Cardano x African Blockchain Championship

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Simon Sällström

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

7

[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)

A series of Cardano developer workshops and hackathon bounties integrated into the African Blockchain Championship to foster innovation and skill development.

[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.”

We don’t need but would appreciate active engagement from the Cardano community in order to make sure the challenges set are relevant!

We would also like to have active support from developer educators from within the community.

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

No

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

Projects submitted to the hackathon may not be fully open sourced.

[METADATA] Horizons

Hackathons

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We propose a co-developed workshop series involving Cardano and DirectEd. This series will leverage existing materials and community resources to provide young developers with the support they need. DirectEd’s expertise in crafting engaging curriculums will enhance learning outcomes and maintain participant motivation. 

We will recruit outstanding technical instructors with proven teaching records to lead these workshops, fostering a local mentorship network. 

In addition to the educational series, the Championship will offer comprehensive business incubation support. We aim to assist top projects throughout the hackathon and beyond, ensuring their sustainable growth and integration into the Cardano ecosystem. This holistic approach will not only develop skilled developers but also foster the creation of viable blockchain companies in Africa.

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

• Active Cardano developers from leading technical universities in africa
• Projects but by African developers to build and solve real world problems

Our project will foster a vibrant community of active Cardano developers from top technical universities across Africa. By empowering these developers to create innovative projects that address real-world challenges, we will enhance the Cardano ecosystem's diversity and impact. This initiative will not only cultivate local talent but also encourage the development of solutions tailored to the unique needs of African economies. Ultimately, this engagement will strengthen the Cardano community by integrating fresh perspectives and use cases, driving broader adoption and innovation within the blockchain space.

[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?

I have successfully completed four Project Catalyst challenges. I was the lead organiser of ETH Oxford in early 2024, a hackathon with over $100,000 in bounties. This event attracted sponsorship from prominent organizations, including Avalanche, NEAR, Solana, Midnight, and StarkNET, among others. 

Over the past 2 years, I have built a talent pipeline covering roughly 20% of the top 0.1% of high school graduates in Kenya and also met with the Kenyan minister Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria. Through our Tison Apprenticeship arm, I have trained students who have built, or are currently building, software for a dozen companies. 

We will validate our approach by evaluating both the quantity and quality of the projects submitted, ensuring that our efforts lead to impactful outcomes within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Training of educators who can facilitate Cardano workshops

3-day in person Hackathon delivery

Judging of final submissions

Distribution of hackathon bounties to the winning teams.

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

Simon Sällström, lead organiser

Edward Tife Young, operations

Moses Kahure, partnerships

Kidus Elias, head of curriculum

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

Requested Amount: $18,000

1. Hackathon Bounty Prizes: $8,000. Allocated for prizes to incentivize participation and innovation during the hackathon.
2. Merchandise: $2,000. Funding for promotional merchandise to enhance participant engagement and event branding.
3. Diamond Sponsorship: $8,000

• $4,000: Funding for the identification and training of four Cardano educators, including the delivery of a workshop series and participation incentives for students.
• $4,000: Budget for management and staffing, venue rental, workshop incentives, food costs, and administrative overhead.
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[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

• The project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by engaging approximately 1,000 developers across four nations. This significant participation will not only enhance the skills and capabilities of developers but also result in a diverse range of innovative projects tailored to local needs built on the Cardano ecosystem. The investment will yield long-term benefits as these developers contribute to the growth and adoption of the Cardano platform, ultimately strengthening the ecosystem and driving further innovation.