Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga) - Leading The Sports Tech Revolution By Showcasing The Impact Of Cardano Integration

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Alex Chalmers

[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)

4

[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)

Launch a focused process to deepen blockchain understanding for Eintracht Frankfurt, using Cardano use cases to drive adoption and innovation with Cardano to drive long term success.

[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?

No

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

While the materials will be proprietary to protect our intellectual property and maintain the value of our offering, we will share general insights and case studies with the broader Cardano community to foster ecosystem growth.

[METADATA] Horizons

Learn to Earn

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The proposed solution is to launch a comprehensive initiative that educates and integrates a major sports team with Cardano's blockchain technology. This involves conducting in-depth needs analyzes to understand the team's specific challenges and readiness for blockchain adoption and developing tailored materials and workshops for the sports team. The goal is to bridge the knowledge gap in blockchain technology within the sports industry, drive innovation, enhance fan engagement, create new revenue opportunities, and foster long-term collaboration and growth for both the sports organization and the Cardano ecosystem.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: 

Eintracht Frankfurt is a German professional sports club based in Frankfurt, founded on 8 March 1899. The club currently plays in the Bundesliga, the top tier of the German football league system. Eintracht have won the German championship once, the DFB-Pokal five times, the UEFA Europa League twice and finished as runner-up in the European Cup once. The team was one of the founding members of the Bundesliga at its inception and has spent a total of 55 seasons in the top division, thus making them the seventh longest participating club in the highest tier of the league.

Since 1925 their stadium has been the Waldstadion, which is currently named Deutsche Bank Park. With an average attendance of 47,942 since 2013 the team also has one of the highest attendance ratings in the world and the eighth highest out of the 36 Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga teams. With almost 14,000 active athletes in over 50 sports in 2024, Eintracht Frankfurt is the largest multi-sports club in the world with a professional football team.

WHY? 

All strategic digital projects at Eintracht Frankfurt are bundled in the clubs 100%-subsidiary EintrachtTech Ltd., responsible for the internal digital professionalization and the development of new digital business models that reach far beyond the stadium borders. EintrachtTech plays a central role in securing the club’s present and future financial independence and growth potential using a holistic and far-reaching approach. Furthermore, the clubs digital strategy is characterized by a holistic and far-reaching approach that is unique in the Bundesliga. It starts at the club and extends beyond the stadium to the entire region.

The club also hosts the Blockchain & AI Summit in March 2025 and there would be an opportunity to not only attend but to create a panel on Cardano during the event. This drives significant PR to Cardano.

Eintracht has a strong list of sponsors/partners which include Nike, Indeed, LG, Kumho Tires, Hyundai, Pepsi, DWS, Robo Markets and many more.

Our solution is to create a specialized initiative focused on blockchain technology for Eintracht Frankfurt to increase their current maturity. This program will:

1. Develop materials tailored to the sports industry & focused to Eintracht Frankfurt
2. Conduct workshops and seminars for Eintracht Frankfurt
3. Provide one-on-one consultations to Eintracht Frankfurt to address specific needs and questions
4. Create case studies and proof-of-concepts to demonstrate practical applications
5. Establish a greater network of sports industry professionals interested in Blockchain adoption with Cardano
6. Identify Eintracht Frankfurt’s needs and potential use of Cardano blockchain technology 
7. Create an analysis of Cardano based solutions that can match Eintracht Frankfurt needs and suggest steps for integration

We will leverage Stadia's industry connections and Cardano's blockchain expertise to deliver high-quality, relevant content. The program will cover topics such as decentralization, transparency, tokenization, enhanced security, and fan engagement through blockchain technologies.

We will collaborate with key companies in the ecosystem such as NMKR, stuff.io, Neucast.io, Andamio to develop the best use cases for Sport teams.

Our approach is unique as it focuses on, understanding the needs and offering concrete use cases without initial sales pressure, allowing Eintracht Frankfurt to make more informed decisions about blockchain adoption and further develop or enhance their strategy. This initiative will benefit the entire Cardano ecosystem by driving mid/long-term users & adoption in a significant global industry.

In 2025, we additionally plan to organize a minimum of one (1) panel discussions featuring Cardano alongside Eintracht Frankfurt leadership to showcase its work, approach, and philosophy within the sector. This will drive the conversation to companies/brands in the Sports industry.

By engaging Eintracht Frankfurt, as the initial organization - over time we aim to foster a thriving ecosystem that empowers blockchain innovation in the sports sector.

We are piloting an innovative go to market approach that will be tailored for a European sports team with focus on Football that can be used as an example for other teams.

Please see this additional link to why we believe Cardano is already setup for Sports:

LINK

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

Our project will have several positive impacts on the Cardano community:

1. Increased adoption: By educating Eintracht Frankfurt about blockchain, we'll drive adoption of Cardano technology in a major sports market.
2. Enhanced reputation: Positioning Cardano as the go-to blockchain for sports innovation will boost its reputation and visibility. 
3. New use cases: Working with Eintracht Frankfurt will lead to the development of new, industry-specific use cases for Cardano technology.
4. Ecosystem growth: As Eintracht Frankfurt adopt Cardano, it will attract developers, startups, and other stakeholders to the ecosystem.
5. Thought leadership: Significant PR is achievable through links to events globally, opportunity to establish panels, keynotes & white papers to be shared in the market.
6. Community Build: Empower the Cardano community to create innovative solutions for challenges identified within these specific sports events.

We will measure impact through:

• Increase in sports-related projects on Cardano
• Growth in sports-related transactions on the Cardano blockchain
• The number of Cardano Dapps that can be relevant for collaboration with the Sport industry
• Ability to build a roadmap for implementation with Eintracht Frankfurt
• Impact of PR activities and communication  
• Innovation problem solving technologies from Cardano community

We'll share our findings through regular reports, case studies, and presentations at Cardano events, ensuring the wider community benefits from our insights.

[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 team combines Stadia's deep sports industry expertise with Cardano's blockchain knowledge, positioning us uniquely to deliver this project. Key capabilities include:

1. Extensive network: Strong relationships with sports teams, leagues, and rights holders globally.
2. Industry expertise: In-depth understanding of sports business and technology needs.
3. Blockchain proficiency: Comprehensive knowledge of Cardano and blockchain technologies.
4. Educational experience: Track record of delivering complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
5. Adaptability: Our team has demonstrated the ability to pivot and adjust project plans in response to changing circumstances or client needs, ensuring project continuity and success

By focusing on real-world use cases of the technologies being built within the Cardano ecosystem, we aim to empower developers and foster broader adoption. To ensure trust and accountability throughout the project, we will:

1. Implement a transparent reporting system for fund usage, with regular financial updates to all stakeholders
2. Provide bi-weekly progress reports to the Cardano community, detailing project advancements and challenges
3. Engage third-party auditors to verify our progress and financial management, ensuring complete transparency
4. Establish clear KPIs for each phase of the project, allowing for objective measurement of success

Through this initiative, we are committed to enhancing the Cardano ecosystem as a whole, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration and growth across the sports industry.

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

Curriculum Development

• Develop comprehensive materials on blockchain and Cardano for sports industry, starting with Eintracht Frankfurt
• Create a detailed syllabus covering key blockchain concepts and applications in sports
• Compile a list of 10 Cardano DApps and their relevance for the sports industry

Acceptance criteria: Completed curriculum and DApp list reviewed and approved by Cardano Foundation

Program Launch

• Conduct initial workshops with Eintracht Frankfurt sports department
• Deliver a series of workshops and interactive sessions on blockchain in sports
• Gather feedback from participants and refine materials
• Acceptance criteria: Successful completion of workshops and positive participant feedback

 Industry-Specific Case Studies

• Develop 5 detailed case studies of potential blockchain applications in sports
• Create hypothetical scenarios demonstrating Cardano's utility in sports industry
• Produce videos explaining each case study
• Acceptance criteria: Published case studies and accompanying materials

Project Evaluation and Future Planning

• Compile comprehensive report on educational outcomes and lessons learned
• Develop recommendations for future blockchain education in sports industry
• Create a long-term strategy for continued blockchain adoption in sports
• Acceptance criteria: Delivery of final report, recommendations, and strategy approved by Cardano Community

At the conclusion of of the period we will also consider the following next steps;

Next Steps: Knowledge Expansion

• Extend program to at least 2 additional sports organization in following submission
• Conduct webinars on blockchain in sports open to wider sports community
• Create an online resource hub for sports professionals interested in blockchain
• Acceptance criteria: Successful engagement with additional organizations and launch of resource hub

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

Alex Chalmers (Stadia) - Project Lead

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chalmersalex/]

Role: Overall project management, sports industry liaison

BIO: Managing Partner @ Stadia with over 20 years of experience in marketing, business development, and commercial sponsorships in the sports industry. Worked with athletes, teams, leagues, brands and federations. Now with a focus on emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics, and blockchain as well as Human Potential. Based in the Netherlands.

David Parrish (Stadia) - Blockchain Specialist

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-p-047635b0/]

Role: Manage communications and build community among participating sports organizations

BIO: David is the Co-Founder of Vertex Labs, specializing in blockchain, metaverse, Web3, and AI infrastructure. His portfolio includes Vertex Network, Caduceus L1 Blockchain, LightCycle Metaverse, HAPE NFT and M4TTER Incubator. Previously, he was COO at an offshore boutique private bank and a Senior Partner at a leading hedge fund in London. He also served as Senior Director of Private Equity and Mergers and Acquisitions at a private Asia multi-family office.

Joe Batchelor (Stadia) - Blockchain Technology Expert

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-batchelor-10091979/]

Role: Identify and develop sports-specific use cases for Web3 technologies

BIO: An Investment Strategist specializing in Technology across Hardware, Software, Consumer and Internet, Public and Private Equity, servicing many of the world’s top Traditional and Alternative Investment Managers for the last 20 years. His language, network and cultural experiences (Mandarin, Japanese) allow him to build expansion strategies, connect East and West Corporates and Multi Family Office networks, focused on alternatives opportunities, in the Sports-Esports, Web 3, Digital Assets and Wellness high growth verticals.

Art Chou (Stadia) - Sports Innovation Advisor and Market Liaison

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/artchou/]

Role: Provide guidance for sports applications

BIO: Based in the US with over thirty years experience as a lead Product/Innovation executive at industry leaders like Rawlings, Titleist, and Golf Digest. C-suite founder/managing partner for Rapsodo and Stadia Ventures.

Cardano ecosystem & community engagements - coordinating and onboarding

We are in contact with Emurgo (Sheldon Hunt), Bridgebuilders and various Cardano ambassadors (Yoram Ben Zvi, Nori Nishigaya) and once funded will onboard the best resources for the various tasks

1. Blockchain Education Specialist 
2. key dapps 
3. Key ecosystem partners
4. Content creation

We have already engaged with these team members and confirmed their availability and commitment to the project.

We also started research and in discussion with multiple Cardano Dapps and there is high interest from the ecosystem. We will also attend the Cardano Summit Dubai as a speaker.

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

Total budget: 150,000 ADA

1. Personnel costs: 64,000 ADA
2. Materials development: 15,000 ADA
3. Curriculum creation: 7,500 ADA
4. Workshop and seminar expenses: 18,000 ADA
5. Travel & expenses: 22,000 ADA
6. Venue rentals: 4,500 ADA
7. Technology and tools: 3,000 ADA
8. Software licenses: 2,000 ADA
9. Marketing and promotion: 7,500 ADA
10. Digital marketing: 2,000 ADA
11. Legal and professional services: 2,000 ADA
12. Contingency fund: 2,500 ADA

Here is how the cost is broken down to the above stated milestones;

Milestone 1: Curriculum Development - 55,000 ADA

• Develop comprehensive materials: 35,000 ADA
• Create detailed syllabus: 15,000 ADA
• Compile list of 10 Cardano DApps: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Program Launch - 50,000 ADA

• Conduct initial workshops with Eintracht Frankfurt: 30,000 ADA
• Deliver workshop series: 15,000 ADA
• Gather and implement feedback: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Industry-Specific Case Studies - 35,000 ADA

• Develop 5 detailed case studies: 20,000 ADA
• Create hypothetical scenarios: 5,000 ADA
• Produce videos: 2,500 ADA

Final Milestone: Project Evaluation and Future Planning - 10,000 ADA

• Compile comprehensive report: 4,000 ADA
• Develop recommendations: 3,000 ADA
• Create long-term strategy: 3,000 ADA
• PR & Marketing Activities: 7,500 ADA

Total: 150,000 ADA

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

The Cardano ecosystem stands to gain significant value from this sports-focused initiative, particularly in empowering its developer community to create real-world solutions with global impact. Here's how the community specifically benefits:

• Unlocking New Opportunities for Developers

By providing access to a high-profile sports organization, this project opens up a new vertical for Cardano developers to explore and innovate within. Developers gain the opportunity to create solutions for real-world challenges in the sports industry, from fan engagement to ticketing, athlete data management and daily operational efficiency.

• Enhancing Ecosystem Growth and Adoption

Eintracht Frankfurt’s global following presents an unparalleled opportunity for ecosystem growth. As developers create solutions tailored to sports use cases, it attracts new users, stakeholders, and partners to the Cardano ecosystem, driving adoption and increasing the platform's utility.

• Fostering Innovation Through Real-World Application

This initiative provides developers with direct access to industry insights and requirements, fostering innovation grounded in practical needs. This real-world focus ensures that the solutions built on Cardano address genuine market demands, increasing their potential for success and adoption.

• Showcasing Cardano's Technical Capabilities

By developing solutions for the sports industry, and in this instance Eintracht Frankfurt, developers can demonstrate Cardano's unique technical advantages, such as its scalability, security, and native asset functionality. This practical showcase can attract more developers and projects to the ecosystem.

• Creating New Revenue Streams

As sports organizations adopt Cardano-based solutions, it creates new revenue opportunities for developers through project commissions, ongoing maintenance, and potential profit-sharing models. This financial incentive further motivates developer engagement and innovation within the ecosystem.

• Building a Specialized Knowledge Base

The educational aspect of this initiative helps build a specialized knowledge base within the Cardano community, creating a pool of developers with expertise in blockchain applications for sports. This specialized knowledge becomes a valuable asset for the ecosystem, attracting more sports-related projects and partnerships.

By focusing on the sports industry, and initially with Eintracht Frankfurt, this project not only empowers Cardano's developer community but also positions the ecosystem at the forefront of a major global industry's transition to Blockchain technology integration. This strategic approach ensures long-term value creation for both the Cardano ecosystem and its developer community, driving meaningful innovation and real-world impact.

Collaborating with Eintracht Frankfurt will significantly boost Cardano's PR and marketing, enhancing its visibility and credibility among millions of sports fans worldwide. This high-profile association would position Cardano as an innovative leader in sports technology, attracting new developers, investors, and users, and showcasing its potential for real-world applications and widespread adoption.