diff --git a/plans/funding/betaworks.md b/plans/funding/betaworks.md
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+# Betaworks / John Borthwick
+
+- **type:** accelerator (NYC) + angel
+- **url:** betaworks.com/camp
+- **contact:** john@betaworks.com (John Borthwick, founder)
+- **also:** analisa@betaworks.com (Analisa Svehaug), nicole@betaworks.com (Nicole Ranucci)
+- **amount:** ~$500K for ~6% (camp), angel TBD
+- **status:** WARM — ongoing relationship since June 2022
+
+## history
+
+- jun 2022: first contact re: whistlegraph. john scheduled a call via nicole.
+- aug–sep 2022: continued thread, second meeting scheduled.
+- dec 2022–jan 2023: "holidays / aesthetic computer / nyc" — met in person at betaworks office.
+- feb 2023: sent "aesthetic.computer / Freaky Flowers (ff)" update.
+- apr 2023: arranged office days at betaworks (via analisa, kelly, front desk).
+- jun 2023: continued office days.
+- aug–nov 2023: "aesthetic.computer update" thread — multiple exchanges.
+- mar 2024: sent "Aesthetic Computer Update" from mail@aesthetic.computer.
+- sep 2024: sent "aesthetic.computer milestones" update.
+- may 2025: "Happy Hacking Tomorrow Afternoon?" — office visit with analisa.
+- jan 2026: sent "Aesthetic.Computer '26" — pointed john to give.aesthetic.computer.
+
+## notes
+
+john has been following AC for nearly 4 years. he's familiar with the project, has hosted jeffrey at betaworks office. this is a warm lead — not a cold email. betaworks also runs camps focused on media, culture, and creative tools.
+
+## draft email
+
+subject: aesthetic computer — update
+
+hi john —
+
+wanted to share what's new with aesthetic computer since january. there's a bare-metal operating system now — boots from a usb stick in about 2 seconds into a musical instrument. also shipped kidlisp (a tiny language for art), academic papers, and a dedicated hardware device.
+
+i'm starting to think about funding for the first time. would love to catch up if you have a few minutes.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+give.aesthetic.computer
+
+@jeffrey
diff --git a/plans/funding/calm-fund.md b/plans/funding/calm-fund.md
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+# Calm Fund
+
+- **type:** fund (shared earnings or equity)
+- **url:** calmfund.com
+- **applications:** rolling
+- **amount:** $100K–$2M
+- **contact:** tyler@calmfund.com (Tyler Tringas)
+- **status:** not yet contacted
+
+## notes
+
+funds calm, sustainable software businesses. solo founders welcome. shared earnings agreements available — you pay back from revenue, not equity. very aligned with building something lasting rather than flipping.
+
+## draft email
+
+subject: aesthetic computer
+
+hi tyler —
+
+i'm building aesthetic computer — a software platform and bare-metal operating system for painting, music, code, and games. it boots from a usb stick in 2 seconds or runs from a browser. i built the whole stack solo.
+
+there's also kidlisp (a tiny language for art), a shop, a newsletter, academic papers, a social network, and a dedicated hardware device — all under one roof.
+
+i think of it more as an instrument than a startup. calm fund's model feels right for that.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+
+happy to talk anytime.
+
+@jeffrey
diff --git a/plans/funding/creative-capital.md b/plans/funding/creative-capital.md
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+# Creative Capital
+
+- **type:** grant
+- **url:** creative-capital.org
+- **applications:** annual (usually spring)
+- **amount:** up to $50K
+- **status:** not yet contacted
+
+## notes
+
+funds innovative art projects across disciplines including technology. the art+code+hardware angle of AC is a natural fit. grant — no equity, no repayment.
+
+## draft email
+
+likely apply via creative-capital.org, but for initial inquiry:
+
+subject: aesthetic computer — grant inquiry
+
+hi —
+
+i'm building aesthetic computer — a software platform and bare-metal operating system for painting, music, code, and games. it boots from a usb stick in 2 seconds or runs from a browser. i built the whole stack solo.
+
+there's also kidlisp (a tiny language for art), a shop, a newsletter, academic papers, a social network, and a dedicated hardware device — all under one roof.
+
+i'd love to know if this fits creative capital's current grant cycle.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+
+@jeffrey
diff --git a/plans/funding/pioneer.md b/plans/funding/pioneer.md
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+# Pioneer
+
+- **type:** accelerator (remote)
+- **url:** pioneer.app
+- **applications:** rolling, tournament-style
+- **amount:** $20K–$100K
+- **status:** not yet contacted
+
+## notes
+
+remote-first accelerator for ambitious outsiders and solo founders. tournament-style selection — you submit weekly updates and get ranked. built for exactly the kind of project AC is.
+
+## draft email
+
+likely apply via pioneer.app directly, but if cold emailing:
+
+subject: aesthetic computer
+
+hi —
+
+i'm building aesthetic computer — a software platform and bare-metal operating system for painting, music, code, and games. it boots from a usb stick in 2 seconds or runs from a browser. i built the whole stack solo.
+
+there's also kidlisp (a tiny language for art), a shop, a newsletter, academic papers, a social network, and a dedicated hardware device — all under one roof.
+
+i think of it more as an instrument than a startup. pioneer's model feels right for that.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+
+@jeffrey
diff --git a/plans/funding/processing-foundation.md b/plans/funding/processing-foundation.md
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+# Processing Foundation
+
+- **type:** fellowship
+- **url:** processingfoundation.org/fellowships
+- **applications:** periodic
+- **amount:** $5K–$10K
+- **status:** not yet contacted
+
+## notes
+
+fellowships for open-source creative coding tools. small money but high alignment and visibility in the creative coding community. kidlisp + AC's open tool ecosystem are a direct fit.
+
+## draft email
+
+subject: aesthetic computer + kidlisp — fellowship inquiry
+
+hi —
+
+i'm building aesthetic computer — a software platform and bare-metal operating system for painting, music, code, and games, and kidlisp — a tiny language for art that runs inside it.
+
+i'd love to know if this fits the processing foundation's current fellowship cycle.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+
+@jeffrey
diff --git a/plans/funding/sahil-lavingia.md b/plans/funding/sahil-lavingia.md
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+# Sahil Lavingia
+
+- **type:** angel investor
+- **who:** founder of Gumroad
+- **reach:** @shl on X/Twitter, or via gumroad
+- **amount:** $25K–$100K typically
+- **status:** not yet contacted
+
+## notes
+
+actively backs solo founders building creative tools. very indie-friendly. built gumroad as a solo-ish founder himself. likely resonates with the instrument-not-startup framing.
+
+## draft email / DM
+
+subject: aesthetic computer
+
+hi sahil —
+
+i'm building aesthetic computer — a software platform and bare-metal operating system for painting, music, code, and games. it boots from a usb stick in 2 seconds or runs from a browser. i built the whole stack solo.
+
+there's also kidlisp (a tiny language for art), a shop, a newsletter, academic papers, a social network, and a dedicated hardware device — all under one roof.
+
+i think of it more as an instrument than a startup.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+
+@jeffrey
diff --git a/plans/funding/shuttleworth-foundation.md b/plans/funding/shuttleworth-foundation.md
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+# Shuttleworth Foundation
+
+- **type:** fellowship
+- **url:** shuttleworthfoundation.org
+- **applications:** rolling
+- **amount:** $275K/year (renewable up to 3 years)
+- **status:** not yet contacted
+
+## notes
+
+open-source fellowship for bold, unconventional projects. fellows get funding + support to work on their project full-time. strong fit for AC's open infrastructure + bare-metal OS angle.
+
+## draft email
+
+to: apply@shuttleworthfoundation.org (or via web form)
+
+subject: aesthetic computer — fellowship application
+
+hi —
+
+i'm building aesthetic computer — a software platform and bare-metal operating system for painting, music, code, and games. it boots from a usb stick in 2 seconds or runs from a browser. i built the whole stack solo.
+
+there's also kidlisp (a tiny language for art), a shop, a newsletter, academic papers, a social network, and a dedicated hardware device — all under one roof.
+
+i think of it more as an instrument than a startup.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+
+happy to talk anytime.
+
+@jeffrey
diff --git a/plans/funding/ycombinator.md b/plans/funding/ycombinator.md
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+# Y Combinator
+
+- **type:** accelerator
+- **url:** ycombinator.com/apply
+- **applications:** biannual batches
+- **amount:** $500K standard deal
+- **status:** not yet contacted
+
+## notes
+
+accepts solo founders. have funded creative/dev tools (replit, etc.). biggest name on the list. the "instrument not startup" framing might need adjusting here — yc wants growth stories. but the bare-metal OS + browser platform + solo-built stack is a compelling demo.
+
+## draft email
+
+apply via ycombinator.com/apply — not cold-emailable, but for any warm intros:
+
+subject: aesthetic computer
+
+hi —
+
+i'm building aesthetic computer — a software platform and bare-metal operating system for painting, music, code, and games. it boots from a usb stick in 2 seconds or runs from a browser. i built the whole stack solo.
+
+there's also kidlisp (a tiny language for art), a shop, a newsletter, academic papers, a social network, and a dedicated hardware device — all under one roof.
+
+aesthetic.computer
+kidlisp.com
+papers.aesthetic.computer
+
+@jeffrey