Grass Roots: Positioning Cardano as the Swiss L1 of Choice

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Sheraz Ahmed

[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

D.Jur. Nicola Massella, Legal & Compliance Dept.

Sophie Ivarsson, Marketing & Growth Dept.

Nara Babayeva, Branding & Design Team

Louis Beuque, Finance & Fundraising Dept.

[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)

Work with the Crypto Valley Association and the Swiss DAO ecosystem and give the community the tools to position Cardano as the L1 of choice for Switzerland via content, events, and partnerships.

[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.”

• DAO Suisse is an association with the purpose of enabling DAOs leveraging the Swiss culture of participation. They foster innovation and knowledge transfer between industry and academia to advance DAO technology for the public.

They represent DAO stakeholders and advocate for clear regulations in Switzerland to protect DAO founders and participants. DAO Suisse brings together experts from various fields to drive the creation and advancement of DAOs.

• Crypto Valley Association is an independent, government-supported association established to take full advantage of Switzerland’s strengths to build the world’s leading blockchain and cryptographic technologies ecosystem.

They support and connect startups and established enterprises through policy recommendations, projects across verticals, initiating and enabling research, and organizing conferences, hackathons, and other industry events.

Our objective is to work with both of them to ensure the successful rooting of the decentralised Cardano ecosystem in the of the major Crypto Hubs in the world, according to Coindesk's last report.

[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

The project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG Goals

4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

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

SDG Subgoals

4.4 - By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

4.4.1 - Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

The overall approach will be a marketing strategy designed to increase familiarity with the Cardano ecosystem, encourage new projects to start on Cardano, provide resources and incentives to conversion or integration of existing projects, and encourage the community to continue promoting the ecosystem.

1) Introduction

• Overview of Cardano and its potential for Swiss Web3 projects and DAOs
• Importance of Switzerland as a blockchain-friendly jurisdiction
• Initial announcement and marketing of the initiative

2) Creation of a Strategic Roadmap for Cardano-Based applications and DAOs

• Analysis of the current blockchain landscape in Switzerland
• Identification of key stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and industry leaders
• Collaborative engagement with local partners, aiming for minimum two sessions with partners to focus on what unique selling points and capabilities Cardano can bring to Swiss companies and DAOs
• Creation of archetypes and personas that would benefit from project initiation, conversion, or integration with Cardano
• Development of a comprehensive 1 year strategic roadmap to position Cardano as the L1 of choice for Switzerland
• Creation of milestones, timelines, and measurable objectives

3) Focus on Integration

• Identification and engagement of potential partners, including startups, enterprises, and academic institutions
• Conducting workshops and educational sessions to promote awareness and understanding of Cardano and its benefits
• Matchmaking with technical assistance in integrating Cardano blockchain into existing systems or developing new solutions
• Collaboration with local players to facilitate pilot projects showcasing the capabilities and advantages of Cardano-based applications and DAOs
• Continuous support, including training and consultation, to ensure a smooth integration process

4) Growing Thought Leadership in the region via Events

• Encouragement and execution support of thought leadership events, such as conferences, seminars, and meetups
• Inviting industry experts, Cardano developers, and government representatives to share insights and experiences
• Showcasing successful case studies and real-world applications of Cardano-based applications and DAOs
• Facilitating networking opportunities to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants
• Leveraging media and social channels to extend the reach and impact of the events

5) Marketing Guide

• Create a guidebook for community members to be able to support and sustain the effort.
• Create examples of campaigns and assets for the community to be inspired by, build on, and improve
• Provide frameworks for community-led implementations
• Facilitate pilot campaigns by community members

6) Monitoring and Evaluation

• Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the reach and conversion rate of the campaign(s)
• Regular monitoring of progress and milestones achieved
• Collecting feedback from stakeholders and participants to identify areas for improvement
• Making necessary adjustments to the strategic roadmap based on results

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

The goal is not only to position the Cardano ecosystem as the premier L1 in Switzerland, but to allow the community itself to sustain and grow the effort even after the project is over. The following points elaborate on the importance and potential impact of our initiative:

• Clarity and Exposure: Through strategic roadmapping and targeted marketing efforts, our solution aims to provide greater clarity and understanding of the Cardano ecosystem. This will benefit stakeholders by offering a comprehensive view of Cardano's capabilities, advantages, and potential use cases. Additionally, by actively engaging with local players and thought leadership events, we will create increased exposure for Cardano in Switzerland and beyond.
• Leadership in the Web3 Industry: The emergence of decentralized governance as a key driver in the digital economy presents a unique opportunity for Cardano to position itself as a leader in this space. Our solution seeks to showcase Cardano's ability to facilitate efficient and transparent Web3 projects and DAOs. By fostering collaboration with local partners and facilitating pilot projects, we aim to demonstrate the practical applications and advantages of Cardano-based dApps and DAOs, reinforcing Cardano's position as an industry trailblazer.
• Community led and sustained: by co-creating an open-source marketing strategy to be led and sustained by the community, we hope to create continued growth in the ecosystem even after the project itself is over.

Our solution not only aims to bring clarity and exposure to the Cardano ecosystem but also positions Cardano as a leader in the Swiss Web3 industry, fueled by the strength of its community and initiatives.

[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?

STORM Partners has spent the past years building its capability to promote ecosystems like Cardano in the Web3 way, through community-driven engagement and by making the value of Web3 clear to more traditional stakeholders. 

Legal & Compliance Department has extensive experience with the legal recognition (and related regulation) of DAOs, as well as other regulatory requirements related to Web3 projects. We have incorporated several DAOs in Switzerland and abroad, registering them either as foundations or as associations (depending on the intrinsic characteristics of the projects and the different governance structures), and we are always up-to-date on regulatory changes to mitigate our clients’ regulatory risks.

Marketing & Growth Department has helped curate high-level go-to-market strategies while providing the affiliated brand research and guidance needed to become a leading dApp or DAO, helping with long-term communications, social media, public relations, growth hacking, personal branding, and influencer programs.

Finance & Fundraising Department has a successful track record in developing articulated fundraising strategies and financial planning. Areas of expertise include tokenomics mechanisms, nurturing investor relations, pitch deck structuring, etc.

As a founding member of DAO Suisse, we seek to strengthen leadership in Web3 by focusing on overcoming the challenges faced by DAOs operating here and abroad.

We are also highly active in the Cardano ecosystem and have contributed through various initiatives and events to strengthen and shape its community and ecosystem. Some of our Cardano contributions and initiatives include:

• Sheraz Ahmed as Master of Ceremony at the Cardano Summit 2022 in Lausanne.
• Host at the Crypto Valley Conference 2022 & 2023, welcoming Frederik Gregaard.
• Executive Leadership at Crypto Valley Association coordinating activities with Cardano Foundation to promote the ecosystem in Zug and abroad.
• Participated in various Cardano side-events / meetups such as the London Masterclass and Meetup on 9th May 2023.
• Contribution to CIP-1694 workshop in Zug in June 2023.
• Early-stage private investors in Cardano projects such as MELD.
• Nicola Massella Conducted a Legal Masterclass on Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Staking Mechanisms at the Cardano Summit 2023
• Sheraz Ahmed Judged the hackathon at the Cardano Summit 2023, and also contributed to the prize pool.
• Influencer campaigns for Cardano Spot

We understand the importance of financial planning, budgeting, processes and accountability for the engagement we perform. Specifically, we will deploy progress updates. The team will regularly update each milestone with detailed explanations of a given task, with hours employed, outcomes and measurements. The updates will include reports on KPIs and metrics reached and strategic and implementation adjustments due to emerging issues or changes in the Cardano DAO ecosystem.

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

The goal is to develop a robust marketing strategy to position Cardano as the L1 of choice for Switzerland

Milestone output(s)

• A list of archetypes and personas most useful in promoting Cardano within the Swiss Web3 community.
• More detailed lists of influencers, organizations, and groups to target for engagement and partnerships.
• A complete marketing strategy for engaging the Swiss market and promoting Cardano.

Acceptance criteria 

• A framework for engaging the Swiss market with the first six months of marketing and event activity planned out.

Info provided to verify the milestone achievement 

• The draft marketing strategy

Outreach conducted in accordance with the marketing strategy. The goal will not just be to run campaigns or hold events, but to create detailed documentation of the methods used so that they can be replicated by the community in the future.

Milestone output(s)

• Webinars, in-person events, digital campaigns, and other forms of engagement.

Acceptance criteria 

• At least one real example of each of the methods described in the marketing strategy detailed out and executed for the community to learn from.

Info provided to verify the milestone achievement 

• Pictures, recordings, summaries, and project documentation.

Practical applications of projects initiated on, converted to, or integrated with Cardano, to include dApps and DAOs

Milestone output(s)

• Using the traction generated from the previous phase, encourage several pilots of adoption by dApps and DAOs, ideally through mechanisms and partners existing within the Cardano ecosystem but also through STORM’s help, and documenting the user journey as an example for future adoption.

Acceptance criteria 

• Documentation of pilots of the selected archetypes and personas becoming part of the Cardano ecosystem.

Info provided to verify the milestone achievement 

• Pictures, recordings, summaries, and project documentation.

A comprehensive marketing best-practice guide containing the knowledge and learnings from the events and pilots to enable the community to sustain its own growth.

Milestone output(s)

• A guide divided into the different topics and sections containing the information, (links to the) content, and project results, detailed out for the next iteration to be renewed by STORM or taken up by another community member.

Acceptance criteria 

• A detailed guide that is ready to implement.
• Metrics from the second and third phases of the project to indicate that further implementation of the plan will be successful.

Info provided to verify the milestone achievement 

• The guide, the KPIs, and the analysis.

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

Legal & Compliance Department - Legal Workshop

Nicola Massella - Partner & Head of Legal

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamassella 

D.Jur. Nicola Massella is an expert on crypto-assets and blockchain technology regulation with a commitment to decentralising and democratising capital markets. He is the head of STORM Partners’ Legal & Compliance Department. Additionally, he is engaged pro bono as Legal Research Officer at the Blockchain & Climate Institute and as a member of the Regulatory Working Group at the Crypto Valley Association. He developed specific expertise concerning DAOs by assisting multiple decentralised organisations in establishing a sound legal structure.

Marketing Department - Marketing Workshop and Design

Sophie Ivarsson - Marketing Director focused on Growth

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-ivarsson-815491b1/ 

Sophie has spent the last ten years becoming an expert growth marketer on the road to mastery. She has worked for large organisations like Lego and also helped launch two startups, both of which have transitioned to stable and profitable concerns. She’s an expert strategist and team builder, which translates directly into how to structure and grow a brand and business. 

Nara Babayeva - Graphic Designer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nara-babayeva-797251119 

Nara, an accomplished designer based in Istanbul, has worked on international projects related to web3 and the metaverse. With six years of experience in graphic design, Nara specialises in brand identity, social media, and UX/UI. She holds an MBA degree in Visual Marketing, which enhances her ability to approach design strategically. Her designs seamlessly blend global trends with localised aesthetics, resonating with audiences across borders.

Finance & Fundraising - Fundraising workshop

Louis Beuque - Fundraising Manager

https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-beuque-4153b0104 

Co-founder of a DAO focused on entertainment, Louis has been operating as a Head of Investor Relations and Fundraising Manager for more than 13 projects over 2022 cumulating more than $60M. Originally focused on top-tier projects such as Polygon, he has been more recently raising for upcoming blockchain-based projects and DAOs, which he recognises as more exciting and as a future trend in Web3.

Project Coordinator - 

Sheraz Ahmed - Managing Partner

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherazahmed1/

Sheraz Ahmed has advised hundreds of organisations on the implementation of modern Web3 practices to further their business objectives. As the Managing Partner of STORM Partners, an all-in-one service provider, and as the Co-Executive Director of the Crypto Valley Association, he drives growth, collaboration, and integrity across the global blockchain ecosystem!

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

Project Management and Coordination (overall costs)

Market Research & Outreach 30%

Event Coordination & Support 20%

Content Creation 20% 

Strategy & Project Management 30%

Subtotal: = 168,935 ADA

Detailed breakdown:

1: Introduction  

Focus: Mapping out Cardano’s potential on the Swiss market, analysing Switzerland's crypto-jurisdiction and market the initiative.

Time & Resources: 25 hours ~ 9709 ADA

2: Creation of Roadmap 

Focus: Analysing Switzerland's blockchain ecosystem and refining the roadmap through collaborative partnerships and feedback sessions, creating a detailed one-year strategic plan with clear milestones. 

Time & Resources: 80 hours ~ 31068 ADA

3. Focus on Integration 

Focus: Identifying partners, conducting educational workshops, and providing technical assistance for integrating Cardano blockchain. 

Time & Resources: 95 hours ~ 36894 ADA

4. Growing Thought Leadership in the region via Events

Focus: Support Cardano in establishing as a prominent figure in the blockchain sphere by hosting thought leadership events, showcasing successful case studies and amplifying its presence through media.

Time & Resources: 45 hours ~ 17476 ADA

5. Marketing Guide

Focus: Empower the Cardano community by curating project best practices, offering campaign examples and assets for inspiration and improvement, whilst providing frameworks for community-driven implementations. 

Time & Resources: 95 hours ~ 36894 ADA

6. Monitoring & Evaluation

Focus: Setting up KPIs for campaign reach and conversion rates, consistently monitoring progress and milestones, gathering stakeholder feedback, and adapting the strategic roadmap based on obtained results.

Time & Resources: 95 hours ~ 36894 ADA

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

As showcased, STORM Partners comprises highly skilled individuals who are leaders in their respective areas with multiple years of experience on Web3 projects and involvement in the Cardano Ecosystem. Furthermore, the project would not only directly benefit the participants in the online workshops but would also serve as a trampoline to increase the reputation and awareness of Cardano DAOs in Switzerland and internationally.

By leveraging our existing network in Web3, social media presence and marketing efforts, we will contribute to the betterment of the reputation of the Cardano DAO ecosystem. We want it to be the go-to place for DAO builders and collaborators. Most importantly, the cost associated with the project will democratise information which is often hard to obtain and scarce in the market. 

STORM Partners have applied competitive market rates for the types of expertise and quality of the delivery in the context of a leading Web3 consultancy firm.

This is an ambitious project, and while we will not be able to cover every possible method or tool, the ability to approach the work in small batches and adjust to what can be done quickly and cheaply, and what requires more detail, will allow us to make responsible use of the funds and, in case of a rise in the value of the ADA, provide more depth and value to the community.

[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