The Avalanche Foundation has announced a significant $40 million grant program, named Retro9000, aimed at incentivizing developers to build on the Avalanche blockchain. This initiative is designed to support the development of Layer 1 blockchains and essential developer tools on the upcoming Avalanche9000 testnet. The Retro9000 program offers retroactive grants to developers who contribute to the testnet and successfully launch their projects on the mainnet. The program also emphasizes community involvement, allowing the Avalanche community to vote on which projects deserve funding. This grant program is part of the broader Avalanche9000 upgrade, which aims to enhance interoperability and reduce barriers for developers deploying on the Avalanche network. The Avalanche9000 upgrade is expected to go live on the mainnet in November, with further details to be explored during the LATAM Summit on October 16.