN campuses.$1,000,000: Scaling the engineering team to expand Thunder’s capabilities and launch the full-featured directory platform.$500,000: Business development, university partnership programs, and marketing.
6.4 ValuationOur valuation is based on the deep intellectual property in Thunder, the massive market opportunity, and the scalability of our grant-fee-driven model.
- Pre-Money Valuation: $10,000,000Investment: $2,500,000Post-Money Valuation: $12,500,000
This valuation reflects our position as a category-defining company in the emerging DePIN space, with a clear and defensible technological advantage.
////////////////////////////////////////////////
