Verified Credential API Access

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Aaron Richmond

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

grantaaron@gmail.com

Additional applicants

n/a

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

4

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

While we can prove the concept without a dependency. However, the best success will include a WALLET solution for the credentials. Looking at a few options including ProofSpace.ID, Roots Wallet, etc.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Identity Solutions

[METADATA] SDG rating

#9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Perception of the Problem:

Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Web3/Wallet solutions including Verified Credentials have an adoption problem to overcome due to:

1/ resistance, complexity of change to infrastructure, skillsets.

2/ proof of value.

3/ high friction, challenging for average users.

Reasons for Approach:

1/ Ecosystem-driven: it brings together all sides of the market at the same time.

2/ Single-sided: a single participant gets value from verifiable credentials.

3/ Addresses business case, developer experience, and user experience.

Who will be engaged:

1/ Businesses who currently use (or plan to use) APIs to drive business value.

2/ Developers who want to add new features offered by Verified Credentials (such as security and personalization) to their APIs.

3/ Customers (users) who want to utilize Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Data Sovereignty for easy mobility of credentials.

How we will demonstrate impact:

1/ VC-API Proof of Concept with Atala PRISM. Provide secure, granular API access by using verified credentials (VC).

2/ Developer/Builder Experience

• API standards (ex. OpenAPI, FastAPI, AsyncAPI)
• Local and Cloud-hosted versions (ex. AWS, Azure)
• Documentation site.

3/ User Experience

• Demonstration of “zero touch” user onboarding (ideally with an SSI Wallet)

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Impact of this project for Cardano:

By adding value to the massive API Economy, the impact will be to bridge the large API ecosystem with the SSI/Cardano ecosystems. (API → SSI + IAM using Verified Credentials)

It's a Web2 + Web3 (Web5) solution that can provide unique features to businesses, developers and customers.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

Measuring Success:

1/ The first measure of success will be completion of the deliverables outlined in the proposal and timeline:

• 1.1/ VC-API Proof of Concept with Atala PRISM. Provide secure, granular API access by using verified credentials (VC).

• 1.2/ Developer/Builder Experience
• API standards (ex. OpenAPI, FastAPI, AsyncAPI)
• Local and Cloud-hosted versions (ex. AWS, Azure)
• Documentation site.

• 1.3/ User Experience
• Demonstration of “zero touch” user onboarding (ideally with an SSI Wallet)

2/ KPIs we can additionally measure are:

• 2.1/ Documentation site traffic, GitHub stars, downloads etc.
• 2.2/ Media engagement (videos, etc.)

Finally, I am building a services business with a VC offering, and will be looking forward to building out the ecosystem with Cardano/Atala PRISM technology builders and SSI partners.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Plans for outputs on a timeline:

I'll post documentation including code and tutorials over the course of the timeline. It will be open sourced and updated at milestones, so anyone can see active progress.

Further R+D from results:

This project is a proof of concept. Once the solution is proven and documented, it's really just the beginning. If successful, it will hopefully stimulate conversation and development in the broader ecosystem, pushing industry use cases and related solutions forward.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Capabilities and Suitability to Deliver:

I have over 15 years of technology experience across a variety of technical roles - Full-Stack Developer, Technical Consultant, Solution Architect, Partner SA, Field CTO (global technology advisor for AWS partners), and a degree in Computer Information Systems, with Honors. I've built software, architected systems, done API Security Reviews, and am generally technically proficient.

I am also business-savvy, with formal business training and certifications. I also completed the Atala PRISM Pioneers program recently, completing 101, 102, and 103 training courses.

Trust Processes:

The main one will be hosting a project site with milestones and project tracking. I'm in a few of the Cardano channels (Discord, Slack) and have had a few meetings with folks in the community. I can be reached for communications and conference calls if needed.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Goals (also indicated in the presentation):

( 1 ) Secure - identity, time bound, RBAC/ABAC.

How? Validate identity and access controls using API and Verified Credential.

( 2 ) API standards based… Add value to ecosystem.

How? Use well-known API creation tools (ex. OpenAPI, FastAPI, AsyncAPI) yet add feature(s) not used prior (via VCs).

( 3 ) Improved user and developer experience.

How? Ensure solution has simplicity, ease of implementation for an average API developer. Ensure easy onboarding experience for a user/customer (via wallet most likely).

( 4 ) Decentralized (plays well with centralized).

How? Local host node + VC = decentralized. Cloud host (akin to SaaS) = centralized.

( 5 ) Web3 + Web2 = Web5

How? Cardano/Atala PRISM (Web3) + API (Web2) = Web5.

( 6 ) Bridge Zero Trust, SSO/IdaaS, SSI ecosystems.

How? Following basic proof of concept, will extend to integrations using Zero Trust architecture, SSO/IdaaS, as well as SSI products (such as VC wallets).

*Note these are the FULL list of goals... Ideally will be completed in the project timeframe, but if necessary, will follow the project as feature iterations on the proof of concept.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Project Started

• Create project site and repos
• Create project management with milestones

(10 hours)

Milestone 2: POC for Basic API and VC communication

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 3: POC for API and VC access controls

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 4: POC with Cloud-hosted APIs 

• Coding, Integration work - include secure account structure, architecture.
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 5: User Experience Demonstration (Wallet with VC)

• Coding, Integration work
• Demonstration with Documentation

(80 hours)

(Stretch goal) Milestone 6: POC with IdaaS/SSO provider

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 7: Project completed, with Presentation

• Final Project Site and Documentation Updates
• Presentation

(20 hours)

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Deliverables:

1/ Proof of concept - local deployment, cloud-hosted.

2/ Code / repo - open sourced

3/ Documentation - so people can repeat and build the proof of concept themselves.

4/ User Experience demonstration

5/ Presentation of project completion.

Each of the milestones indicate the status and iteration on the above deliverables.

Milestone 1: Project Started

• Create project site and repos
• Create project management with milestones

(10 hours)

Milestone 2: POC for Basic API and VC communication

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 3: POC for API and VC access controls

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 4: POC with Cloud-hosted APIs 

• Coding, Integration work - include secure account structure, architecture.
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 5: User Experience Demonstration (Wallet with VC)

• Coding, Integration work
• Demonstration with Documentation

(80 hours)

(Stretch goal) Milestone 6: POC with IdaaS/SSO provider

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 7: Project completed, with Presentation

• Final Project Site and Documentation Updates
• Presentation

(20 hours)

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Resources:

1 x Dedicated Senior Solution Architect / Product Architect with 15+ years experience (me).

Value:

We'll be cost-conscious with a rate of 100 USD per hour (mid-range of USA market rate).

ADA currently around 0.30 USD.

1 hour = 100 USD / 0.3 USD = 333.33 ADA.

Project total hours = 350 hours (430 hours with stretch goal of IdaaS/SSO implementation).

Note the VALUE of the project is not simply quantifiable in hours. It will be a solution to an important adoption problem, and an ecosystem bridge for Cardano/Atala PRISM.

Milestone 1: Project Started

• Create project site and repos
• Create project management with milestones

(10 hours)

Milestone 2: POC for Basic API and VC communication

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 3: POC for API and VC access controls

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 4: POC with Cloud-hosted APIs 

• Coding, Integration work - include secure account structure, architecture.
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 5: User Experience Demonstration (Wallet with VC)

• Coding, Integration work
• Demonstration with Documentation

(80 hours)

(Stretch goal) Milestone 6: POC with IdaaS/SSO provider

• Coding, Integration work
• Documentation

(80 hours)

Milestone 7: Project completed, with Presentation

• Final Project Site and Documentation Updates
• Presentation

(20 hours)

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Value:

We'll be cost-conscious with a rate of 100 USD per hour (mid-range of USA market rate).

ADA currently around 0.30 USD.

1 hour = 100 USD / 0.3 USD = 333.33 ADA.

Project total hours = 350 hours (430 hours with stretch goal of IDaaS/SSO implementation).

350 hours * 333.33 ADA per hour rate

= 116,665.5 ADA (or $143,331.9 ADA with stretch goal)

75,000 ADA would be 64.28% of value.

Said another way, the project is at least a 35.7% discount.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept