The problem GRID solves

Lack of a Web3-Compatible 3D Marketplace: Currently, there is no Web3-native platform where creators can buy, sell, and trade 3D models. Grid bridges this gap by providing the first decentralized 3D model marketplace built specifically for the Web3 ecosystem. This platform enables seamless interaction between developers, designers, and gamers, leveraging blockchain technology to ensure true ownership and control of digital assets.

Monopoly in the 3D Asset Space: Major corporations like Epic Games have been consolidating control over the 3D asset marketplace by acquiring popular platforms such as Sketchfab, Quixel, and Artstation. This centralization limits the options for creators and increases the costs for 3D assets. Grid counters this monopoly by offering an open and decentralized marketplace, promoting a fairer, community-driven ecosystem where creators retain control of their assets.

Non-Transferable and Risky Assets on Web2 Platforms: Assets on Web2 marketplaces often come with risks, such as non-transferability and the potential for copyright infringement. These platforms lack transparent public ledgers to verify the authenticity and ownership of assets. Grid solves this issue by leveraging blockchain technology and an open-source database. It uses a public ledger to verify the origin and ownership of assets, ensuring secure, tradeable 3D models free from the risks of copyright violations. The platform pulls models from trusted sources like GitHub, Google Models, Sketchfab, and Thinkbook, ensuring a wide range of assets while maintaining transparency and authenticity.

Challenges I ran into

Hosting such a large database on EC2 AWS was a challenge