Cardano Mendix plug-in by the Landano team

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Aaron Moguin

[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)

Landano will create open-source plugins in the Mendix Marketplace to make it easy for low-code developers to discover Cardano tooling options and to quickly prototype and test solutions using Mendix.

[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.”

Our project's success relies on the Cardano blockchain infrastructure and Mendix platform's stability and compatibility. We depend on third-party services like Blockfrost for blockchain data, and community engagement for testing and feedback. We will also monitor and maintain regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.

[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

All project outputs, including modules, widgets, documentation, and code, will be published under an Apache 2.0 open-source license. Landano has chosen to make these resources available to the Cardano ecosystem in order to foster community collaboration and transparency. This approach will facilitate wide adoption, continuous improvement, and sustainability of the solutions we develop.

[METADATA] SDG rating

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Your project contributes to building resilient infrastructure, promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fosters innovation, especially in the field of blockchain technology and enterprise applications.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – By facilitating easier integration of blockchain technology in enterprise environments, your project could potentially support economic growth and job creation in the tech sector.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The collaborative nature of open-source software development and the project's potential to bring together different stakeholders (developers, enterprises, and the Cardano community) aligns with this goal.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

The "Cardano-Mendix Plugin by the Landano Team" solution is designed to bridge the gap between the Cardano blockchain and enterprise applications, thereby expanding access and potential real-world use of Cardano significantly, across many use case scenarios.

By introducing a suite of Mendix marketplace modules and widgets, these tools will facilitate seamless wallet integration through the CIP-30 standard, offering direct interactions with the Cardano chain and a built-in wallet option for users without an existing wallet. Key features will include:

• Comprehensive Integration Options: Ability to connect with the Cardano blockchain via services like Blockfrost or personal nodes, provided they have REST API capabilities.
• Versatile Blockchain Interactions: Users will be able to create and sign transactions, as well as interact with smart contracts, all within the Mendix environment.
• High-Security Standards: Ensuring security in all interactions and transactions within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Ease of Use for Developers: The solution will be available as easy-to-download modules/widgets designed for quick integration by Mendix developers.
• Support and Resources: Accompanied by extensive documentation and tutorials, the solution will empower developers to embed Cardano capabilities into their applications efficiently, significantly lowering the entry barrier for enterprise-grade blockchain solutions.

This summary outlines a clear, innovative solution that addresses the identified problem effectively. It showcases the project's potential impact on the Cardano ecosystem by enabling rapid and secure enterprise integration.

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

The Cardano-Mendix Plugin is poised to significantly boost Cardano's adoption within the enterprise sector. By empowering Mendix's extensive developer base (300,000+ developers) with tools for easy Cardano integration, our project will simplify blockchain enterprise adoption by dramatically reducing the cost and time overhead associated with onboarding new Cardano developers. With these tools deployed, Landano stands to potentially bring millions of new users to Cardano. Because of this very meaningful impact, it aligns with Project Catalyst's strategic goal of expanding Cardano's reach and utility in real-world applications.

Measurable Impact:

1. Developer Engagement: Success will be gauged by the number of installations of our modules/widgets within the Mendix platform, reflecting direct developer engagement and interest.
2. Community Involvement: Interaction metrics with our GitHub repository will serve as another success indicator, showcasing community involvement, feedback, and contribution.
3. Enterprise Adoption: Long-term, we aim to track the number of enterprise applications developed using our tools, highlighting the real-world impact and integration of Cardano in business solutions.

Broader Implications:

This project not only facilitates technical integration but also drives awareness and understanding of blockchain technology in the enterprise domain. By lowering the barrier to entry, we anticipate a ripple effect leading to innovative blockchain applications, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and trust in enterprise operations. Landano has proposed this project because it will serve as a critical step in demonstrating the practical utility of Cardano in diverse industry sectors.

[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 at Landano International Ltd. is uniquely qualified to deliver this Cardano-Mendix Plugin project. Each team member brings specific expertise crucial for the success of this initiative.

Dorus van der Kroft, CTO of Landano and Lead Developer of the Project: Dorus van der Kroft, CTO of Landano and Lead Developer of the Project: Dorus is the driving technical force behind the project. With over a decade of experience in Mendix and a recognized figure in the Mendix community, Dorus brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His technical prowess extends beyond the low-code platform, encompassing blockchain technology and software development.

Peter van Garderen, CEO of Landano and Systems Analyst for the Project: Peter brings a strategic vision for integrating blockchain solutions with enterprise systems, overseeing the analytical aspects of the project. His insights are vital in aligning the project with enterprise needs. 

Aaron Moguin, COO of Landano and Project Manager: Aaron is responsible for the project's overall management, ensuring that all components progress cohesively and efficiently. His expertise in operations management is key to maintaining project timelines and quality. 

Dan Amankona, CMO of Landano and Community Liaison: Dan plays a pivotal role in engaging with the developer and broader Cardano community, gathering feedback, and fostering collaborations that enhance the project's relevance and adoption.

Technical Feasibility & Project Management:

Our approach combines agile methodologies with continuous integration and deployment, ensuring that the project adapts to changing requirements and incorporates feedback efficiently. We leverage state-of-the-art tools for project tracking and version control, guaranteeing transparency and consistency.

Risk Mitigation:

We have identified key risks, including technical challenges in blockchain integration, and have strategies in place to mitigate them. Regular reviews, testing phases, and community engagement will ensure that we promptly address any issues, maintaining the project's integrity and progress.

Our team's combination of technical acumen, strategic insight, operational excellence, and community engagement positions us to successfully deliver a product that meets the needs of the Cardano ecosystem and its stakeholders.

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

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Requirements Finalization

Objective: Kick off the project and finalize detailed requirements for the core features of the Mendix widgets and modules.

Activities: Initial team meetings, stakeholder consultations, and requirement documentation.

Outcomes:

• Produce documented project plan and timeline, including clear documentation of the project scope and boundaries.
• Produce comprehensive list of requirements for Mendix widgets and modules, validated by stakeholder feedback and other contextual information for situating system decisions in stakeholder centered design.

Acceptance Criteria: The Landano team will make available these two documents as reports.

Expected Completion: Week 2

Milestone 2: Prototype Development

Objective: Develop a streamlined prototype focusing on key functionalities.

Activities: Design and coding of the prototype, incorporating essential features.

Outcomes:

• Completed prototype with core functionalities as outlined in the requirements.
• Internal review and validation of the prototype's technical performance.
• Initial user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, generated in accordance with the standards outlined in milestone 1.

Acceptance Criterion: A short report made available, outlining the process and completion of the activities and outcomes above, supported by screenshots and recordings as useful or necessary.

Expected Completion: Week 6

Milestone 3: Community Engagement and Feedback Incorporation

Objective: Present the prototype to the community for early feedback.

Activities: Showcase to a selected developer group, collect feedback, and begin iterations.

Outcome: A short report:

• documenting the above showcasing of the prototype;
• documenting and summarizing initial group feedback, organized by priority;
• containing an implementation plan for the highest-priority items.

Acceptance Criterion: the above report made available.

Expected Completion: Week 8

Milestone 4: Beta Release and Testing

Objective: Release a beta version for user testing, focusing on the most impactful features.

Activities: Beta version development and preliminary testing, incorporating feedback and essential features.

Outcomes:

• Documented results of preliminary testing
• Establish process for collecting and addressing user feedback during beta testing
• Release of beta version

Acceptance Criterion: A short report containing the first two outcomes, and a link for the beta version.

Expected Completion: Week 12

Final Milestone: Release Candidate and Documentation

Objective: Launch a working release candidate of the plugin.

Activities: Final development iterations, complete documentation, and prepare for official release. Specifically:

• Final release candidate version developed, incorporating all planned features and improvements based on beta testing.
• Comprehensive documentation generated, including user guides and developer resources, ready for distribution.
• Successful completion of all final tests, ensuring product stability and security.

Outcome: Release candidate of the Cardano Mendix plugin produced, with comprehensive supporting documentation.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Link for the release candidate version made available to the Cardano/Catalyst community
• A short report containing the supporting documentation made available to the community

Expected Completion: Week 16

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

Dorus Van Der Kroft

Landano: CTO

Mendix Plugin Project: Lead Developer

https://www.landano.io/team/dorus-van-der-kroft/

Peter Van Garderen

Landano: CEO

Mendix Plugin Project: Systems Analyst

https://www.landano.io/team/peter-van-garderen/

Aaron Moguin

Landano: COO

Mendix Plugin Project: Project Manager

https://www.landano.io/team/aaron-moguin/

Dan Amankona

Landano: CMO

Mendix Plugin Project: Community Liaison

https://www.landano.io/team/dan-amankona/

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

Development Costs (65% of total budget)

• Includes salaries for developers, costs for any required software or development tools.
• Total Allocation: 130,000 ADA (~$48,750 USD)

Testing & Deployment (20% of total budget)

• Covers expenses related to testing tools, environments, and any third-party services for security audits.
• Total Allocation: 40,000 ADA (~$15,000 USD)

Documentation (10% of total budget)

• Includes the creation of comprehensive user and developer guides, tutorials, and online help resources.
• Total Allocation: 20,000 ADA (~$7,500 USD)

Overhead Costs (5% of total budget)

• General administrative costs, legal fees, marketing, and other miscellaneous expenses.
• Total Allocation: 10,000 ADA (~$3,750 USD)

Detailed Breakdown:

• Developer Salaries: The largest portion of the budget, ensuring adequate compensation for the skilled developers required for this complex project.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Critical for ensuring the reliability and security of the plugin, including costs for beta testing and any necessary security audits.
• Documentation: Essential for user adoption and effective use of the plugin, this includes technical writing, graphic design for illustrative materials, and possibly video tutorials.
• Administrative and Miscellaneous Expenses: Includes costs such as project management tools, communication expenses, and any unforeseen costs that may arise.

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

This project offers substantial value for the investment of 200,000 ADA, in the following ways:

• High Leverage of Developer Resources: By focusing on the development of core modules and widgets that will enable Mendix developers to easily integrate with the Cardano blockchain, we are creating tools that can be reused across numerous projects. This reusable aspect means that the investment extends beyond a single application, providing ongoing value as more developers adopt these tools.
• Potential for Widespread Adoption: With an existing base of around 300,000 Mendix developers, even a small percentage of adoption represents significant growth in the use of Cardano’s blockchain technology. This translates to an increased user base and more diverse applications on Cardano, enhancing the blockchain's utility and visibility in various sectors.
• Strategic Alignment with Cardano's Goals: Our project directly supports Cardano's strategic objective of expanding its ecosystem and fostering blockchain adoption in the enterprise domain. This alignment ensures that the investment is not just in a standalone project but in the broader goal of ecosystem growth.
• Cost-Effective Approach: Our budget is strategically allocated to ensure maximum impact per ADA spent. The emphasis on essential features within a four-month timeline ensures that the project delivers value quickly without unnecessary expenditures.
• Community and Future Development: By making our tools open-source, we are investing in the Cardano community. This not only fosters collaboration and innovation but also ensures the sustainability and continuous improvement of the tools we develop.

In conclusion, the investment in our project yields not only immediate tangible outputs in the form of the Mendix plugin but also long-term benefits for the Cardano ecosystem through increased adoption, community engagement, and alignment with strategic objectives.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept