A new external subsystem
The External Subsystem: A Planetary Organization¶
What is this?
Smartups are designed as digital-first, globally-distributed organizations that transcend national boundaries and political cycles. We envision a new external framework where planetary challenges get planetary solutions, free from the distortions of nation-state politics.
Beyond Borders, Beyond Politics¶
When we look at why organizations fail to address SDGs, we see a pattern: they get trapped in political cycles, pulled by national interests, and distracted by daily crises. A startup in Silicon Valley optimizes for US tax law. An NGO in Brussels navigates EU regulations. A company in Singapore plays different rules than one in São Paulo.
Meanwhile, climate change doesn't care about borders. Inequality doesn't pause for elections. The SDGs don't shift with news cycles.
The Defocused Organization
Smartups are intentionally defocused from:
- Daily political drama
- National election cycles
- Geopolitical tensions
- Regulatory arbitrage
- News cycle reactions
We stay focused on:
- SDGs (always on the horizon)
- Long-term planetary health
- Human needs regardless of nationality
- Scientific reality over political narrative
The Digital-First Entity¶
-
Exists in Cyberspace --- No physical headquarters
No national registration
Digital infrastructure only
Operates 24/7 globally
Jurisdiction: The Internet -
Open to All Humanity --- Join from anywhere
Contribute from anywhere
No visa requirements
No geographic discrimination
Talent without borders -
Equal Pay Globally --- Same task = same pay
No geographic arbitrage
Value work, not location
Purchasing power parity?
That's their problem
Why National Frameworks Fail Digital Organizations¶
The Friction of Nation-States
Scenario: A climate-focused Smartup needs a developer
Traditional hiring:
- Best candidate is in Bangladesh ❌ Visa complexity
- Second choice in France ❌ Employment law maze
- Third choice in Brazil ❌ Tax treaty issues
- Settle for local candidate ✓ But not optimal
Smartup approach:
- Best candidate in Bangladesh ✓ Joins immediately
- Earns same as anyone else ✓ 500 SC for the task
- No visa, no employment contract ✓ Just contribution
- Optimal talent for optimal solution ✓ SDGs advance
The Vision: Planetary Governance for Planetary Organizations¶
graph TD
UN[UN or Global Body<br/>Planetary Jurisdiction] --> SR[Smartup Registry<br/>Digital Entity Recognition]
SR --> S1[Smartup Alpha<br/>Clean Energy]
SR --> S2[Smartup Beta<br/>Food Security]
SR --> S3[Smartup Gamma<br/>Health Access]
SR --> SZ[Smartup Zero<br/>Emergency Comms]
S1 --> G[Global Talent Pool]
S2 --> G
S3 --> G
SZ --> G
style UN fill:#4ecdc4
style G fill:#8bc34aLearning from Estonia's E-Residency
Estonia proved digital citizenship works:
- 100,000+ e-residents from 170+ countries
- Digital identity enables business creation
- Geography becomes irrelevant
- Services delivered digitally
Smartups take this further: not just digital residency, but digital-native organizations with planetary purpose.
Immunity from Political Volatility¶
Traditional organizations get pulled into:
- Trade wars affecting supply chains
- Sanctions limiting talent access
- Political pressure on priorities
- Regulatory capture by incumbents
- Nationalism over global good
Smartups remain steady:
- Contributors work under digital identity
- Payment in SC avoids banking politics
- Open source means no export controls
- SDG focus transcends party politics
- Scientific merit over political favor
Above the Fray
"While nations argue about carbon credits, we build. While politicians debate inequality, we act. While borders close, we remain open. The SDGs don't have time for political theater."
The Path to Recognition¶
-
Phase 1: Proof --- Smartups operate informally
Build real solutions
Demonstrate viability
Create undeniable value
Show the model works -
Phase 2: Precedent --- Multiple successful Smartups
Cross-border collaboration
SDG impact measured
Model replication proven
Community grows globally -
Phase 3: Recognition --- UN working group forms
Legal framework drafted
Digital entity status
Planetary jurisdiction
New organizational species
Why This Isn't Utopian¶
We're Not Naive
We know:
- Nation-states won't disappear
- Politics won't vanish
- Borders still matter for humans
- Local laws affect contributors
But digital organizations can operate above this layer, just as the internet routes around censorship.
The Internet already works this way:
- TCP/IP doesn't care about borders
- Open source projects span nations
- Cryptocurrencies ignore jurisdictions
- Remote work proves geography optional
We're just formalizing what's already emerging: planetary organizations for planetary challenges.
The Smartup Advantage¶
Built for Stability in Chaos
While the world argues about:
- Which nation leads on climate
- Who pays for inequality
- Whose tech standards win
- Which currency dominates
Smartups quietly build:
- Emergency networks that work everywhere
- Water solutions without borders
- Health tools for all humans
- Energy systems beyond nations
Defocused from drama. Focused on delivery.
The North Star
"The SDGs are our constitution, science is our law, and humanity is our citizenship. Everything else—every border, every political cycle, every national interest—is just noise we filter out."
Ready to Contribute?¶
Join the Project
Become a Smartup Zero owner
Start Discussing
Connect with the community
Start Building
Pick up your first task