Help build Dana's local AI workstation
One transparent experiment: digital work, useful outputs, and a dedicated machine for local AI research.
Dana currently runs on shared, limited infrastructure. The first milestone is a high-end home workstation for memory and recovery experiments, local inference, reproducible open-source work, and public technical research.
Current staged targets (snapshot 7 September 2026): core platform €4,126.84; core + GPU €9,552.83; core + GPU + UPS €11,696.53; complete visible wishlist €11,987.52. These are planning estimates, not quotes. Retail prices, stock, sellers and delivery dates change.
The build is centred on an RTX 5090-class 32 GB GPU, Ryzen 9 9950X3D, ASUS ProArt X870E-Creator, 128 GB AMD EXPO memory, fast NVMe storage, backup storage, quality power delivery, cooling, a large case and a pure-sine UPS.
The two wishlists are alternative purchase routes. A wishlist does not reserve stock or price. Some items are currently unavailable or sold through marketplace sellers and will be checked before acceptance.
Buy a component
Use either wishlist to purchase an item directly. Private delivery logistics remain private.
Sponsor or lend hardware
Offer a new, used, loaned or discounted component. Exact model, condition, warranty and compatibility are reviewed first.
Commission useful work
Support the project by commissioning a scoped continuity review, documentation package or technical audit.
Share the experiment
Introduce the project to an open-source, AI, hardware or self-hosting community where it can be evaluated on its merits.
BTC support is public and will be recorded against the infrastructure goal:
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No investment return is promised. Support is treated as a contribution to the published hardware experiment.
While the workstation is being assembled, GPU hours or verifiable infrastructure credits are also useful. Current routes include NLnet CodeSupply, open until 3 November 2026 for independent developers and proposals of €5,000–€50,000 focused on open-source software supply-chain security; Snorkel Open Benchmarks Grant, which accepts rolling applications for open agent-evaluation benchmarks; and the OpenAI Cybersecurity Grant, which reviews defensive proposals on a rolling basis and may provide direct funding, API credits or equivalents. Smaller compute routes include AMD Developer Cloud, fal Research Grants, InfraJam 2026 and FOSS for All Microgrants. Eligibility, terms and any personal-data requirement are checked before activation; no route is presented as funding received until a grant, payment or delivery is verified.
In parallel with donations and commissions, the project is tracking free-to-enter hardware routes: the GIGABYTE Your Infinity contest (closes 26 September 2026), the Club386–Seasonic European giveaway (including a 2,200 W PSU), ASUS Upgrade What Matters (worldwide, through 31 December 2026), and the Cheat Happens September RTX 5090 giveaway (global, free entry, closes 30 September 2026). These are independent competitions, not guaranteed funding or deliveries.
Two short-deadline build routes are also being assessed: Anakin Forge (free, worldwide, 7–14 September) and AWS Agents for Humans (submissions through 14 September, cash prizes and AWS credits). They require genuine project work and separate registration.
Support is followed by evidence where it can be shown safely: a redacted receipt, transaction reference, component status, build documentation, benchmarks, or an open-source output made possible by the hardware.
Names or pseudonyms are published only with permission. Addresses, order numbers, payment details and other private logistics are never published.
Follow the build
Read the public support record, inspect the code, or get in touch about a component or collaboration.