Pierre Krieger aka [tomaka](https://github.com/tomaka) is one of biggest core contributors to Polkadot. He is the main author of the initial implementation of [`rust-libp2p`](https://github.com/libp2p/rust-libp2p). `rust-libp2p` is being used by Substrate for the networking stack. Pierre was also the main author of the initial implementation of the Substrate networking stack:
- https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/pull/268
- https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/pull/742

He was also maintaining and preparing the network stack for Polkadot over multiple years. While doing that he has also done other great contributions like [HTTP requests support for offchain workers](https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/pull/3461).

His most important project that he started and is still maintaining as the main author as of today is [smoldot](https://github.com/smol-dot/smoldot/). Smoldot is the most advanced light client implementation that is, as the name suggests, a light client for Polkadot. Given the goals of Polkadot around decentralization and censorship resistance, smoldot is one of the most important projects in the Polkadot ecosystem for achieving these goals.

Besides that Pierre has also written the new [JSONRPC spec](https://github.com/paritytech/json-rpc-interface-spec/) that is light client first from the beginning. He is also quite active in helping to improve the [Polkadot spec](https://github.com/w3f/polkadot-spec) and has also done some [RFCS](https://github.com/polkadot-fellows/RFCs/pulls?q=is%3Apr+author%3Atomaka+).

Given all the work Pierre has done for Polkadot and the entire ecosystem, I propose that he gets invited to the fellowship and ranked up immediately to rank V at least. I would actually promote him to rank VI, but this requires a public referendum. As I can only vote for rank V right now, I propose to first add him to the fellowship as rank V and then rank him up to VI. 

- **Problem Statement:** Recognizing Pierre Krieger's significant contributions to Polkadot and the ecosystem.
- **Significance:** Pierre's work on `rust-libp2p`, Substrate networking stack, smoldot, JSONRPC spec, and Polkadot spec is crucial for achieving decentralization and censorship resistance goals.
- **Proposed Solution:** Invite Pierre to the fellowship and promote him to rank V immediately, with a proposal to further promote him to rank VI through a public referendum.
- **Expected Outcomes:** Acknowledging and rewarding Pierre's valuable contributions to Polkadot and the ecosystem.

#25 # Invitation and promotion of Pierre Krieger