diff --git a/backend/api/urls.py b/backend/api/urls.py
index 9d72d499..883e1e0f 100644
--- a/backend/api/urls.py
+++ b/backend/api/urls.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from django.urls import path, include
 from rest_framework.routers import DefaultRouter
 from users.views import UserViewSet
-from contributions.views import ContributionTypeViewSet, ContributionViewSet, EvidenceViewSet, SubmittedContributionViewSet, StewardSubmissionViewSet, MissionViewSet
+from contributions.views import ContributionTypeViewSet, ContributionViewSet, EvidenceViewSet, SubmittedContributionViewSet, StewardSubmissionViewSet, MissionViewSet, StartupRequestViewSet
 from leaderboard.views import GlobalLeaderboardMultiplierViewSet, LeaderboardViewSet
 from rest_framework_simplejwt.views import TokenObtainPairView, TokenRefreshView, TokenVerifyView
 from .metrics_views import ActiveValidatorsView, ContributionTypesStatsView
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 router.register(r'submissions', SubmittedContributionViewSet, basename='submission')
 router.register(r'steward-submissions', StewardSubmissionViewSet, basename='steward-submission')
 router.register(r'missions', MissionViewSet, basename='mission')
+router.register(r'startup-requests', StartupRequestViewSet, basename='startup-request')
 
 # The API URLs are now determined automatically by the router
 urlpatterns = [
diff --git a/backend/contributions/admin.py b/backend/contributions/admin.py
index 0f406744..afa9275d 100644
--- a/backend/contributions/admin.py
+++ b/backend/contributions/admin.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
 from datetime import datetime
-from .models import Category, ContributionType, Contribution, SubmittedContribution, Evidence, ContributionHighlight, Mission
+from .models import Category, ContributionType, Contribution, SubmittedContribution, Evidence, ContributionHighlight, Mission, StartupRequest
 from .validator_forms import CreateValidatorForm
 from leaderboard.models import GlobalLeaderboardMultiplier
 
@@ -628,3 +628,38 @@ def get_status(self, obj):
         else:
             return format_html('<span style="color: red;">●</span> Inactive')
     get_status.short_description = 'Status'
+
+
+@admin.register(StartupRequest)
+class StartupRequestAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
+    list_display = ('id', 'title', 'get_status', 'order', 'created_at')
+    list_filter = ('is_active', 'created_at')
+    search_fields = ('title', 'description', 'short_description')
+    readonly_fields = ('id', 'created_at', 'updated_at')
+    list_editable = ('order',)
+    ordering = ('order', '-created_at')
+
+    fieldsets = (
+        (None, {
+            'fields': ('id', 'title', 'is_active', 'order')
+        }),
+        ('Content', {
+            'fields': ('short_description', 'description'),
+            'description': 'Short description is shown in the listing. Full description supports Markdown.'
+        }),
+        ('Documents', {
+            'fields': ('documents',),
+            'description': 'JSON array of document objects: [{"title": "...", "url": "...", "type": "pdf|image"}]'
+        }),
+        ('Metadata', {
+            'fields': ('created_at', 'updated_at'),
+            'classes': ('collapse',)
+        }),
+    )
+
+    def get_status(self, obj):
+        if obj.is_active:
+            return format_html('<span style="color: green;">●</span> Active')
+        else:
+            return format_html('<span style="color: red;">●</span> Inactive')
+    get_status.short_description = 'Status'
diff --git a/backend/contributions/migrations/0030_startuprequest.py b/backend/contributions/migrations/0030_startuprequest.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4a1a5cbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/contributions/migrations/0030_startuprequest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.2.10 on 2026-01-22 16:33
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('contributions', '0029_submittedcontribution_assigned_to_and_more'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.CreateModel(
+            name='StartupRequest',
+            fields=[
+                ('id', models.BigAutoField(auto_created=True, primary_key=True, serialize=False, verbose_name='ID')),
+                ('created_at', models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)),
+                ('updated_at', models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True)),
+                ('title', models.CharField(help_text='Title of the startup request', max_length=200)),
+                ('description', models.TextField(help_text='Full description (supports Markdown)')),
+                ('short_description', models.CharField(help_text='Brief description shown in listing (plain text)', max_length=300)),
+                ('documents', models.JSONField(blank=True, default=list, help_text='Array of document objects: [{title, url, type}]')),
+                ('is_active', models.BooleanField(default=True, help_text='Whether this startup request is currently visible')),
+                ('order', models.PositiveIntegerField(default=0, help_text='Display order (lower numbers appear first)')),
+            ],
+            options={
+                'verbose_name': 'Startup Request',
+                'verbose_name_plural': 'Startup Requests',
+                'ordering': ['order', '-created_at'],
+            },
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/backend/contributions/models.py b/backend/contributions/models.py
index 707794ea..900a1969 100644
--- a/backend/contributions/models.py
+++ b/backend/contributions/models.py
@@ -505,5 +505,51 @@ def get_active_highlights(cls, contribution_type=None, user=None, limit=5):
             'contribution__user',
             'contribution__contribution_type'
         )
-        
+
         return queryset[:limit]
+
+
+class StartupRequest(BaseModel):
+    """
+    Represents a startup idea/opportunity for the community to pursue.
+    Displayed in the builder contributions section as informational content.
+    """
+    title = models.CharField(
+        max_length=200,
+        help_text="Title of the startup request"
+    )
+    description = models.TextField(
+        help_text="Full description (supports Markdown)"
+    )
+    short_description = models.CharField(
+        max_length=300,
+        help_text="Brief description shown in listing (plain text)"
+    )
+    documents = models.JSONField(
+        default=list,
+        blank=True,
+        help_text="Array of document objects: [{title, url, type}]"
+    )
+    is_active = models.BooleanField(
+        default=True,
+        help_text="Whether this startup request is currently visible"
+    )
+    order = models.PositiveIntegerField(
+        default=0,
+        help_text="Display order (lower numbers appear first)"
+    )
+
+    class Meta:
+        ordering = ['order', '-created_at']
+        verbose_name = "Startup Request"
+        verbose_name_plural = "Startup Requests"
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        return self.title
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_active_requests(cls):
+        """
+        Get all active startup requests ordered by display order.
+        """
+        return cls.objects.filter(is_active=True).order_by('order', '-created_at')
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/contributions/recaptcha_field.py b/backend/contributions/recaptcha_field.py
index acb88e48..d1634adf 100644
--- a/backend/contributions/recaptcha_field.py
+++ b/backend/contributions/recaptcha_field.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 from django_recaptcha.fields import ReCaptchaField as DjangoReCaptchaField
 from django_recaptcha.widgets import ReCaptchaV2Checkbox
 
+from tally.middleware.tracing import trace_external
+
 
 class ReCaptchaField(serializers.Field):
     """
@@ -55,7 +57,8 @@ def to_internal_value(self, data):
         try:
             # Use django-recaptcha's validation
             # The field expects the token value directly
-            cleaned_value = self.django_field.clean(data)
+            with trace_external('recaptcha', 'verify'):
+                cleaned_value = self.django_field.clean(data)
             return cleaned_value
         except Exception as e:
             # Handle various validation errors
diff --git a/backend/contributions/serializers.py b/backend/contributions/serializers.py
index fecbfdb5..52d92aa2 100644
--- a/backend/contributions/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/contributions/serializers.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 from rest_framework import serializers
-from .models import ContributionType, Contribution, SubmittedContribution, Evidence, ContributionHighlight, Mission
+from .models import ContributionType, Contribution, SubmittedContribution, Evidence, ContributionHighlight, Mission, StartupRequest
 from users.serializers import UserSerializer, LightUserSerializer
 from users.models import User
 from .recaptcha_field import ReCaptchaField
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class ContributionTypeSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
     class Meta:
         model = ContributionType
         fields = [
-            'id', 'name', 'description', 'category', 'min_points', 'max_points',
+            'id', 'name', 'slug', 'description', 'category', 'min_points', 'max_points',
             'current_multiplier', 'is_submittable', 'examples',
             'created_at', 'updated_at'
         ]
@@ -619,3 +619,27 @@ class Meta:
 
     def get_is_active(self, obj):
         return obj.is_active()
+
+
+class StartupRequestListSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
+    """
+    Lightweight serializer for listing startup requests.
+    """
+    class Meta:
+        model = StartupRequest
+        fields = ['id', 'title', 'short_description', 'is_active', 'order', 'created_at']
+        read_only_fields = ['id', 'created_at']
+
+
+class StartupRequestDetailSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
+    """
+    Full serializer for startup request detail view.
+    Includes all fields for rendering the full page with markdown and documents.
+    """
+    class Meta:
+        model = StartupRequest
+        fields = [
+            'id', 'title', 'description', 'short_description',
+            'documents', 'is_active', 'order', 'created_at', 'updated_at'
+        ]
+        read_only_fields = ['id', 'created_at', 'updated_at']
diff --git a/backend/contributions/urls.py b/backend/contributions/urls.py
index cebb621a..3ccb89a1 100644
--- a/backend/contributions/urls.py
+++ b/backend/contributions/urls.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from .views import (
     ContributionTypeViewSet, ContributionViewSet, EvidenceViewSet,
     SubmittedContributionViewSet, SubmissionListView, submission_review_view,
-    MissionViewSet
+    MissionViewSet, StartupRequestViewSet
 )
 
 app_name = 'contributions'
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 router.register(r'evidence', EvidenceViewSet)
 router.register(r'submissions', SubmittedContributionViewSet, basename='submission')
 router.register(r'missions', MissionViewSet, basename='mission')
+router.register(r'startup-requests', StartupRequestViewSet, basename='startup-request')
 
 urlpatterns = [
     # API URLs
diff --git a/backend/contributions/views.py b/backend/contributions/views.py
index 8490cbc9..5193916b 100644
--- a/backend/contributions/views.py
+++ b/backend/contributions/views.py
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@
 from django.contrib import messages
 from django.views.generic import ListView
 from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
-from .models import ContributionType, Contribution, Evidence, SubmittedContribution, ContributionHighlight, Mission
+from .models import ContributionType, Contribution, Evidence, SubmittedContribution, ContributionHighlight, Mission, StartupRequest
 from .serializers import (ContributionTypeSerializer, ContributionSerializer,
                          EvidenceSerializer, SubmittedContributionSerializer,
                          SubmittedEvidenceSerializer, ContributionHighlightSerializer,
                          StewardSubmissionSerializer, StewardSubmissionReviewSerializer,
-                         MissionSerializer)
+                         MissionSerializer, StartupRequestListSerializer, StartupRequestDetailSerializer)
 from .forms import SubmissionReviewForm
 from .permissions import IsSteward
 from leaderboard.models import GlobalLeaderboardMultiplier
@@ -774,9 +774,15 @@ def add_evidence(self, request, pk=None):
 class StewardSubmissionFilterSet(FilterSet):
     """Custom filterset for steward submission filtering."""
     username_search = CharFilter(method='filter_username')
+    exclude_username = CharFilter(method='filter_exclude_username')
     assigned_to = CharFilter(method='filter_assigned_to')
-    exclude_medium_blogpost = BooleanFilter(method='filter_exclude_medium_blogpost')
+    exclude_assigned_to = CharFilter(method='filter_exclude_assigned_to')
+    exclude_contribution_type = NumberFilter(method='filter_exclude_contribution_type')
+    exclude_content = CharFilter(method='filter_exclude_content')
+    include_content = CharFilter(method='filter_include_content')
     exclude_empty_evidence = BooleanFilter(method='filter_exclude_empty_evidence')
+    only_empty_evidence = BooleanFilter(method='filter_only_empty_evidence')
+    exclude_state = CharFilter(method='filter_exclude_state')
     min_accepted_contributions = NumberFilter(method='filter_min_accepted_contributions')
 
     def filter_username(self, queryset, name, value):
@@ -789,6 +795,16 @@ def filter_username(self, queryset, name, value):
             )
         return queryset
 
+    def filter_exclude_username(self, queryset, name, value):
+        """Exclude submissions from users matching the search."""
+        if value:
+            return queryset.exclude(
+                Q(user__name__icontains=value) |
+                Q(user__email__icontains=value) |
+                Q(user__address__icontains=value)
+            )
+        return queryset
+
     def filter_assigned_to(self, queryset, name, value):
         """Filter by assigned steward or unassigned."""
         if value == 'null' or value == 'unassigned':
@@ -797,21 +813,58 @@ def filter_assigned_to(self, queryset, name, value):
             return queryset.filter(assigned_to_id=value)
         return queryset
 
-    def filter_exclude_medium_blogpost(self, queryset, name, value):
-        """Exclude submissions that have Medium blog post URLs in evidence or notes."""
+    def filter_exclude_assigned_to(self, queryset, name, value):
+        """Exclude submissions assigned to a specific steward."""
+        if value == 'null' or value == 'unassigned':
+            return queryset.exclude(assigned_to__isnull=True)
+        elif value:
+            return queryset.exclude(assigned_to_id=value)
+        return queryset
+
+    def filter_exclude_contribution_type(self, queryset, name, value):
+        """Exclude submissions of a specific contribution type."""
         if value:
-            # Subquery: check if submission has any evidence with medium.com URL
-            has_medium_evidence = Evidence.objects.filter(
-                submitted_contribution=OuterRef('pk'),
-                url__icontains='medium.com'
-            )
-            # Exclude submissions where:
-            # - Any evidence URL contains medium.com OR
-            # - Notes contain medium.com
-            return queryset.exclude(
-                Exists(has_medium_evidence) |
-                Q(notes__icontains='medium.com')
-            )
+            return queryset.exclude(contribution_type_id=value)
+        return queryset
+
+    def filter_exclude_state(self, queryset, name, value):
+        """Exclude submissions with specific state."""
+        if value:
+            return queryset.exclude(state=value)
+        return queryset
+
+    def filter_exclude_content(self, queryset, name, value):
+        """Exclude submissions containing text in notes or evidence. Supports comma-separated values."""
+        if value:
+            for term in value.split(','):
+                term = term.strip()
+                if term:
+                    has_matching_evidence = Evidence.objects.filter(
+                        submitted_contribution=OuterRef('pk')
+                    ).filter(
+                        Q(url__icontains=term) | Q(description__icontains=term)
+                    )
+                    queryset = queryset.exclude(
+                        Exists(has_matching_evidence) |
+                        Q(notes__icontains=term)
+                    )
+        return queryset
+
+    def filter_include_content(self, queryset, name, value):
+        """Include ONLY submissions containing text in notes or evidence. Supports comma-separated values."""
+        if value:
+            for term in value.split(','):
+                term = term.strip()
+                if term:
+                    has_matching_evidence = Evidence.objects.filter(
+                        submitted_contribution=OuterRef('pk')
+                    ).filter(
+                        Q(url__icontains=term) | Q(description__icontains=term)
+                    )
+                    queryset = queryset.filter(
+                        Exists(has_matching_evidence) |
+                        Q(notes__icontains=term)
+                    )
         return queryset
 
     def filter_exclude_empty_evidence(self, queryset, name, value):
@@ -832,6 +885,20 @@ def filter_exclude_empty_evidence(self, queryset, name, value):
             )
         return queryset
 
+    def filter_only_empty_evidence(self, queryset, name, value):
+        """Include ONLY submissions without URL evidence (inverse of exclude_empty_evidence)."""
+        if value:
+            has_url_evidence = Evidence.objects.filter(
+                submitted_contribution=OuterRef('pk'),
+                url__gt=''
+            )
+            return queryset.filter(
+                ~Exists(has_url_evidence) &
+                ~Q(notes__icontains='http://') &
+                ~Q(notes__icontains='https://')
+            )
+        return queryset
+
     def filter_min_accepted_contributions(self, queryset, name, value):
         """Exclude submissions from users with less than N accepted contributions."""
         if value and value > 0:
@@ -1170,3 +1237,25 @@ def get_queryset(self):
             queryset = queryset.filter(contribution_type__category__slug=category)
 
         return queryset
+
+
+class StartupRequestViewSet(viewsets.ReadOnlyModelViewSet):
+    """
+    Read-only ViewSet for startup requests.
+    Management is done through Django admin.
+    """
+    permission_classes = [permissions.AllowAny]
+
+    def get_queryset(self):
+        """
+        Return active startup requests ordered by display order.
+        """
+        return StartupRequest.get_active_requests()
+
+    def get_serializer_class(self):
+        """
+        Use appropriate serializer based on action.
+        """
+        if self.action == 'retrieve':
+            return StartupRequestDetailSerializer
+        return StartupRequestListSerializer
diff --git a/backend/tally/middleware/__init__.py b/backend/tally/middleware/__init__.py
index 802db835..f9f2dd26 100644
--- a/backend/tally/middleware/__init__.py
+++ b/backend/tally/middleware/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
-"""Tally middleware package for logging."""
+"""Tally middleware package for logging and tracing."""
 from .api_logging import APILoggingMiddleware
 from .db_logging import DBLoggingMiddleware
+from .tracing import (
+    trace_segment,
+    trace_external,
+)
 
-__all__ = ['APILoggingMiddleware', 'DBLoggingMiddleware']
+__all__ = [
+    'APILoggingMiddleware',
+    'DBLoggingMiddleware',
+    'trace_segment',
+    'trace_external',
+]
diff --git a/backend/tally/middleware/api_logging.py b/backend/tally/middleware/api_logging.py
index 7434a99d..f52a5e0d 100644
--- a/backend/tally/middleware/api_logging.py
+++ b/backend/tally/middleware/api_logging.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 """
 API Layer Logging Middleware.
 
-Logs HTTP requests/responses for the [API] layer (Frontend <-> Backend).
+Logs HTTP requests/responses for the [API] layer with smart trace breakdown.
+- DEBUG=true: Logs all requests; shows breakdown for slow requests (>100ms)
+- DEBUG=false: Logs only 5xx errors with breakdown
 """
 import time
 from django.conf import settings
@@ -13,6 +15,14 @@
     clear_correlation_id,
     format_bytes,
 )
+from .tracing import (
+    init_tracing,
+    clear_tracing,
+    get_segments,
+    format_breakdown,
+    should_expand_trace,
+    get_external_segments,
+)
 
 
 logger = get_api_logger()
@@ -20,10 +30,11 @@
 
 class APILoggingMiddleware:
     """
-    Middleware to log HTTP requests and responses.
+    Middleware to log HTTP requests and responses with trace breakdown.
 
-    DEBUG=true: Logs all requests with method, path, status, duration, size
-    DEBUG=false: Logs only errors (4xx, 5xx)
+    Logging behavior:
+    - DEBUG=true: All requests logged; breakdown shown for requests > 100ms
+    - DEBUG=false: Only 5xx errors logged (always with breakdown)
     """
 
     # Paths to skip logging
@@ -43,9 +54,10 @@ def __call__(self, request):
         if any(request.path.startswith(path) for path in self.SKIP_PATHS):
             return self.get_response(request)
 
-        # Generate and set correlation ID
+        # Initialize request tracking
         correlation_id = generate_correlation_id()
         set_correlation_id(correlation_id)
+        init_tracing()
 
         # Start timing
         start_time = time.time()
@@ -62,14 +74,27 @@ def __call__(self, request):
         # Get DB stats if available (set by DBLoggingMiddleware)
         db_query_count = getattr(request, '_db_query_count', 0)
         db_time_ms = getattr(request, '_db_time_ms', 0)
-        logic_time_ms = duration_ms - db_time_ms
 
-        # Build log message with timing breakdown
-        if db_query_count > 0:
-            timing_info = f"{duration_ms:.0f}ms (db: {db_time_ms:.0f}ms/{db_query_count}q, logic: {logic_time_ms:.0f}ms)"
+        # Get trace segments
+        segments = get_segments()
+        external_segments = get_external_segments(segments)
+
+        # Determine logging behavior
+        is_server_error = response.status_code >= 500
+        is_slow = should_expand_trace(duration_ms)
+        has_external = len(external_segments) > 0
+
+        # Show breakdown for slow requests or errors (only if there's something interesting)
+        show_breakdown = is_server_error or (settings.DEBUG and is_slow and (has_external or db_query_count > 0))
+
+        # Build timing info string - use full breakdown for slow/error requests
+        if show_breakdown:
+            breakdown = format_breakdown(duration_ms, db_time_ms, db_query_count, segments)
+            timing_info = f"{duration_ms:.0f}ms ({breakdown})"
         else:
-            timing_info = f"{duration_ms:.0f}ms"
+            timing_info = self._build_timing_info(duration_ms, db_time_ms, db_query_count)
 
+        # Build log message
         log_message = (
             f"{request.method} {request.path} "
             f"{response.status_code} "
@@ -77,20 +102,19 @@ def __call__(self, request):
             f"{format_bytes(response_size)}"
         )
 
-        # Log based on status code and DEBUG setting
-        is_error = response.status_code >= 400
-
-        if is_error:
-            # Always log errors
-            if response.status_code >= 500:
-                logger.error(log_message)
-            else:
-                logger.warning(log_message)
+        if is_server_error:
+            logger.error(log_message)
         elif settings.DEBUG:
-            # In debug mode, log all requests
-            logger.info(log_message)
+            logger.debug(log_message)
 
-        # Clear correlation ID
+        # Clear request tracking
         clear_correlation_id()
+        clear_tracing()
 
         return response
+
+    def _build_timing_info(self, duration_ms: float, db_time_ms: float, db_query_count: int) -> str:
+        """Build the timing info string for the log message."""
+        if db_query_count > 0:
+            return f"{duration_ms:.0f}ms (db: {db_time_ms:.0f}ms/{db_query_count}q)"
+        return f"{duration_ms:.0f}ms"
diff --git a/backend/tally/middleware/logging_utils.py b/backend/tally/middleware/logging_utils.py
index ffc99a5d..5e0b5959 100644
--- a/backend/tally/middleware/logging_utils.py
+++ b/backend/tally/middleware/logging_utils.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class LayeredFormatter(logging.Formatter):
         'tally.api': 'API',
         'tally.db': 'DB',
         'tally.app': 'APP',
+        'tally.trace': 'TRACE',
     }
 
     def format(self, record: logging.LogRecord) -> str:
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ class LayeredJSONFormatter(logging.Formatter):
         'tally.api': 'API',
         'tally.db': 'DB',
         'tally.app': 'APP',
+        'tally.trace': 'TRACE',
     }
 
     def format(self, record: logging.LogRecord) -> str:
diff --git a/backend/tally/middleware/tracing.py b/backend/tally/middleware/tracing.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b70874c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tally/middleware/tracing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+"""
+Request Tracing Module.
+
+Provides utilities for timing code segments within a request lifecycle.
+Enables identification of bottlenecks by breaking down request processing
+into measurable segments (internal operations and external calls).
+"""
+import threading
+import time
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+
+# Threshold for expanding trace breakdown in logs
+EXPAND_THRESHOLD_MS = 100
+
+# Thread-local storage for current request's trace data
+_trace_data = threading.local()
+
+
+def init_tracing() -> None:
+    """Initialize tracing for a new request."""
+    _trace_data.segments = []
+    _trace_data.start_time = time.time()
+
+
+def clear_tracing() -> None:
+    """Clear tracing data after request completes."""
+    _trace_data.segments = []
+    _trace_data.start_time = None
+
+
+def record_segment(name: str, duration_ms: float, is_external: bool = False) -> None:
+    """
+    Record a completed segment timing.
+
+    Args:
+        name: Segment identifier (e.g., 'permissions', 'serialization', 'ext:github:check_star')
+        duration_ms: Duration in milliseconds
+        is_external: Whether this is an external API call
+    """
+    segments = getattr(_trace_data, 'segments', None)
+    if segments is None:
+        _trace_data.segments = []
+        segments = _trace_data.segments
+
+    segments.append({
+        'name': name,
+        'duration_ms': duration_ms,
+        'is_external': is_external,
+    })
+
+
+def get_segments() -> list:
+    """Get all recorded segments for current request."""
+    return getattr(_trace_data, 'segments', [])
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def trace_segment(name: str):
+    """
+    Context manager for timing a code segment.
+
+    Usage:
+        with trace_segment('fetch_user_data'):
+            user_data = fetch_user_data()
+
+    Args:
+        name: Identifier for the segment (e.g., 'queryset', 'validation')
+    """
+    start_time = time.time()
+    try:
+        yield
+    finally:
+        duration_ms = (time.time() - start_time) * 1000
+        record_segment(name, duration_ms, is_external=False)
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def trace_external(service: str, operation: str):
+    """
+    Context manager for timing external API calls.
+
+    Usage:
+        with trace_external('github', 'check_star'):
+            response = requests.get(github_url)
+
+    Args:
+        service: External service name (e.g., 'github', 'cloudinary', 'genlayer')
+        operation: Operation being performed (e.g., 'check_star', 'upload')
+    """
+    segment_name = f"ext:{service}:{operation}"
+    start_time = time.time()
+    try:
+        yield
+    finally:
+        duration_ms = (time.time() - start_time) * 1000
+        record_segment(segment_name, duration_ms, is_external=True)
+
+
+def get_external_segments(segments: list) -> list:
+    """
+    Get only external segments from the segment list.
+
+    Args:
+        segments: List of segment dicts from get_segments()
+
+    Returns:
+        List of external segment dicts (aggregated by name)
+    """
+    # Aggregate external segments with the same name
+    aggregated = {}
+    for segment in segments:
+        if not segment.get('is_external', False):
+            continue
+        name = segment['name']
+        if name in aggregated:
+            aggregated[name]['duration_ms'] += segment['duration_ms']
+            aggregated[name]['count'] += 1
+        else:
+            aggregated[name] = {
+                'name': name,
+                'duration_ms': segment['duration_ms'],
+                'count': 1,
+            }
+
+    # Sort by duration descending
+    return sorted(aggregated.values(), key=lambda s: s['duration_ms'], reverse=True)
+
+
+def format_breakdown(
+    total_ms: float,
+    db_time_ms: float,
+    db_query_count: int,
+    segments: list,
+) -> str:
+    """
+    Format a timing breakdown as a single-line string.
+
+    Shows:
+    - db: Database query time (with query count)
+    - ext:*: External API calls (if any)
+    - app: Application code time (serialization, view logic, etc.)
+
+    Args:
+        total_ms: Total request duration in milliseconds
+        db_time_ms: Database query time in milliseconds
+        db_query_count: Number of database queries
+        segments: List of segment dicts from get_segments()
+
+    Returns:
+        Single-line string with timing breakdown, e.g.:
+        "db: 317ms/45q, app: 1243ms" or
+        "db: 50ms/5q, ext:github:check_star: 780ms, app: 20ms"
+    """
+    external_segments = get_external_segments(segments)
+
+    # Calculate total external time
+    total_external_ms = sum(s['duration_ms'] for s in external_segments)
+
+    # Calculate app time (everything not db or external)
+    app_time_ms = max(0, total_ms - db_time_ms - total_external_ms)
+
+    # Build the breakdown parts
+    parts = []
+
+    # Add db time first
+    if db_query_count > 0:
+        parts.append(f"db: {db_time_ms:.0f}ms/{db_query_count}q")
+
+    # Add external segments
+    for segment in external_segments:
+        name = segment['name']
+        duration = segment['duration_ms']
+        count = segment['count']
+        count_suffix = f" x{count}" if count > 1 else ""
+        parts.append(f"{name}: {duration:.0f}ms{count_suffix}")
+
+    # Add app time
+    parts.append(f"app: {app_time_ms:.0f}ms")
+
+    return ", ".join(parts)
+
+
+def should_expand_trace(duration_ms: float) -> bool:
+    """
+    Determine if the trace breakdown should be shown.
+
+    Args:
+        duration_ms: Total request duration in milliseconds
+
+    Returns:
+        True if breakdown should be displayed
+    """
+    return duration_ms >= EXPAND_THRESHOLD_MS
diff --git a/backend/tally/settings.py b/backend/tally/settings.py
index 70e5773f..b50ed155 100644
--- a/backend/tally/settings.py
+++ b/backend/tally/settings.py
@@ -360,6 +360,11 @@ def get_port_from_argv():
             'level': 'DEBUG' if DEBUG else 'WARNING',
             'propagate': False,
         },
+        'tally.trace': {
+            'handlers': ['console'],
+            'level': 'DEBUG' if DEBUG else 'WARNING',
+            'propagate': False,
+        },
         # Silence noisy Django loggers
         'django': {
             'handlers': ['console'],
diff --git a/backend/users/cloudinary_service.py b/backend/users/cloudinary_service.py
index 1faae0e7..8e5c1f2e 100644
--- a/backend/users/cloudinary_service.py
+++ b/backend/users/cloudinary_service.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 import time
 
 from tally.middleware.logging_utils import get_app_logger
+from tally.middleware.tracing import trace_external
 
 logger = get_app_logger('cloudinary')
 
@@ -63,13 +64,14 @@ def upload_profile_image(cls, image_file, user_id: int) -> Dict:
             upload_preset = getattr(settings, 'CLOUDINARY_UPLOAD_PRESET', 'tally_unsigned')
             timestamp = int(time.time())
             
-            result = cloudinary.uploader.unsigned_upload(
-                image_file,
-                upload_preset,
-                public_id=f"user_{user_id}_profile_{timestamp}",
-                folder="tally/profiles"
-            )
-            
+            with trace_external('cloudinary', 'upload_profile'):
+                result = cloudinary.uploader.unsigned_upload(
+                    image_file,
+                    upload_preset,
+                    public_id=f"user_{user_id}_profile_{timestamp}",
+                    folder="tally/profiles"
+                )
+
             # Build URL with transformations
             transformation_str = "w_400,h_400,c_fill,g_face,q_auto:good,f_auto"
             base_url = result['secure_url']
@@ -114,13 +116,14 @@ def upload_banner_image(cls, image_file, user_id: int) -> Dict:
             upload_preset = getattr(settings, 'CLOUDINARY_UPLOAD_PRESET', 'tally_unsigned')
             timestamp = int(time.time())
             
-            result = cloudinary.uploader.unsigned_upload(
-                image_file,
-                upload_preset,
-                public_id=f"user_{user_id}_banner_{timestamp}",
-                folder="tally/banners"
-            )
-            
+            with trace_external('cloudinary', 'upload_banner'):
+                result = cloudinary.uploader.unsigned_upload(
+                    image_file,
+                    upload_preset,
+                    public_id=f"user_{user_id}_banner_{timestamp}",
+                    folder="tally/banners"
+                )
+
             # Build URL with transformations
             transformation_str = "w_1500,h_500,c_fill,g_center,q_auto:good,f_auto"
             base_url = result['secure_url']
@@ -162,7 +165,8 @@ def delete_image(cls, public_id: str) -> bool:
             
         try:
             cls.configure()
-            result = cloudinary.uploader.destroy(public_id)
+            with trace_external('cloudinary', 'delete'):
+                result = cloudinary.uploader.destroy(public_id)
             return result.get('result') == 'ok'
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Failed to delete image: {str(e)}")
diff --git a/backend/users/genlayer_service.py b/backend/users/genlayer_service.py
index 606e78f2..8c82c246 100644
--- a/backend/users/genlayer_service.py
+++ b/backend/users/genlayer_service.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 from web3 import Web3
 
 from tally.middleware.logging_utils import get_app_logger
+from tally.middleware.tracing import trace_external
 
 logger = get_app_logger('genlayer')
 
@@ -74,10 +75,11 @@ def get_user_deployments(self, wallet_address: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
                 logger.debug("Making request to Studio API")
                 
                 try:
-                    response = self.client.provider.make_request(
-                        method="sim_getTransactionsForAddress",
-                        params=[wallet_address]
-                    )
+                    with trace_external('genlayer', 'get_transactions'):
+                        response = self.client.provider.make_request(
+                            method="sim_getTransactionsForAddress",
+                            params=[wallet_address]
+                        )
                 except Exception as api_error:
                     # Log the raw error for debugging
                     logger.error(f"Raw API error: {str(api_error)}")
diff --git a/backend/users/github_oauth.py b/backend/users/github_oauth.py
index 89c052e7..09e6761f 100644
--- a/backend/users/github_oauth.py
+++ b/backend/users/github_oauth.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 from cryptography.fernet import Fernet, InvalidToken
 from .models import User
 from tally.middleware.logging_utils import get_app_logger
+from tally.middleware.tracing import trace_external
 
 logger = get_app_logger('github_oauth')
 
@@ -176,9 +177,10 @@ def github_oauth_callback(request):
     headers = {'Accept': 'application/json'}
 
     try:
-        token_response = requests.post(token_url, data=token_params, headers=headers)
-        token_response.raise_for_status()
-        token_data = token_response.json()
+        with trace_external('github', 'token_exchange'):
+            token_response = requests.post(token_url, data=token_params, headers=headers)
+            token_response.raise_for_status()
+            token_data = token_response.json()
 
         if 'error' in token_data:
             logger.error("GitHub token exchange error")
@@ -214,9 +216,10 @@ def github_oauth_callback(request):
             'Accept': 'application/json'
         }
 
-        user_response = requests.get(user_url, headers=user_headers)
-        user_response.raise_for_status()
-        github_user = user_response.json()
+        with trace_external('github', 'get_user'):
+            user_response = requests.get(user_url, headers=user_headers)
+            user_response.raise_for_status()
+            github_user = user_response.json()
 
         # Get user from state token
         # User ID must be present in state since we require authentication to initiate OAuth
@@ -345,13 +348,15 @@ def check_repo_star(request):
         if user.github_access_token and 'Authorization' in headers:
             # Authenticated API: GET /user/starred/{owner}/{repo} returns 204 if starred, 404 if not
             url = f'https://api.github.com/user/starred/{owner}/{repo}'
-            response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
+            with trace_external('github', 'check_star'):
+                response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
             has_starred = response.status_code == 204
         else:
             # Public API: Check in user's starred repos list
             # This is less efficient but works without authentication
             url = f'https://api.github.com/users/{user.github_username}/starred'
-            response = requests.get(url, headers={'Accept': 'application/json'})
+            with trace_external('github', 'check_star_public'):
+                response = requests.get(url, headers={'Accept': 'application/json'})
 
             if response.status_code == 200:
                 starred_repos = response.json()
diff --git a/backend/users/views.py b/backend/users/views.py
index 36757fe5..a6875057 100644
--- a/backend/users/views.py
+++ b/backend/users/views.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 import string
 
 from tally.middleware.logging_utils import get_app_logger
+from tally.middleware.tracing import trace_external
 
 logger = get_app_logger('users')
 
@@ -504,7 +505,8 @@ def complete_builder_journey(self, request):
             from django.conf import settings
             web3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider(settings.VALIDATOR_RPC_URL))
             checksum_address = Web3.to_checksum_address(user.address)
-            balance_wei = web3.eth.get_balance(checksum_address)
+            with trace_external('web3', 'get_balance'):
+                balance_wei = web3.eth.get_balance(checksum_address)
             balance_eth = web3.from_wei(balance_wei, 'ether')
             
             if balance_eth <= 0:
diff --git a/backend/validators/genlayer_validators_service.py b/backend/validators/genlayer_validators_service.py
index c7f0de2b..815960d5 100644
--- a/backend/validators/genlayer_validators_service.py
+++ b/backend/validators/genlayer_validators_service.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 from web3 import Web3
 
 from tally.middleware.logging_utils import get_app_logger
+from tally.middleware.tracing import trace_external
 
 logger = get_app_logger('validators')
 
@@ -172,7 +173,8 @@ def fetch_active_validators(self) -> List[str]:
             List of validator wallet addresses
         """
         try:
-            validators = self.staking_contract.functions.activeValidators().call()
+            with trace_external('web3', 'active_validators'):
+                validators = self.staking_contract.functions.activeValidators().call()
             # Filter out invalid addresses
             valid_validators = [
                 addr for addr in validators
@@ -199,9 +201,10 @@ def fetch_banned_validators(self, start_index: int = 0, size: int = 1000) -> Lis
             List of validator data with address, untilEpochBanned, permanently_banned
         """
         try:
-            banned_list = self.staking_contract.functions.getAllBannedValidators(
-                start_index, size
-            ).call()
+            with trace_external('web3', 'banned_validators'):
+                banned_list = self.staking_contract.functions.getAllBannedValidators(
+                    start_index, size
+                ).call()
 
             result = []
             for banned in banned_list:
@@ -228,7 +231,8 @@ def fetch_validator_view(self, validator_address: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any
         """
         try:
             checksum_address = Web3.to_checksum_address(validator_address)
-            view = self.staking_contract.functions.validatorView(checksum_address).call()
+            with trace_external('web3', 'validator_view'):
+                view = self.staking_contract.functions.validatorView(checksum_address).call()
 
             return {
                 'left': view[0],
@@ -257,7 +261,8 @@ def fetch_operator_for_wallet(self, wallet_address: str) -> Optional[str]:
         """
         try:
             contract = self._get_validator_wallet_contract(wallet_address)
-            operator = contract.functions.operator().call()
+            with trace_external('web3', 'get_operator'):
+                operator = contract.functions.operator().call()
 
             # Check for zero address
             if operator.lower() == '0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000':
@@ -280,7 +285,8 @@ def fetch_validator_identity(self, wallet_address: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, An
         """
         try:
             contract = self._get_validator_wallet_contract(wallet_address)
-            identity = contract.functions.getIdentity().call()
+            with trace_external('web3', 'get_identity'):
+                identity = contract.functions.getIdentity().call()
 
             return {
                 'moniker': identity[0],
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.svelte b/frontend/src/App.svelte
index 723b1621..a30afc90 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/App.svelte
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@
   import Referrals from './routes/Referrals.svelte';
   import Supporters from './routes/Supporters.svelte';
   import GlobalDashboard from './components/GlobalDashboard.svelte';
+  import StartupRequestDetail from './routes/StartupRequestDetail.svelte';
 
   // Define routes
   const routes = {
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@
     '/builders/highlights': Highlights,
     '/builders/leaderboard': Leaderboard,
     '/builders/welcome': BuilderWelcome,
+    '/builders/startup-requests/:id': StartupRequestDetail,
     
     // Validators routes
     '/validators': Dashboard,
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Icons.svelte b/frontend/src/components/Icons.svelte
index b5d6eea7..edde579b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Icons.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Icons.svelte
@@ -73,7 +73,9 @@
     
     sparkle: 'M22 0c0 16.9-9.1 32-22 32c12.9 0 22 15.1 22 32c0-16.9 9.1-32 22-32c-12.9 0-22-15.1-22-32M53 0c0 8.4-4.6 16-11 16c6.4 0 11 7.6 11 16c0-8.4 4.6-16 11-16c-6.4 0-11-7.6-11-16M48 32c0 8.4-4.6 16-11 16c6.4 0 11 7.6 11 16c0-8.4 4.6-16 11-16c-6.4 0-11-7.6-11-16',
 
-    network: 'M27 21.75c-0.795 0.004-1.538 0.229-2.169 0.616l0.018-0.010-2.694-2.449c0.724-1.105 1.154-2.459 1.154-3.913 0-1.572-0.503-3.027-1.358-4.212l0.015 0.021 3.062-3.062c0.57 0.316 1.249 0.503 1.971 0.508h0.002c2.347 0 4.25-1.903 4.25-4.25s-1.903-4.25-4.25-4.25c-2.347 0-4.25 1.903-4.25 4.25v0c0.005 0.724 0.193 1.403 0.519 1.995l-0.011-0.022-3.062 3.062c-1.147-0.84-2.587-1.344-4.144-1.344-0.868 0-1.699 0.157-2.467 0.443l0.049-0.016-0.644-1.17c0.726-0.757 1.173-1.787 1.173-2.921 0-2.332-1.891-4.223-4.223-4.223s-4.223 1.891-4.223 4.223c0 2.332 1.891 4.223 4.223 4.223 0.306 0 0.605-0.033 0.893-0.095l-0.028 0.005 0.642 1.166c-1.685 1.315-2.758 3.345-2.758 5.627 0 0.605 0.076 1.193 0.218 1.754l-0.011-0.049-0.667 0.283c-0.78-0.904-1.927-1.474-3.207-1.474-2.334 0-4.226 1.892-4.226 4.226s1.892 4.226 4.226 4.226c2.334 0 4.226-1.892 4.226-4.226 0-0.008-0-0.017-0-0.025v0.001c-0.008-0.159-0.023-0.307-0.046-0.451l0.003 0.024 0.667-0.283c1.303 2.026 3.547 3.349 6.1 3.349 1.703 0 3.268-0.589 4.503-1.574l-0.015 0.011 2.702 2.455c-0.258 0.526-0.41 1.144-0.414 1.797v0.001c0 2.347 1.903 4.25 4.25 4.25s4.25-1.903 4.25-4.25c0-2.347-1.903-4.25-4.25-4.25v0zM8.19 5c0-0.966 0.784-1.75 1.75-1.75s1.75 0.784 1.75 1.75c0 0.966-0.784 1.75-1.75 1.75v0c-0.966-0.001-1.749-0.784-1.75-1.75v-0zM5 22.42c-0.966-0.001-1.748-0.783-1.748-1.749s0.783-1.749 1.749-1.749c0.966 0 1.748 0.782 1.749 1.748v0c-0.001 0.966-0.784 1.749-1.75 1.75h-0zM27 3.25c0.966 0 1.75 0.784 1.75 1.75s-0.784 1.75-1.75 1.75c-0.966 0-1.75-0.784-1.75-1.75v0c0.001-0.966 0.784-1.749 1.75-1.75h0zM11.19 16c0-0.001 0-0.002 0-0.003 0-2.655 2.152-4.807 4.807-4.807 1.328 0 2.53 0.539 3.4 1.409l0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001c0.87 0.87 1.407 2.072 1.407 3.399 0 2.656-2.153 4.808-4.808 4.808s-4.808-2.153-4.808-4.808c0-0 0-0 0-0v0zM27 27.75c-0.966 0-1.75-0.784-1.75-1.75s0.784-1.75 1.75-1.75c0.966 0 1.75 0.784 1.75 1.75v0c-0.001 0.966-0.784 1.749-1.75 1.75h-0z'
+    network: 'M27 21.75c-0.795 0.004-1.538 0.229-2.169 0.616l0.018-0.010-2.694-2.449c0.724-1.105 1.154-2.459 1.154-3.913 0-1.572-0.503-3.027-1.358-4.212l0.015 0.021 3.062-3.062c0.57 0.316 1.249 0.503 1.971 0.508h0.002c2.347 0 4.25-1.903 4.25-4.25s-1.903-4.25-4.25-4.25c-2.347 0-4.25 1.903-4.25 4.25v0c0.005 0.724 0.193 1.403 0.519 1.995l-0.011-0.022-3.062 3.062c-1.147-0.84-2.587-1.344-4.144-1.344-0.868 0-1.699 0.157-2.467 0.443l0.049-0.016-0.644-1.17c0.726-0.757 1.173-1.787 1.173-2.921 0-2.332-1.891-4.223-4.223-4.223s-4.223 1.891-4.223 4.223c0 2.332 1.891 4.223 4.223 4.223 0.306 0 0.605-0.033 0.893-0.095l-0.028 0.005 0.642 1.166c-1.685 1.315-2.758 3.345-2.758 5.627 0 0.605 0.076 1.193 0.218 1.754l-0.011-0.049-0.667 0.283c-0.78-0.904-1.927-1.474-3.207-1.474-2.334 0-4.226 1.892-4.226 4.226s1.892 4.226 4.226 4.226c2.334 0 4.226-1.892 4.226-4.226 0-0.008-0-0.017-0-0.025v0.001c-0.008-0.159-0.023-0.307-0.046-0.451l0.003 0.024 0.667-0.283c1.303 2.026 3.547 3.349 6.1 3.349 1.703 0 3.268-0.589 4.503-1.574l-0.015 0.011 2.702 2.455c-0.258 0.526-0.41 1.144-0.414 1.797v0.001c0 2.347 1.903 4.25 4.25 4.25s4.25-1.903 4.25-4.25c0-2.347-1.903-4.25-4.25-4.25v0zM8.19 5c0-0.966 0.784-1.75 1.75-1.75s1.75 0.784 1.75 1.75c0 0.966-0.784 1.75-1.75 1.75v0c-0.966-0.001-1.749-0.784-1.75-1.75v-0zM5 22.42c-0.966-0.001-1.748-0.783-1.748-1.749s0.783-1.749 1.749-1.749c0.966 0 1.748 0.782 1.749 1.748v0c-0.001 0.966-0.784 1.749-1.75 1.75h-0zM27 3.25c0.966 0 1.75 0.784 1.75 1.75s-0.784 1.75-1.75 1.75c-0.966 0-1.75-0.784-1.75-1.75v0c0.001-0.966 0.784-1.749 1.75-1.75h0zM11.19 16c0-0.001 0-0.002 0-0.003 0-2.655 2.152-4.807 4.807-4.807 1.328 0 2.53 0.539 3.4 1.409l0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001c0.87 0.87 1.407 2.072 1.407 3.399 0 2.656-2.153 4.808-4.808 4.808s-4.808-2.153-4.808-4.808c0-0 0-0 0-0v0zM27 27.75c-0.966 0-1.75-0.784-1.75-1.75s0.784-1.75 1.75-1.75c0.966 0 1.75 0.784 1.75 1.75v0c-0.001 0.966-0.784 1.749-1.75 1.75h-0z',
+
+    megaphone: 'M18 8h2a1 1 0 011 1v6a1 1 0 01-1 1h-2l-5 4V4l5 4zm-7 4a3 3 0 11-6 0 3 3 0 016 0z'
   };
 </script>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/StartupRequests.svelte b/frontend/src/components/StartupRequests.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3ca82585
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/StartupRequests.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+<script>
+  import { onMount } from 'svelte';
+  import { push } from 'svelte-spa-router';
+  import { contributionsAPI } from '../lib/api';
+  import { showError } from '../lib/toastStore';
+  import { currentCategory } from '../stores/category.js';
+  import { getPioneerContributionsColors } from '../lib/categoryColors.js';
+  import Icons from './Icons.svelte';
+
+  // State
+  let startupRequests = $state([]);
+  let loading = $state(true);
+
+  async function fetchStartupRequests() {
+    try {
+      loading = true;
+      const response = await contributionsAPI.getStartupRequests();
+
+      if (response.data?.results !== undefined) {
+        startupRequests = response.data.results || [];
+      } else {
+        startupRequests = response.data || [];
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      showError('Failed to load startup requests.');
+      startupRequests = [];
+    } finally {
+      loading = false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  onMount(() => {
+    fetchStartupRequests();
+  });
+</script>
+
+<style>
+  .line-clamp-2 {
+    display: -webkit-box;
+    -webkit-line-clamp: 2;
+    line-clamp: 2;
+    -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
+    overflow: hidden;
+  }
+</style>
+
+{#if !loading && startupRequests.length > 0}
+  {@const colors = getPioneerContributionsColors($currentCategory)}
+
+  <!-- Card container matching Missions style -->
+  <div class="bg-white border border-gray-200 border-l-4 {colors.containerBorderLeft} shadow-sm overflow-hidden rounded-lg mb-6">
+    <!-- Header -->
+    <div class="px-4 py-5 sm:px-6 bg-white border-b border-gray-200">
+      <div class="flex items-center">
+        <Icons name="sparkle" size="md" className="{colors.headerIcon} mr-2" />
+        <h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-gray-900">Request for Startups</h2>
+      </div>
+      <p class="mt-1 text-sm text-gray-600 leading-snug">
+        Startup ideas we believe could thrive in the GenLayer ecosystem.<br>
+        The GenLayer team is ready to support founders by opening doors and providing guidance.
+      </p>
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Startup requests list -->
+    {#each startupRequests as request}
+      <div class="px-4 py-3 border-b last:border-b-0 hover:bg-gray-50 transition-colors">
+        <!-- Title row -->
+        <div class="flex items-center gap-3 mb-2">
+          <button
+            onclick={() => push(`/builders/startup-requests/${request.id}`)}
+            class="text-base font-bold font-heading text-gray-900 {colors.titleTextHover} transition-colors text-left"
+          >
+            {request.title}
+          </button>
+
+          <button
+            onclick={() => push(`/builders/startup-requests/${request.id}`)}
+            class="ml-auto flex-shrink-0 text-sm font-normal {colors.titleText} {colors.titleTextHover} transition-colors"
+          >
+            View Details →
+          </button>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Description -->
+        <p class="text-sm text-gray-600 line-clamp-2">
+          {request.short_description}
+        </p>
+      </div>
+    {/each}
+  </div>
+{:else if loading}
+  <!-- Loading state matching Missions style -->
+  <div class="mb-4">
+    <div class="flex items-center">
+      <div class="h-6 w-6 bg-gray-300 rounded animate-pulse mr-2"></div>
+      <div class="h-6 w-40 bg-gray-300 rounded animate-pulse"></div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="mt-2 h-4 w-64 bg-gray-200 rounded animate-pulse"></div>
+  </div>
+  <div class="space-y-3">
+    <div class="bg-white border border-gray-200 rounded-lg p-4">
+      <div class="h-4 bg-gray-200 rounded animate-pulse mb-2"></div>
+      <div class="h-4 bg-gray-200 rounded animate-pulse w-3/4"></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+{/if}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/StewardSearchBar.svelte b/frontend/src/components/StewardSearchBar.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e8a6cb09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/StewardSearchBar.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,409 @@
+<script>
+  import { onMount } from 'svelte';
+
+  let {
+    value = $bindable(''),
+    contributionTypes = [],
+    stewardsList = [],
+    placeholder = 'type:blog-post assigned:me exclude:medium.com...',
+    onSearch = () => {}
+  } = $props();
+
+  let inputRef = $state(null);
+  let containerRef = $state(null);
+  let showAutocomplete = $state(false);
+  let showHelp = $state(false);
+  let suggestions = $state([]);
+  let selectedIndex = $state(-1);
+  let debounceTimeout = null;
+
+  const TAGS = [
+    { name: 'type', description: 'Filter by contribution type', values: () => contributionTypes.map(t => t.name.toLowerCase().replace(/\s+/g, '-')) },
+    { name: 'from', description: 'Search by user name/email/address', values: () => [] },
+    { name: 'assigned', description: 'Filter by assignment', values: () => ['me', 'unassigned', ...stewardsList.map(s => s.name || s.address?.slice(0, 10))] },
+    { name: 'exclude', description: 'Exclude submissions containing text', values: () => ['medium.com'] },
+    { name: 'include', description: 'Only show submissions containing text', values: () => [] },
+    { name: 'has', description: 'Filter by presence', values: () => ['url', 'evidence'] },
+    { name: 'no', description: 'Filter by absence', values: () => ['url', 'evidence'] },
+    { name: 'min-contributions', description: 'Min accepted contributions', values: () => ['1', '2', '3', '4', '5'] },
+    { name: 'sort', description: 'Sort order', values: () => ['created', '-created', 'date', '-date'] }
+  ];
+
+  function getCurrentWord() {
+    if (!inputRef) return { word: '', start: 0, end: 0 };
+
+    const cursorPos = inputRef.selectionStart;
+    const text = value;
+
+    let start = cursorPos;
+    let end = cursorPos;
+
+    while (start > 0 && text[start - 1] !== ' ') start--;
+    while (end < text.length && text[end] !== ' ') end++;
+
+    return { word: text.slice(start, end), start, end };
+  }
+
+  function updateSuggestions() {
+    const { word } = getCurrentWord();
+
+    if (!word) {
+      suggestions = TAGS.map(t => `${t.name}:`);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const colonIndex = word.indexOf(':');
+
+    if (colonIndex === -1) {
+      // Suggesting tag names
+      const prefix = word.replace(/^-/, '').toLowerCase();
+      suggestions = TAGS
+        .filter(t => t.name.startsWith(prefix))
+        .map(t => word.startsWith('-') ? `-${t.name}:` : `${t.name}:`);
+    } else {
+      // Suggesting tag values
+      const tagName = word.slice(0, colonIndex).replace(/^-/, '').toLowerCase();
+      const valuePrefix = word.slice(colonIndex + 1).toLowerCase();
+      const tag = TAGS.find(t => t.name === tagName);
+
+      if (tag) {
+        const values = tag.values();
+        suggestions = values
+          .filter(v => v.toLowerCase().startsWith(valuePrefix))
+          .map(v => `${word.slice(0, colonIndex + 1)}${v}`);
+      } else {
+        suggestions = [];
+      }
+    }
+
+    selectedIndex = suggestions.length > 0 ? 0 : -1;
+  }
+
+  function handleInput(event) {
+    value = event.target.value;
+    showAutocomplete = true;
+    updateSuggestions();
+
+    clearTimeout(debounceTimeout);
+    debounceTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+      onSearch(value);
+    }, 500);
+  }
+
+  function selectSuggestion(suggestion) {
+    const { start, end } = getCurrentWord();
+    const before = value.slice(0, start);
+    const after = value.slice(end);
+
+    value = before + suggestion + (after.startsWith(' ') ? after : ' ' + after.trimStart());
+    showAutocomplete = false;
+
+    // Focus input and move cursor
+    if (inputRef) {
+      inputRef.focus();
+      const newPos = before.length + suggestion.length + 1;
+      setTimeout(() => inputRef.setSelectionRange(newPos, newPos), 0);
+    }
+
+    clearTimeout(debounceTimeout);
+    debounceTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+      onSearch(value);
+    }, 500);
+  }
+
+  function handleKeydown(event) {
+    if (!showAutocomplete || suggestions.length === 0) {
+      if (event.key === 'Enter') {
+        event.preventDefault();
+        onSearch(value);
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+
+    switch (event.key) {
+      case 'ArrowDown':
+        event.preventDefault();
+        selectedIndex = Math.min(selectedIndex + 1, suggestions.length - 1);
+        break;
+      case 'ArrowUp':
+        event.preventDefault();
+        selectedIndex = Math.max(selectedIndex - 1, 0);
+        break;
+      case 'Tab':
+      case 'Enter':
+        event.preventDefault();
+        if (selectedIndex >= 0 && suggestions[selectedIndex]) {
+          selectSuggestion(suggestions[selectedIndex]);
+        }
+        break;
+      case 'Escape':
+        showAutocomplete = false;
+        selectedIndex = -1;
+        break;
+    }
+  }
+
+  function handleFocus() {
+    updateSuggestions();
+    showAutocomplete = true;
+  }
+
+  function handleClickOutside(event) {
+    if (containerRef && !containerRef.contains(event.target)) {
+      showAutocomplete = false;
+      showHelp = false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  function toggleHelp() {
+    showHelp = !showHelp;
+    showAutocomplete = false;
+  }
+
+  onMount(() => {
+    document.addEventListener('click', handleClickOutside);
+    return () => {
+      document.removeEventListener('click', handleClickOutside);
+      if (debounceTimeout) clearTimeout(debounceTimeout);
+    };
+  });
+</script>
+
+<div class="search-container" bind:this={containerRef}>
+  <div class="search-input-wrapper">
+    <svg class="search-icon" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+      <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 21l-6-6m2-5a7 7 0 11-14 0 7 7 0 0114 0z" />
+    </svg>
+    <input
+      type="text"
+      bind:this={inputRef}
+      value={value}
+      oninput={handleInput}
+      onkeydown={handleKeydown}
+      onfocus={handleFocus}
+      {placeholder}
+      class="search-input"
+    />
+    <button type="button" class="help-button" onclick={toggleHelp} title="Search syntax help">
+      ?
+    </button>
+  </div>
+
+  {#if showAutocomplete && suggestions.length > 0}
+    <div class="autocomplete-dropdown">
+      {#each suggestions as suggestion, index}
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          class="suggestion {index === selectedIndex ? 'selected' : ''}"
+          onclick={() => selectSuggestion(suggestion)}
+          onmouseenter={() => { selectedIndex = index; }}
+        >
+          {suggestion}
+        </button>
+      {/each}
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+
+  {#if showHelp}
+    <div class="help-tooltip">
+      <div class="help-header">Search Syntax</div>
+      <div class="help-content">
+        <div class="help-section">
+          <div class="help-row"><code>type:blog-post</code><span>Filter by contribution type</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>from:username</code><span>Search by user name/email/address</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>assigned:me</code><span>Filter by assignment (me, unassigned, name)</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>exclude:medium.com</code><span>Exclude submissions containing text</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>include:genlayer</code><span>Only show submissions containing text</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>has:url</code><span>Only submissions with URLs</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>no:url</code><span>Only submissions without URLs</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>min-contributions:3</code><span>Users with N+ accepted contributions</span></div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>sort:-created</code><span>Sort order (created, -created, date, -date)</span></div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="help-section">
+          <div class="help-subtitle">Negation</div>
+          <div class="help-row"><code>-type:blog-post</code><span>Exclude contribution type</span></div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="help-section">
+          <div class="help-subtitle">Examples</div>
+          <div class="help-example">assigned:me exclude:medium.com has:url</div>
+          <div class="help-example">from:alice -type:referral min-contributions:2</div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="help-note">All terms must use tags. Unrecognized text is ignored.</div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+</div>
+
+<style>
+  .search-container {
+    position: relative;
+    flex: 1;
+  }
+
+  .search-input-wrapper {
+    position: relative;
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+  }
+
+  .search-icon {
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 0.75rem;
+    width: 1.25rem;
+    height: 1.25rem;
+    color: #9ca3af;
+    pointer-events: none;
+  }
+
+  .search-input {
+    width: 100%;
+    padding: 0.625rem 2.5rem 0.625rem 2.5rem;
+    border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    font-size: 0.875rem;
+    font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, monospace;
+    background-color: #f9fafb;
+    transition: all 0.2s;
+  }
+
+  .search-input:focus {
+    outline: none;
+    border-color: #2563eb;
+    background-color: white;
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.1);
+  }
+
+  .search-input::placeholder {
+    color: #9ca3af;
+    font-family: inherit;
+  }
+
+  .help-button {
+    position: absolute;
+    right: 0.5rem;
+    width: 1.5rem;
+    height: 1.5rem;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    border: 1px solid #d1d5db;
+    background: white;
+    color: #6b7280;
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    transition: all 0.2s;
+  }
+
+  .help-button:hover {
+    background: #f3f4f6;
+    color: #374151;
+  }
+
+  .autocomplete-dropdown {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: calc(100% + 0.25rem);
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    z-index: 50;
+    background: white;
+    border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+    max-height: 240px;
+    overflow-y: auto;
+  }
+
+  .suggestion {
+    display: block;
+    width: 100%;
+    padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem;
+    text-align: left;
+    font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, monospace;
+    font-size: 0.875rem;
+    color: #374151;
+    background: none;
+    border: none;
+    cursor: pointer;
+  }
+
+  .suggestion:hover,
+  .suggestion.selected {
+    background: #f3f4f6;
+  }
+
+  .help-tooltip {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: calc(100% + 0.25rem);
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    z-index: 50;
+    background: white;
+    border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
+    border-radius: 0.5rem;
+    box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+    padding: 1rem;
+    max-height: 400px;
+    overflow-y: auto;
+  }
+
+  .help-header {
+    font-weight: 600;
+    font-size: 0.875rem;
+    color: #111827;
+    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
+    padding-bottom: 0.5rem;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
+  }
+
+  .help-content {
+    font-size: 0.8125rem;
+  }
+
+  .help-section {
+    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
+  }
+
+  .help-subtitle {
+    font-weight: 500;
+    color: #374151;
+    margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
+  }
+
+  .help-row {
+    display: flex;
+    gap: 0.75rem;
+    padding: 0.25rem 0;
+  }
+
+  .help-row code {
+    font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, monospace;
+    background: #f3f4f6;
+    padding: 0.125rem 0.375rem;
+    border-radius: 0.25rem;
+    color: #1f2937;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    min-width: 140px;
+  }
+
+  .help-row span {
+    color: #6b7280;
+  }
+
+  .help-example {
+    font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, monospace;
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    background: #f9fafb;
+    padding: 0.375rem 0.5rem;
+    border-radius: 0.25rem;
+    margin-top: 0.25rem;
+    color: #4b5563;
+  }
+
+  .help-note {
+    margin-top: 0.75rem;
+    padding-top: 0.5rem;
+    border-top: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    color: #9ca3af;
+    font-style: italic;
+  }
+</style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/api.js b/frontend/src/lib/api.js
index c3b8867a..f13eb9ba 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/api.js
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/api.js
@@ -97,7 +97,9 @@ export const contributionsAPI = {
     data: { count: res.data.contribution_count }
   })),
   getMissions: (params) => api.get('/missions/', { params }),
-  getMission: (id) => api.get(`/missions/${id}/`)
+  getMission: (id) => api.get(`/missions/${id}/`),
+  getStartupRequests: () => api.get('/startup-requests/'),
+  getStartupRequest: (id) => api.get(`/startup-requests/${id}/`)
 };
 
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/searchParser.js b/frontend/src/lib/searchParser.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..16760c2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/searchParser.js
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+/**
+ * Parse a GitHub-style search query into structured filters.
+ *
+ * Supported tags:
+ * - status:pending|accepted|rejected|more_info
+ * - type:contribution-type-name
+ * - from:username
+ * - assigned:me|unassigned|steward-name
+ * - exclude:text (multiple allowed)
+ * - include:text (multiple allowed)
+ * - has:url|evidence
+ * - no:url|evidence
+ * - min-contributions:number
+ * - sort:created|-created|date|-date
+ *
+ * Negation: -tag:value or NOT tag:value
+ * Quoted values: tag:"value with spaces"
+ */
+
+const SINGLE_VALUE_TAGS = ['status', 'type', 'from', 'assigned', 'sort'];
+const MULTI_VALUE_TAGS = ['exclude', 'include', 'has', 'no'];
+const NUMERIC_TAGS = ['min-contributions'];
+
+/**
+ * Tokenize the search query, respecting quoted strings.
+ * @param {string} query
+ * @returns {string[]}
+ */
+function tokenize(query) {
+  const tokens = [];
+  let current = '';
+  let inQuotes = false;
+  let quoteChar = '';
+
+  for (let i = 0; i < query.length; i++) {
+    const char = query[i];
+
+    if ((char === '"' || char === "'") && !inQuotes) {
+      inQuotes = true;
+      quoteChar = char;
+    } else if (char === quoteChar && inQuotes) {
+      inQuotes = false;
+      quoteChar = '';
+    } else if (char === ' ' && !inQuotes) {
+      if (current.trim()) {
+        tokens.push(current.trim());
+      }
+      current = '';
+    } else {
+      current += char;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (current.trim()) {
+    tokens.push(current.trim());
+  }
+
+  return tokens;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Parse a single token into tag, value, and negation flag.
+ * @param {string} token
+ * @returns {{ tag: string, value: string, negated: boolean } | null}
+ */
+function parseToken(token) {
+  let negated = false;
+  let workingToken = token;
+
+  // Check for negation prefix
+  if (workingToken.startsWith('-')) {
+    negated = true;
+    workingToken = workingToken.slice(1);
+  } else if (workingToken.toUpperCase().startsWith('NOT ')) {
+    negated = true;
+    workingToken = workingToken.slice(4);
+  }
+
+  // Check for tag:value pattern
+  const colonIndex = workingToken.indexOf(':');
+  if (colonIndex === -1) {
+    return null; // Not a valid tag
+  }
+
+  const tag = workingToken.slice(0, colonIndex).toLowerCase();
+  let value = workingToken.slice(colonIndex + 1);
+
+  // Remove surrounding quotes from value
+  if ((value.startsWith('"') && value.endsWith('"')) ||
+      (value.startsWith("'") && value.endsWith("'"))) {
+    value = value.slice(1, -1);
+  }
+
+  if (!value) {
+    return null; // Empty value
+  }
+
+  return { tag, value, negated };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Parse a search query string into structured filters.
+ * @param {string} query
+ * @returns {Object}
+ */
+export function parseSearch(query) {
+  const filters = {
+    status: null,
+    type: null,
+    from: null,
+    assigned: null,
+    exclude: [],
+    include: [],
+    has: [],
+    no: [],
+    minContributions: null,
+    sort: null
+  };
+
+  if (!query || !query.trim()) {
+    return { filters };
+  }
+
+  const tokens = tokenize(query);
+
+  for (const token of tokens) {
+    // Handle "NOT tag:value" as two tokens
+    if (token.toUpperCase() === 'NOT') {
+      continue; // Will be handled with next token
+    }
+
+    const parsed = parseToken(token);
+    if (!parsed) {
+      continue; // Ignore unrecognized tokens
+    }
+
+    const { tag, value, negated } = parsed;
+
+    // Handle single-value tags
+    if (SINGLE_VALUE_TAGS.includes(tag)) {
+      filters[tag] = { value, negated };
+    }
+    // Handle multi-value tags
+    else if (MULTI_VALUE_TAGS.includes(tag)) {
+      filters[tag].push(value);
+    }
+    // Handle numeric tags
+    else if (NUMERIC_TAGS.includes(tag)) {
+      const num = parseInt(value, 10);
+      if (!isNaN(num)) {
+        if (tag === 'min-contributions') {
+          filters.minContributions = num;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { filters };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Convert parsed filters back to a query string.
+ * Useful for URL sync and display.
+ * @param {Object} filters
+ * @returns {string}
+ */
+export function filtersToQuery(filters) {
+  const parts = [];
+
+  for (const tag of SINGLE_VALUE_TAGS) {
+    const filter = filters[tag];
+    if (filter && filter.value) {
+      const prefix = filter.negated ? '-' : '';
+      const value = filter.value.includes(' ') ? `"${filter.value}"` : filter.value;
+      parts.push(`${prefix}${tag}:${value}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  for (const tag of MULTI_VALUE_TAGS) {
+    const values = filters[tag] || [];
+    for (const value of values) {
+      const formattedValue = value.includes(' ') ? `"${value}"` : value;
+      parts.push(`${tag}:${formattedValue}`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (filters.minContributions !== null && filters.minContributions > 0) {
+    parts.push(`min-contributions:${filters.minContributions}`);
+  }
+
+  return parts.join(' ');
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/searchToParams.js b/frontend/src/lib/searchToParams.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2a95eb7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/searchToParams.js
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+/**
+ * Convert parsed search filters to API query parameters.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Map parsed search filters to API parameters.
+ * @param {Object} parsed - Output from parseSearch()
+ * @param {Object} options - Additional context
+ * @param {Array} options.contributionTypes - List of contribution types for name/slug lookup
+ * @param {Array} options.stewardsList - List of stewards for name lookup
+ * @param {string} options.currentUserId - Current user's ID for "me" resolution
+ * @returns {Object} API query parameters
+ */
+export function searchToParams(parsed, options = {}) {
+  const { contributionTypes = [], stewardsList = [], currentUserId = null } = options;
+  const params = {};
+
+  const { filters } = parsed;
+
+  // status → state (handle negation as exclude_state)
+  if (filters.status) {
+    if (filters.status.negated) {
+      params.exclude_state = filters.status.value;
+    } else {
+      params.state = filters.status.value;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // type → contribution_type (by name, slug, or ID)
+  if (filters.type) {
+    const typeValue = filters.type.value.toLowerCase();
+    const type = contributionTypes.find(t =>
+      t.slug?.toLowerCase() === typeValue ||
+      t.name?.toLowerCase() === typeValue ||
+      t.name?.toLowerCase().replace(/\s+/g, '-') === typeValue ||
+      String(t.id) === filters.type.value
+    );
+    if (type) {
+      if (filters.type.negated) {
+        params.exclude_contribution_type = type.id;
+      } else {
+        params.contribution_type = type.id;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // from → username_search (or exclude_username if negated)
+  if (filters.from) {
+    if (filters.from.negated) {
+      params.exclude_username = filters.from.value;
+    } else {
+      params.username_search = filters.from.value;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // assigned → assigned_to
+  if (filters.assigned) {
+    const val = filters.assigned.value.toLowerCase();
+    let assignedValue = null;
+
+    if (val === 'me' && currentUserId) {
+      assignedValue = currentUserId;
+    } else if (val === 'unassigned' || val === 'none') {
+      assignedValue = 'unassigned';
+    } else {
+      // Find steward by name
+      const steward = stewardsList.find(s =>
+        s.name?.toLowerCase().includes(val) ||
+        s.user_name?.toLowerCase().includes(val)
+      );
+      if (steward) {
+        assignedValue = steward.user_id;
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (assignedValue) {
+      if (filters.assigned.negated) {
+        params.exclude_assigned_to = assignedValue;
+      } else {
+        params.assigned_to = assignedValue;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // exclude → exclude_content (comma-separated for multiple values)
+  if (filters.exclude && filters.exclude.length > 0) {
+    params.exclude_content = filters.exclude.join(',');
+  }
+
+  // include → include_content (comma-separated for multiple values)
+  if (filters.include && filters.include.length > 0) {
+    params.include_content = filters.include.join(',');
+  }
+
+  // has:url / no:url → evidence filters
+  if (filters.no && (filters.no.includes('url') || filters.no.includes('evidence'))) {
+    params.only_empty_evidence = true;
+  } else if (filters.has && (filters.has.includes('url') || filters.has.includes('evidence'))) {
+    params.exclude_empty_evidence = true;
+  }
+
+  // min-contributions
+  if (filters.minContributions !== null && filters.minContributions > 0) {
+    params.min_accepted_contributions = filters.minContributions;
+  }
+
+  // sort → ordering
+  if (filters.sort) {
+    const sortMap = {
+      'created': 'created_at',
+      '-created': '-created_at',
+      'date': 'contribution_date',
+      '-date': '-contribution_date'
+    };
+    const sortValue = filters.sort.value;
+    params.ordering = sortMap[sortValue] || sortValue;
+  }
+
+  return params;
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/Contributions.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/Contributions.svelte
index 481de639..073f5d81 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/Contributions.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/Contributions.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <script>
   import ContributionTypeStats from '../components/ContributionTypeStats.svelte';
   import Missions from '../components/Missions.svelte';
+  import StartupRequests from '../components/StartupRequests.svelte';
   import RecentContributions from '../components/RecentContributions.svelte';
   import { currentCategory } from '../stores/category.js';
 
@@ -18,6 +19,11 @@
     <h1 class="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900">Contributions</h1>
   </div>
 
+  <!-- Request for Startups (only for builders) -->
+  {#if $currentCategory === 'builder'}
+    <StartupRequests />
+  {/if}
+
   <Missions />
 
   <!-- Contribution Type Statistics -->
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/StartupRequestDetail.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/StartupRequestDetail.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7c633ae6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/StartupRequestDetail.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,363 @@
+<script>
+  import { onMount } from 'svelte';
+  import { push } from 'svelte-spa-router';
+  import { marked } from 'marked';
+  import { contributionsAPI } from '../lib/api';
+  import { showError } from '../lib/toastStore';
+  import Icons from '../components/Icons.svelte';
+
+  // Props from router
+  let { params = {} } = $props();
+
+  // State
+  let startupRequest = $state(null);
+  let loading = $state(true);
+  let error = $state(null);
+  let expandedDoc = $state(null);
+
+  // Configure marked options for security and links
+  const renderer = new marked.Renderer();
+  renderer.link = function({ href, title, text }) {
+    const safeHref = href || '#';
+    return `<a href="${safeHref}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"${title ? ` title="${title}"` : ''}>${text}</a>`;
+  };
+
+  marked.setOptions({
+    breaks: true,
+    gfm: true,
+    headerIds: false,
+    mangle: false,
+    renderer: renderer
+  });
+
+  function renderMarkdown(text) {
+    if (!text) return '';
+    try {
+      return marked.parse(text);
+    } catch (err) {
+      return text;
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function fetchStartupRequest() {
+    try {
+      loading = true;
+      error = null;
+      const response = await contributionsAPI.getStartupRequest(params.id);
+      startupRequest = response.data;
+    } catch (err) {
+      error = err.message || 'Failed to load startup request';
+      showError('Failed to load startup request details.');
+    } finally {
+      loading = false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  function getDocumentIcon(type) {
+    if (type === 'pdf') return 'document';
+    if (type === 'image') return 'star';
+    return 'link'; // chain/link icon for URLs
+  }
+
+  function toggleDocExpand(docIndex) {
+    if (expandedDoc === docIndex) {
+      expandedDoc = null;
+    } else {
+      expandedDoc = docIndex;
+    }
+  }
+
+  function getPdfThumbnail(url) {
+    // Convert Cloudinary PDF URL to a thumbnail of the first page
+    // pg_1 = page 1, f_jpg = output as JPG, w_600/h_400 = dimensions
+    if (url.includes('cloudinary.com') && url.includes('.pdf')) {
+      return url.replace('/upload/', '/upload/pg_1,f_jpg,w_600,h_400,c_limit/');
+    }
+    return url;
+  }
+
+  function openPdfInNewTab(url) {
+    window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer');
+  }
+
+  onMount(() => {
+    fetchStartupRequest();
+  });
+</script>
+
+<style>
+  .prose :global(p) {
+    margin-top: 0;
+    margin-bottom: 1rem;
+    line-height: 1.7;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(p:last-child) {
+    margin-bottom: 0;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(strong) {
+    font-weight: 600;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(em) {
+    font-style: italic;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(h1),
+  .prose :global(h2),
+  .prose :global(h3),
+  .prose :global(h4),
+  .prose :global(h5),
+  .prose :global(h6) {
+    font-weight: 600;
+    margin-top: 1.5rem;
+    margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
+    color: #111827;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(h1) {
+    font-size: 1.5rem;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(h2) {
+    font-size: 1.25rem;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(h3) {
+    font-size: 1.125rem;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(ul),
+  .prose :global(ol) {
+    margin-top: 0.5rem;
+    margin-bottom: 1rem;
+    padding-left: 1.5rem;
+    list-style-type: disc;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(ol) {
+    list-style-type: decimal;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(li) {
+    margin-top: 0.25rem;
+    margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
+    line-height: 1.6;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(a) {
+    color: #ea580c;
+    text-decoration: underline;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(a:hover) {
+    color: #c2410c;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(code) {
+    background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
+    padding: 0.125rem 0.375rem;
+    border-radius: 0.25rem;
+    font-size: 0.875em;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(pre) {
+    background-color: #1f2937;
+    color: #f9fafb;
+    padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
+    border-radius: 0.375rem;
+    overflow-x: auto;
+    margin-top: 0.5rem;
+    margin-bottom: 1rem;
+    font-size: 0.875rem;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(pre code) {
+    background-color: transparent;
+    padding: 0;
+    color: inherit;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(blockquote) {
+    border-left: 3px solid #ea580c;
+    padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
+    margin: 0.5rem 0 1rem 0;
+    font-style: italic;
+    background-color: rgba(234, 88, 12, 0.05);
+    border-radius: 0 0.25rem 0.25rem 0;
+  }
+
+  .prose :global(hr) {
+    margin: 1.5rem 0;
+    border: 0;
+    border-top: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
+  }
+</style>
+
+<div>
+  {#if loading}
+    <!-- Loading state -->
+    <div class="animate-pulse">
+      <div class="h-6 w-24 bg-gray-200 rounded mb-4"></div>
+      <div class="h-8 w-2/3 bg-gray-300 rounded mb-6"></div>
+      <div class="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
+        <div class="lg:col-span-2 space-y-3">
+          <div class="h-4 bg-gray-200 rounded"></div>
+          <div class="h-4 bg-gray-200 rounded"></div>
+          <div class="h-4 w-3/4 bg-gray-200 rounded"></div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="h-32 bg-gray-200 rounded"></div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {:else if error}
+    <!-- Error state -->
+    <div class="bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-lg p-6 text-center">
+      <Icons name="warning" size="lg" className="text-red-500 mx-auto mb-3" />
+      <h2 class="text-lg font-semibold text-red-800 mb-2">Failed to Load</h2>
+      <p class="text-red-600 mb-4">{error}</p>
+      <button
+        onclick={() => push('/builders/contributions')}
+        class="text-orange-600 hover:text-orange-800 font-medium"
+      >
+        Back to Contributions
+      </button>
+    </div>
+  {:else if startupRequest}
+    <!-- Back navigation -->
+    <button
+      onclick={() => push('/builders/contributions')}
+      class="inline-flex items-center text-orange-600 hover:text-orange-800 font-medium mb-4 transition-colors text-sm"
+    >
+      <svg class="w-4 h-4 mr-1" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+        <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M15 19l-7-7 7-7" />
+      </svg>
+      Back to Contributions
+    </button>
+
+    <!-- Header Card - similar to ContributionTypeDetail -->
+    <div class="bg-white shadow rounded-lg p-4 sm:p-6 border-2 border-orange-200 mb-6">
+      <h1 class="text-xl sm:text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900 mb-3">
+        {startupRequest.title}
+      </h1>
+      {#if startupRequest.short_description}
+        <p class="text-sm sm:text-base text-gray-600">{startupRequest.short_description}</p>
+      {/if}
+    </div>
+
+    <!-- Main content grid -->
+    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
+      <!-- Description - takes 2 columns on large screens -->
+      <div class="lg:col-span-2">
+        <div class="bg-white shadow rounded-lg border-2 border-orange-200 overflow-hidden">
+          <div class="px-4 py-3 border-b border-orange-100 bg-orange-50">
+            <h2 class="font-semibold text-gray-900 flex items-center text-sm">
+              <Icons name="document" size="sm" className="text-gray-500 mr-2" />
+              Description
+            </h2>
+          </div>
+          <div class="p-4 sm:p-6">
+            <div class="prose prose-sm max-w-none text-gray-700">
+              {@html renderMarkdown(startupRequest.description)}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <!-- Sidebar with documents -->
+      <div class="lg:col-span-1">
+        {#if startupRequest.documents && startupRequest.documents.length > 0}
+          <div class="bg-white border-2 border-orange-200 rounded-lg shadow overflow-hidden sticky top-4">
+            <div class="px-4 py-3 border-b border-orange-100 bg-orange-50">
+              <h2 class="font-semibold text-gray-900 flex items-center text-sm">
+                <Icons name="document" size="sm" className="text-gray-500 mr-2" />
+                Resources
+              </h2>
+            </div>
+            <div class="divide-y divide-gray-100">
+              {#each startupRequest.documents as doc, index}
+                <div class="p-3">
+                  {#if doc.type === 'link'}
+                    <!-- Link type: no expand, show chain icon and URL -->
+                    <a
+                      href={doc.url}
+                      target="_blank"
+                      rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                      class="flex items-center gap-2 group hover:bg-orange-50 -m-2 p-2 rounded transition-colors"
+                    >
+                      <svg class="w-4 h-4 text-gray-400 flex-shrink-0" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                        <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M13.828 10.172a4 4 0 00-5.656 0l-4 4a4 4 0 105.656 5.656l1.102-1.101m-.758-4.899a4 4 0 005.656 0l4-4a4 4 0 00-5.656-5.656l-1.1 1.1" />
+                      </svg>
+                      <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                        <span class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 group-hover:text-orange-600 transition-colors block truncate">{doc.title}</span>
+                        <span class="text-xs text-gray-400 block truncate">{doc.url}</span>
+                      </div>
+                      <Icons name="externalLink" size="sm" className="text-gray-400 group-hover:text-orange-600 flex-shrink-0" />
+                    </a>
+                  {:else}
+                    <!-- PDF/Image type: with expand functionality -->
+                    <div class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
+                      <div class="flex items-center gap-2 min-w-0 flex-1">
+                        <Icons name={getDocumentIcon(doc.type)} size="sm" className="text-gray-400 flex-shrink-0" />
+                        <span class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 truncate">{doc.title}</span>
+                      </div>
+                      <div class="flex items-center gap-1 flex-shrink-0">
+                        <button
+                          onclick={() => toggleDocExpand(index)}
+                          class="p-1.5 text-gray-500 hover:text-orange-600 hover:bg-orange-50 rounded transition-colors"
+                          title={expandedDoc === index ? 'Collapse' : 'Preview'}
+                        >
+                          <svg class="w-4 h-4 transition-transform {expandedDoc === index ? 'rotate-180' : ''}" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                            <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M19 9l-7 7-7-7" />
+                          </svg>
+                        </button>
+                        <a
+                          href={doc.url}
+                          download
+                          target="_blank"
+                          rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                          class="p-1.5 text-gray-500 hover:text-orange-600 hover:bg-orange-50 rounded transition-colors"
+                          title="Download"
+                        >
+                          <Icons name="download" size="sm" />
+                        </a>
+                      </div>
+                    </div>
+
+                    <!-- Expandable preview (only for non-link types) -->
+                    {#if expandedDoc === index}
+                    <div class="mt-3 border border-gray-200 rounded overflow-hidden bg-gray-50">
+                      {#if doc.type === 'pdf'}
+                        <button
+                          onclick={() => openPdfInNewTab(doc.url)}
+                          class="w-full cursor-pointer hover:opacity-90 transition-opacity"
+                          title="Click to open PDF"
+                        >
+                          <img
+                            src={getPdfThumbnail(doc.url)}
+                            alt={doc.title}
+                            class="w-full h-48 object-contain bg-white"
+                          />
+                          <div class="p-2 bg-gray-100 text-center text-xs text-gray-600">
+                            Click to open PDF
+                          </div>
+                        </button>
+                      {:else if doc.type === 'image'}
+                        <img
+                          src={doc.url}
+                          alt={doc.title}
+                          class="w-full max-h-64 object-contain"
+                        />
+                      {/if}
+                    </div>
+                    {/if}
+                  {/if}
+                </div>
+              {/each}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        {/if}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+</div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/StewardSubmissions.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/StewardSubmissions.svelte
index 7ca235b9..9bcf611d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/StewardSubmissions.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/StewardSubmissions.svelte
@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 <script>
   import { onMount } from 'svelte';
-  import { push } from 'svelte-spa-router';
+  import { push, querystring } from 'svelte-spa-router';
   import { authState } from '../lib/auth.js';
+  import { userStore } from '../lib/userStore.js';
   import { stewardAPI, contributionsAPI, leaderboardAPI } from '../lib/api.js';
-  import { format } from 'date-fns';
   import PaginationEnhanced from '../components/PaginationEnhanced.svelte';
   import SubmissionCard from '../components/SubmissionCard.svelte';
+  import StewardSearchBar from '../components/StewardSearchBar.svelte';
   import { showSuccess, showError } from '../lib/toastStore';
-  
+  import { parseSearch } from '../lib/searchParser.js';
+  import { searchToParams } from '../lib/searchToParams.js';
+
   let submissions = $state([]);
   let contributionTypes = $state([]);
   let users = $state([]);
@@ -16,26 +19,13 @@
   let currentPage = $state(1);
   let totalCount = $state(0);
   let pageSize = $state(10);
-  
-  // Filters
+
+  // Filters - Status dropdown + search bar
   let stateFilter = $state('pending');
-  let typeFilter = $state('');
-  let assignedToFilter = $state('');  // '' = all, 'me' = assigned to me, steward_id = specific steward
-  let usernameSearch = $state('');
-  let searchTimeout = null;
+  let searchQuery = $state('');
   let stewardsList = $state([]);
   let assigningSubmissions = $state(new Set());  // Track which submissions are being assigned
 
-  // Exclusion filter states (checkbox values)
-  let excludeMediumBlogpost = $state(false);
-  let excludeEmptyEvidence = $state(false);
-  let minAcceptedContributions = $state(0);
-
-  // Applied exclusion filter states (what's actually sent to API)
-  let appliedExcludeMediumBlogpost = $state(false);
-  let appliedExcludeEmptyEvidence = $state(false);
-  let appliedMinAcceptedContributions = $state(0);
-
   // Review states
   let processingSubmissions = $state(new Set());
   let multipliers = $state({});
@@ -53,6 +43,11 @@
       return;
     }
 
+    // Sync filters from URL
+    const params = new URLSearchParams($querystring);
+    if (params.has('status')) stateFilter = params.get('status');
+    if (params.has('q')) searchQuery = params.get('q');
+
     await loadContributionTypes();
     await loadUsers();
     await loadStewards();
@@ -125,46 +120,39 @@
     }
   }
   
+  function updateURL() {
+    const urlParams = new URLSearchParams();
+    if (stateFilter) urlParams.set('status', stateFilter);
+    if (searchQuery) urlParams.set('q', searchQuery);
+    const newUrl = urlParams.toString() ? `?${urlParams.toString()}` : '';
+    window.history.replaceState({}, '', `#/steward/submissions${newUrl}`);
+  }
+
   async function loadSubmissions() {
     loading = true;
     error = null;
     clearSelection();
 
     try {
-      const params = {
-        page: currentPage,
-        page_size: pageSize
-      };
+      // Update URL with current filters
+      updateURL();
+
+      // Build API params from search query
+      const parsed = parseSearch(searchQuery);
+      const currentUserId = $userStore.user?.id;
+      const params = searchToParams(parsed, {
+        contributionTypes,
+        stewardsList,
+        currentUserId
+      });
 
+      // Add status from dropdown (overrides search query if present)
       if (stateFilter) {
         params.state = stateFilter;
       }
 
-      if (typeFilter) {
-        params.contribution_type = typeFilter;
-      }
-
-      if (usernameSearch) {
-        params.username_search = usernameSearch;
-      }
-
-      // Handle assigned_to filter
-      if (assignedToFilter === 'unassigned') {
-        params.assigned_to = 'unassigned';
-      } else if (assignedToFilter) {
-        params.assigned_to = assignedToFilter;
-      }
-
-      // Handle exclusion filters
-      if (appliedExcludeMediumBlogpost) {
-        params.exclude_medium_blogpost = true;
-      }
-      if (appliedExcludeEmptyEvidence) {
-        params.exclude_empty_evidence = true;
-      }
-      if (appliedMinAcceptedContributions > 0) {
-        params.min_accepted_contributions = appliedMinAcceptedContributions;
-      }
+      params.page = currentPage;
+      params.page_size = pageSize;
 
       const response = await stewardAPI.getSubmissions(params);
       submissions = response.data.results || [];
@@ -273,18 +261,8 @@
     loadSubmissions();
   }
 
-  function handleSearchChange() {
-    clearTimeout(searchTimeout);
-    searchTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
-      currentPage = 1;
-      loadSubmissions();
-    }, 500);
-  }
-
-  function applyExclusionFilters() {
-    appliedExcludeMediumBlogpost = excludeMediumBlogpost;
-    appliedExcludeEmptyEvidence = excludeEmptyEvidence;
-    appliedMinAcceptedContributions = minAcceptedContributions;
+  function handleSearchChange(query) {
+    searchQuery = query;
     currentPage = 1;
     loadSubmissions();
   }
@@ -355,9 +333,9 @@
   
   <!-- Filters -->
   <div class="bg-white shadow rounded-lg p-4 mb-6">
-    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-4">
+    <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row gap-4">
       <!-- Status Filter -->
-      <div>
+      <div class="w-full md:w-48 flex-shrink-0">
         <label for="state-filter" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">
           Status
         </label>
@@ -375,94 +353,21 @@
         </select>
       </div>
 
-      <!-- Contribution Type Filter -->
-      <div>
-        <label for="type-filter" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">
-          Contribution Type
+      <!-- Search Bar -->
+      <div class="flex-1">
+        <label for="search-bar" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">
+          Search
         </label>
-        <select
-          id="type-filter"
-          bind:value={typeFilter}
-          onchange={handleFilterChange}
-          class="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary-500"
-        >
-          <option value="">All Types</option>
-          {#each contributionTypes as type}
-            <option value={type.id}>{type.name}</option>
-          {/each}
-        </select>
-      </div>
-
-      <!-- Assigned To Filter -->
-      <div>
-        <label for="assigned-filter" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">
-          Assigned To
-        </label>
-        <select
-          id="assigned-filter"
-          bind:value={assignedToFilter}
-          onchange={handleFilterChange}
-          class="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary-500"
-        >
-          <option value="">All</option>
-          <option value="unassigned">Unassigned</option>
-          {#each stewardsList as steward}
-            <option value={steward.user_id}>
-              {steward.name || steward.address?.slice(0, 10) + '...'}
-            </option>
-          {/each}
-        </select>
-      </div>
-
-      <!-- Username Search -->
-      <div>
-        <label for="username-search" class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-1">
-          Search User
-        </label>
-        <input
-          id="username-search"
-          type="text"
-          bind:value={usernameSearch}
-          oninput={handleSearchChange}
-          placeholder="Name or address..."
-          class="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary-500"
+        <StewardSearchBar
+          bind:value={searchQuery}
+          {contributionTypes}
+          {stewardsList}
+          onSearch={handleSearchChange}
+          placeholder="type:blog-post assigned:me exclude:medium.com..."
         />
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Exclusion Filters -->
-    <div class="border-t pt-4 mt-4">
-      <div class="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-4">
-        <span class="text-sm font-medium text-gray-700">Exclude:</span>
-        <label class="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
-          <input type="checkbox" bind:checked={excludeMediumBlogpost} class="rounded border-gray-300" />
-          Medium Blog Posts
-        </label>
-        <label class="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
-          <input type="checkbox" bind:checked={excludeEmptyEvidence} class="rounded border-gray-300" />
-          Submissions without URLs
-        </label>
-        <label class="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
-          Users with less than
-          <select bind:value={minAcceptedContributions} class="rounded border-gray-300 text-sm py-1 px-2">
-            <option value={0}>0</option>
-            <option value={1}>1</option>
-            <option value={2}>2</option>
-            <option value={3}>3</option>
-            <option value={4}>4</option>
-            <option value={5}>5</option>
-          </select>
-          accepted contributions
-        </label>
-        <button
-          onclick={applyExclusionFilters}
-          class="px-3 py-1 bg-primary-600 text-white text-sm rounded-md hover:bg-primary-700"
-        >
-          Apply
-        </button>
-      </div>
-    </div>
-
     <div class="mt-3 text-sm text-gray-600">
       Total: <span class="font-semibold text-gray-900">{totalCount}</span> submissions
     </div>
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 43462773..07c48d78 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "name": "lisbon",
+  "name": "conakry",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {