# SBDC Application for LegalCORPS Assistance
## Twin Cities Small Business Development Center

**Date Submitted:** March 31, 2026  
**Submitted By:** Michael Krause (The Wizard)  
**Business:** Firefrost Gaming  
**Purpose:** Obtain pro-bono legal consultation through LegalCORPS Minnesota  
**Status:** Application submitted, awaiting response

---

## Application Overview

Applied to the **Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC)** for comprehensive business development assistance, with primary focus on facilitating access to **LegalCORPS Minnesota** pro-bono legal services.

### Primary Legal Need

Age verification compliance and COPPA requirements for **Ignis Protocol** — Firefrost Gaming's 18+ verified community space.

**Legal consultation topics:**
- Age verification systems and best practices
- COPPA compliance requirements
- Liability protection for age-segregated community spaces
- Terms of Service and Privacy Policy review
- Community safety protocols and legal standards

### Secondary Business Development Needs

SBDC can provide broader business assistance beyond legal consultation:

**Areas of assistance requested:**
- ✅ Legal Issues (primary)
- ✅ Start-up Assistance
- ✅ Business Plan development
- ✅ Managing a Business
- ✅ Customer Relations
- ✅ eCommerce strategy
- ✅ Technology/Computers
- ✅ Marketing/Sales
- ✅ Financing/Capital (consideration)
- ✅ Cash Flow Management
- ✅ Business Accounting/Budget
- ✅ Social Media

---

## Business Information Provided

### NAICS Code

**541519** - Other Computer Related Services

*Classification covers server hosting and technical services for online gaming platforms.*

### Business Type

**Service** (subscription-based services)

### Business Description

**As provided to SBDC:**

"Subscription-based modded Minecraft server hosting platform with integrated community management. We operate dedicated game server infrastructure (Dallas and Charlotte data centers) running custom modpack configurations, supported by automated Discord systems for role management and authentication. Six membership tiers ($1-$50 monthly) provide access to curated gaming experiences, community events, and technical support. Currently in soft-launch with planned expansion to nationwide operations and remote management capability by September 2027."

### Assistance Requested

**As provided to SBDC:**

"Primary need: Pro-bono legal consultation (LegalCORPS Minnesota) for age verification compliance, COPPA requirements, and liability protection for establishing an 18+ verified community space within our gaming platform. Additional assistance: business planning and growth strategy to reach 500 subscribers by September 2027, subscription revenue modeling and financial planning, marketing strategy for online gaming community growth, and operational planning for remote business management. Desired outcome: legally compliant community infrastructure, sustainable revenue model, and clear roadmap for scaling operations while maintaining quality community experience."

---

## Application Survey Responses

### Business Status

**Startup** (not established business)

*Rationale: Currently in soft-launch preparation, haven't officially launched publicly, building toward September 2027 expansion target.*

### University of St. Thomas Affiliation

**No affiliation**

### Other Business Assistance Providers

**None currently**

*Note: Not yet working with LegalCORPS — this application is the pathway to that assistance.*

### Community Entrepreneurship Program

**No** (not enrolled)

### Bankruptcy History

**No** (never filed)

### Personal Credit Score

**Between 600 and 700**

---

## Key Information About SBDC Services

### Privacy Protections

Under **15 U.S.C § 648(a)** and **Minnesota Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13)**:

- SBDC may not disclose name, address, or telephone number without consent
- Information only shared for court orders, program audits, or as required by law
- Client information not disclosed to third parties as standard practice
- Statistical reports use aggregated data only (no individual business identification)

### Counselor Restrictions

SBDC counselors prohibited from:
1. Recommending goods/services from sources where counselor has financial interest
2. Accepting fees or commissions from counseling relationship

### Data Collection Purpose

Information collected for:
- Facilitating business assistance services
- Agency analysis related to program operation and management
- Periodic summary reports for program analysis
- Follow-up surveys to evaluate SBDC effectiveness (optional participation)

### Survey Participation

- **Opted in** to surveys designed to evaluate services and impact
- Information disclosed in surveys held in strict confidence
- Can opt out at any time by contacting Professional Business Consultant

---

## Next Steps

### Expected SBDC Process

1. **Application review** — SBDC reviews submission
2. **Initial consultation** — SBDC counselor contacts to discuss needs
3. **LegalCORPS referral** — If approved, SBDC facilitates connection to LegalCORPS
4. **Legal consultation** — Pro-bono attorney assigned for age verification compliance guidance
5. **Follow-up** — SBDC may follow up on impact and outcomes

### Timeline

- **Application submitted:** March 31, 2026
- **Expected response:** TBD (typically 1-2 weeks for initial contact)
- **Legal consultation:** TBD (after LegalCORPS match)

### Preparation for Legal Consultation

**Documents to prepare (when matched with LegalCORPS attorney):**

Reference: `docs/planning/ignis-protocol-legalcorps-consultation-prep.md`

Key topics documented:
- Ignis Protocol overview and purpose
- Current age verification approach (manual Discord verification)
- Planned improvements (automated systems, ID verification)
- Community moderation protocols
- Privacy and data retention policies
- Questions for legal counsel

---

## Strategic Context

### Why This Matters

**Ignis Protocol** (18+ space) is part of Firefrost Gaming's community offering but requires robust legal compliance:

1. **COPPA compliance** — Ensuring minors are excluded from 18+ spaces
2. **Liability protection** — Protecting Firefrost Gaming from legal exposure
3. **Best practices** — Industry-standard age verification approaches
4. **Terms of Service** — Legal review of community policies
5. **Scalability** — Systems that work at 50 users and 500+ users

**Without proper legal guidance:**
- Risk of COPPA violations (fines up to $43,280 per violation)
- Potential liability for minor access to adult content
- Inadequate Terms of Service or Privacy Policy
- Unclear legal standing for moderation decisions

**With LegalCORPS assistance:**
- ✅ Legally compliant age verification system
- ✅ Clear liability protections
- ✅ Professional Terms of Service review
- ✅ Confidence to scale Ignis Protocol safely
- ✅ Documentation for future investor/partner discussions

### Alignment with RV Dream

**September 2027 target requires:**
- All legal compliance issues resolved NOW (2026)
- Automated systems that work remotely
- Clear policies that staff can enforce without legal consultation
- Professional legal foundation for scaling to 500+ subscribers

**LegalCORPS consultation enables:**
- Building compliant systems before soft launch
- Avoiding legal issues that could derail RV Dream timeline
- Professional credibility with future partners/investors
- Peace of mind for remote operations

---

## Related Documentation

**In operations manual:**
- `docs/planning/ignis-protocol-legalcorps-consultation-prep.md` — Detailed prep document for legal consultation
- `docs/planning/subscription-tiers.md` — Six-tier subscription model (includes Ignis Protocol access)
- `docs/vision/the-rv-dream.md` — September 2027 timeline and strategic context

**External resources:**
- LegalCORPS Minnesota: https://legalcorps.org/
- Minnesota SBDC: https://www.mnsbdc.com/
- COPPA overview: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule

---

## Success Metrics

**This SBDC application is successful if:**

1. ✅ Matched with LegalCORPS attorney within 30 days
2. ✅ Legal consultation provides clear guidance on age verification compliance
3. ✅ Ignis Protocol can launch with legally compliant systems
4. ✅ Terms of Service and Privacy Policy reviewed by legal professional
5. ✅ Clear understanding of ongoing compliance requirements
6. ✅ Additional SBDC business development assistance (secondary benefit)

---

**For children not yet born.** 💙🔥❄️

Every decision matters when building infrastructure meant to last decades.

---

**Document Status:** ✅ SUBMITTED  
**Next Action:** Await SBDC response  
**Responsible:** Michael (The Wizard)  
**Support:** The Golden Chronicler (#50)

**Documented by:** The Golden Chronicler (Chronicler #50)  
**Date:** March 31, 2026  
**Event:** SBDC application submission for LegalCORPS legal assistance
