Global approach to ecosystem growth
The Catalyst Working Groups (CWG) workshops focused on three core areas: Catalyst Funding Priorities, Operating Parameters, and Entrepreneurial Incubation and Acceleration. These pillars helped organize the broad and varied insights Catalyst needs for continued growth, from resource allocation to business support. 24 working groups have formed around the globe to uncover invaluable insights. CWG's global reach is a testament to Cardano’s commitment to fostering a community-driven approach to blockchain development, and each region contributed its own context and expertise to the initiative.
Project Close Out Video (±10m)
Key insights and highlights
1. Catalyst Funding Priorities: diversifying and decentralizing
CWG discussions emphasized the need to diversify Catalyst funding beyond popular sectors like IT and DeFi. For instance, in Johannesburg, participants recommended expanding support to agriculture and social impact, recognizing that blockchain could transform sectors where infrastructure is traditionally lacking. By aligning Catalyst funding with underfunded, high-impact areas, Cardano can support meaningful societal change.
Many participants also advocated for a decentralized governance structure to ensure fair representation in voting. Tokyo supported a ‘one user, one wallet’ system to prevent manipulation, with decentralized identity systems to enhance security and authenticity. Tokyo further emphasized the importance of strong deliverables and education for funded projects, proposing impact metrics like active wallets and transaction volume to measure success.
2. Catalyst Operating Parameters: streamlining and improving access
Making Catalyst more accessible and inclusive emerged as a major theme. Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City identified language barriers as a major obstacle, recommending multilingual resources and simplified tools like Miro to broaden Catalyst’s reach. These improvements would make Catalyst more globally accessible and usable.
CWG also called for improvements in proposal and review processes to enhance quality control. A ‘Proof of Merit’ social credit system would add transparency, helping stakeholders assess proposer track records. This aligns with the trust-based ethos of blockchain and would ensure high-quality contributions, particularly for high-risk proposals.
A comprehensive Catalyst platform was also proposed, integrating proposal submission, voting, and project tracking. Toronto focused on the potential for an all-in-one platform to enhance the user experience and streamline the lifecycle of proposals.
3. Incubation and Acceleration: building a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem
CWG highlighted strategies to support and grow Cardano-based startups. The Nairobi workshop recommended connecting local entrepreneurs with Catalyst funding, especially those working on projects for sustainable development and social impact.
The creation of an ‘Entrepreneur Toolbox’ was a recurring recommendation across regions. This toolbox would contain essential resources like smart contracts, legal frameworks, and business planning aids to help entrepreneurs navigate the Catalyst ecosystem. Buenos Aires and Estero, Florida echoed the need for networking and partnerships to bridge entrepreneurs and potential investors, with a ‘fail fast’ approach to avoid sunk costs in underperforming projects. Tamale, Ghana highlighted the importance of local partnerships to foster growth within the Cardano ecosystem.
Moving forward: implementing CWG recommendations
The CWG initiative empowers Cardano’s community to actively shape Catalyst’s evolution. Some recommendations are already underway, like reducing ada requirements for voting, making participation more accessible. Future iterations of Catalyst could incorporate CWG insights to foster a more connected, efficient, and inclusive ecosystem. Adopting a multilingual platform and a dynamic voting system could further democratize Catalyst’s reach.
Celebrating a milestone in Cardano’s evolution
The Catalyst Working Groups showcase Cardano’s commitment to decentralized, community-led innovation. By incorporating diverse perspectives, CWG has set the stage for Catalyst to grow as a resilient and inclusive platform. As Cardano’s ecosystem expands, CWG outputs offer not just recommendations but a roadmap toward becoming a beacon of decentralized innovation within the blockchain space.
None of these insights would have been possible without our amazing community hosts across the globe, our project partners Sustainable Ada and Rare Evo, and, most importantly, every single one of you who took the time and showed the interest to participate and share your point of view. We appreciate you all and look forward to future initiatives like these.