Cardano Build Nest - Freelance Marketplace for Talents and Contributors

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Barbara Ofosu

[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

1. Richmond Nketia Gyamfi

[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)

Through Build Nest, we will help tackle the core challenges of talent acquisition, decentralised collaboration and increased ADA utility all of which are critical to the continued success of cardano.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[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.”

1. Cardano network: Build Nest will rely on cardano blockchain for transaction processing and smart contract execution. Possible changes or upgrades to the cardano network could impact the website's functionality.
2. Smart contract development tools: Tools like plutus will be essential for creating and deploying smart contracts. This dependency may include updates, documentation and community support.
3. Partnership with developer communities such as the cardano foundation can help promote Build nest and attract talents (skilled developers) to the platform.
4. Customer support tools: Implementing customer support will require partnerships with third-party tools to manage inquiries effectively.

[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

Our project will not be open source because we want to ensure the privacy and security of user data and prevent potential misuse of the platform. This will help us ensure there is more control over our security protocols while not exposing our users to potential exploitation(s).

[METADATA] Horizons

Marketplace

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The problem we are seeking to solve is the fragmented process of finding and hiring talents within the cardano ecosystem for both short and long-term projects. Currently, project owners and talents struggle to connect in a streamlined way and this slows down the project completing timeline, which can affect project success. Currently also, there is no dedicated platform designed specifically for cardano-focused projects where developers and project owners can easily find each other, negotiate terms, and receive payments in ADA.

We are building Build Nest as a platform that directly addresses this issue by creating a decentralised, blockchain native space where project owners and skilled workers can connect efficiently. Our approach is to leverage the decentralised nature of cardano to offer transparent and efficient system for hiring, collaborating and paying developers.

By utilising smart contracts, Build Nest ensures that terms are clearly defined and enforced without the need for intermediaries. We have chosen this approach because it maximises the utility of Cardano ecosystem and promotes everyday ADA usage, aligning with our goal of increasing on-chain transactions.

Who will Build Nest engage?

Our platform will engage multiple stakeholders within the cardano community including:

1. Project owners such as individuals or organisations who are seeking talents or extra hands to develop cardano-related projects such as DApps, tools or infrastructure improvement either for a one-time or short term basis, or long term which may last throughout the duration of their project(s).
2. Developer/Contributors: Skilled blockchain developers, programmers, designers, project managers and other technical professionals within the cardano ecosystem who are looking for freelance or full-time opportunities.
3. Cardano enthusiasts and newcomers who are also interested in contributing to the cardano blockchain, whether they are experienced developers or new to the ecosystem, they can use build Nest to gain entry into the growing community.

How we will prove our impact

Our team will track several key metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of Build Nest on the cardano ecosystem

1. Transaction volume: The number of ADA transactions made through the platform, including payment for work and platform fees, will indicate the role we are playing in increasing on chain transaction.
2. Project Listing: The number of projects posted and successfully completed will demonstrate Build Nest's value as a connector between talent and project owners.
3. Developer engagement: The number of developers and talents registering, bidding on jobs, and completing projects will reflect the platform's adoption and the growth of skilled resources within the cardano ecosystem.
4. feedback from both project owners and developers will help us assess the usability and effectiveness of the platform in solving their needs.
5. Platform growth: We will monitor the number of active users and community engagement over time to ensure that Build Nest is becoming an integral part of the cardano system.

What makes Build Nest Unique

Firstly Build Nest is built specifically on the cardano ecosystem and integrates deeply with its blockchain infrastructure. Unlike traditional freelancing platforms that are centralised and charge high fees for transactions, Build Nest operates using smart contracts and ADA payment to ensure transparency and lower costs. Our approach to decentralisation and governance also allows the community to contribute, propose changes and shape the future of the platform. which is not possible with centralised platforms. Moreover, Build Nest promotes real utility for ADA by requiring payment in ADA for all services on the platform. This encourages daily uses of cardano's native currency, while directly contributing to its liquidity and adoption.

Who will benefit and why is this important for cardano

Firstly, project owners will gain access to a pool of skilled developers and talents who are knowledgeable about the cardano ecosystem. This we believe will reduce the friction of finding the right talent and speed up the project timelines which benefits the entire blockchain ecosystem.

Developers and other talents on the other hand will also get a dedicated space to find work specifically within the cardano ecosystem, where they can contribute to meaningful projects and be paid securely in ADA. This will in the long run maintain retention of talents who are focused on cardano.

by facilitating more projects and increasing transaction volume, Build Nest will directly enhance the use of Cardano blockchain, contributing to its growth and extensive adoption.

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

Build Nest will have a significant positive impact on the Cardano community by creating a platform that streamlines collaboration, incentivises talent acquisition and drives more ADA transactions within the ecosystem. Specifically the primary benefits will include the following:

• Talent Accessibility: Project owners will be able to access a pool of skilled developers and contributors who are familiar with the cardano ecosystem. This will reduce the time and effort required to find qualified people which in turn will accelerate the development of projects within the ecosystem.
• Increasing ADA utility: By facilitating payments in ADA for short and long-term projects, Build Nest will directly increase the daily use of Cardano's native currency, ADA which we believe will enhance liquidity, increase transaction volume and make cardano more attractive to both developers and investors.
• Growing the Cardano ecosystem: Build Nest will help foster the development of dApps, infrastructure and tools on the cardano blockchain by ensuring that project owners can efficiently hire the right people for the job.
• Community empowerment: Build Nest will create opportunities for members to contribute to cardano projects, regardless of their geographic location or previous experience. It will also promote decentralisation by creating a platform where everyone can participate and earn ADA.
• Attracting and retaining talent: By offering a dedicated platform where developers can find work that is specific to the Cardano ecosystem, Build Nest will help retain and attract talent to cardano, thereby creating a robust and self-sustaining community of builders.

In terms of measuring impact, out team will gauge the success of Build Nest using both qualitative and quantitative metrics

Quantitative metrics

• Transaction volume in ADA: The total number of ADA transactions processed on the platform will help us measure the direct contributions Build Nest makes to increase ADA liquidity and utility.
• Number of projects posted: We will track how many new projects are listings or posted on Build Nest over time, giving us an indication of the demand for talent within the cardano ecosystem.
• Number of developers/contributors: Tracking the number of contributors or developers who sign up and actively participate on the platform will help us measure the growth and engagement of the talent pool.
• Project completion rate: Our team will constantly monitor the percentage of projects that are successfully completed through the platform and this will indicate how well Build Nest facilitates collaboration and project execution.
• User growth: the total number of users, both project owners and contributors will give a clear picture of how the platform is being adopted over time.

Qualitative metrics

• User feedback: collecting feedback from both project owners and contributors about their experience from using the platform will help us understand its usability and impact in solving real world problems.
• Developer satisfaction: We will conduct surveys to assess satisfaction with the platform's interface, job opportunities and payment systems to have a qualitative understanding of its value to users.

To ensure that the positive impact of Build Nest is felt widely across the cardano community, our team will take several steps to share outputs, insights and opportunities. Below are more details about how we intend to do so

1. Cardano developer channels: We will actively engage with cardano-focused developer communities and forums such as cardano stack exchange cardano telegramchannels and all our social media channels to share new features, best practices and job opportunities. These channels will also serve as platforms to invite feedback and suggestions for improvement.
2. Community reporting: We will provide periodic reports that summarises key metrics (e.g number of projects posted, ADA transaction volume and user growt) and share them publicly with the cardano community. This will demonstrate how Build Nest is contributing to the ecosystem and provide transparency into its ongoing impact.
3. Educational content: We will provide guides, tutorials and workshops to help developers and project owners to navigate the platform effectively . Thus increasing participation and engagement. These resources will be shared through cardano related blogs, Youtube channels and social media.
4. Collaborating with cardano projects: Build Nest will collaborate with other cardano-focused projects like the Cardano Foundation and Project Catalyst to share insights, promote available opportunities and explore ways to collectively grow the ecosystem. This we believe will help attract more users to the platform and cardano as a whole.
5. Community governance: Over time, Build Nest may implement community governance features, allowing stakeholders to propose and vote on new platform features or updates. This will encourage decentralised decision-making and ensure that the platform evolves in line with community needs.

[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?

As a project team, we possess the necessary skills, experience and commitment to successfully Build Nest with a strong sense of trust and accountability. Having successfully worked on a project in Fund 10, our project lead understands the community's need and has direct experience in onboarding users. This positions her as a valuable bridge between Build Nest and its intended users. Our team members also bring diverse expertise and a proven track record in delivering blockchain related projects and managing collaborations effectively. We have come up with a number of ways we intend to validate the feasibility of our approach.

Firstly, the technical team will foresee the development and testing of our platform, ensuring that the system's architecture, smart contracts and payment mechanisms work seamlessly. We will also conduct alpha and beta testing within the cardano ecosystem engaging real users to validate performance and scalability.

The project management team will also work on engaging the cardano community to gather feedback and ensure that the platform addresses their needs. With our already existing community of trained cardano student ambassadors, we will work to engage them to serve as our early adopters and testers.

Again, we will measure adoption metrics using the number of project owners and developers registering on the platform and the volume of ADA transactions. In terms of technical development, our technical team is led by someone who's international experience further enhances his global perspectives and ability to deliver solutions that meet international standards.

We will reach out to other developers in the ecosystem to join our team and work collaboratively in delivering our project.

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

Milestone 1- Planning and gathering of requirements (month 1 & 2)

Miletone outputs

• Development of project scope, defined technical architecture, gathering requirements from potential users and set up of project management tools.

Deliverables

• Detailed project plan, finalised project features and user journey maps.

Acceptance Criteria

• Signed off project plan, clear platform architecture and defined user needs.

Backend and smart contract development (month 3 & 4)

Milestone outputs

• Core development of the backend, smart contract creation for payment handling in ADA and wallet integration.

Deliverables

• Initial version of the backend and functional smart contracts.

Acceptance criteria

• Working smart contract on the Cardano testnet, backend functions for user accounts and project listing

Frontend development and UI/UX design (month 5 & 6)

Miletone outputs

• A built out user interface for web access focusing on the user experience and project/job posting functionalities.

Deliverables

• Completed UI/UX design, functional frontened for posting jobs and project management

Acceptance criteria

• Usable frontend interface with project posting and job applicant features linked to backend.
• Beta URL to a demo version of the frontend
• Screenshots of the frontend interface displaying core functions like job posting, wallet connection and application submission.

Alpha testing and feedback collection (month 7)

Milestone outputs

• Launch of the alpha version for limited users to test key functionalities such as job posting, wallet integration and payments in ADA.

Deliverables

• Alpha release, user feedback reports and bug tracking

Acceptance criteria

• Alpha release version shared with test users (link to access)
• Feedback from testers, resolved bugs and functional ADA payment flow
• Screenshots of the platform in use by alpha testers
• List of bugs and fixes completed during the alpha phase

Beta testing and optimisation (month 8)

Milestone Outputs

• Release of beta version to a larger user base, focusing on user experience, performance and any needed optimisations.

Deliverables

• Beta release, user feedback collection and finalised testing reports

Acceptance criteria

• Fully functional platform with stable performance, a more smooth user experience and no major bugs.
• List of resolved bugs and improvements based on beta feedback
• Screenshots showing a working platform with end-to-end functionality
• Beta testers' transaction records with with ADA payments in the testnet environment

Final launch and close out report (month 9)

Milestone outputs

• Launch of the final version of Build Nest, and a close-out report and video outlining achievements , and a well detailed post launch support plan.

Deliverables

• Official release of our platform , project close-out report and video.

Acceptance criteria

• Build Nest live of Cardano mainnet, final project report with impact metrics and video summary all submitted.
• Usage report showing early user engagement and transaction volume.

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

Barbara Ofosu has extensive experience working with students in various positions and through her work, she has organised several events focused on entrepreneurship and blockchain technology. She has first hand experience working as an assessor in fund 9 and successfully completed the student blockchain ambassador program in fund 10 (https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/122722) along with other great team members to onboard about 80 students into the Cardano blockchcain. She has a proven record of handling both operational and financial responsibilities with high level of trust.

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-ofosu-b89354148/

Email: barbaraofosu66@gmail.com

Telegram: @Ophosu

Richmond Nketia Gyamfi, our technical lead, is a software engineer and Senior IT Assistant at the University of Cape Coast. He has worked on multiple systems for the university and gained international experience through exchange opportunities in the United States. His technical background and experiences in delivering secure, scalable and user-friendly systems make him well-suited to oversee the development and deployment of our platform. He is also the CEO for comedigitalize.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richmond-nketia-a036a5147/

Email: richmond.nketia@ucc.edu.gh

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7241393502041894912/

As part of our plan to involve talents in the cardano community, our project team will recruit people for other roles to help contribute to the success of our Build Nest project.

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

Development costs

Backend contract development - 12,000

• writing, testing and deploying smart contracts for job posting and payments-
• Integrating of ADA payment processing -

Backend infrastructure - 8,000

• Database management, sever setup and API development
• User authentication for jobs posters and applications

Frontend development and UI/UX design - 15,000

• UI/UX design (design mockups, wireframes, and user interaction testing)

Frontend development - 10,000

• Coding the user interface for web
• Ensuring smooth user experience across devices.

API wallet integration - 10,000

• Wallet connection for payments and account management.
• Testing wallet functionality for seamless ADA transaction.

API development and integration - 5,000

• API setup for platform communication between front and backend systems
• Secure data exchange and transaction handling

Testing and security

Alpha testing - 2,500 ADA

• Early test environment setup with s=user feedback from initial testers.
• Identification and fixing of critical bugs

Beta testing - 2,500 ADA

• Broader user testing with full platform functionality
• Compensation and incentives for beta testers

Third party audit - 3,000 ADA

• External firm hired to review smart contracts for vulnerabilities

Internal security review - 1,500 ADA

• Testing platform security including user data protection and transaction safety

Marketing and Community engagement

Engagement with Cardano ecosystem- 2,650 ADA

• Participation in cardano forums and community groups to promote BuildNest

Partnership Building - 1,500 ADA

• Reaching out to blockchain influencers, developers and inatitutions for partnerships

Content creation- 2,080 ADA

• Creating promotional videos, blog posts and social media campaigns to increase visibility

Digital marketing campaigns - 4,000 ADA

• Running paid ads on social media and Google Ads to drive traffic to Build Nest

Operational and legal costs

Legal fees - 3,000 ADA

• Consultation and documentation for compliance with crypto regulations

intellectual property - 2,000 ADA

• Securing platform trademarks, copyrights and. terms of service agreements

Cloud hosting and infrastructure - 4,000 ADA

• Severs, databases and backup services for running the platform

General maintenance - 3,000 ADA

• Ongoing maintenance, server monitoring and updates

Project management and reporting

Task coordination - 3,500 ADA

• Hiring and assigning a project manager to oversee day-to-day development

Progress reviews - 1,500 ADA

• Regular check ins with the team, adjusting plans as needed

Documentation - 1,500 ADA

• Writing technical documentation and user guides for the platform.

Final report and close-out video - 2,530 ADA

• Compiling a report and creating a video showcasing the project's outcomes.

Contingency - 2,000 ADA

• Reserved for any unforeseen costs including additional testing or critical fixes.
• It could cover for unexpected delays in development or marketing expansion based on community feedback

Total budget for our project 102,760 ADA

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

Build Nest offers excellent value for money by strategically allocating resources to ensure that the platform is robust while keeping cost reasonable. Given the project's impact of facilitating more on chain transactions which will increase ADA use and provide a dedicated hub for cardano based projects, our costs are reasonably proportionate and necessary.

We have done our background searches and ensured that all other costs are based on standard rates and tailored to maintain our platform's reliability and security.