Web 3 Work Marketplace to connect Freelancer to Business on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ha Nguyen

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

cooperation@proskills39.com

Additional applicants

Buck Nguyen

[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.

Yes

[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?

No

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

Not yet at the moment, as per the published Privacy Policy of our platforms with the relevant stakeholders: freelancers, Job seekers, and other partners. We cannot disclose the entire source code.

However, In the future, we will consider public partially the codes under the auditing process from 3rd party auditors.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

dApp

[METADATA] SDG rating

Our proposal focuses on Sustainable Development Goal #8, which promotes sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. It addresses post-pandemic, and Ukraine Crisis impacts, aiming to improve unemployment rates and support freelancers. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of a remote work environment and enhanced worker productivity, crucial for success in online service marketplaces with timely and punctual delivery requirements.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our solution

Establish a freelancers' platform, offering affordable Blockchain and technology services, facilitating the connection between project owners and freelancers, and assisting Catalyst-Cardano projects and Blockchain start-ups growing faster.

Reasons for approaching:

1. The demand for talent in the field of Blockchain, web3, and IT is high.

Talent recruitment salary for Blockchain, web3, IT industry is high. This proves the shortage of human resources and the high demand for recruitment.

Demand for talent in crypto is less dependent on the market as the industry matures.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/demand-for-talent-in-crypto-less-dependent-on-market-as-industry-matures 

https://cryptojobslist.com/blog/2022-crypto-jobs-report

2. Most of the skilled human resources are looking due to job cuts in many large companies.

https://news.crunchbase.com/startups/tech-layoffs/

3. Project owners in Cardano, Catalyst, and Blockchain have difficulty finding talent that fits within the budget. That affects the progress and completion of the project.

LINK SOURCE: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12_dChizRu_mX-v5VJgkY26eXVVBa-Qxk/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113162306998911458102&rtpof=true&sd=true

Project end-users aim: 

The proposed platform would enable to engage the following users.

1. Project Owner
2. Company
3. Freelancer
4. IT, Web3, Blockchain Talent (enthusiasts)
5. Service Provider

Project demonstrate outcomes

(*See the part [CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] for further data and information)

1. Help start-up projects in the fast-moving and emerging blockchain technologies and the Cardano ecosystem possibly find suitable talent sources.
2. Provide a large and feasible amount of work and tasks for those who are seeking extra income to cover job layoffs from tech companies and increase the chance to explore new job opportunities in the blockchain domain based on the existing skillsets.
3. Increased number of projects completed in Catalyst - Cardano.

The uniqueness of this solution and why this is important to Cardano.

1. 1. Integrate the five most recognized Cardano light wallets: Lace, Eternl, Typhon, Flint, and Nami, onto our platform as the primary payment methods between involved parties.
2. Apply smart-contract to ensure the final payment of the involved parties fairly and transparently.
3. Automatically categorize freelancers into different levels based on the available criteria.
4. Apply smart-contract to mint NFTs, which are used to issue badges that validate and showcase the capabilities and reputation of Freelancers.

[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:

Integrations with other existing services, products, and protocols that improve the end-user experience. This could mean giving the user more options or making something more accessible to use that benefits the broader ecosystem.

Impact of our Proposal on the Cardano Ecosystem

1. Increasing the number of products available for community use enriches the ecosystem with new use cases: Freelancer Connecting Platform.
2. Helping projects in Catalyst and Cardano start up smoothly.
3. Attract and focus highly skilled human resources to support the development of the Cardano ecosystem.
4. Increase the number of transactions using ADA through transaction settlement.
5. Increase the number of newly registered wallets from new users.

The value our proposal brings to the Cardano ecosystem

1. Create a new product, an exciting and valuable platform.
2. Attract users from other blockchains and fields to use the services and experience the blockchain technology that Cardano provides.
3. Through transactions, users interact more with the Cardano Blockchain, driving even more adoption, feedback, and innovation. 

These contribute to the strong growth of the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Quantitative/qualitative indicators to measure project success

1. Number of website visits: 40.000

2. Number of new registered users: 2000

3. Number of Freelancers posting services: 500

In which number of freelancers providing Cardano, Blockchain-related services: 200 people

4. Number of service orders (number of transactions): 700

In which number of projects funds by Catalyst to order services: 30

5. Number of completed contracts: 200

In which the number of contracts related to Catalyst, Cardano: 20 contracts.

6. Number of ADA payment transactions: Over 100 transactions

7. Number of newly registered wallets related to ADA payments: Over 100 wallets.

8. Number of Telegram community members: Over 8000 members

9. Number of Cardano-based Wallets integrated: 5

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

Plan to disseminate project outputs.

1. We will report monthly progress on the official Catalyst channels.

2. The community can track progress through monthly reports published on Catalyst's public channels.

3. Catalyst and the community can check progress through the below link https://proskills39.com/ 

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.

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

Based on the results obtained from the project, 

1. Analyze data and transaction trends to capture market demand. Based on that analysis, we create business strategies and customer support plans that are more effective.
2. Based on market demand, there is a more effective marketing strategy.
3. Based on user feedback, improve product quality.
4. Develop tools to help stakeholders work together more effectively.

[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:

Our team possesses the necessary skills and expertise to implement this project effectively. We have amassed considerable experience in the following areas:

1. Business administration, including the setup, management, and operation of platforms.
2. Proficiency in programming technology products, platforms, and banking payment systems.
3. Financial management and cash flow management expertise.
4. In-depth knowledge in the field of Blockchain, with a particular focus on Cardano.

Financial management process:

1. Our team consists of a seasoned Financial Manager with 20 years of experience in finance and banking
2. Accountant with over ten years of expertise in revenue, expenditure management, financial reporting, and business operations.

Transparent Workflow:

1. The Financial Manager is responsible for budget planning, allocation, and management.
2. The Accountant handles revenue and expenditure operations and maintains payment vouchers.
3. The Financial Manager and Accountant present the budget management sheet, receipts, and expenditures to the Project Manager every month.

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

In 6 months,

1. Number of website visits: 40000

2. Number of new registered users: 2000

3. Number of Freelancers posting services: 500

In which number of freelancers providing Cardano, Blockchain-related services: 200 people

4. Number of service orders (number of transactions): 700

In which number of projects funds by Catalyst to order services: 30

5. Number of completed contracts: 200

In which the number of contracts related to Catalyst, Cardano: 20 contracts.

6. Number of ADA payment transactions: Over 100 transactions

7. Number of newly registered wallets related to ADA payments: Over 100 wallets.

8. Number of Telegram community members: Over 8000 members

How to verify the goal has been achieved

1. We plan to distribute vouchers to fuel resources for project owners sponsored by Catalyst. Upon vouchers being used, the transaction will be recorded as an order associated with a Catalyst-sponsored project.

2. Our platform's dashboard will provide a comprehensive view of transaction data, orders, and payment history.

3. The count of wallets can be ascertained by tracking the number of users connecting them through our platform.

[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.

This proposal builds upon two previously funded proposals from fund 8 (800317) and fund 9 (900190), which are currently under development. Leveraging the established platform saves us initial setup time and costs. This proposal focuses on implementing upgrades for compatibility with the Cardano Blockchain.

Upon successful funding, we anticipate launching this project in March 2024, with an expected completion timeline of six months.

Detail Plan

• PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PLAN

• MARKETING PLAN

Workload management

We currently have a dynamic support team of over 20 collaborators poised to work hand in hand with our core project unit. This structure enables us to distribute tasks effectively and manage our development sprints according to our roadmap. Additionally, we have a pool of technical experts on standby, ready to be onboarded as our project needs increase.

Should there be a shortage of personnel for any project sprint, we plan to harness the expertise of freelancers on our platform and those within our community.

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

Statement of Milestones (SOM) built in advance: With the assistance of Cardano Ambassador, Mr. Yuta, we present the SOM in advance:

• to align with Catalyst Fund 10's guidelines for plan transparency and clarity,
• to facilitate easy reviewing for Community Reviewers (CR),
• to illustrate that our completion percentage consistently surpasses the budget percentage required for each milestone

SOM Link: https://docs.projectcatalyst.io/catalyst-basics/how-to-submit-a-proposal/fund10-milestone-based-funding-guidelines

Handover products

Our final handover products (detailed will be break-downed by SOM (Statement of Milestones) table:

1. Integrate Cardano light wallets (5 Wallets)
2. New User interface (using for Smart Contract Cardano and Freelancer Level)
3. Smart Contract on Cardano
4. Automatically categorize freelancers' Level
5. Smart Contract mint NFT

Work results / desired results achieved.

1. Users can connect and make payments through Cardano lightweight wallets.
2. Transactions are automated and securely handled by Smart Contracts.
3. Freelancer rankings are decentralized and determined automatically based on predetermined criteria.
4. NFT badges are minted automatically to acknowledge Freelancer's accomplishments, reputation, and skills when Freelancer meets promotion conditions.

How to track project progress and measure progress

1. Our programming team will submit weekly and monthly progress reports and release notes to the Project Manager.
2. The Project Manager will compile and deliver a comprehensive monthly progress report to Catalyst.
3. After each milestone, the Project Manager will consolidate and submit Proof of Achievement (POA) and Statement of Milestones (SOM) to Catalyst.

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

We plan to build the features of this project on a platform that we have funded by Catalyst fund before. The aim is to take advantage of the infrastructure and save the budget.

Total budget proposed in this proposal: 344671 ADA

(=868576 USD; Rate: ADAUSD=0.2520, 23/6/2023)

(*) We take the exchange rate: 0.2520, 23/6/2023, which is within the Proposal Writing period form 21st June to 17th July.

This already considers the risk of price fluctuation of ADA for the duration of project delivery.

Budgeting basis

1. Exchange rate:

ADAUSD rate taken at the time of budget calculation, date 23/6/2023

2. Programming cost:

With the desire to have the opportunity to contribute to supporting Cardano, Catalyst to grow stronger, we will strive to work with a salary 40-50% lower than the average salary in the market.

3. Personnel expenses:

Our team will strive to complete the project with a 40-50% remuneration lower than our country's average salary.

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

VALUE FOR MONEY- SALARY BENCHMARKING

The cost of the project is also considered low compared to the cost of the seniority of the engineers in the team. 

1. Salary benchmarking in the local country: We keep 40-50% savings on personnel cost for the team member's hourly rate: Salary Benchmarking
2. Our budget Allocation mainly focused on Product development (40%) and Commercial (~30%)
3. Consider the team allocation at different levels of the project org chart
4. Cardano Ecosystem is an emerging industry, and we need to have the proper induction and training for the new members.

VALUE FOR THE CARDANO ECOSYSTEM:

The cost of the ProSkills39 project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem through several factors:

1.  Alignment with Strategic Goals: The project's objectives and deliverables align with the strategic goals of the Cardano ecosystem and challenge setting
2. Impactful Deliverables: The project aims to deliver tangible outcomes that benefit the Cardano ecosystem, including solving the unemployment of freelancers and connecting talents for Catalyst-funded proposers.
3.  Measurement of Progress and Success: The project team has established transparent success criteria and performance indicators for each milestone. These metrics will be used to track progress, evaluate the project's success, and update the Catalyst Community. We walk the talk with the Catalyst Core Values.

[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