Transforming Government Transparency Through Media, Data & Advocacy
A revolutionary hybrid model combining for-profit media services, partisan watchdog advocacy, and nonpartisan data infrastructure to combat government waste and restore public trust.
Executive Summary
dMedia is a commercial media and technology company that serves as the operational backbone for DOGE Network (a partisan government watchdog) and Department of Open Data (DOOD) (a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on public data infrastructure).
dMedia
For-Profit Parent
Commercial media and technology company generating revenue through PR campaigns, events, and media services
DOGE Network
Partisan Watchdog
Conservative-leaning initiative exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse through investigative media
DOOD
Nonpartisan 501(c)(3)
Public data infrastructure nonprofit enhancing government data quality, accessibility, and retention
The Opportunity
Public trust in government is at historic lows, with eroding confidence exemplified by $18.7 billion in California's unchecked consulting contracts over 15 years and billions in federal funds distributed with minimal oversight.
Investment Opportunity
We seek $450,000 in first-year seed funding to launch operations, form DOOD as a 501(c)(3), hire initial staff, and host three events. This will yield projected Year 1 revenue of $350,000 against $394,000 in expenses (net loss: -$44,000, offset by funding), scaling to profitability in Year 2 ($650,000 revenue vs. $439,200 expenses; net profit: $210,800).
✓ Equity in dMedia
✓ Social impact through transparency advocacy
✓ 3-5x potential returns via media services
Mission & Vision
Our hybrid model separates advocacy from infrastructure while using commercial revenue to cross-subsidize, maximizing impact without conflicts.
dMedia
For-ProfitTo empower public data researchers and civic advocates by delivering integrated media, events, and digital tools. As the for-profit parent, it funds DOGE and DOOD through commercial activities like PR campaigns and event management.
DOGE Network
PartisanTo expose government waste, fraud, and abuse while celebrating efficient agencies through media, events, and a transparency marketplace. Evidence-based operations drive policy reform and public engagement.
DOOD
501(c)(3)To enhance government data quality, accessibility, and retention as a nonpartisan nonprofit, offering tools like dashboards, heatmaps, and training. Strict nonpartisanship qualifies DOOD for grants and tax-deductible donations.
Why This Hybrid Model?
This structure mirrors successful hybrids like the Sunlight Foundation (nonprofit data tools) paired with for-profit media arms. It allows us to:
- Generate sustainable revenue without relying solely on grants
- Maintain strict nonpartisan data infrastructure for grant eligibility
- Enable targeted advocacy without compromising nonprofit status
- Cross-subsidize public-good initiatives with commercial activities
- Maximize impact while complying with nonprofit regulations
The Problem
A crisis of trust, transparency, and accountability in government
Historic Trust Deficit
Government approval ratings at historic lows (Gallup 2025)
The "Consultocracy"
California consulting surge over 15 years with minimal oversight
Federal Opacity
Climate funds disbursed without outcome tracking
Fragmented Efforts
Citizen technologists lack unified platforms and tools
The Reality
- Opaque contracts favoring insiders: California's regulatory density is twice the national average (Mercatus Center), creating waste and conflicts
- Grassroots transparency efforts are siloed: Citizen technologists lack unified platforms, while events like CPAC highlight demand for collaborative spaces
- Underserved civic tech market: The $10+ billion civic tech market (growing 15% annually) lacks integrated media-data solutions
- Growing public demand: Searches for "government waste exposés" spiked 40% post-2024 elections, with 1M+ monthly users on platforms like Data.gov
Market Opportunity
Our solution targets a $2-5 billion niche in watchdog media and data services, with untapped revenue from political campaigns ($1B+ annual spend) seeking data-driven PR.
Our Solution
End-to-end transparency services that no competitor can match
The Integrated Ecosystem
dMedia
Media production (podcasts, social, billboards), events, and PR services
DOGE Network
Investigative reports, advocacy campaigns, and transparency marketplace
DOOD
Data products (heatmaps, indices) and education events
Operational Flow: Data from DOOD feeds DOGE stories; dMedia markets both via events and campaigns
Competitive Differentiation
Open the Books
Watchdog
- ❌ No state-level data tools
- ❌ No events
- ❌ Limited media integration
Data.gov / OpenGov
Data Platforms
- ❌ No advocacy
- ❌ No quality scoring
- ❌ Government-funded limits
Sunlight Foundation
Civic Tech Nonprofit
- ❌ Underfunded
- ❌ Nonpartisan-only
- ❌ No commercial scalability
dMedia / DOGE / DOOD
Integrated Solution
- ✅ Viral media + data pipelines
- ✅ Partisan storytelling + neutral infrastructure
- ✅ End-to-end services
- ✅ Transparency marketplace
- ✅ Commercial revenue engine
What We Deliver
🎬 Media Services
Tiered packages from Bronze ($1K/mo) to Platinum ($5K/mo) including social media, podcasts, billboards, and custom apps
🎪 Events
100-300 attendee events connecting researchers, advocates, and policymakers
💳 Subscriptions
Premium access to transparency tools, data, and exclusive research
🏪 Transparency Marketplace
Platform linking researchers to datasets, tools, and sponsors
Our Technology Advantage
Team's engineering background enables unique technical PR (podcasts + apps). Affordable ETL tools (Supabase for storage) ensure scalability with proven viral research on state contracts.
Our Team
Combining technical expertise with narrative skills for integrated impact
Sean Roberts
CEO & Founder
Founding member of OpenStack Foundation and Network Engineering Principal at Yahoo. Founder of DOGE Network and operator of @cali_doge exposing California government waste.
Pierce Wetter
Lead Developer
Led Cisco's engineering team to develop Kubernetes-based product boosting revenue by 33%. Previously built AWS compute cloud at Chegg and won NASA's 'Race for Space' challenge.
Jennica Pounds
Data Republican Lead
Exposed USAID funding abuses through AI-driven analysis. Joined DOGE efforts full-time to cut government waste via data sleuthing on NGOs and migration policies.
Alice Huang
Marketing & Product
Global Community Director at AI Collective, scaled 80k+ member community. Co-founded Growth Magic, achieving 1,300% organic traffic increase and 570% sales uplift.
Key Researchers & Advisors
Steven Al Ebadi
Military & Security Policy
Former GS-13 in Army Intelligence dedicated to revealing government spending fraud in defense and security budgets.
View Profile →Brian Clifton
Data Analysis
Conducted investigative threads analyzing public sector funding abuses, mapping Soros-linked NGOs and exposing 3,000+ entities in grant flows.
View Profile →Marc Joffe
Fiscal Policy Expert
Authored Cato Institute reports on state fiscal health and cost-saving strategies. Led Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors.
View Profile →JJ Smith
Investigative Reporter
Gained recognition from SF city leaders for documenting the Tenderloin fentanyl crisis with impactful citizen journalism.
View Profile →Strategic Advisors (Target Outreach)
High-profile guidance for media strategy, policy influence, and scaling:
Funding Audience Targets
Aligned investors in Silicon Valley and conservative philanthropy:
Financial Projections
Conservative projections based on event benchmarks and tested media pricing
Year 1 (2026)
Covered by $450K seed funding
Year 2 (2027)
Break-even achieved Q4 Year 1
Revenue Breakdown
3-5 clients @ $3K/mo avg → 8-10 clients
3 events @ $50K avg → 4 events
500 members @ $100/yr → 1,000 members
Ramp-up → 2-3 grants @ $100K
Media Service Packages
Bronze
- Email coordination
- 1 social media platform
- Weekly high-quality posts
Silver
- Email coordination
- 5 social media platforms
- Podcast production
- Interviews
Gold
- All Silver features
- Billboard campaigns
- Cable TV placements
Platinum
- All Gold features
- Custom web/mobile app
- Full-service PR
ROI for Investors
3-5x Returns
Via equity appreciation and media service growth
5-Year Horizon
Acquisition by media/tech firm or IPO potential
Social Impact
Measurable transparency improvements and policy reforms
Risk Mitigation
If revenue misses: Cut non-essential events; pivot to virtual (reduces costs 40%). Diversified revenue streams provide buffer.
Roadmap & Timeline
Phased approach aligned with fiscal calendars and grant cycles
Foundation & Funding
- Secure $450K seed funding
- Form DOOD as 501(c)(3)
- Beta media services launch
- Face-to-face team meetings
- Legal counsel onboarding
Initial Operations
- Hire initial staff (3-5 team members)
- Launch dMedia media packages
- DOOD nonprofit filing complete
- Build data MVP
- First client onboarding
Market Entry
- Launch first major event (100-300 attendees)
- Data dashboard MVP release
- 5 media clients secured
- 500 subscription members
- First DOGE exposés published
Scale & Expand
- Second event execution
- 8+ media clients
- Transparency marketplace beta
- DOOD grant applications
- Policy impact measurement begins
Growth Phase
- Third event (year total: 3 events)
- Full team hired
- 10+ media clients
- 1,000 subscription members
- Break-even targeted
Profitability
- Achieve profitability ($210K+ net)
- Transparency marketplace launch
- 4th event of Year 2
- First grants awarded to DOOD
- Expand to additional states
Key Performance Indicators
Events
Media Impressions
DOOD Users
Revenue
Policy Impact
Impact Measurement
Quantitative
- Event attendance and ROI tracking
- Media impressions via Google Analytics
- User engagement metrics (DOOD platform)
- Revenue vs. projections
Qualitative
- Policy reforms influenced
- User satisfaction surveys (target 80%)
- Media mentions and citations
- Third-party audit reports
Benchmarking against peers like Open the Books (500K annual reach)
Ready to Transform Government Transparency?
Join us in building a sustainable, impactful solution to government waste and opacity
Investors
Seeking $450K seed funding with 3-5x return potential and measurable social impact
Investment Inquiry →Funding Request Breakdown
Get in Touch
For detailed pitch deck, financial models, or to schedule a meeting: