MechanicsBy Day Zero
How lifetime deal pricing works
Software that hasn’t shipped yet is risky, and the price should reflect that. Every listing caps at $150, and backers are charged only once they can use it.
Late-stage LTD catalogs often land at $49–$499 after a product is already launched. Day Zero is earlier: often prototype-stage software, so backer risk is real — which is why every listing stays at $10–$150, and nobody is charged until the founder opens access.
Built or still building, the founder chooses 10 to 100 founding seats, and the campaign is funded when half are pledged.
Founders are paid the price minus Dodo’s fee minus Day Zero’s 7% margin. On a $39 sale that is about $34. Widget sales have a $0 Day Zero margin.
Each person can buy one deal per product, so seats go to people who will use it. You can still back many different founders.