[Affiso] Decentralized Affiliate System

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Kim Ngan

Nguyen Trung Hau

Quoc Tuan

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

Develop an affiliate system using smart contracts to facilitate collaboration between parties.

[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.”

No dependencies.

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

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

All smart contract code developed for Affiso will be made open source, allowing anyone to inspect and verify the code. We believe that transparency in our smart contract operations is essential for building trust within the Cardano community. Our smart contract code will be publicly available in a GitHub repository under an open-source license, specifically the MIT License. This ensures that others can freely use, modify, and distribute the code.

However, certain proprietary algorithms related to our unique business logic and referral system will remain private. These algorithms are crucial to our competitive edge and the specific functionality that sets Affiso apart. While the smart contracts will be fully transparent, maintaining some components as private ensures we can continue to innovate while protecting sensitive parts of our intellectual property.

[METADATA] Horizons

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Affiso aims to solve a significant challenge faced by dApp developers in the Cardano ecosystem: difficulty in effectively reaching and engaging end-users. Many projects have been developed but fail to gain traction due to limited marketing budgets, a lack of direct access to target communities, and restrictions on crypto-related advertising on mainstream platforms. This leaves developers with few options to promote their products, especially when trying to collaborate with social influencers or community leaders to amplify their reach.

Our solution, Affiso, is a decentralized affiliate marketing platform that leverages smart contracts to create trustless, transparent, and automated marketing campaigns. By connecting dApp developers (Sponsors) with social influencers, community leaders, and other referrers (Referrers), Affiso facilitates seamless collaborations where Referrers earn rewards for driving user engagement with dApps.

How We Perceive the Problem:

The primary issue is the lack of accessible, low-cost marketing tools for developers in the Cardano ecosystem. Traditional marketing methods are either too costly or ineffective for projects working within the decentralized and blockchain space. Additionally, social media restrictions and regulations make it difficult for projects with crypto elements to promote themselves, leading to low user engagement and slow adoption.

Why We Approached It This Way:

We believe in the power of community-driven marketing. Referrers, especially influencers, are already trusted figures in their respective communities. By empowering them to promote dApps with performance-based incentives, we align the interests of developers and promoters. Smart contracts enable transparent, tamper-proof transactions, removing the need for intermediaries and ensuring that payments are fairly distributed based on real results. This approach not only builds trust but also lowers marketing costs and improves campaign efficiency for developers.

Who Will Our Project Engage:

• dApp Developers (Sponsors): Developers building decentralized applications on Cardano who are looking for ways to attract and engage users. They will create marketing campaigns through Affiso, setting budgets and target goals for Referrers to promote their apps.
• Referrers (Influencers, Community Leaders): Individuals or groups who have influence over target audiences and wish to earn rewards by promoting dApps. This could include YouTubers, TikTokers, Facebook group admins, or even neighborhood leaders.

How We Will Prove Our Impact:

The success of Affiso will be demonstrated through measurable results, such as the number of new users brought to dApps, engagement rates, and conversion metrics tracked via smart contracts. We will also collect feedback from both Sponsors and Referrers to continuously improve the platform’s functionality and user experience.

Unique Aspects of Our Solution:

1. Decentralized & Trustless: Affiso uses smart contracts to ensure transparency and security. Payments are only made when predefined conditions are met, eliminating the risk of fraud.
2. Performance-Based Rewards: Referrers are incentivized based on the results they deliver, making the process more efficient and outcome-driven compared to traditional advertising models.
3. Seamless Integration with Cardano Ecosystem: Affiso is built on Cardano, allowing payments to be made in ADA, DJED, or native tokens, offering flexibility to dApp developers in terms of funding campaigns.
4. Empowering Communities: Affiso fosters a grassroots approach to marketing by leveraging influencers and community leaders to promote dApps, enabling wider adoption and deeper community engagement.

Who Will Benefit & Why This is Important to Cardano:

• dApp Developers: They gain a low-cost, highly efficient tool to market their products and grow their user base.
• Referrers/Influencers: They can monetize their influence within the blockchain space by participating in targeted campaigns and promoting projects that align with their audiences.
• Cardano Ecosystem: Affiso promotes the broader adoption of Cardano dApps by connecting developers with users, helping the ecosystem grow through increased dApp usage and community participation.

By addressing the marketing challenges in the Cardano ecosystem, Affiso plays a crucial role in enhancing user acquisition and engagement.

To see more how Affiso system works, please visit at https://docs.affiso.net/en/usecases

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

Affiso aims to significantly accelerate the adoption of dApps within the Cardano ecosystem by leveraging the influence of individual users on social media. By connecting dApp developers with community influencers, the platform facilitates the promotion of decentralized applications to broader, real-world audiences, driving both user engagement and ecosystem growth.

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community:

1. Increased Adoption of dApps: Affiso makes it easier for developers to reach end-users, thereby increasing the use and visibility of Cardano-based applications.
2. Community Empowerment: Individuals acting as Referrers, such as YouTubers or community leaders, can benefit economically while directly contributing to the growth of the ecosystem.
3. Transparency and Fairness: The use of smart contracts ensures that all transactions and rewards are transparent, building trust within the community.
4. Ecosystem Growth: The platform fosters a more interconnected Cardano ecosystem by empowering dApps to grow and scale more effectively, thereby enhancing the value of Cardano as a whole.

Measuring Impact:

1. Quantitative Metrics:
2. Number of dApp Campaigns Launched: Tracking the number of successful marketing campaigns run through Affiso.
3. User Acquisition Rates: Measuring the number of new users acquired for dApps through affiliate marketing.
4. Referrer Earnings: Tracking the total ADA, DJED, or native tokens earned by Referrers, reflecting engagement and success.
5. Qualitative Metrics:
6. User and Developer Feedback: Regularly collecting testimonials and feedback from dApp developers (Sponsors) and Referrers about the platform’s ease of use, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction.
7. Social Media Reach: Evaluating the influence and reach of social media campaigns created by Referrers.

Sharing Outputs:

1. Public Reports: Affiso will publish regular reports highlighting key metrics, campaign successes, and the overall impact on dApp adoption.
2. Community Engagement: Updates will be shared through Cardano forums, social media channels, and relevant community meetups to ensure transparency and foster further collaboration.
3. Collaborations with Ecosystem Projects: Affiso will collaborate with other projects in the Cardano ecosystem to explore synergistic opportunities, ensuring that the outputs and lessons learned are shared widely.

By making affiliate marketing accessible and decentralized, Affiso provides a sustainable model for growing the Cardano community, benefiting developers, influencers, and users alike.

[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?

Capability to Deliver the Project with High Levels of Trust and Accountability

Our team brings together a wealth of experience and proven expertise across key areas essential to the successful delivery of the Affiso project. With a diverse background in blockchain development, project management, and user engagement, we are fully capable of executing the project to a high standard.

1. Experienced Leadership: Kim Ngan, as the Project Manager, has extensive experience in managing projects within the Cardano ecosystem. Her role as a dRep and her history of proposal evaluation since Fund7 demonstrate her deep knowledge of the ecosystem. Having been involved in various roles such as vCA, vPA, and CR LV2, she is familiar with delivering projects while maintaining transparency and accountability.
2. Proven Product Management: Nguyen Trung Hau, our Product Manager, has a background in software engineering and has led successful media and advertising ventures. His leadership in product development ensures that Affiso will be developed with a strong focus on user experience and market needs.
3. Technical Expertise: The bWork team, led by seasoned smart contract developers, has a proven track record of delivering Catalyst-funded projects. Their familiarity with Plutus and Aiken ensures that Affiso’s smart contract architecture will be secure, reliable, and scalable.
4. Global User Development: The inclusion of specialists such as Quoc Tuan (South Korea), Khanh Dodo (Japan), and Vu Xuan Thanh (USA & Europe) in user development ensures that Affiso will expand internationally with experienced local leads in key regions.

Validating Feasibility

1. Stage-Gated Development Process: We have outlined a clear development process with milestone-based progress tracking. Each phase of the project is structured with measurable deliverables, allowing us to regularly assess and report progress. This includes beta testing phases for smart contracts and application functionality, user engagement growth, and targeted marketing efforts.
2. Fund Management Processes: We are committed to handling project funds transparently and responsibly. A detailed budget has been created for each milestone, ensuring that costs are well-allocated across development, marketing, and community engagement. Regular financial updates and accountability reports will be shared with the Cardano community. The project team has strong experience in managing budgets from prior funded projects.
3. Technical Validation: Affiso’s smart contracts will undergo third-party code audits to ensure their security and functionality. This step is critical to maintaining trust and ensuring the feasibility of a platform that relies on secure peer-to-peer transactions. The bWork team, with their history in smart contract development, ensures that all technical deliverables will meet the highest standards.
4. User Testing & Feedback: Throughout the project, we will actively engage with the Cardano community, including early adopters, to gather feedback on the platform's usability and functionality. This feedback loop will allow us to refine the product and demonstrate real-world feasibility before a broader launch.

Trust and Accountability

• Transparent Reporting: We will provide regular updates through Catalyst channels, including progress reports for each milestone, ensuring full transparency in how the funds are used.
• Smart Contract-Based Fund Allocation: Using smart contracts to manage payments to participants (such as developers and marketers) ensures automated accountability. Funds are only disbursed when predefined milestones are met, ensuring all deliverables are aligned with the project’s goals.
• Audit and Security: Code audits will be conducted by trusted third-party auditors to guarantee security, making the project trustworthy in the eyes of stakeholders and users.

By utilizing a combination of proven expertise, transparent financial management, and regular community engagement, we are confident in our ability to deliver Affiso with high levels of trust and accountability.

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

Project Initiation (12,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Team setup and initial project planning completed.
• Legal and accounting setup finalized.
• Initial marketing channels (website, social media) established.
• Research and development kickoff.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• Project team fully onboarded and roles assigned.
• Legal and accounting agreements/contracts signed.
• Website and social media channels live with basic content.
• Initial research findings and development plan reviewed and approved.
• C: Evidence of Completion
• Team roster, contracts for legal/accounting services.
• Website and social media analytics.
• Research and development kickoff report and documentation.

Infrastructure Development & MVP (15,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Core product infrastructure and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) developed.
• Smart contract development completed.
• Initial community outreach and marketing campaign launched.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• MVP fully functional with core features.
• Smart contracts deployed on the Cardano testnet.
• Successful launch of initial marketing campaign with user engagement metrics.
• C: Evidence of Completion
• MVP demonstration, testnet deployment links.
• Marketing campaign reports, analytics of user engagement.

Alpha Product Launch & Community Reporting (14,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Alpha version of the product released for early users.
• Feedback collection and analysis from the community.
• Ongoing support and documentation provided to users.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• Alpha version released to a pre-defined user group with at least 50 users testing.
• Feedback collected and improvements identified.
• Support system and documentation available for users.
• C: Evidence of Completion
• User feedback reports and improvement logs.
• Support ticket analytics and documentation repository.

Beta Release & Community Expansion (20,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Beta version of the product released, including expanded features.
• Collaboration with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and community outreach events.
• Final security audit performed.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• Beta version released with expanded features and improved performance.
• Collaboration with at least 3 KOLs and community events organized.
• Security audit passed with no major issues.
• C: Evidence of Completion
• Beta release version notes, user growth metrics.
• Reports from KOL collaborations and community event outcomes.
• Security audit report.

Official Launch & Ongoing Management (23,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs
• Official product launch with all features fully implemented.
• Major marketing campaigns and community events.
• Ongoing operations and support systems established.
• Project close-out report and video.
• B: Acceptance Criteria
• Product officially launched, available for public use.
• Major marketing campaign completed with defined success metrics.
• Support system functioning and responsive.
• Final project report and video detailing the project journey.
• C: Evidence of Completion
• Launch event reports, product available on public platforms.
• Marketing campaign analytics.
• Final project report and video.

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

Kim Ngan (Project Manager)

• Background: Kim Ngan has several years of experience managing online businesses and projects within the Cardano ecosystem. She’s been an active participant since Fund7, serving in various roles such as vCA (vetted Community Advisor), PA (Proposal Assessor), and CR LV2 (Challenge Reviewer). She’s also a registered and trained dRep (Delegated Representative) and holds an excellent CBCA certification from the Cardano Foundation. Her involvement in editing the Vietnamese version of the CBCA course and ongoing participation in evaluating proposals demonstrate her deep understanding of Cardano's ecosystem and governance.
• Role: Manages the overall project, ensuring coordination across all teams and overseeing timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Tiktok: Kim Ngan

Nguyen Trung Hau (Product Manager)

• Background: With a degree in Software Engineering from Open University, Hau is the co-founder and former Vice President of Visual Merchandising Co., Ltd, a company specializing in media, events, and advertising. His professional experience includes managing media campaigns and creative content, making him well-equipped to handle Affiso's media and outreach strategies.
• Role: Oversees media, brand awareness, and marketing strategies, ensuring Affiso reaches a wide audience.
• Facebook: Trung Hau

Quoc Tuan (User Development in South Korea)

• Background: Quoc Tuan is a content creator with significant experience living and working in South Korea. His understanding of the culture and social media landscape, coupled with his network of influencers, makes him an ideal candidate to lead Affiso's growth in the South Korean market. His work spans multiple platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, where he has built a reputation as a trusted voice.
• Role: Develops the user base for Affiso in South Korea by leveraging social media platforms and influencer marketing.
• Tiktok: Quoc Tuan

Khanh Dodo (User Development in Japan)

• Background: As a well-established content creator in Japan, Khanh Dodo has cultivated relationships with other influencers and media platforms. His deep understanding of social media dynamics in Japan enables him to engage effectively with Japanese audiences, promoting Affiso and building trust with users.
• Role: Focuses on expanding Affiso’s presence and user acquisition in Japan through strategic social media campaigns.
• Facebook: Khanh Dodo

Vu Xuan Thanh (User Development in USA & Europe)

• Background: Vu Xuan Thanh is an international content creator with experience in producing content for English-speaking audiences on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms. He has successfully collaborated with influencers across the USA and Europe, helping various projects gain traction in these regions.
• Role: Expands Affiso’s reach in the USA and Europe by leveraging his influencer connections and producing content that resonates with local audiences.

bWork Team (Smart Contract Development)

• Background: The bWork team specializes in Plutus and Aiken, with a successful track record of developing blockchain projects funded by Catalyst, such as bWorks.app, cReport, and PaaS. Their experience with decentralized technologies and smart contract development makes them the perfect partner to build Affiso’s secure and scalable infrastructure.
• Role: Develops and audits the smart contracts that form the backbone of Affiso’s peer-to-peer referral and payment systems.
• Telegram: PaaS

An Nguyen (Application Development Manager)

• Background: An Nguyen has extensive experience in managing the development of mobile and web applications. He has successfully led the creation of popular platforms like the Know car rental app. His technical expertise in leading development teams ensures that Affiso’s application will be robust and user-friendly.
• Role: Leads the app development process, ensuring that all technical requirements are met and that the platform operates smoothly and efficiently.
• Telegram: An Nguyen

Cong Chi (Full Stack Developer)

• Background: Cong Chi is an experienced full stack developer with expertise in both front-end and back-end development. He has worked on a variety of applications, focusing on creating secure, scalable, and user-centric platforms. His proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks allows him to adapt quickly and ensure that the Affiso platform performs optimally.
• Role: Builds and integrates the core functionalities of Affiso, ensuring that the platform is reliable, secure, and scalable for global users.
• Telegram: Công Chí

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

Milestone 1: 12,000 ADA (14%)

• Project Initiation: Setting up the team, initial meetings.
• Project management: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)
• Legal and accounting fees: 2,000 ADA (2.3%)
• Software and tools (licenses, cloud services): 1,000 ADA (1.2%)
• Initial marketing (website, social media channels): 2,000 ADA (2.3%)
• Initial research and development: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)

Milestone 2: 15,000 ADA (17.4%)

• Infrastructure Development & MVP:
• Product development and smart contract creation: 8,000 ADA (9.3%)
• Code auditing and security assessment: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)
• Community marketing: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)

Milestone 3: 14,000 ADA (16.3%)

• Alpha Product Launch & Community Reporting:
• Quality assurance and progress reporting: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)
• Marketing (video demos, social media campaigns): 4,000 ADA (4.7%)
• User testing & feedback collection: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)
• Customer support and documentation: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)

Milestone 4: 20,000 ADA (23.3%)

• Beta Release and Community Expansion:
• Feature development and expansion: 7,000 ADA (8.1%)
• Marketing and promotions (partnership with KOLs): 5,000 ADA (5.8%)
• Community training and support (events, workshops): 4,000 ADA (4.7%)
• Final security audit: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)

Final Milestone: 23,000 ADA (26.7%)

• Official Launch and Ongoing Management:
• Major marketing campaigns (launch events): 9,000 ADA (10.5%)
• Long-term maintenance and development: 5,000 ADA (5.8%)
• Ongoing operations and management (technical support, customer care): 5,000 ADA (5.8%)
• Reporting and documentation: 2,000 ADA (2.3%)
• Contingency and risk management: 2,000 ADA (2.3%)

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Total Allocation: 86,000 ADA

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

The budget for this project has been carefully structured to ensure it delivers maximum value for the Cardano ecosystem while staying within reasonable cost parameters. Here's how the costs represent value for money:

1. Efficient Use of Resources: Each milestone is designed to deliver tangible outcomes, with clearly defined acceptance criteria and outputs that align with the project's overall goals. By breaking down the work into manageable stages, we ensure that funds are used efficiently and that each expenditure directly contributes to the success of the project.
2. Competitive Rates: The costs outlined, particularly for development, marketing, and legal/accounting services, are aligned with industry standards. For instance, developer wages and audit costs are based on market rates for blockchain developers and security auditors within the Cardano ecosystem. We have benchmarked these costs against similar blockchain projects to ensure competitiveness.
3. Focus on Ecosystem Growth: A significant portion of the budget is allocated to marketing and community engagement, including partnerships with KOLs and outreach to users. This is crucial for expanding Cardano's user base and encouraging broader adoption of dApps within the ecosystem. By prioritizing user acquisition and community involvement, the project ensures long-term value creation for Cardano.
4. Proportional Costs: The costs are proportional to the size of the project and the resources required for successful execution. For example, the marketing budget has been carefully calibrated to ensure sufficient reach while staying within reasonable limits. Likewise, legal, accounting, and software license costs have been calculated based on local market rates, ensuring no overspending.
5. Sustainable Long-Term Impact: This project’s output will support not only its own growth but also contribute to the broader Cardano ecosystem by providing more dApps with the tools to acquire users and scale effectively. The benefits will compound as more projects utilize our referral platform, helping Cardano to strengthen its presence in various industries.

In summary, the project’s costs are justified by the industry standards, the need for key services, and the goal of sustainable ecosystem growth. We believe this budget represents excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem, with a clear return on investment in terms of dApp adoption and user expansion.