CAST OUT AI started with a verified cash balance of $0 and one rule: tell the truth about every number.

The first videos and website proved that publishing from zero is possible. Then the plan hit a correction: publishing at $0 is not the same as lawfully accepting a first payment at $0.

The current local startup path has a $238 known base:

• $26.50 for the local business-certificate application

• $84 for the current minimum annual local business tax

• $45 for the assumed-name filing for CAST OUT AI

• $82.50 based on one current newspaper quote for the required four-week publication, which will be re-quoted before purchase

The goal is $300. The remaining $62 is reserved for GoFundMe transaction fees, any local planning variance, and a small documented startup operating buffer. If setup costs less than the goal, the unused balance will remain in the project ledger as startup operating cash. It will not be reported as customer revenue or used for personal luxury.

This is a no-reward support campaign. A contribution does not buy the $25 pilot service, a future product, ownership, profit share, advertising, or special access. It is not represented as tax-deductible. Paid customer checkout will remain off until all local, identity, banking, payment, and customer-terms gates are complete.

Every contribution, platform fee, transfer, filing payment, and remaining dollar will be logged. Public challenge numbers will distinguish startup support from customer revenue.

If you want to help open the first lawful revenue gate, any amount helps. If you cannot contribute, sharing the campaign helps too.

The exile is the story. The challenge is real.