Boosting Argentina with Blockchain: Kicking off the Global Midnight Community

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Guido Zatloukal

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

This project is presented by the Argentine Blockchain Foundation, an organization created to spread awareness and promote the usage of blockchain technology in the country, in conjunction with Cultura C3, one of the largest communities in Argentina for talented enthusiasts within the crypto ecosystem.

Both groups have extensive experience in organizing and events with significant impact in the tech / web3 industry.

The Argentine Blockchain Foundation, in 2023, organized a 7 hour long, 3 panel seminar, with 8 total speakers, and an attendance of over 250 individuals.

Cultura C3 created and organized Cryptovendimia, an unprecedented industry event that merges wine and innovative technology. An event that was exceptionally well received by both the more traditional wine production industry, and the forward looking Crypto Industry. With an attendance of over 400 people it proves that their team is capable of thinking outside of the box, and developing the highest quality industry defining events.

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

9

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Create a community to onboard new builders, entrepreneurs, companies & government decision makers to MIDNIGHT, all through an event in Buenos Aires and further online projects/social media content.

[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] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The project’s output will be completely available to the public. We will craft a comprehensive report at the project's end that will be completely auditable by anyone in the community

We are committed to ensuring transparency and to openly share this experience with the community as a whole

[METADATA] Horizons

Community

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We aim to promote Midnight’s potential, starting with Argentina (a country with a rapidly growing crypto / web3 / blockchain industry, and in a political context where restrictive regulations are a thing of the past) and expanding it virtually to the rest of the world, through a professional viral social media marketing campaign.

Focused on the onboarding of new builders, enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, private sector decision makers, public sector leaders, into this new ecosystem, both empowering them to create new solutions, and boosting Midnight itself with the inclusion of talented and hardworking professionals and experts.

Argentina is ranked number 14 in the world for crypto asset penetration, yet we are the number 24 economy when measuring GDP, while at the same time, being the home of several tech unicorns, and star developers not only in the tech sector, but also in other blockchain related projects.

Midnight has a unique opportunity to benefit itself from a great quantity of experienced builders, the only prerequisite is to foster a community with constant opportunities for quality networking, that clearly and effectively communicates through social media, marketing it to an ample diverse audience.

Our project consists of organizing a kickoff event for MIDNIGHT with the objective of generating great impact. It will be held in a famous auditorium in the city of Buenos Aires, with facilities for more than 250 individuals. There will be both a main stage area for Keynotes and Panels, and another dedicated exclusively to networking and lounging.

When it comes to the panels / keynotes they will be focused on the following concepts:

• Product Development and Builder Onboarding
• Disruptive Use cases
• Public Sector implementation
• Private sector efficiency and security
• Education & Community

Looking at Midnight’s use cases, (Financial services, Healthcare, Supply chain management, Government Services, Enterprises Data management) we can confidently say that, based on previous events that the entities behind this project have organized (specified at the start of the proposal itself), we will attract individuals and companies of influence and relevance to this new ecosystem, both in the public (Persuading them with the prospect of digital identity and voting solutions) and the private sector (Focusing on supply chain and enterprise data management)

Also, along the 9 months of work for this project, we will regularly host virtual meetups for this new community. Focused on feedback, and ideas born from recently onboarded builders and interested individuals

We will take advantage of this event to generate quality video content, both by recording all panels and keynotes for online on-demand consumption and by creating dynamic, native social media content thus reaching an even broader audience.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Our project aims to expand the community of users and developers interested in blockchain technology in Argentina, taking advantage great opportunity that midnight brings to a country that is primed to become a global powerhouse in the tech industry, and particularly in the Web3 Ecosystem .

We propose to introduce this Midnight, in the context of the broader CARDANO universe, highlighting its main virtues and capabilities.In addition, we will present practical cases and success stories that demonstrate its applicability and effectiveness in various industries.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our ability to deliver this project with a high degree of confidence and responsibility is based on the vast experience and solid background of the members of our team and institutions.They have a proven track record in management and successful execution of initiatives aimed at creating communities and projects linked to blockchain.

Community Engagement: The active and systematic organization of numerous events, workshops and conferences within the blockchain industry demonstrates a clear and strong commitment to the development of transparent, diverse, and inclusive communities.

Metrics And impact measurement: During the execution of the project, we will establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and other essential metrics to evaluate both progress and impact generated. Event attendance, active participation of attendees, social media influence, traditional media coverage, and integration of new developers, will be monitored and reported on periodically in order to validate and optimize the effectiveness of the project.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

• Define the event venue
• Select and arrange relevant speakers for panels and Keynotes
• Develop the “Day of Event” structure and schedule
• Develop a marketing strategy for the event
• Host the first virtual community meetup specified in the project description

Evidence of completion will be provided in the form of a milestone based report that will include photographic / audiovisual evidence, and documentation detailing specific expenditures

• Create social media profiles in all the major platforms for the MIDNIGHT Community
• Create a website for the community, with extra functionality not available on social media sites
• Record, edit, and release an initial battery of content based on explaining all of Midnight’s potential, and promoting the upcoming kickoff event
• Execute the marketing strategy laid out on Milestone 1
• Host the second virtual community meetup specified in the project description

Evidence of completion will be provided in the form of a milestone based report that will include photographic / audiovisual evidence, and documentation detailing specific expenditures

• Execute the event itself
• Produce content on the day of the event
• Host the third virtual community meetup specified in the project description

Evidence of completion will be provided in the form of a milestone based report that will include photographic / audiovisual evidence, and documentation detailing specific expenditures

Post production and release of social media content about the event as a whole, focused on showcasing the most important aspects of each panel / keynote, letting the individuals that were the stars on such occasions shine, taking advantage of their expertise in communicating either Midnight technically, or its most exciting use cases.

Finally we will create a report that summarizes every previous step taken in the project and demonstrates that the resources received were used to help Cardano reach greater heights both in the country of Argentina, and all around the world.

These Milestones provide a defined roadmap for the implementation of this project and a criteria for measuring its success in Argentina.The achievement of each of these milestones will demonstrate our ability to carry out the project as planned and contribute to the development of the Cardano community in the country.

Evidence of completion will be provided in the form of a milestone based report that will include photographic / audiovisual evidence, and documentation detailing specific expenditures

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Guido Zatloukal : Project Lead - Workshop/Talks/Seminar Host and Participant

Guido Zatloukal is an experienced web developer with a 10-year track record in the tech industry. He was a key player in the implementation of the “NAC” , an Argentine Digital Literacy project sponsored by the national government. Additionally, he is the co-founder and president of the Blockchain Argentina Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and widespread usage of blockchain technology in the country.

https://ar.linkedin.com/in/guido-zatloukal-175b372b0 

Maximiliano Rios : Project Lead - Workshop/Talks/Seminar Host and Participant

Community Champion Argentina at the Algorand Foundation (March 2023 - December 2023).

Led the Algorand Foundation’s ecosystem growth in Argentina through in-person events and social media content. In 2023, organized two hackathons: one in April at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and another in November during LABITCONF 2023, the most important blockchain event in Latin America. Additionally, founded the crypto community at UTN Buenos Aires, the most prestigious engineering university in Argentina.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxirios/

Alex Barros : Marketing and Content Manager

Co-Founder and Operations Director of the Argentine Blockchain Foundation, with ample experience in the field of communications/ marketing consulting, and an academic background in Political Science, a field that he studied at the University of Buenos Aires, bringing several diverse skill sets to the table that make him valuable to projects such as this, that require excellence in many different fields in order to succeed.

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-barros-garc%C3%ADa-536251134/ 

Victoria Belohlawek : Press and Communications Manager 

Journalist, plays a crucial role at the Blockchain Argentina Foundation as its press director . With a notable background in promoting cultural events and projects, she has brought her experience to the world of blockchain technology, boosting the visibility and impact of the foundation. Her unique combination of communication skills and passion for innovation makes her an invaluable asset to the organization and the sector as a whole.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-belohlawek-102174139/

Facundo Cajen: 

Facundo Cajén is a Lead Developer with extensive experience in software development and blockchain-based applications. Throughout his career, he has worked on innovative projects, leading teams and contributing to the growth of the crypto ecosystem. His expertise includes creating high-impact technological solutions and integrating advanced tools to optimize digital product development. Facundo is known for his ability to turn ideas into solid and scalable projects.

https://ar.linkedin.com/in/facundo-cajen

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Team Salary x5 = ADA 1500 x 9 months = (TOTAL) ADA 67.500

Event Cost (Location, Catering, Sound, Miscellaneous costs): ADA 20.000

Marketing and Content Production Costs: ADA 12.400

Total: ADA 99900 

Expenditure Per Milestone

Milestone 1: 3 Months = ADA 22.500

Milestone 2: 4 Months = ADA 30.000

Milestone 3: 1 Month = ADA 27.500

Final Milestone: 1 Month = ADA 19.900

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

Investing in this project offers significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem for several reasons:

Focused Development: This project is targeted towards Argentina, a territory with growing interest in blockchain technology. By channeling resources towards this area, we seek to capitalize on this market which we believe to be poised for Massive adoption of the Cardano Ecosystem.The costs are fully justified given the strategic relevance of entering this market.

Significant Impact: The planned events, workshops and meetups are designed to attract a high number of developers and creators to the Cardano ecosystem.The value of adding new talent and innovation to Cardano clearly outweighs the costs of these activities.

Balanced Budget: The budget has been meticulously calculated to ensure that it is tailored to the specific demands of the project.Expenses are directly correlated with the proposed objectives and goals, focusing on achieving developer onboarding, community strengthening, and increased Cardano awareness.