Cardano Based Web3 Blockchain Center in Tokushima-Yoshinogawa Japan

[GENERAL] Name and Surname of Main Applicant

[GENERAL] Email address of Main Applicant

Additional Applicants

Makoto Harada(CEO of Kittamu, CEO of Givcal co.ltd)

RANKET (Ph.D)

RANKET2 (Stake Pool Operator)

Kittamu related members (Web designer, Web Engineer)

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

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

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

[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.” in this field.

We will collaborate with the professional cloud company and locan government as a close relation partner.

[GENERAL] Will your project outputs be fully Open Source?

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

Fundamentally, our service will not establish the program code source itself. We will encourage the persons or companies who want start a project with Cardanocardano blockchain. Of course, we understand the usual blockchain would be good as open source. However, we can not force. We will only explain Cardano strategy.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG goals:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

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

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

SDG subgoals:

By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education)

Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

Universal Human Rights Index (UHRI):

#proposertoolsdg

SDG subgoals:

By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education)

Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

Universal Human Rights Index (UHRI):

#proposertoolsdg

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

◆Reasons for approaching 

1. Companies, local governments, and traditional craft groups seek alternative options to foreign websites for creating NFTs and commercializing their products.

2. Companies using web2 technology require assistance in migrating to Web3.

3. Companies considering using Cardano for their services are having difficulty finding good partners since there are only a small number of startups around the Cardano blockchain.

◆Our Solution

1. We will establish the new web3 center at Yoshinogawa-Tokushima Japan. This center can support traditional organizations and official organizations including local government. We will encourage regional revitalizations using blockchain technologies with Cardano. Our project will enhance Cardano adoption for social implementations and companies.we will first operate a web server and operate it as an image server for images such as jpg and mp4. This is effective for companies, local governments, traditional craft groups, etc. who are reluctant to rely on overseas sites when creating NFTs. Cardano node operators will also join as members and will provide advice and work on behalf of tokens and NFT issuance. Additionally, we are building a Cardano adoption case for companies with high Web2 technology. By collaborating with this company, it will be possible to collaborate with Web2 technology and application development.
2. We will teach the basics of Python and Unity development for members close to local government members, and provide consultation and initial development support as part-time staff. 
3. In the medium term, we will create games, etc., and develop NFT games using Paima Engine etc. provided by dcSpark. Create games that favor holders and increase exposure to Cardano.
4. Our Web3 center will join to a new building place, which will be opened at August 2023. This place is operated by the semi-official organization. The CEO is the leader of this project. We would like to emphasize the connection with traditional organizations and official organization including local governments.This center will be built on the premise of long-term operation, and will be operated in cooperation with an organization that already has a long-term track record of activities and has received approval from the local government.

◆Project end-users aim

1. Traditional organizations
2. Official organizations
3. Local government
4. Companies

◆Project demonstrates outcomes

1. Offer solutions that enable companies and traditional craft villages to create NFTs and commercialize their products without relying solely on foreign websites.

2. Providing use cases for companies heavily reliant on web2 technology and facilitating their smooth transition to Web3 using Cardano blockchain technology.

3. Assist in connecting and identifying suitable partners for companies contemplating the adoption of Cardano for their business, ensuring seamless integration into the Cardano ecosystem.

◆The uniqueness of this solution

1. Our new web3 center has strong relationships with traditional and official organizations, including local authorities.

2. This center is operated by an organization with a long history of operation and has received the approval of the local government.

3. The team of consulting and supporting companies and organizations that want to apply Cardano, web3 technology, issue tokens, and NFTs are experienced Cardano SPOs.

◆Why this is important to Cardano

1. Contribute to increasing the adoption of Cardano in businesses.

2. Attract newcomers to the Cardano ecosystem, and accelerate the growth of Cardano.

3. Increasing number of web3 companies start up on Cardano.

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

◆This Proposal targets the goal of the Challenge

1. Technical documentation & education - Amount of people viewing resources, reduction in a number of common questions for contributors due to better resources. Our center will be a place where direct instruction to local people, local government agencies, and web2 companies on how to use Cardano NFT technologies
2.  to make sample products for example, Web games, which can be (partially) controlled by NFTs
3. to make sample product for example Web game, which can be (partially) controlled by NFTs
4. The project quality created by our proposal is not so important, however, it is essential to make examples/evidence that ordinary nonhigh level educated person before attending our project can create to Cardano-based project.

◆Impact of our proposal on the Cardano ecosystem

1. the increased opportunity and examples of Web2 products such as Games, NFT projects and NFT linked products based on the Cardano system.
2. The successful implementation of the project will have a great impact on the ecosystem as similar projects can learn about how to implement the model that suits their locality.
3. The community will also have a basis for comparison on how to build a similar model and from there can improve it to be appropriate in terms of cost and time.

 We are building a Cardano adoption case for companies with high Web2 technology. By collaborating with this company, it will be possible to collaborate with Web2 technology and application development

◆The value our proposal brings to the Cardano ecosystem

1.  The center will be a place to connect local technology companies, local government agencies, etc. to help Cardano technologies be disseminated and applied at the enterprise level.
2. The center will also be able to become a place to connect and share work between local people and businesses. Such kind of novel entrance to Cardano is quite important. This is the most important point for Cardano adoption and should immediately start.
3.  One more thing, the arising jobs related to Cardano technology can also be shared online for the worldwide developer community.

With the plan described above, Cardano can provide a highly reliable and client-friendly entry point for organizations considering entering the blockchain. In addition, we will provide a path to high-level products through collaboration with Web2 companies that have top-level technology and are considering system development using Cardano. In addition, it is possible to recommend Catalyst's proposals to companies that have excellent technical and marketing capabilities, but feel the risk of entering the market. The current problem with Catalyst is the lack of projects with ongoing revenue. Our project unlocks a lot of potential that was previously hesitant to enter the Web3 industry.

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

The success of our project can be measured by the number of collaboration projects and the product supported by our team.

At least, we will developpe instant web games and NFT projects for a demonstration of our center. This is the minimum target of our project. And we will promote the Cardano web3 acceptance for other companies and organizations.

1 Number of collaborative projects

This parameter represents the results of connecting solutions, approaching Web2 technology enterprises, and local government agencies.

2 Number of the products supported by our team

This parameter represents the direct effect of the project with the number of Cardano products supported by the project. 

3 Developed web games and NFT projects for central demonstration.

This parameter represents the result of cooperation between projects or businesses through the center

Impact on Cardano's productivity and growth in the short term

Short term:

Strengthen Cardano's presence through our center.

Relationships with local government agencies allow Cardano's technologies to be disseminated there.

Impact on Cardano's productivity and growth in the long term

Long term:

Encourage another project like this to apply our model to develop it in the whole Cardano ecosystem

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

◆Plan to disseminate project outputs

Now, we are trying to establish a new Homepage based on the Catalyst project Japanese Traditional Crafts NFT (Fund 9 funded project 900125). We will encourage the NFT or web game project. The collaborated projects can be seen on the collaboration page of our homepage. (https://japantradcraftcnft.machi-design.org)

(the NFT project market is https://www.jpg.store/collection/44ce9864da5f92e309d23f0cd40d2996d28d55da6890276e88927c7a?tab=items)

Of course, we will provide information through the Catalyst Eastern Town Hall meet-up, Cardano Japan community and SNSs.

◆How to share output/results when project completion

Once the project has completed the KPI,

We will share the output with Catalyst and the community by:

1. Submit the Project Close Out report to Catalyst

2. Present my project in the Town Hall Meeting.

3. Announcement on our community channels.

4. The web game will be implemented on the project website.

◆Directions for using the results obtained from the project for further research and development activities

Project results such as cost, and implementation time will be the data for us to evaluate effectiveness. From there, we will research a more optimal and practical solution if we continue implementing the project in other localities in Japan.

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

◆Ability and experience suitable to implement the project

With our extensive experience and expertise, we possess the requisite knowledge to establish and operate this web3 hub successfully:

The CEO has cultivated strong relationships with politicians, local companies, numerous organizations, and businesses.Our team includes a highly experienced individual who has successfully implemented and supported Catalyst projects.

As a Catalyst-sponsored proponent, we successfully integrate handicrafts into NFTs on the Cardano blockchain. Importantly, our team has established connections with companies specializing in Google Cloud Platform, such as Cloud Ace in Japan. These strong affiliations with major cloud providers and companies will significantly contribute to the realization of our project.

◆Financial management process

We have the budget and actual cost sheets attached to the invoices to ensure covering the budget.

In addition, upon request by Catalyst, we may submit this budget management.

Makoto Harada will manage the Yoshinogawa community and PR

RANKET will manage Cardano technology and information, and also will manage the Yoshinogawa Web engineer team

Makoto Harada is the CEO of Kittamu, a semi-official organization in Yosihinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. This person has connections to politicians, local companies, organizations, and many companies. This person also establishes the Yoshinogawa center. We will use this center as a Web3 center.

RANKET is a Ph.D researcher and has much experience performing/supporting catalyst projects.

This person also established NFT linked actual item project (Fund 9, Funded project 900125). This person also connects with Google Cloud Platform specialists company (Cloud Ace in Japan).

The strong connections with real peoples and cloud companies will realize our project.

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

◆Main goal of the project (KPI)

1.  Goal 1: build Web3 center at Yoshinogawa Guild (placed at Yamakawa cho, Yoshinogawa City Tokushima Japan. KPI: Establish Web server, seminar community system
2.  Goal 2: Connect with web2 companies, local government agencies. KPI at least 1 or more collaborations, which is also related to regional revitalization.
3. to educate new developers, mainly related to Unity, Python, Generative AI use case. KPI the number of the developers, we will target 5 new developers
4. Create a web game or NFT project

 ◆How to verify the goal has been achieved

1. Evidences related to the construction of the center (bill of space rent, lease of fixed assets, etc.) however, we already almost finish of constructing.
2. Reports and announcements on the website or documents of cooperation (video record of the meeting, but in Japanese)
3. the game on our homepage service, also we will attach NFT gateway like system.
4. Web server, the person can use this server as NFT pictures and movies. The domestic server service is quite important for traditional companies and traditional organizations.
5. The consulting function from the companies and traditional organizations. If some person wants to make a token, NFT, and related service, we can advise and make connections with a support company.
6. to construct the anonymous receive service. When small companies or individuals want to star the NFT product linked with real products, the privacy problem with logistics is quite important.
7. Easy game making. We will try to make instant game by Unity linked with NFTs.

[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.

Total cost $70,000

We have summarized our milestone and plans

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I34rRh_5Na6i1JsqpyCXVtT6Y_EF6kMB/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111591893934981396754&rtpof=true&sd=true

◆Milestone

The 1st milestone (month 1-2)

Main activities + Timeline

• Creating core-team, making detail plan
• establish the guild home includes establish web server

Success Criteria (KPI) complete establish the guild home (now the building is contracting)

Estimated cost for this Milestone $20,000

The 2nd milestone (month 3-4)

Main activities + Timeline

to start Unity seminar and practice

test making of token and NFTs by cloud services

Deploying activities to connect web2 companies (month 3)

Connecting local developers (month 3)

Success Criteria (KPI) at least one collaboration with web2 or NFT company, deploy at least 1 instant web game by unity

Estimated cost for this Milestone $15,000

The 3rd milestone (month 5-6)

Main activities + Timeline

Training developers on Cardano including NFT plugin or similar product (month 5-6)

Continuing to implement activities connecting web2 companies (month 5-6)

Implement connection activities with local government agencies (month 5-6)

Making Plan, researching on webgame products (month 5)

• to develop anonymous receive system

Success Criteria (KPI) the number of web games, the number of NFT use web games or services. the meeting with web2 companies.

Estimated cost for this Milestone $20,000

The 4th milestone (month 7-8)

Main activities + Timeline

Workshop to support partner companies. (month 7)

Train and educate local people about Cardano NFT (month 7-8)

Building and developing web games (month 7-8)

Workshop connects web2 companies + government agencies + developers + local people(month 8)

Launching web game (month 8)

launch anonymous receive system

Community report about project result 

Success Criteria (KPI) two workshops, at least two web games with NFT use, community report.

Estimated cost for this Milestone $15,000

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

◆Handover products

The 1st milestone :　Web server and Guild home

The 2nd milestone　instant web game, Cardano tokens, CNFTs

The 3rd milestone: Web games with NFT function or NFT services.

                                    the report of the meeting with web2 companies.

The 4th milestone: Launching web game (month 8)

                     launch anonymous receive system

                                   Community report about project result    

◆Work results / desired results achieved

1. Web server and Guild home
2. NFT product/project
3. Webgames with NFT
4. anonymous receive system
5. seminar and educate new engineer
6. 
   

◆How to track project progress and measure progress

1. Catalyst and the community can check the progress and activities of the project directly at our home page website https://japantradcraftcnft.machi-design.org
2. We will attend almost every Catalyst Eastern Town Hall Japan breakout room
3. The SNS and open chat based on Japan Cardano community.

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

We will use the Yoshinogawa Center to carry out the activities of this project.

This saves the center's construction budget.

Developer training costs.

Cost of educating local people.

Cost of workshops.

The cost of creating a web game.

Project management costs.

Expenses for renting premises and fixed assets.

our total budget is $70,000

• Web server $ 15,000 for constructing server $ 5,000 for Engineer
• Consulting $15,000 for lecture fee and connecting activity
• to construct the anonymous receive service. MVP plans $20,000 (Full set $40,000, for next round)
• Easy Game making with NFTs, $15,000

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

In present, our team already succeeded to make Cardano adoption examples, such as two categories of the Japanese traditional crafts, 1 Web3 company and one quasi- local government organization.

Our project will encourage Cardano adopted companies and organization based on traditional stand point of Japan local cultures. The cost performance for Cardano adoption by our project will be quite efficient and reasonable.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I34rRh_5Na6i1JsqpyCXVtT6Y_EF6kMB/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111591893934981396754&rtpof=true&sd=true

[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.