Non-Dilutive Funding

Definition ∞ Non-dilutive funding represents capital received by a company or project that does not require giving up ownership equity. This type of financing allows existing shareholders to retain their percentage of ownership, avoiding the reduction of their stake that occurs with equity sales. Common forms include grants, debt financing, revenue-based financing, or specific token sale structures that do not confer ownership rights. For blockchain projects, it can involve protocol-owned liquidity, treasury allocations, or specific lending agreements.
Context ∞ The relevance of non-dilutive funding in the crypto space centers on project sustainability and decentralized governance models. Teams seek these methods to avoid centralizing control through large equity stakes or token distributions to venture capitalists. A key debate involves balancing the need for capital with the desire to maintain decentralization and community ownership. News often reports on successful grant applications or novel funding mechanisms that support protocol development without altering token distribution significantly.