Fostering Innovation: Swiss Cardano Hackathon Series in Geneva - Inspiring collaboration & creativity for blockchain development

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Sheraz Ahmed [on behalf of STORM Partners Sàrl (CHE-435.083.916), a limited liability company duly incorporated under the laws of Switzerland.]

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

sheraz.ahmed@storm.partners

Additional applicants

No

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

6

[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.” .

No dependencies.

[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

Regional Expansion

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG goals:

• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

• Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• Reduce inequality within and among countries.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

The project aims to establish a local hackathon series within the Decentral House, a new Web3 Business Centre set to be launched in the third quarter of 2023. The primary objective is to position the protocol as the pioneer in enabling blockchain-based development for three specific sectors: the luxury watch-making industry, the non-profit/NGO landscape, and world-renowned private banks.

Here's a more detailed explanation of the project:

• 1) Local Hackathon Series:
• The project will organize a series of hackathons hosted at the Decentral House. A hackathon is an event that brings together developers, designers, and enthusiasts to collaborate and build innovative solutions within a specified timeframe.
• The hackathons will serve as platforms to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving within the Web3 ecosystem.
• Participants will have the opportunity to develop blockchain-based applications, tools, or platforms tailored to the needs and challenges of the luxury watch-making industry, non-profit/NGO landscape, and world-renowned private banks.

• 2) Enabling Blockchain-based Development for Specific Sectors:
• The project aims to position itself as the first protocol to enable blockchain-based development for the luxury watch-making industry, non-profit/NGO landscape, and world-renowned private banks.
• Participants in the hackathons will be encouraged to leverage the protocol's features, tools, and resources to build applications that cater to the unique requirements and opportunities within these sectors.
• The goal is to showcase the benefits and potential use cases of blockchain technology in areas such as supply chain transparency for luxury watches, transparency and accountability for non-profit/NGO organizations, and secure and efficient financial services for private banks.

• 3) Decentral House: A New Web3 Business Centre:
• The hackathon series will be hosted at the Decentral House, a new Web3 Business Centre scheduled to be launched in Q3 2023.
• Decentral House aims to provide a physical space dedicated to Web3 technologies, fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs, developers, and industry professionals.
• The launch of the hackathon series at Decentral House will help establish the center as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract industry stakeholders interested in exploring blockchain-based solutions.

Overall, this project intends to leverage the hackathon format and the launch of Decentral House to promote the protocol as a leader in enabling blockchain-based development for the luxury watch-making industry, non-profit/NGO landscape, and world-renowned private banks. The project seeks to encourage collaboration, drive innovation, and highlight the potential of blockchain technology in these specific sectors.

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

The solution of organizing a series of hackathons addresses the challenge of fostering innovation and driving the growth of the Cardano ecosystem. Here's how this solution brings benefits:

• Collaboration and Creativity: Hackathons bring together developers, designers, and enthusiasts to collaborate and develop new solutions. By hosting hackathons, the Cardano ecosystem encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of ideas, fostering a vibrant community of developers.

• Rapid Prototyping and Innovation: Hackathons provide a platform for participants to quickly prototype and showcase innovative applications on the Cardano blockchain. This accelerates the development of new Dapps, tools, and solutions, expanding the functionality and use cases of the Cardano ecosystem.

• Developer Engagement and Onboarding: Hackathons attract developers who may be new to the Cardano ecosystem. By providing resources, mentorship, and support during the hackathons, developers can gain hands-on experience with Cardano's technology, increasing their familiarity and engagement with the ecosystem.

• Expansion of the Developer Community: Hackathons act as a catalyst for attracting new developers to the Cardano ecosystem. As more developers participate and contribute to hackathons, the community grows, fostering a diverse range of talents and expertise that can further drive innovation within the ecosystem.

• Real-World Use Cases: Hackathons allow participants to build real-world applications and demonstrate the practical value of Cardano's technology. This showcases the ecosystem's capabilities to potential users, businesses, and investors, driving adoption and opening doors for collaboration and partnerships.

• Feedback and Iteration: Hackathons provide a valuable feedback loop for the Cardano ecosystem. Participants can provide insights, identify challenges, and suggest improvements to the platform, contributing to its evolution and refinement.

In summary, the solution of organizing a series of hackathons brings significant benefits to the Cardano ecosystem, including collaboration, innovation, developer engagement, expansion of the community, real-world use cases, and valuable feedback. These benefits contribute to the overall growth, adoption, and success of Cardano as a leading blockchain platform.

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

The following key performance indicators (KPIs) will be utilized:

• 1) New developers onboarded onto Cardano:
• Number of developers actively engaging with Cardano development resources, such as documentation, tutorials, and forums.
• Number of developers participating in Cardano-specific training programs or workshops.
• Increase in the number of developers contributing to Cardano GitHub repositories and open-source projects.
• Developer retention rate, indicating the level of engagement and ongoing involvement in the Cardano ecosystem.

• 2) New Dapps created using Cardano:
• Number of new decentralized applications (Dapps) developed on the Cardano blockchain.
• Quality and impact of the Dapps created, assessed through metrics like user adoption, transaction volume, and positive user feedback.
• Integration of Cardano with existing popular Dapp platforms or ecosystems.
• Active usage and ongoing development of Dapps, indicating sustained interest and value creation.

• 3) Traditional industry adoption of Cardano-based tools:
• Number of partnerships or collaborations with traditional industry players, including businesses, organizations, and institutions.
• Successful implementation and utilization of Cardano-based tools or solutions in real-world settings.
• Adoption metrics specific to each industry, such as the number of transactions, cost savings, efficiency improvements, or regulatory compliance achieved through the use of Cardano technology.
• Feedback and testimonials from industry partners on the impact and benefits of adopting Cardano-based tools.

• 4) Thought Leadership & Marketing:
• Number of thought leadership pieces, such as whitepapers, research papers, or industry reports published by the project.
• Engagement and response to thought leadership content, measured through metrics like downloads, shares, or citations.
• Media mentions and coverage of the project in reputable publications and news outlets.
• Increase in brand recognition and positive sentiment towards the project within the target audience.
• Growth in social media followers, engagement, and community involvement related to the project.

It is essential to establish specific targets and regularly track progress against these indicators throughout the project's lifecycle. Regular evaluation, analysis, and feedback collection will help identify areas of success and areas for improvement, allowing for adjustments and optimizations to achieve the desired outcomes.

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

The following plans will be implemented:

• 1) Recognition by Leading Organizations and Community:
• Publish project reports, case studies, and success stories that highlight the achievements, impact, and outcomes of the project.
• Share these publications with leading organizations in the relevant industry or sector through direct communication channels, such as email or targeted outreach.
• Collaborate with industry associations, research institutions, and think tanks to organize webinars, workshops, or conferences where project outcomes can be presented and discussed.
• Seek endorsements or testimonials from influential figures within the industry or community to validate the project's success and impact.

• 2) Public Relations & Media Features:
• Develop a comprehensive public relations (PR) strategy that includes press releases, media pitches, and media kits to disseminate project outputs and results to journalists and media outlets.
• Proactively engage with relevant media channels and journalists, offering exclusive interviews, expert opinions, or guest articles to increase media coverage and feature the project.
• Monitor media mentions and respond to inquiries or requests for information promptly.
• Leverage press conferences or media events to announce significant project milestones, partnerships, or achievements, attracting media attention and generating positive coverage.

• 3) Social Media Exposure:
• Develop a social media strategy to showcase project outputs and results on platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Reddit.
• Regularly share updates, infographics, videos, and blog posts highlighting the project's achievements, impact, and key findings.
• Engage with the online community by responding to comments, initiating discussions, and sharing relevant content.
• Collaborate with influencers or key opinion leaders within the industry to amplify the project's reach and exposure.
• Leverage paid social media advertising to expand the project's visibility and attract a wider audience.

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

STORM Partners has played an active role in the development of the Swiss Web3 ecosystem for many years now, from a participation, governance and strategic level. Our clients include innovative traditional enterprises, governments, and banks, that we have supported from a strategic, legal, compliance, and marketing perspective. 

We plan to launch Decentral House an innovation centre in Geneva, designed specifically for pioneers of the blockchain-based crypto ecosystem. This visionary space is set to transform the way blockchain enthusiasts, lovers of decentralised finance (DeFi) and other Web3 enthusiasts collaborate and thrive, providing them with an unrivalled environment to push the boundaries of digital innovation. 

It will offer a solid technological foundation, including high-speed internet, dedicated servers and advanced hardware, providing innovators with the tools they need to push the boundaries of innovative technologies.

 

From private offices to shared spaces, every aspect of our workspace is designed to meet the unique needs of high-growth projects - "Our commitment to strengthening the Web3 community led us to create a co-working space in Geneva that serves as a hub for the brightest minds and disruptive projects in the decentralised world.", Sheraz Ahmed

We are also highly active in the Cardano ecosystem and have contributed through various initiatives and events to strengthen and shape its community and ecosystem. Some of our Cardano contributions and initiatives include:

1. Sheraz Ahmed as Master of Ceremony at the Cardano Summit 2022 in Lausanne.
2. Host at the Crypto Valley Conference 2022 & 2023, welcoming Frederik Gregaard.
3. Executive Leadership at Crypto Valley Association coordinating activities with Cardano Foundation to promote the ecosystem in Zug and abroad.
4. Participated in various Cardano side-events / meetups such as the London Masterclass and Meetup on 9th May 2023.
5. Contribution to CIP-1694 workshop in Zug in June 2023.
6. Early-stage private investors in Cardano projects such as MELD.

We understand the importance of financial planning, budgeting, processes and accountability for the engagement we perform. Specifically, we will deploy progress updates. The team will regularly update each milestone with detailed explanations of a given task, with hours employed, outcomes and measurements. The updates will include reports on KPIs and metrics reached and strategic and implementation adjustments due to emerging issues or changes in the Cardano DAO ecosystem.

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

• Coordination with CF
• Collaboration with local ecosystem managers (Alexandre Maaza)
• Experience in local area and industry

[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.

Month 1

• Research & Strategy
• Initial Coordination
• Local Partner Outreach

Month 2

• Planning Genesis Hackathon
• Strategic Objectives Alignment with CF

Month 3

• Launch Hackathon
• Participant Coordination
• Media Exposure

Month 4

• Event Feedback & Iteration
• Strategic Findings Report
• Continual Series Launch

Month 5

• Local Traditional Industry Partnerships
• Further Build-Out Developer Community

Month 6

• Create Evergreen Builder Environment
• Submit Growth Proposal

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

• 1x Hackathon:
• Organize an hackathon eventt.
• Bring together developers, designers, and enthusiasts to collaborate and build innovative solutions on the Cardano blockchain.
• Provide resources, mentorship, and support during the hackathon to facilitate the development of high-quality projects.
• Showcase the potential and versatility of Cardano's technology through the projects created during the event.

• 2x Post-builder gathering + support:
• Conduct two post-builder gatherings or meetups to provide ongoing support to the participants of the hackathon.
• Create a space for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among the hackathon participants.
• Offer mentorship and guidance to help participants further refine and develop their projects.
• Facilitate connections with industry experts, potential investors, or business partners to explore opportunities for project growth and development.

• 3x Media exposure + thought leadership:
• Secure media exposure for the project by actively engaging with journalists and media outlets.
• Arrange interviews, press releases, or featured articles to highlight the project's goals, achievements, and impact.
• Position project representatives as thought leaders by sharing insights, research, or industry reports related to Cardano's technology and its applications.
• Promote the project's vision and contributions to the broader blockchain and technology communities through media channels.

• Wider-community attraction:
• Develop strategies to attract a wider community to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Organize outreach campaigns, social media engagement, or targeted marketing efforts to raise awareness and interest in Cardano among developers, businesses, and individuals.
• Create educational resources, tutorials, or webinars to onboard new community members and provide them with the necessary knowledge and tools to engage with Cardano.
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive community environment that encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and active participation.

These deliverables aim to drive innovation, collaboration, and community growth within the Cardano ecosystem. The hackathon, post-builder gatherings, media exposure, and wider-community attraction initiatives work together to enhance Cardano's visibility, engagement, and adoption, ultimately contributing to the project's success and the broader advancement of Cardano as a leading blockchain platform.

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

Total cost breakdown (ADA):

Hackathon

• 60'000

Post events

• 30'000

Support

• 10'000

Admin

• 4'500

= 104'500

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

With a small budget allocation, we can guarantee the positioning of Cardano within the untapped French-speaking part of Switzerland. Geneva represents a huge opportunity for Web3, and now is the time to unlock it!

[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