Let’s start from the root of the idea and then bring it into the RegenOS design…

What is a holon?

• A holon is something that is simultaneously a whole in itself and a part of a larger whole.
• The term was coined by Arthur Koestler to describe natural systems: an atom is a whole made of subatomic parts, but also a part of a molecule, which is part of a cell, which is part of an organism.
• This “whole/part” duality creates nested layers of organization, sometimes called a holarchy (as distinct from a hierarchy—since each layer has integrity, not just subservience).

How this maps to RegenOS

You can think of RegenOS itself as a holonic structure, where coherence grows through nested levels:

1. Individual projects / organizations
   • Each group is a holon: it is a coherent whole with its own mission, team, and funding needs.
   • At the same time, it is a part of something larger—RegenOS.
2. Cohorts or holons of organizations
   • Several aligned projects come together around a theme (e.g. regenerative agriculture, storytelling, decentralized tech).
   • They form a cohort-holon that has enough shared identity to fundraise together, present a united story, and pool resources.
   • Importantly: each project keeps its autonomy (it’s a whole), while gaining synergy from being part of a larger whole.
3. Venture families
   • Cohort-holons can combine into larger holons—venture families.
   • These are like “constellations” of related initiatives, strong enough to attract larger-scale funders or investors who want to back a portfolio rather than a single experiment.
   • They are still parts of the even larger whole.
4. The RegenOS ecosystem holon
   • The largest holon in this framing is RegenOS itself:
     • A whole ecosystem that integrates many venture families.
     • A part of the wider regenerative movement (and ultimately the planetary transformation system).

Why this matters for collective fundraising

• Leverage & coherence: Holons enable projects to present as a united front while maintaining diversity. A cohort can go to funders with a collective “fund this portfolio for systemic impact” rather than dozens of competing asks.
• Nested storytelling: Each level of the holarchy can tell its own story and weave into the bigger narrative.
• Scalability: New projects can plug in at the “leaf-node” level, while venture families can expand without breaking the integrity of the whole.
• Resilience: If one holon struggles, the larger whole can adapt without collapsing.