JOULE INVESTMENT TIERS
The Rising Tide System
Liana Banyan Corporation Created: December 1, 2025
OVERVIEW
Joules are stored-value currency that lock in the exchange rate at time of purchase (the “forever stamp” mechanic). Large Joule purchases are available through the medallion system, but require matching Credit investment in platform projects.
This ensures whale investment benefits the entire ecosystem, not just the whale.
Principle: “The Rising Tide — Your Investment Lifts All Boats”
INVESTMENT TIERS
FOR-PROFIT PROJECTS (HexIsle, Let’s Make Dinner, etc.)
| Tier | Investment Range | Joules Received | Credit Match Required | Total Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin | $1,000 - $4,999 | 1,000 - 4,999 | 50% | 1.5x investment |
| Orca | $5,000 - $49,999 | 5,000 - 49,999 | 75% | 1.75x investment |
| Whale | $50,000 - $499,999 | 50,000 - 499,999 | 100% | 2x investment |
| Leviathan | $500,000+ | 500,000+ | 150% | 2.5x investment |
Example — Orca Tier ($20,000):
- Investor purchases: $20,000 in Joules
- Required Credit match: $15,000 (75%)
- Total commitment: $35,000
- Investor receives: 20,000 Joules (locked at today’s rate)
- Project receives: $15,000 in immediate funding
- Investor also receives: Stake in funded project proportional to investment
Example — Leviathan Tier ($1,000,000):
- Investor purchases: $1,000,000 in Joules
- Required Credit match: $1,500,000 (150%)
- Total commitment: $2,500,000
- Investor receives: 1,000,000 Joules (locked at today’s rate)
- Project receives: $1,500,000 in immediate funding
- Result: Massive project capitalization, whale influence buffered through Joules
CHARITABLE PROJECTS (Defense Claws, Initiatives, Foundation Programs)
| Tier | Investment Range | Joules Received | Credit Match Required | Total Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Tiers | Any amount | 1:1 | 10% | 1.1x investment |
Example — Charitable Investment ($10,000,000):
- Investor purchases: $10,000,000 in Joules (charitable designation)
- Required Credit match: $1,000,000 (10%)
- Total commitment: $11,000,000
- Investor receives: 10,000,000 Joules + tax write-off
- Charitable fund receives: Full designation benefit
- Matching pool receives: $1,000,000 for project support
- Result: Charitable cause funded, other projects supported, whale gets tax benefit + stored value
CREDIT MATCH DESTINATIONS
Investors choose where their Credit match goes:
Option A: Specific Project
- Select from active projects (HexIsle, Let’s Make Dinner, Defense Claws, etc.)
- Credits fund that project directly
- Investor receives stake in selected project
Option B: Support Projects Pool
- Credits enter the “50% Matching Fund”
- Fund matches small project investments 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
TAX TREATMENT
For-Profit Investment
- Joules: Not immediately taxable (stored value)
- Credit match: Investment in project (capital contribution)
- Returns: Subject to K-1 reporting when project generates profit/loss
- Requires: LLC formation for project, K-1 distribution to investors
Charitable Investment
- Joules: Not immediately taxable (stored value)
- Credit match: Charitable donation (tax deductible)
- Tax letter: Provided by Liana Banyan Foundation
- Requires: 501c3 status (Rally Group / Liana Banyan Foundation)
WHALE BENEFITS BY TIER
| Tier | Joules | Project Stake | Tax Benefits | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin | ✅ | ✅ Proportional | K-1 | Listed supporter |
| Orca | ✅ | ✅ Proportional | K-1 | Named sponsor |
| Whale | ✅ | ✅ Significant | K-1 + advisory | Founding partner |
| Leviathan | ✅ | ✅ Major | K-1 + advisory | Named initiative |
THE RISING TIDE MECHANIC
Why this works:
- Whale money enters as Joules — stored value, not immediate spending power
- Credit match funds projects immediately — ecosystem benefits now
- Joules convert gradually — whale influence is time-buffered
- Higher tiers = higher match — biggest whales contribute most to ecosystem
- Charitable option — tax incentive drives even more capital to good causes
The Result: Whale investment creates a rising tide that lifts all boats, not a tsunami that drowns small participants.
IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Before Launch (Kickstarter)
- Basic tier structure defined ✅
- Messaging for high-value backers
Before Beta
- LLC formation process for projects
- K-1 reporting structure (CPA required)
- Rally Group reinstatement / DBA filing
- Tax letter templates (CPA required)
- Investment agreement templates (legal review)
Before Scale
- Automated tier calculation
- Project selection interface
- Joule/Credit balance tracking
- K-1 generation system
- Charitable designation workflow
LEGAL STRUCTURE
Liana Banyan Corporation
- For-profit entity
- Issues Credits, Marks, Joules
- Manages platform operations
- Holds IP and patents
Project LLCs (e.g., HexIsle LLC)
- Separate LLC per major project
- Investors receive membership units
- K-1 pass-through taxation
- Managed by Liana Banyan Corp or designated manager
Liana Banyan Foundation (Rally Group DBA)
- 501c3 nonprofit
- Operating since 1984, filed 2011
- Handles charitable designations
- Issues tax letters for donations
- Board: Founder + Godfather
CAMPAIGN LANGUAGE
Rising Tide (For-Profit)
“The Rising Tide — Your Investment Lifts All Boats”
When you invest at the Dolphin tier or above, your Joules are locked at today’s rate while your Credit match funds real projects. You’re not just investing in your future — you’re building the platform that makes everyone’s future possible.
Lighthouse Fund (Charitable)
“The Lighthouse Fund — Wealth That Illuminates”
Charitable Joule purchases support causes you care about while banking value for your future. Your tax-deductible contribution funds initiatives like Defense Claws (protecting service workers) and Let’s Make Bread (community food systems). Light the way.
EXAMPLES
Dolphin — Individual Investor ($3,000)
- Joules: 3,000 (locked at $1 = 1 Credit)
- Credit match: $1,500 (50%)
- Chooses: HexIsle development
- Total: $4,500 commitment
- Gets: 3,000 Joules + HexIsle stake + Dolphin recognition
- One year later, 1 Credit = $1.50: Joules still worth 3,000 Credits ($4,500 value)
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 + LMD stake + Orca recognition + named sponsor credit
Whale — Wealthy Individual ($200,000)
- Joules: 200,000
- Credit match: $200,000 (100%)
- Chooses: Platform infrastructure fund
- Total: $400,000 commitment
- Gets: 200,000 Joules + major stake + advisory input + founding partner status
Leviathan — Institutional ($2,000,000)
- Joules: 2,000,000
- Credit match: $3,000,000 (150%)
- Chooses: HexIsle + Let’s Make Dinner + Defense Claws split
- Total: $5,000,000 commitment
- Gets: 2,000,000 Joules + major stakes in three projects + named initiative + board advisory
Charitable Whale ($10,000,000)
- Joules: 10,000,000
- Credit match: $1,000,000 (10%)
- Designates: Defense Claws legal fund
- Total: $11,000,000 commitment
- Gets: 10,000,000 Joules + tax write-off on full $11M + named fund + legacy recognition
- Defense Claws: Fully capitalized
- Matching pool: $1,000,000 for other projects
Document Created: December 1, 2025 Part of Innovation #54: Three-Gear Currency Differential FOR THE KEEP ⚔️