Frequently Asked Questions | OriginRound

Understand how OriginRound's infrastructure works, including the Liquid SaaS Framework, zero-trust security, and how to keep 100% of your revenue.

General

What is OriginRound?

Origin Round is a zero-fee software distribution engine and infrastructure platform. We provide a 'zero-touch automation bridge' that connects Stripe payments directly to secure, cryptographic software access. It allows founders to build custom, programmable deals and Liquid Plans without writing complex billing logic.

Is OriginRound a marketplace?

No. The transaction is directly between the Buyer and the Partner. We enable partners to keep 100% of their recurring revenue, and buyers never have to worry about their favorite tools suddenly shutting down.

What is the Liquid SaaS Framework?

It is an open methodology and architectural standard that separates a software's billing layer from its access layer. By treating software seats like physical inventory, founders can issue 'Liquid Plans'-subscriptions or licenses that are held in an unconsumed state and can be safely transferred by the buyer without breaking the software's Terms of Service.

What is the mission of OriginRound?

To help founders build sustainable growth. With OriginRound, your subscription plans aren't trapped on your pricing page-they are unleashed into the world as tradable assets. Your offers can be sold on our platform, but they can also leave and be transferred by early birds, external partners, and our partner network of over 300,000 deal hunters elsewhere on the internet. This turns your community into an external distribution network, effectively dropping your ad spend to zero. We never touch your MRR. Ever.

Buying

How do I purchase a deal?

Complete the checkout process. 100% of your payment routes directly to the Partner's Stripe account. Our engine instantly grants access to the asset.

Can I get a refund?

Because OriginRound does not hold funds, all refund requests must be directed to the Partner. If a refund is processed via Stripe, our system automatically revokes your access to the digital asset.

Selling (Partners)

How do I become a Partner?

Register, create a Project, and connect your Stripe account. You operate entirely as the Merchant of Record.

What are Infrastructure Quotas (IQ)?

IQ represents your capacity to process sales through OriginRound. Founders buy IQ upfront (typically between $2.50 to $3.50 per unit) and consume IQ to create an asset. Once the asset is sold, you keep 100% of all future MRR. No hidden platform taxes.

How much from my sale do I keep?

100%. Because you process the initial checkout using your own Stripe account, the recurring subscription lives directly in your Stripe dashboard. From Month 2 to infinity, you keep every single penny. There are zero ongoing platform taxes.

The Liquid SaaS Framework

How does a Liquid Plan actually work?

When a user buys a transferable offer, the digital asset is placed in their vault in an unconsumed state. They pay the recurring subscription to maintain ownership. If they no longer need the software, they can use our secure transfer mechanism to technically hand over the asset to a new user. The new user then assumes the direct billing liability.

What happens to the billing when an asset is transferred?

Billing routes via two paths. 1) Pass-Over Routing: The original owner's subscription is instantly canceled. The new owner inputs their payment details to assume the recurring billing and unlock access. 2) Sponsorship (B2B): Frictionless enterprise distribution. The original buyer maintains financial liability and pays the subscription, while the access is sponsored and handed off to the new end-user.

Does allowing users to transfer unconsumed assets violate End User License Agreements (EULAs)?

No. Our architecture specifically handles this by transferring unconsumed access states, not active licenses. The software EULA and one-seat rule only activate at the exact millisecond the asset status changes to CONSUMED.

If a user transfers an early-bird deal, does the new owner keep the discount?

It depends entirely on the deal architecture programmed by the founder. Deals generally fall into main categories: One-Time Deals or Subscriptions (Standard, Introductory, and Contrast). The retention of discounts is dictated by the specific rules of that deal type.

What are One-Time Deals?

One-Time Deals require a single payment for access. These can include Lifetime Deals (LTDs), time-boxed access rentals, credit-based packages, or one-time flat discounts on existing prices.

What are Introductory (Linear) Deals?

Introductory Deals feature front-loaded discounts (e.g., 50% off for 6 months, or 6 months free) to incentivize new users. If an Introductory Deal is transferred, the transfer rule is 'DROP IT'. The new owner will inherit the remainder of the currently paid (or free) billing cycle. Once that cycle ends, the new owner forfeits the introductory discount and assumes the subscription at the full market rate.

What are Contrast (Oscillating) Deals?

Contrast Deals are perpetual looping subscriptions (e.g., 3 months at full price, followed by 3 months at half price). If a Contrast Deal is transferred, the transfer rule is 'INHERIT IT'. The new owner inherits the exact timeline phase and billing cycle of the previous owner.

Sponsorship - Can this system be used for Agency client handoffs or B2B enterprise sales?

Yes. Because the architecture separates the billing entity from the consuming entity, a sponsor (like a marketing agency) can pay for the plan but transfer the access rights to their client. The client gets the software, but the agency manages the billing.

How do I transfer an unconsumed asset to another user?

OriginRound provides the technical utility to transfer the ownership state of unconsumed assets. Because we are strictly an infrastructure provider—not a broker or marketplace—we do not facilitate, track, or manage any financial exchanges between users. We simply generate a secure, one-time Transfer Code that you can give to another user to execute the technical handoff.

Security & Technical Implementation

What is Zero-Trust Entitlement?

We do not rely on vulnerable local client checks that can be spoofed by pirates. Entitlement is validated entirely server-to-server. Claim codes are generated Just-In-Time (JIT) and remain hidden until the buyer intentionally breaks the cryptographic seal to claim their software.

What is the difference between a Secret Code (`code`) and a Public Reference (`ref`)?

Secret Code (`code`): The 29-character cryptographic key used only by the user to claim and unlock access for the first time. Public Reference (`ref`): A 14-character safe, read-only ID. It is used for background CRON jobs, database syncing, and public validation pages (allowing buyers on the secondary market to mathematically verify an asset exists without exposing its key).

What is Optional Programmable Metadata?

During offer creation, founders can attach a custom JSON payload (e.g., `{"license_tier": "pro", "discord_role_id": "987654321"}`). The exact millisecond the user consumes the asset, our API fires this JSON to your server, allowing you to instantly upgrade their SaaS tier, grant API limits, or unlock community roles without writing complex custom billing hooks.

OriginRound vs. Deal Marketplaces (AppSumo)

Is OriginRound just another lifetime deal platform?

No. The capabilities of AppSumo or other deal platforms represent just a tiny byproduct of the whole OriginRound infrastructure. While our platform allows you to create Lifetime Deals (LTDs) if you really want to, we actively encourage founders to build sustainable, transferable subscription models instead.

Is OriginRound better than AppSumo or other LTD platforms?

They serve different goals. AppSumo is a marketplace where you share 30-70% of revenue with the platform. OriginRound is zero-fee infrastructure-you keep 100% of every sale, forever. If you want a traditional marketplace that takes a massive cut, use AppSumo. If you want your own distribution network with zero platform taxes, use OriginRound.

What is the AppSumo alternative for SaaS founders who want to keep 100% of their revenue?

OriginRound. Unlike AppSumo, OriginRound charges a flat, one-time Infrastructure Quota (IQ) of $2.50–$3.50 per sale-not a percentage cut. Your recurring subscription revenue goes 100% directly to your Stripe account, month after month, forever.

Does OriginRound replace AppSumo?

It replaces the toxic parts: the massive revenue sharing and the 'lifetime deal death spiral'. AppSumo sells your product to their audience for a large cut. OriginRound gives you the checkout infrastructure to sell your own deals, tap into our partner network of 300K+ deal hunters, build a reseller network, create unique launch offers, and keep every penny.

Why are Lifetime Deals (LTDs) dangerous for SaaS startups?

LTDs promise forever-access for a one-time fee, creating infinite support debt with zero recurring revenue. Investors and acquirers view LTD liability as toxic. OriginRound's Liquid SaaS Framework replaces LTDs with transferable subscriptions-sustainable deals that incentivize early adopters without bankrupting your startup.

Can I sell lifetime deals without AppSumo?

Yes. OriginRound lets you create and sell any deal type-one-time passes, subscriptions, credit packs, or discount codes-directly through your own Stripe account. No marketplace approval. No revenue split. You go live in minutes.

How does Origin Round protect founders from the traditional 'LTD Death Spiral'?

Traditional lifetime deal marketplaces take up to a 70% revenue cut and force founders into a dangerous trap: thousands of permanent users demanding lifetime support and server costs, but contributing $0 in recurring revenue. Origin Round completely re-engineers this model to protect both founders and buyers: • 100% to the Founder: By connecting directly to your own Stripe account with 0% platform fees, you keep your full revenue to maximize your development and support runway. • Programmable & Convertible Deals: Instead of rigid, company-killing lifetime promises, you can structure introductory deals that automatically convert into sustainable Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR). • Built for Survival: When a founder secures long-term MRR and keeps their revenue, the company remains financially stable. The software actually survives, updates keep rolling out, and buyers never have to worry about their favorite tools suddenly shutting down.

Why is OriginRound better than traditional Lifetime Deals (LTDs)?

Toxic LTD platforms often starve companies of recurring revenue, creating infinite support debt that forces startups to shut down-taking your 'lifetime' access with them. OriginRound’s transferable subscriptions actually support your favorite tools and creators. By providing sustainable revenue, you give their startup a real chance to survive and improve, ensuring the software you bought never vanishes.