MyCardanoTravelGuide - Engaging Cardano Community for Enhanced Travel Experience

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Benjamin Ben Zvi

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

7

[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)

A decentralized, trusted network of local people to provide a real experience and help with trip planning and saving money on exchange rate.

[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

We would like to build a business on Cardano, but it is still early stage to define what part will be open source 

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth 

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities 

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Executive Summary:

We present MyCardanoTravelGuide, a conceptual platform harnessing the power of Cardano to foster a global network of trust, primarily focused on the travel sector. This proposal falls under the Cardano Use Cases: Concept category, aiming to develop an early-stage idea that generates proof of concept, design research, and basic prototyping. MyCardanoTravelGuide seeks to provide real-world utility and promote the adoption of Cardano by creating a decentralized, community-driven travel assistance platform.

How did I come up with the idea:

This August, I embarked on a journey to Vietnam, a trip that turned into a remarkable experience, largely thanks to the active local Cardano community. Being an engaged Cardano member, I reached out to Tien Nguyen Anh, a fellow community member, and the impact of this connection was transformative.

During my time in Vietnam Tien:

• Helped with Trip Planning: Tien Nguyen Anh not only provided invaluable advice but also assisted in planning the trip, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.
• Provided local Hotel Connections: Through his local network, Tien connected us with hotels in special locations, offering exceptional service at reduced prices.
• Guarateed Immersive Local Experience in Hanoi: Tien went above and beyond by inviting us for dinner with other Cardano community members, giving us a personalized tour, and introducing us to his favourite local spots for breakfast and pastries.
• Facilitated Collaboration: Tien facilitated a meeting with another Cardano community member, sparking discussions about potential collaborations within the community.
• Efficient Currency Exchange: Tien's support extended to practical matters, such as exchanging local currency for ADA, resulting in savings on conversion rates and fees.

The Impact: The impact of this experience was profound, encompassing:

• Trusted Advice: The guidance received was not just practical but came from a trusted source within the Cardano community.
• Community Connection: Meeting other Cardano members fostered a sense of community and collaboration.
• Cost Savings: The efficient ADA exchange process saved money compared to traditional currency conversion.
• Incredible Experience: The overall experience was elevated, highlighting the potential of a network based on trust and shared values.

MyCardanoTravelGuide - Cardano Network Support:

Inspired by this transformative experience, the idea emerged to create a global trust network. MyCardanoTravelGuide aims to connect individuals worldwide who are willing to support each other on local matters. While starting with travel advice, the vision extends to various services in the future, all facilitated through the Cardano network.

Proposal Objectives:

Our proposal seeks to lay the groundwork for a trust network using Cardano technology. The key components include:

• Design Research: Engage in market research within the Cardano community and Ambassadors to gather feedback and assess interest in the project.
• Technology Architecture Roadmap: Design the technological infrastructure, incorporating features such as guide ID, on-chain reviews, and ADA transfers for services.
• Develop an initial prototype, web based, that connects guides with travelers. This will include connecting to wallets and payment in ADA for the service.    

Future Features:

• User rating: Enable users to rate and comment on the travel experience on the Cardano blockchain
• Reputation System: Implement a reputation mechanism using Cardano-based smart contracts to reward trustworthy contributors.
• Native Utility Token: Introduce a native utility token for the platform, utilizing Cardano's capabilities for secure and transparent transactions.
• Decentralized Governance: Explore the integration of decentralized governance on Cardano to empower the community in decision-making processes.

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

Through this proposal, our goal is to design a solution that not only fosters a global trust network but also utilizes Cardano technology to add value for both travelers and local guides. Your support will help turn this concept into a reality, creating a decentralized and trustworthy ecosystem for travel and beyond.

This project is focusing on the concept stage. We will provide all research information and feasibility to grow it going forward. We will develop the initial platform to show how the Cardano blockchain can be relevant from an early stage. We do expect some ADA exchange and connections of users and guides to the platform, but it is all part of the prototype phase to confirm the model.

Stakeholder Involvement:

• Cardano CF Ambassadors:
• Engage Ambassadors for feedback and to facilitate global outreach.
• Community Members:
• Regularly involve and seek input from the broader Cardano community through surveys, forums, and direct interactions.
• Potential Partners:
• Actively explore partnerships within the Cardano ecosystem and share opportunities for collaborative ventures.

User Feedback Loop:

• Continuous Improvement:
• Establish a continuous feedback loop by encouraging users to provide suggestions and insights for platform enhancement.
• Iterative Development:
• Regularly incorporate user feedback into the development process, ensuring the platform evolves in line with community needs.

In the future there will be many metrics to evaluate the success.

1. Quantitative and Qualitative Metrics:

• User Engagement Metrics:
• Quantitative: Number of registered guides and travelers, frequency of platform usage.
• Qualitative: User satisfaction surveys, feedback on the usefulness of travel advice received.
• Transaction Metrics:
• Quantitative: Number and volume of ADA transactions for services.
• Qualitative: Feedback on the effectiveness and efficiency of ADA transactions.
• Community Growth:
• Quantitative: Increase in Cardano community engagement and new members.

2. Value to the Cardano Community:

• Trust and Collaboration:
• Success is measured by the establishment of a trust network among community members globally, fostering collaboration and support.
• Ecosystem Utility:
• Success is determined by the practical use and adoption of the platform for travel-related services within the Cardano community.

3. Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Regular Reports:
• Provide monthly reports highlighting key metrics, user feedback, and platform developments.
• Community Forums and Webinars:
• Host community forums and webinars to share project progress, receive feedback, and discuss potential future features.
• Collaboration Opportunities:
• Actively seek and promote collaboration opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem, sharing potential synergies with other projects.
• Open Source Contributions:
• Consider open-sourcing non-sensitive aspects of the project, contributing to the broader Cardano developer community.

4. Long-Term Sustainability:

• Financial Sustainability:
• Measure the project's ability to sustain itself financially through ADA transactions and explore potential revenue streams.
• Community Endorsement:
• Success is reflected in the long-term endorsement and utilization of the platform by the Cardano community.

The success of MyCardanoTravelGuide will bring tangible value to the Cardano community through enhanced collaboration, ecosystem utility, and educational impact. Regular, transparent reporting and active engagement with the community will ensure that the project's outputs and opportunities are widely shared and contribute to the ongoing growth and vitality of 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 core team includes 3 key members with complementary capabilities.

Benjamin, who initiated the idea, is a dedicated and enthusiastic student with a keen interest in blockchain technology, particularly within the Cardano ecosystem. His active participation in previous funds demonstrates a strong commitment to the field and a track record of successful project contributions. Benjamin is currently in Hong Kong for a student exchange, travelling extensively in the region, and is exposed to the need of creating a trusted network of people that can facilitate living the local experience and improve the expatriate’s usual experience. 

Robert has the technology experience building on Cardano and part of the Cardano Vietnamese community

Magdalena the project manager, have years of experience in the hospitality industry and managing large projects

The team is also affiliated with several Cardano Ambassadors such as: Nori, Felix, Tien, Yoram that will help introducing the project to the CF Ambassador program

Financial management: Effective fund management is extremely important. To demonstrate responsible fund management for a project, we will follow the following steps and procedures:

+Budget planning: We will develop a detailed budget plan outlining the allocation of funds for each milestone and activity of the project. This plan will be shared with stakeholders for review and approval.

+Transparent reporting: Regular financial reports will be prepared and shared with stakeholders, providing visibility into the project's financial status. These reports will include details on costs, income, and any deviations from the budget.

+Compliance and legal considerations: We will adhere to all legal requirements and regulations pertaining to financial management, ensuring proper governance and compliance throughout the project.

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

Concept Validation (Months 1-2)

Objective: Confirm the viability of MyCardanoTravelGuide by engaging with the Cardano community and Ambassadors to understand their needs and interests.

Outputs:

• Conduct surveys and interviews within the Cardano community.
• Seek input from Cardano Ambassadors to assess global interest.
• Summarize findings in a report for project refinement.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Survey done 
• Summary of finding and project update
• Get input from at least 20 Cardano community members/Ambassadors 

Milestone Verification:  

• Share link to PDF with information  

Initial Prototype (Months 3-4)

Objective: Create the first web-based prototype, connecting guides with travelers and enabling ADA payments.

Outputs:

• Design and develop a user-friendly prototype platform.
• Implement guide and traveler registration features.
• Integrate ADA payments.
• Conduct internal testing for improvements.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Prototype is available for testing
• ADA wallet is integrated
• Testing summary

Milestone Verification:  

• Reviewer can test the platform

Testing and Refinement (Months 5-6)

Objective: Test the prototype with a small user group, gather feedback, and make necessary improvements.

Outputs:

• Launch the prototype to a select Cardano community testing group.
• Collect and analyze user feedback.
• Implement necessary improvements based on feedback.
• Conduct additional testing rounds.
• Summarize the testing process and improvements.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Prototype is available for testing
• Testing group is assigned and gave feedback - over 5 members
• Improvements based on feedback
• Testing summary

Milestone Verification:  

• Reviewer can test the platform
• Docs re feedback and testing available through a PDF link

Tech Blueprint (Months 7)

Objective: Develop a detailed plan for MyCardanoTravelGuide's tech structure, encompassing guide ID, on-chain reviews, and ADA transactions.

Outputs:

• Design the project infrastructure for future development  
• Define specifications for guide DID and on-chain reviews.
• Plan ADA transactions for services.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Design of infrastructure is ready including DID for guides and travelers and plan for ADA transaction embedded in the solution 

Milestone Verification:  

• Link to PDF with available info as well as initial Github
• Detailed explanation of the development infrastructure - in doc or video 

This milestone will focus on summary of results and a future roadmap plan for tech development and users and business.

Outputs:

• Summary of results
• Tech road map
• Go to market & Business road map
• Closing report  

Acceptance Criteria:

• Complete all documentation in a clear and detailed way

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

Project Manager - Magdalena Rabini:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdalena-rabini-b133a78b/

Magdalena has a master degree in hospitality management with a strong network in the hospitality industry. In the last 15 years she served as a project manager at the World Health Organization and has coordinated large scale international projects. Magdalena has also travel extensively around the world.

• Responsible for overall project coordination, ensuring milestones are met, and tasks are aligned with the project objectives.
• Facilitates communication between team members and stakeholders.
• Conducts market research, gathers feedback, and assesses community interest.

Community Coordinator , Benjamin Ben Zvi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-ben-zvi/

Benjamin is the one who initiated the idea, based on his travel experience. He is a 3rd year University business student that is interested in Blockchain and Cardano. Benjamin already participated in previous funds and got 3 funded proposals on based on the education of students about Blockchain, and especially, Cardano and Catalyst.

In fund 8 he did marketing and admin for a winning project related to art

Here is a link to the closing report and closing video of the proposals.

https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/9/f9-challenge-and-scouted-for-students/aloha-for-cardano  

https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/9/f9-challenge-and-scouted-for-students/catalyst-tournament

https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/9/f9-challenge-and-scouted-for-students/international-students-for-cardano

• Supports the project manager in day-to-day coordination tasks.
• Assists in scheduling meetings, managing documentation, and tracking progress.
• Coordinate Community engagement.

Technology Lead - Robert Khuat

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

Robert is a full stack developer and has experience in developing decentralized Blockchain applications using Cardano. Tasked with developing the backend and frontend components of the platform, ensuring seamless integration and functionality. Presently, he also manages and operates the DEMARKET project, which has a project funded at Fund 10.

https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/10/f10-startups-and-onboarding-for-students/vietnam-cardano-catalyst-nft-exchange-testing-and-development-environment-helps-young-people-approach-with-the-web30-platform

• Creates a user-friendly interface and experience for both guides and travelers.
• Designs the platform's visual elements, ensuring a seamless and engaging user interaction.
• Responsible for the end-to-end development of the web-based platform.
• Implements the technical aspects of guide and traveler registration, of wallets and ADA payments.

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

Milestone 1: Concept Validation (Months 1-2) - 12,500 ADA

• Project Manager: approx 25 hours/ month x 150 ADA = 7,500 ADA (for two months)8,000 ADA
• Community Coordinator: approx 25 hours/ month x 100 ADA = 5,000 ADA (for two months)

Milestone 2: Initial Prototype (Months 3-4) - 25,500 ADA

• Project Manager: approx 25 hours/ month x 150 ADA = 7,500 ADA (for two months)
• Community Coordinator: approx 25 hours/ month x 100 ADA = 5,000 ADA (for two months)
• Development: 8,000 ADA
• UI/UX Designer : 5,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Testing and Refinement (Months 5-6) - 27,500 ADA

• Project Manager: approx 25 hours/ month x 150 ADA = 7,500 ADA (for two months)
• Community Coordinator: approx 25 hours/ month x 100 ADA = 5,000 ADA (for two months)
• Prototype Testing: 6,000 ADA (will be distributed to community testers)
• Development (improvements): 6,000 ADA
• UI/UX Designer (improvements) : 3,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Tech Blueprint (Months 7) - 18,000 ADA

• Project Manager: approx 25 hours/ month x 150 ADA = 7,500 ADA (for two months)
• Community Coordinator: approx 25 hours/ month x 100 ADA = 5,000 ADA (for two months)
• Development (improvements): 4,000 ADA
• UI/UX Designer (improvements) : 1500 ADA

Final milestone: 6,500 ADA

• Project Manager: approx 30 hours/ month x 150 ADA = 4,000 ADA
• Community Coordinator: approx 25 hours/ month x 100 ADA = 2,500 ADA 

Total Budget: 90,000 ADA

This revised budget adheres to the specified limit of 100,000 ADA, distributing resources across the milestones and team roles while allowing for a contingency fund to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances or adjustments.

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

The cost of the MyCardanoTravelGuide project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several key ways:

• Ecosystem Growth: The project contributes to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem by introducing a decentralized and community-driven platform. This platform fosters global connections among Cardano community members, enhancing the ecosystem's vibrancy and inclusivity.
• Real-World Utility: MyCardanoTravelGuide provides a tangible use case for Cardano by addressing real-world needs. It creates a trust network for travel advice and services, showcasing the practical applications of Cardano's technology beyond financial transactions.
• Community Engagement: The project actively engages the Cardano community and Ambassadors throughout its development. This engagement not only ensures that the platform aligns with community preferences but also strengthens the sense of community within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Innovation and Proof of Concept: By developing features like guide ID, on-chain reviews, and ADA transfers for services, the project acts as a proof of concept for innovative use cases on the Cardano blockchain. It demonstrates the adaptability and versatility of Cardano's technology.
• Global Reach: MyCardanoTravelGuide has the potential to connect individuals globally, fostering collaboration and support on local matters. This global reach aligns with Cardano's mission of creating a decentralized and borderless ecosystem.
• Community Trust: The decentralized nature of the platform, along with features like on-chain reviews and transparent transactions, builds trust within the Cardano community. This trust is crucial for the sustainable growth of the ecosystem.
• Market Research and Feedback: The budget includes funds for comprehensive market research and community feedback. This ensures that the platform is developed based on the actual needs and preferences of the Cardano community, enhancing its relevance and adoption.
• Scalability and Future Potential: The project's focus on scalable features and the vision to extend beyond travel advice positions it for future expansion. As the ecosystem evolves, MyCardanoTravelGuide can adapt and offer additional services, demonstrating its long-term value.

In summary, the cost of the MyCardanoTravelGuide project represents a strategic investment in the Cardano ecosystem, providing value through ecosystem growth, real-world utility, community engagement, innovation, global reach, education, trust-building, research, and scalability. This aligns with Cardano's broader objectives and contributes to its ongoing development and success.

[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