CardanoCodex - On-boarding the next wave of Developers with this innovative Hackathon event - Pan India

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Adnan Khan

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co proposers and Additional applicants

Sricharan G. // charan@nucast.io

Nucast Labs

[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)

CardanoCodex is a digital hackathon designed to engage and ignite the Indian developer community's involvement with Cardano in order to promote the growth and evolution of the 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

Our project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG Goals

8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

SDG Subgoals

17.19 - By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

9.1 - Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

9.b - Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Introduction

The CardanoCodex hackathon, following its highly successful debut, returns with an even more ambitious vision. This event, which resonated throughout the web3 developer community, not only set a new benchmark in blockchain innovation but also forged extensive partnerships and fostered collaborative efforts. The forthcoming edition is poised to build upon these strong foundations, evolving beyond a mere competition into a formidable force within the Indian web3 landscape.

• Achievements

In its inaugural edition, CardanoCodex established over 20 strategic partnerships with key Developer DAOs and prominent organizations, marking a significant milestone in fostering blockchain innovation.

• Key Mentors

We are proud to announce the onboarding of distinguished mentors from prestigious organizations such as IOHK, Emurgo, NMKR, and more. These seasoned experts will play a pivotal role in guiding and nurturing the next generation of web3 developers.

• Representation at India Blockchain Week

CardanoCodex made a significant impact by representing itself at various developer events during India Blockchain Week. The enthusiastic response and immense interest received at these events underscore the growing influence of CardanoCodex in the web3 sphere.

What's New?

This year's edition of the CardanoCodex hackathon expands its scope with an India-wide tour. Each city on the tour we will be partnering with tech colleges present in the respective cities along with DAOs to host events, workshops, and networking sessions, aiming to foster collaboration and innovation on a larger scale.

India is emerging as a significant hub for Web3 and blockchain development due to several factors:

• Large Tech Talent Pool: India boasts a vast pool of highly skilled software engineers and developers. According to NASSCOM, India has the second-largest developer workforce globally, with over 4 million professionals in the IT industry. This provides a strong foundation for blockchain and Web3 development. (Source: NASSCOM)
• Tech Education: India has numerous renowned technical institutions and universities that produce a steady stream of computer science and engineering graduates. These institutions provide the necessary educational background for individuals interested in blockchain and Web3 technologies.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: India has a thriving startup ecosystem, and many entrepreneurs are exploring blockchain and Web3-based solutions. This has led to the growth of blockchain startups and projects in the country. (Source: Inc42)

Key Performance Indicators

To measure its success, the hackathon will focus on key performance indicators, ranging from participant engagement to the impact of the projects:

• Participant Engagement:
• Increasing both the number and diversity of participants, with a specific target of reaching 10,000+ developers in India.
• Project Quality:
• Enhancing the standard of project submissions on Project Catalyst, with a focus on increasing participation from the Indian developer community within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Community Building:
• Expanding the network of partners and collaborators, especially within the Indian developer community, to create a strong and active Cardano developer community in India.
• Project Impact:
• Assessing the real-world impact and utility of projects, with a special emphasis on projects that address specific challenges or opportunities in the Indian context.
• Outreach and Awareness:
• Raising awareness about the Cardano ecosystem in India, with the aim of not only attracting developers but also educating the general web3 community bring awareness to cardano.

Event Structure for In-Person (IRL) Events

The in-person events of the hackathon are designed to be both educational and engaging, offering a comprehensive understanding of the Cardano ecosystem, opportunities for developers, and networking sessions.

• Cardano Overview: Sessions about how Cardano differs from other popular networks in India like Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana with a focus on how easy it is getting to develop on Cardano unlike before due to libraries.
• Project Catalyst: Opportunities within Project Catalyst.
• Developer Opportunities: Highlighting pathways in the Cardano ecosystem.
• Ambassador Program: Encouraging participation in the Cardano India Ambassador Program managed by Nucast.
• Panel Discussions: Cardano-led sessions and panel discussions with local key partners from tech colleges and DAOs.
• Creative Activities: Including NFT POAPs and exclusive merchandise.
• Networking: Opportunities to build professional relationships.

Video Material by our Mentors

This extra material will be provided to all the registrants to get them familiar with cardano development.

• Intro to Cardano and Blockchain: Explore Cardano and blockchain basics.
• Smart Contracts with Plutus: Learn Plutus for smart contracts.
• Token Standards: Understand Cardano token standards.
• Integration Libraries: Integrate Cardano features into apps.
• Wallet Connect: Implement Wallet Connect for DApps.
• Transaction Building: Create Cardano transactions.
• Mesh SDK: Simplify DApp development with Mesh SDK.

Hackathon Roadmap

The roadmap outlines every stage of the hackathon, from promotional strategies to the final demo day, ensuring a seamless and impactful experience for all participants.

• Planning Stage: Focus on promotional materials, branding, and outreach.
• Registrations: Via Twitter, DAO Partners, Telegram, and Email Newsletters.
• City Events: In Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai.
• Registration Period: Open for 90 days.
• Demo Day in Bangalore: Showcasing selected projects from the final round, with VC invitations from GravityX Capital and Coinswitch Ventures

Prizes and Rewards

• 25k ADA Prize: For the winner team.
• 10k ADA Prize: For the runner-up team.
• 5k ADA Prize: For the second runner-up team.

Onboarded Mentors, Jury, and VCs

• Anuj: Content Head at Emurgo_io, with extensive experience in blockchain programs.
• Patrick: Patrick Tobler is the founder of NMKR, Cardanos largest NFT & Tokenizing Infrastructure Provider.
• Pratik Magar: General Partner of GravityX Capital, an early-stage web3 venture capital firm based in India with a portfolio of around 30+ companies.
• Parth Chaturvedi: Head of the ventures arm of CoinSwitch, one of India’s largest exchanges, which raised over 300m+.
• This proposal will include limited advisory and mentorship from the IOG Marlowe team. Marlowe expert speakers are already invited and keen to join the effort.

Community Partners

• List of Onboarded DAOs:
• WEB3 CHENNAI
• PUNE DAO
• HYDERABAD DAO
• WEB3 JAIPUR
• WEB3 MEETUPS
• WEB3 PANJAB
• KERALA DAO
• Google Dev fest Raipur

These DAOs boast a vibrant community of over 10,000 developers, making CardanoCodex a dynamic hub for web3 innovation and collaboration.

Thought Process: Reflection on Other Hackathons

• EthIndia 2022:
• Participants: Over 2,100 attendees, 1,753 hackers from 34 countries.
• Projects: More than 459 projects built.
• Source: ETHIndia 2022 Recap - YouTube, ETHIndia , https://devfolio.co/blog/ethindia-2022-a-recap-of-the-worlds-largest-ethereum-hackathon/
• NEO and OKX Hackathon:
• Prize Pool: $120,000 total prize pool, $1 million post-hackathon grant fund.
• Locations: Hosted in five APAC cities including Bangalore, India.
• Source: Neo Partners with OKX to Launch APAC-focused Hackathon
• TezAsia Hackathon by Tezos India:
• Participants: Participation of more than 14,000 developers.
• Source: TEZASIA Hackathon 2023 successfully completed
• EthForAll 2023 Online Hackathon:
• Projects: Over 400 projects submitted.
• Source: From Start to Finish: EthForAll 2023 Online Hackathon
• And many more…

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

Hackathon events are a crucial component of sustained ecosystem development and growth. They promote collaboration, attract new developer talent to an ecosystem and help to inspire innovation, continued creation and the discovery of new functionalities.

The CardanoCodex Hackathon, with its return, aims to leave a significant and positive impact on the wider Cardano community. Here's how this impact can be defined, measured, and shared:

• Value to the Cardano Community: The hackathon will drive innovation within the Cardano ecosystem by tapping into India's large pool of tech talent. This will not only bring fresh ideas and solutions but also expand the Cardano community with skilled developers.

• Measuring Impact: Success will be quantitatively measured by participant numbers and project submissions, and qualitatively by evaluating the innovation and real-world applicability of the projects. Feedback from participants and mentors will also be crucial.

• Sharing Outputs and Opportunities: KKey projects will be showcased across various platforms, ensuring visibility. The network of partnerships, including with tech colleges and DAOs, will be leveraged for future projects. Continuous engagement through social media, webinars, and meetups will keep the community informed and involved.

• VC Collaboration Impact: Partnering with GravityX Capital and CoinSwitch Ventures is a game-changer, as it will significantly boost resources and opportunities for Indian developers building on Cardano. This partnership not only brings financial backing but also offers valuable mentorship and networking opportunities, essential for nurturing innovative blockchain solutions within the Cardano ecosystem.

[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?

The Nucast team's capability to deliver high-quality projects with trust and accountability is anchored in their extensive experience and commitment to transparency. Here's a brief overview:

• Expertise and Track Record: With over 20 years of collective experience in blockchain technology, the team has a proven history of delivering Cardano-built solutions. Their existing products have significantly contributed to the Cardano ecosystem, reflecting their capability and reliability.

• Financial Management:
• Proven Track Record: The team's successful completion of past projects demonstrates their skill in effective resource management and goal achievement.
• Commitment to Transparency: Nucast maintains open communication with the community through regular updates and reports, fostering trust and ensuring accountability.
• Rigorous Financial Practices: The team adheres to stringent financial procedures, including detailed budget planning, routine financial disclosures, and independent audits, ensuring enhanced transparency and reliability.

• Previous Hackathon Success: The success and achievements of the previous CardanoCodex hackathon, such as establishing strategic partnerships and fostering a vibrant community of developers, further underscore Nucast's capability to organize and deliver impactful projects.

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

Milestone 1 - Pre-Hackathon Preparations:

• Objective: Finalize the hackathon's structure, including sessions, workshops, and mentorship programs. Complete the onboarding of mentors, partners, and community DAOs.
• Acceptance Criteria: Confirmed list of mentors, finalized event schedule for the next 4 months, partnerships with DAOs, and logistical arrangements for city events (invoices for venue rentals and related logistics).

Milestone 2 - Registrations and Promotions:

• Objective: Open and manage registrations, and execute promotional activities across various channels like Twitter, Telegram, and email newsletters and get the supporting video resources by mentors for registerants live.

Acceptance Criteria: Achieving a target registration number of >500, successful promotional campaign execution with measurable reach and engagement and 5 videos on:

• Intro to Cardano and Blockchain: Explore Cardano and blockchain basics.
• Smart Contracts with Plutus: Learn Plutus for smart contracts.
• Token Standards: Understand Cardano token standards.
• Integration Libraries: Integrate Cardano features into apps.
• Wallet Connect: Implement Wallet Connect for DApps.
• Transaction Building: Create Cardano transactions.
• Mesh SDK: Simplify DApp development with Mesh SDK.

Milestone 3 - Conducting City Events:

• Objective: Successfully host events in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai with engaging sessions, workshops, and networking activities.
• Acceptance Criteria: >100 attendance at each event, positive participant feedback, and documented engagement in sessions and workshops.

Milestone 4 - Demo Day and Project Evaluation:

• Objective: Organize the Demo Day in Bangalore, where selected projects are showcased. Involve VCs for potential investment and support.
• Acceptance Criteria: Smooth execution of Demo Day, quality of projects presented, and interest from VCs like GravityX Capital and CoinSwitch Ventures.

Final Project Completion Report and Video:

• Objective: Compile a comprehensive report and produce a video that encapsulates the entire hackathon journey, achievements, and future outlook.
• Acceptance Criteria: Detailed reporting on key performance indicators, participant testimonials, a professionally produced video showcasing highlights and future plans.

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

Adnan Khan (Project Lead)

Adnan Khan is an experienced professional in the web3 domain, known for his successful contributions to early-stage startups in building MVPs, managing communities, securing grants, and achieving scalability. With a focus on data analytics and web3 development, Adnan has garnered expertise in on-chain analytics. Currently, he holds the position of a research analyst at GravityX Capital, a well-known web3 institutional fund. Adnan has actively collaborated with renowned web3 ecosystems and startups such as dYdX, Polygon, Frontier, Bullieverse, among others. Notably, Adnan is a three-time Catalyst winner, having completed and closed all three proposals successfully.

Furthermore, Adnan is also pursuing his graduation in Data Science and Programming at IIT Madras, a leading technical institute in India.

Sricharan G. CEO @ Nucast Labs

Sricharan is a successful entrepreneur and business development strategist with over seven years of experience in business-driven roles and over four years of experience in the web3 domain. He has a successful track record of delivering innovative products on the Cardano Blockchain. As the CEO of Nucast, Charan is extremely passionate about community building and pioneering solutions. He currently leads a dynamic team of 15+ professionals at Nucast Labs. Additionally, he holds a Masters in Computer Science from the University of Central Missouri, USA.

Nucast Labs : Successfully built various scalable Cardano dapps. Nucast is proud to host a highly skilled and experienced development team of 15+ members with over 30 years of combined industry experience.

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

Milestone 1 - Pre-Hackathon Preparations (Month 1)

• Preparatory Activities:
• Securing partnerships with DAOs and tech colleges.
• Developing hackathon framework and schedule.
• Setting up mentorship and judging panels.
• Total Cost: 20000 ADA

Milestone 2 - Registrations, Promotions, and Mentor Videos (Month 2)

• Marketing and Publicity:
• Digital and social media marketing campaigns.
• Production of promotional content and materials.
• Total Cost: 10000 ADA
• Registration and Promotion Platform:
• Development and maintenance of the registration system.
• Total Cost: 5000 ADA
• Mentor Video Production:
• Creation of educational videos on topics like Cardano basics, smart contracts with Plutus, token standards, integration libraries, Wallet Connect, transaction building, and Mesh SDK.
• Total Cost: 7500 ADA

Milestone 3 - Conducting City Events (Month 3)

• City Event Preparations:
• Venue, equipment, and catering for each city event in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai.
• Travel and accommodation for team members and mentors.
• Total Cost: $12,000 (40,000 ADA)

Milestone 4 - Demo Day and Project Evaluation (Month 4)

• Bangalore Event (Demo Day):
• Venue, equipment, and catering for the final event.
• Arrangements for VC attendees and special guests.
• Total Cost: $5,000 (16,667 ADA)
• Prizes for Winners:
• Cash prizes distributed among winning teams.
• Total Cost: 40,000 ADA

Final Project Completion Report and Video (Month 4)

• Video Production & Reporting:
• Filming and editing of the hackathon.
• Comprehensive reporting on hackathon outcomes.
• Total Cost: 5000 ADA

Additional Costs

• Mentoring and Outreach:
• Compensation for mentors and outreach activities.
• Total Cost: 5000 ADA

Total Estimated Cost: 149,167 ADA

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

Increased Awareness in India's Web3 Ecosystem:

The budget facilitates effective marketing to enhance awareness of CardanoCodex'23, attracting developers and blockchain enthusiasts, thereby expanding the Cardano community in India.

Boosting Project Inflow to Catalyst and Cardano:

The hackathon encourages the creation of innovative projects on the Cardano blockchain, increasing submissions to Catalyst and enriching the Cardano ecosystem with new ideas and solutions.

Accessing India's Skilled College Talent:

By engaging with students and educational institutions, the project taps into India's vast pool of talented developers, enhancing the development capabilities within the Cardano community.

In summary, the expenditure on CardanoCodex is a strategic investment for the Cardano Community as a whole in expanding Cardano's reach, fostering innovation, and building a skilled developer community, offering substantial long-term benefits to the Cardano ecosystem.

[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