Prototype Fund - User contributions [en]

Coachings

2026-05-27T11:49:04Z

Alicja (Superbloom):

''(English version below)''

Während der sechsmonatigen Förderzeit stehen ihr vier Coachingstunden zur Verfügung. Die Coachings werden von [https://superbloom.design/ Superbloom] organisiert und durchgeführt. Ihr könnt gern alle eure Sitzungen direkt mit Superbloom vereinbaren und mit den Coaches absprechen, ob alle Sessions am Anfang, alle am Ende oder mehrere kürzere Termine für euch am sinnvollsten sind.

== Superbloom ==
Der Fokus der Arbeit von [[Superbloom]] liegt darauf, Technologien zu bauen, die die Menschenwürde fördern und schützen. Das Team hilft Projekten, ihre Fähigkeiten im Bereich Human-Centered Design zu erweitern und konzentriert sich dabei auf die Sicherheit und den Schutz der Benutzer*innen und deren Privatsphäre. Darüber hinaus bietet das Team Expertise in vielen Bereichen rund um den Aufbau von Open-Source-Projekten, wie z.B. Projektmanagement, Community Building und Kommunikation.

'''Was:''' Human-Centered Design (User testing, Branding etc.), Projektmanagement, andere Themen wie z.B. Communityaufbau. Die Koordinator*innen von Superbloom helfen euch gern weiter und finden die passenden Coach*innen für euch. [[Superbloom|Hier findet ihr die Seite]] von Superbloom im Wiki mit weiteren Informationen und Links.

'''$:''' Vier Coachings à 1 Stunden sind in der sechsmonatigen Förderzeit möglich

'''Wo:''' [https://superbloom.design/ superbloom.design] - [[Superbloom|hier]] steht, wie ihr die Coachings organisieren könnt.

== In der Second Stage ==
Während der [[Second Stage]] liegt der Fokus nicht mehr auf der technischen Arbeit. Explizites Ziel dieser Förderung ist es, mehr Projekte nachhaltig in die Nutzung zu bringen. Deswegen geht es weniger um die technische Weiterentwicklung der Software und mehr um die Verbreitung und Verbesserung der Nutzbarkeit oder die finanzielle Absicherung des Projektes.

In der Second Stage sind die Coachings verpflichtend. Die Themen bzw. Coachingpartner*innen werden, sofern keine Auflagen vorliegen, gemeinsam mit der Projektbetreuung festgelegt. Die Plätze für die Coachings sind begrenzt. Die finale Entscheidung über die Zuteilung der Coachings liegt bei der Projektbetreuung.

Coachingpartner*innen für die Second Stage:
* [https://vdivde-it.de/ '''VDI/VDE''']: Das Beratungs- und Dienstleistungsunternehmen VDI/VDE-IT kennt ihr bereits als Projektträger des Prototype Fund. Eine andere Abteilung des Unternehmens ist für die Coachings zuständig und berät euch zu Gründungsvorhaben, Finanzierungsmodellen, Businessplan, Geschäftsmodell- und Strategieentwicklung – mit einem Schwerpunkt auf “Software as a Service”.
* '''[https://leastauthority.com/ Least Authority]''': Least Authority sind eure Ansprechpersonen für Security Coachings. Sie haben sich dem Aufbau und der Unterstützung nutzer*innenfreundlicher Technologielösungen und ethischer Geschäftspraktiken verschrieben und fördern digitale Sicherheit und die Wahrung der Privatsphäre als grundlegendes Menschenrecht.
* '''[https://iris-wellmann.de/angebot/coaching/ Iris Wellmann]''': Iris Wellmann ist Organisationsberaterin und Coach mit 15 Jahren Berufserfahrung im Nonprofit-Sektor. Ihr Schwerpunkt liegt unter anderem auf Organisationsentwicklung, Teamentwicklung und agilem Arbeiten sowie Coachings für Frauen in Führungspositionen.
*'''[https://fsfe.org/ Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)]''': FSFE klärt über rechtliche Fragen auf und unterstützt Entwickler*innen, Unternehmen und politische Einrichtungen dabei, Freie Software in einer Weise zu entwickeln, zu nutzen und wiederzuverwenden, die mit den bestehenden rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen vereinbar ist. In der Second Stage stehen sie euch für Coachings rund um das Themenfeld Lizenzierung bereit.
*'''[https://superbloom.design/ Superbloom]''': Auch Superbloom bleibt euch als Coaching-Partner*in in der Second Stage erhalten. Hier könnt ihr Coachings zu den Themen Community, Design, Projektmanagement, Kommunikation, Fundraising uvm. buchen.
''Wichtige Ergänzung: Auch wenn einige der Coaching-Partner*innen Audits in ihrem Portfolio anbieten, können keine Audits über die Second Stage abgerechnet werden.''

= In English =
During the funding period, you will receive four free 1-hour coaching sessions from Superbloom's coaches.

You are welcome to arrange all of your sessions directly with Superbloom and to discuss with the coaches whether to do all sessions at the beginning, all at the end, or several shorter appointments if that makes more sense for you.

== Superbloom ==
Superbloom's work focuses on building technology that promotes and protects human dignity. The team helps projects expand their Human-Centered Design capabilities, focusing on users’ safety, security, and privacy.

'''What''': Human-centered design (User testing, Branding, etc.), project management, other topics like community building, and many more. The coordinators at Superbloom are happy to help you and match you with the right coaches. [[Superbloom|Superbloom has a page]] on this wiki, where you can find further information and links.

'''$:''' 4 coaching sessions of 1 hour each are included in the six-month funding phase.

'''Where:''' [https://superbloom.design/ superbloom.design] - please read how to book a session [[Superbloom|here]].

== In der Second Stage ==
During the [[Second Stage]], the focus is no longer on the technical work. The explicit aim of this funding is to bring more projects into sustainable use. It is therefore less about the technical development of the software and more about the distribution and improved usability or the financial security of the project.

Unlike to the regular funding period, the coaching sessions are mandatory in the Second Stage. The topics and coaching partners are determined together with the project management and in accordance to the conditions from the jury. Places are limited for the coaching sessions. The final decision on the allocation of coaching sessions lies with the project program management.

Coaching partners for the Second Stage:
* '''[https://vdivde-it.de/ VDI/VDE]''': You already know the consulting and service company VDI/VDE-IT as the Projektträger of the Prototype Fund. Another unit of the company is responsible for coachings in the Second Stage and advises you on start-up and financing models, business plans, business model and strategy development – with a focus on “Software as a Service.”
* '''[https://leastauthority.com/ Least Authority]''': Least Authority are your coaching partners for security coachings. The company is committed to building and supporting the development of usable technology solutions and ethical business practices to advance digital security and preserve privacy as a fundamental human right.
* '''[https://iris-wellmann.de/angebot/coaching/ Iris Wellmann]''': Iris Wellmann is an organizational consultant and coach with 15 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. Her focus includes organizational development, team development, agile working, and coaching for women in leadership positions.
*'''[https://fsfe.org/ Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)]:''' FSFE educates people on legal issues and help developers, companies and political entities to develop, use and reuse Free Software in a manner that is compliant with existing legal frameworks. In the Second Stage, they will be available to provide coachings on all aspects of licensing.
*'''[https://superbloom.design/ Superbloom]''': Superbloom will also remain your coaching partner in the Second Stage. You can book coaching sessions on topics such as community, design, project management, communication, fundraising and much more.
''Important note: Even though some of the coaching partners offer audits in their portfolio, audits are not covered in the Second Stage funding.''

Superbloom

2026-05-27T11:46:54Z

Alicja (Superbloom): All of this has been updated and edited by Alicja and Molly.

This page is written and maintained by the Superbloom team. It contains all the information you need to plan and book the coaching sessions you get as part of your funding period at Prototype Fund. '''If you still have questions, contact the Superbloom coaching team ([https://superbloom.design/about/people/alicja-peszkowska/ Alicja Peszkowska], [https://superbloom.design/about/people/victory/ Victory Brown]) at coaching@superbloom.design'''.

You have been selected for funding because you are good at what you do. But no one, not one person, and also not an interdisciplinary team of four, can be an expert in every single aspect of building and running a tech project. During the funding period at Prototype Fund, you get to pick the brain(s) of experts in a field where you could use support.

== How many hours of coaching do you get? ⏱️ ==

* In Stage 1, you may book up to 4 hours of coaching support with Superbloom.
* In Stage 2 (if you are a part of it), you are required to complete 4-8 hours of coaching support with Superbloom. Unlike in Stage 1, coaching in Stage 2 is not optional.

== How to book? 📌 ==

# First, think about what you would like help with. If it helps, you can check out the list of topics below 👇
# Write us an email at coaching@superbloom.design. If you have looked at our coach profiles (LINK) and already have an idea who you’d like to work with, let us know. If you aren’t sure, just ask us to match you with the appropriate coach(es).
# Please let us know about:
#* Your preferred languages (all of our coaches speak English, many speak German, but not all)
#* Accessibility needs
#* Any time constraints (e.g., you are going on vacation for two weeks)
#* Whether you would like to meet in person in Berlin or remotely
#* Your preferred online meeting platform (Jitsi, Signal, Whereby, Wire, GMeet, Zoom, or something else?)
#* If you’d like a private session. We are onboarding new coaches, which means your coach may be accompanied by a colleague who is listening and learning. If that is not ok with you, just say so!

# We will be in touch with you within two working days. Once you have booked, you will receive an email confirmation, and the appointment details will be added to your calendar.
# You can book each session with a different coach depending on your needs. However, we strongly recommend you consider working with a coach for more than 1 one-hour session.

== Who is Superbloom? 🌸 ==
[https://superbloom.design/work/ Superbloom], formerly called Simply Secure, was founded in 2014 as a US 501c3 nonprofit to help build usable secure communications tools and make it possible for everyone to have access to security and privacy.

Superbloom leverages design as a transformative practice to shift power in the tech ecosystem. We view design as an opportunity to intervene and center people and their needs. We collaborate closely with others in the space to grow the community focused on shaping our collective online future. Our vision is a world where everyone has the knowledge, network, and digital tools needed to enrich their lives.

What matters for you is that Superbloom supports Prototype Fund teams through individual coaching and direct support in the design of software projects, especially in the areas of design, user experience (UX), strategy, community, and project management. Superbloom and the Prototype Fund have been working together since 2017.

== Topics 🎯 ==
Coaches can help you with the following topics:

* Branding
* Governance
* Interface design
* Team dynamics
* Illustration + visual design
* Workflows
* User research
* Documentation
* Information architecture
* Licensing
* Writing + communication
* Fundraising + sustainability
* Accessibility
* Narratives + framing
* Conference presentations
* Community dynamics

Don't see the topic you need help with on the list? Don't worry, and reach out to us anyway. We will help you find someone who will support you.

=== Can I prepare my application for the Second Stage with Superbloom? 🔮 ===
Good question! The coaching sessions with Superbloom can NOT be used to prepare your application for the Second Stage (written or pitch).

Of course, it is perfectly fine to discuss how to make your projects more sustainable during the coaching sessions. This is how we define the boundary between “application preparation” and “steps toward sustainability”. What you can't use the coaching sessions for:

* Support with the preparation of the strategy, content or for the writing of your written application for the Second Stage
* Support with the preparation of the strategy, content or for the writing of your pitch for the Second Stage
* Any other questions related to working directly on the application.

== Sprechstunden 💬 ==
Superbloom also hosts “Sprechstunde” sessions during each round, each with a set topic. One or two coaches with expertise in the topic area are invited to give a short presentation, and afterward, the coaches answer questions from you.

During this round, AMAs will take place on the last Thursday of each month, starting in June 2026, from 3:00-4:00 PM CEST.

The first topic for the current round (2026) will be User Testing, on June 25, 2026. The remaining topics will be determined post-kickoff through a survey.

* 25 June 2026, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm CEST: User testing
* 30 July 2026, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm CEST: TBD
* 27 August 2026, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm CEST: TBD
* 24 September, 3:30 – 4:30 pm CEST: TBD

== Prepare for your session 📚 ==
Prepare for your session:

* Strongly recommended: write to your coach(es) in advance with some info about what you’d like to discuss, and include a link to your work in progress if possible. This helps them prepare to help you.
* Check you’ve received a calendar invite with a booking link
* Enter the call five minutes early to cover off any potential tech glitches

Please bring the following to your session:

* A list of questions, goals, challenges, or blocks
* Any demos, mock-ups, or sketches you may have

== Confidentiality 💭 ==
We want you to be able to speak honestly in coaching sessions about struggles you are having, without fear that it will hurt your reputation with the Prototype Fund or the wider community.

Within the Superbloom coaching program: we discuss details about the coaching sessions so that other coaches you work with are caught up. All coaches have access to all session notes left by other coaches. This makes handoffs smooth and efficient, so you don’t have to repeat yourself with new coaches. You can opt out of this by letting your coach know that you would prefer them to keep your session confidential, even from Superbloom.

Example: “Blackbox is having a really hard time managing its community’s expectations around AI.”

With the Prototype Fund team: we discuss the topics we talk about, but not the exact details.

Example: “We did a coaching with Blackbox about the community’s expectations about AI.”

When talking to people outside our coaching program: we may mention the teams we coached, which coaches worked together, and the topics they worked on in very general terms. We won’t publish which teams worked with which coaches. However, coaches may mention teams they have worked with.

Example: “Our coaches Bart and Lisa did an interesting coaching session about community-building the other day, and we learned X and Y.”

Example: “Oh, I know Blackbox! I did coaching with them through the Prototype Fund.”

== Feedback ♻️ ==
We really welcome your feedback. We truly do.

It’s important for us to understand how we’re doing. Feedback motivates coaches to continue contributing their time and expertise. It helps us evaluate our work against our mission and impact goals. It also helps us improve the program's logistics.

After each coaching session, we’ll send you a very short survey (just 5 questions!). We’d really appreciate it if you could take a minute to fill it out.

And if surveys aren't your thing, or you’d prefer to share feedback another way, please feel free to email us directly coaching@superbloom.design. We’d love to hear your thoughts, delights, frustrations, and suggestions.

Coachings

2026-05-27T11:29:26Z

Alicja (Superbloom):

''(English version below)''

Während der sechsmonatigen Förderzeit bekommt ihr vier kostenlose Coachings von uns. Für die Coachings ist [[Superbloom]] zuständig.

Ihr könnt gern alle eure Sitzungen direkt mit Superbloom vereinbaren und mit den Coaches absprechen, ob alle Sessions am Anfang, alle am Ende oder mehrere kürzere Termine für euch mehr Sinn machen.

== Superbloom ==
Der Fokus der Arbeit von [[Superbloom]] liegt darauf, Technologien zu bauen, die die Menschenwürde fördern und schützen. Das Team hilft Projekten, ihre Fähigkeiten im Bereich Human-Centered Design zu erweitern und konzentriert sich dabei auf die Sicherheit und den Schutz der Benutzer*innen und deren Privatsphäre. Darüber hinaus bietet das Team Expertise in vielen Bereichen rund um den Aufbau von Open-Source-Projekten, wie z.B. Projektmanagement, Community Building und Kommunikation.

'''Was:''' Human-Centered Design (User testing, Branding etc.), Projektmanagement, andere Themen wie z.B. Communityaufbau. Die Koordinator*innen von Superbloom helfen euch gern weiter und finden die passenden Coach*innen für euch. [[Superbloom|Hier findet ihr die Seite]] von Superbloom im Wiki mit weiteren Informationen und Links.

'''$:''' Zwei Coachings à 2 Stunden sind in der sechsmonatigen Förderzeit möglich

'''Wo:''' [https://superbloom.design/ superbloom.design] - [[Superbloom|hier]] steht, wie ihr die Coachings organisieren könnt.

== In der Second Stage ==
Während der [[Second Stage]] liegt der Fokus nicht mehr auf der technischen Arbeit. Explizites Ziel dieser Förderung ist es, mehr Projekte nachhaltig in die Nutzung zu bringen. Deswegen geht es weniger um die technische Weiterentwicklung der Software und mehr um die Verbreitung und Verbesserung der Nutzbarkeit oder die finanzielle Absicherung des Projektes.

In der Second Stage sind die Coachings verpflichtend. Die Themen bzw. Coachingpartner*innen werden, sofern keine Auflagen vorliegen, gemeinsam mit der Projektbetreuung festgelegt. Die Plätze für die Coachings sind begrenzt. Die finale Entscheidung über die Zuteilung der Coachings liegt bei der Projektbetreuung.

Coachingpartner*innen für die Second Stage:
* [https://vdivde-it.de/ '''VDI/VDE''']: Das Beratungs- und Dienstleistungsunternehmen VDI/VDE-IT kennt ihr bereits als Projektträger des Prototype Fund. Eine andere Abteilung des Unternehmens ist für die Coachings zuständig und berät euch zu Gründungsvorhaben, Finanzierungsmodellen, Businessplan, Geschäftsmodell- und Strategieentwicklung – mit einem Schwerpunkt auf “Software as a Service”.
* '''[https://leastauthority.com/ Least Authority]''': Least Authority sind eure Ansprechpersonen für Security Coachings. Sie haben sich dem Aufbau und der Unterstützung nutzer*innenfreundlicher Technologielösungen und ethischer Geschäftspraktiken verschrieben und fördern digitale Sicherheit und die Wahrung der Privatsphäre als grundlegendes Menschenrecht.
* '''[https://iris-wellmann.de/angebot/coaching/ Iris Wellmann]''': Iris Wellmann ist Organisationsberaterin und Coach mit 15 Jahren Berufserfahrung im Nonprofit-Sektor. Ihr Schwerpunkt liegt unter anderem auf Organisationsentwicklung, Teamentwicklung und agilem Arbeiten sowie Coachings für Frauen in Führungspositionen.
*'''[https://fsfe.org/ Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)]''': FSFE klärt über rechtliche Fragen auf und unterstützt Entwickler*innen, Unternehmen und politische Einrichtungen dabei, Freie Software in einer Weise zu entwickeln, zu nutzen und wiederzuverwenden, die mit den bestehenden rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen vereinbar ist. In der Second Stage stehen sie euch für Coachings rund um das Themenfeld Lizenzierung bereit.
*'''[https://superbloom.design/ Superbloom]''': Auch Superbloom bleibt euch als Coaching-Partner*in in der Second Stage erhalten. Hier könnt ihr Coachings zu den Themen Community, Design, Projektmanagement, Kommunikation, Fundraising uvm. buchen.
''Wichtige Ergänzung: Auch wenn einige der Coaching-Partner*innen Audits in ihrem Portfolio anbieten, können keine Audits über die Second Stage abgerechnet werden.''

= In English =
During the funding period, you will receive four free 1-hour coaching sessions from Superbloom's coaches.

You are welcome to arrange all of your sessions directly with Superbloom and to discuss with the coaches whether to do all sessions at the beginning, all at the end, or several shorter appointments if that makes more sense for you.

== Superbloom ==
Superbloom's work focuses on building technology that promotes and protects human dignity. The team helps projects expand their Human-Centered Design capabilities, focusing on users’ safety, security, and privacy.

'''What''': Human-centered design (User testing, Branding, etc.), project management, other topics like community building, and many more. The coordinators at Superbloom are happy to help you and match you with the right coaches. [[Superbloom|Superbloom has a page]] on this wiki, where you can find further information and links.

'''$:''' 4 coaching sessions of 1 hour each are included in the six-month funding phase.

'''Where:''' [https://superbloom.design/ superbloom.design] - please read how to book a session [[Superbloom|here]].

== In der Second Stage ==
During the [[Second Stage]], the focus is no longer on the technical work. The explicit aim of this funding is to bring more projects into sustainable use. It is therefore less about the technical development of the software and more about the distribution and improved usability or the financial security of the project.

Unlike to the regular funding period, the coaching sessions are mandatory in the Second Stage. The topics and coaching partners are determined together with the project management and in accordance to the conditions from the jury. Places are limited for the coaching sessions. The final decision on the allocation of coaching sessions lies with the project program management.

Coaching partners for the Second Stage:
* '''[https://vdivde-it.de/ VDI/VDE]''': You already know the consulting and service company VDI/VDE-IT as the Projektträger of the Prototype Fund. Another unit of the company is responsible for coachings in the Second Stage and advises you on start-up and financing models, business plans, business model and strategy development – with a focus on “Software as a Service.”
* '''[https://leastauthority.com/ Least Authority]''': Least Authority are your coaching partners for security coachings. The company is committed to building and supporting the development of usable technology solutions and ethical business practices to advance digital security and preserve privacy as a fundamental human right.
* '''[https://iris-wellmann.de/angebot/coaching/ Iris Wellmann]''': Iris Wellmann is an organizational consultant and coach with 15 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. Her focus includes organizational development, team development, agile working, and coaching for women in leadership positions.
*'''[https://fsfe.org/ Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)]:''' FSFE educates people on legal issues and help developers, companies and political entities to develop, use and reuse Free Software in a manner that is compliant with existing legal frameworks. In the Second Stage, they will be available to provide coachings on all aspects of licensing.
*'''[https://superbloom.design/ Superbloom]''': Superbloom will also remain your coaching partner in the Second Stage. You can book coaching sessions on topics such as community, design, project management, communication, fundraising and much more.
''Important note: Even though some of the coaching partners offer audits in their portfolio, audits are not covered in the Second Stage funding.''