Unified Cardano Student Club Nigeria SANDBOX: Where Startups and devs Collaborate to make an explosion

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Unified Cardano Student Club Nigeria

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

5

[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)

The Unified Cardano Student Club Nigeria SANDBOX proposes a dynamic hackathon to bridge this gap and empower students to develop innovative solutions within the Cardano ecosystem.

[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

Project will be fully open source. The videos and images from the hackathon will be put on public forums like Youtube and the report generated will be put on Medium and as google docs that will be shared with the community.

[METADATA] Horizons

Hackathons

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem:

Entrepreneurial students lack the specific knowledge and resources to enter the fast-paced world of Cardano blockchain development. Traditional education often lags behind this dynamic field, leaving students without the tools to turn their ideas into reality.

Solution:

The Unified Cardano Student Club SANDBOX presents a revolutionary hackathon experience – a high-intensity competition modeled after popular incubator shows. This "Cardano Incubation Challenge" will empower students to develop innovative solutions within the Cardano ecosystem.

Building on Existing Buzz:

• Intense Competition: Like shows where startups compete for funding, student teams will have a limited time to design and build functional blockchain applications on Cardano.

• Mentorship by Industry Leaders: Renowned Cardano developers, entrepreneurs, and investors will act as mentors and judges, mirroring the structure of popular incubator programs.

• Community Hype: Social media campaigns, live-streamed events, and collaboration with student organizations will generate excitement across universities.

• Real-World Impact: Winners will receive compelling prizes, such as seed funding, project incubation support, or direct mentorship opportunities, mirroring the life-changing rewards offered on popular shows.

Benefits:

• Attract & Engage Talent: Spark student interest in Cardano, fostering a new generation of blockchain innovators within the ecosystem.

• Practical Learning: Provide a platform for students to gain hands-on experience building real-world blockchain solutions.

• Community Building: Create a vibrant community of student innovators within the Cardano space, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Sustainable Growth: Identify and nurture promising Cardano-based projects, contributing to the long-term health and growth of the ecosystem.

The Cardano Incubation Challenge:

• Preliminary Stage: Open applications for student teams with innovative blockchain ideas. A rigorous selection process will choose 25 teams based on the quality of their concepts and team composition.

• Incubation Bootcamp: The chosen teams will be flown to a resort-like location for an immersive bootcamp. Here, they will receive intensive training on Cardano development, mentored by industry experts, and refine their ideas for Cardano integration. The entire process, including challenges and team dynamics, will be documented for potential broadcast.

• Pitch Show & Finals: Teams will pitch their refined Cardano solutions to a panel of judges, including their mentors who can earn additional rewards for successful teams. Judges will score each pitch, with the top 10 teams advancing to the final round. Investors from both inside and outside the Cardano ecosystem will be invited to the final event, where the top 10 teams present their projects and compete for prizes, including cash awards (in ADA).

Extras:

• To maintain viewer engagement and introduce Cardano concepts in a fun way, we'll include interactive elements like Cardano-related trivia and games, with winners receiving ADA rewards.

The Unified Cardano Student Club SANDBOX's "Cardano Incubation Challenge" offers an unparalleled opportunity to replicate the excitement of popular incubator shows within the world of Cardano. This immersive hackathon will equip students with the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of blockchain pioneers within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

The Unified Cardano Student Club SANDBOX directly addresses the need to onboard student blockchain developers and aspiring entrepreneurs into the Cardano community. Our multi-stage approach will achieve this through:

• Broad Awareness: We anticipate receiving over 1,000 applications, exposing a significant number of student developers and entrepreneurs (estimated 1,000) to the Cardano ecosystem through the application process and surrounding publicity.

• Active Onboarding: The 25 selected teams, comprised of developers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and potentially other team members, will receive intensive training and mentorship, fully integrating them into the Cardano developer and entrepreneurial communities.

• Community Building: The challenge fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among student innovators through the bootcamp and beyond, creating a vibrant student sub-section within the Cardano community, focused on both development and entrepreneurship.

This initiative will not only equip students with the technical skills to excel in Cardano development, but also cultivate a passionate and knowledgeable new generation of Cardano advocates, developers, and entrepreneurs.

[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?

To further spell out the feasibility of the proposal, we can delve into various aspects:

1. Existing Infrastructure and Support: The Unified Cardano Student Club already boasts a significant membership and a network of mentors across various fields crucial for blockchain development
2. Demand and Interest: The fact that over 300 students have already engaged with the club demonstrates a considerable interest among students in blockchain and Cardano specifically
3. Alignment with Educational Gaps: Traditional education often struggles to keep pace with rapidly evolving fields like blockchain technology
4. Relevant Expertise and Mentorship: The presence of supervisory councils and mentors with diverse expertise, including blockchain developers, educators, AI experts, and marketing professionals, ensures that participating students will have access to guidance from seasoned industry professional
5. Community Engagement and Support: The proposal leverages social media campaigns, live-streamed events, and collaboration with student organizations to generate excitement and engagement across universities
6. Tangible Incentives: The promise of compelling prizes, such as seed funding, project incubation support, and direct mentorship opportunities, serves as a strong incentive for student participation
7. Documentation and Broadcasting: By documenting the entire process, including challenges and team dynamics, for potential broadcast, the proposal aims to maximize its reach and impact
8. Scalability and Longevity: The proposed structure of the Cardano Incubation Challenge, with its preliminary stage, incubation boot camp, and final pitch show, is designed for scalability and longevity

In summary, the feasibility of the proposal is supported by the existing infrastructure and support, the clear demand and interest among students, the alignment with educational gaps, the availability of relevant expertise and mentorship, the focus on community engagement and support, the provision of tangible incentives, the plan for documentation and broadcasting, and the scalability and longevity of the proposed challenge structure.

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

Milestone 1: Planning and Structuring

Timeline: Month 1 - 2

Activities: (I) Identify and visit probable locations for the TV Show

(ii) Identify, visit, and negotiate with possible National TV stations for the show

(iii) identify the best promotion brands to use for our campaigns

(iv) Contact Judges, investors and other stakeholders who will be in the event.

Milestone 2:

Milestone 2: Call For Applications

Timeline: Months 3 and 4

Activities: (I) Draft a call for an application form

(ii) Design a call for application banners and poster

(iii) Post and promote the call for application

(iv) Review and accept applicants

Milestone 3:

Milestone 3:Pitch Show

Timeline: Month 5

Activities: (I) Contact all accepted teams, to make sure they are coming, substitute those teams who can't make it

(ii) Make transport arrangements for all teams coming from all over the country

(iii) Prepare all other logistics like accommodation, feeding, etc

(iv) Prepare logistics for Judges and Investors that will be coming

(v) Event center preparation for the right optics needed for each event

(vi) Show setup, moderation, and streaming

Final Milestone:

Final Milestone: Documentation

Timeline: Month 5

1. Compile Documentation: Gather all relevant information, including participant details, schedules, criteria, and feedback.
2. Create Content: Develop clear and comprehensive documentation covering all aspects of the hackathon.
3. Format and Review: Ensure consistency and clarity in formatting. Review thoroughly for accuracy and completeness, incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
4. Finalize and Distribute: Make necessary revisions and finalize the documentation. Determine distribution channels and promote awareness of its availability.
5. Promote and Archive: Utilize various channels to promote the documentation. Establish a system for archiving to ensure accessibility for future reference.

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

Ese Williams ( Project Manager ) - Web3 Marketing Expert, Branding position expert, Designer, UI/UX Designer. As a seasoned professional in the Web3 marketing domain, I specialize in branding strategy and UI/UX design. My expertise extends to successfully establishing and nurturing the Unified Cardano Student Club across six universities, effectively integrating them into a cohesive community network. Additionally, I have orchestrated a notable AI and Blockchain event featuring hands-on workshops attended by AI and Blockchain developers, showcasing my ability to facilitate engaging and informative industry gatherings. With a track record of driving community engagement and fostering collaboration, I bring a unique blend of marketing acumen and design prowess to every project I undertake.

Profile: https://twitter.com/EseWilliams5

Demilade (Mayowa) Jaiyeola (Mentor / Judge ) - Software Architect/Engineer at Omni Ark Inc | Haskell Developer | Cardano based Web3 Solutions Architect & Developer | Sustainable Growth Advocate | Ouroboros: The future of decentralised technology.

Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oluwademilade-jaiyeola/

Qussim Bakare ( Mentor / Judge ): A Visionary In Environmentally Conscious Homes That Perfectly Complement Each Client | A Creative THinker | #Blockchain Believer | #DEFI | #CARDANO NEWS |

Profile: https://twitter.com/OPWeaLTH1

Musa Ridwan Itopa ( Event Organier ): A dedicated and hardworking professional, Musa excel in building and managing vibrant communities. With a proven track record in leadership roles, Musa inspire teams to achieve their goals and surpass expectations. Known for His approachable demeanor and cool-headed attitude, I foster positive relationships and create engaging experiences for community members and clients alike.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/musa-ridwan-itopa-9a301a251/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

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

Milestone 1: Budget: 5500 ADA

(I) Cost on research and transportation to visit probable locations for the SandBox (1500 ADA)

(ii) Cost to research and transportation to visit, and negotiate with possible National TV stations for the show(1500 ADA)

(iii) Transportation to contact Judges, investors and other stakeholders who will be in the event (1500 ADA)

Project Management: 1000 ADA

Milestone 2: Budget: 7000 ADA

(I) Draft a call for an application form (500 ADA)

(ii) Design a call for application banners and posters (500 ADA)

(iii) Post and promote the call for application (4000 ADA)

Project Management: 2000 ADA

Milestone 3: 26,900 ADA

(i) Transport arrangements for all teams coming from all over the country: 4600 ADA

(ii) Logistics like accommodation, feeding, etc: 3500 ADA

(iii) Broadcasting Fee: 4000 ADA

(iv) Video and Photography: 1000 ADA

WINNER PRIZES: 8000 ADA

TRIVIA PRIZES: 400 ADA

JUDGES: 1000 ADA

MENTORS AND PRIZES: 2000 ADA

FACILITATORS: 2000 ADA

RUNNERS: 1000 ADA

Project Management: 1000 ADA

TOTAL: 40,000 ADA

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

The cost of implementing the Unified Cardano Student Club Sandbox and its Cardano Incubation Challenge represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1. Investment in Future Talent: By allocating resources to support student engagement and education in blockchain technology, particularly within the Cardano ecosystem, the project invests in the future talent pool of developers, entrepreneurs, and innovator
2. Development of Innovative Solutions: The hackathon provides a platform for students to develop innovative solutions within the Cardano ecosystem
3. Community Building and Engagement: By fostering a vibrant community of student innovators within the Cardano space, the project encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking among participant
4. Promotion and Adoption: The publicity and visibility generated by the hackathon, including social media campaigns, live-streamed events, and collaboration with student organizations, contribute to the promotion and adoption of Cardano
5. Long-Term Impact: The skills, knowledge, and experiences gained by participating students have a ripple effect that extends beyond the duration of the hackathon

In summary, while there is a cost associated with implementing the Unified Cardano Student Club Sandbox and its Cardano Incubation Challenge, the value it provides to the Cardano ecosystem in terms of talent development, innovation, community building, promotion, and long-term impact outweighs the investment.

The cost is estimated using the average cost of similar price units in Nigeria

The following links can give an idea of my budgeting:

https://www.nairaland.com/93617/cost-buying-air-time-tv

https://intercity.ng/blog/trip-from-abuja-to-lagos

https://www.booking.com/city/ng/abuja.html