Wave plans to launch AI and blockchain-focused Decentralized Tech Clusters in impoverished areas, aiming to alleviate poverty, create opportunities, and generate broader economic benefits for underserved communities.

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ben Parry

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

12

[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)

Create local micro tech hubs using a decentralised framework and incentives, supporting tech innovation and startup growth through real-world events and local community engagement.

[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.”

N/a

[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

N/a

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Solution:

Build a proof of concept:

The project will be multifaceted, however the initial steps which this funding is requesting is to build a proof of concept:

• Build an online network to coordinate an online and off-line community of entrepreneurs, investors and technologists.
• Start developing strategies to address the challenges in economically deprived areas (see points below).
• Develop a model/structure for others to start their own Wave tech-clusters.
• Support Wave meet-ups.

In summary, Wave shares similarities with Cardano in establishing an ecosystem that facilitates the launch of new projects. However, Wave distinguishes itself by actively engaging with local communities, fostering the development and promotion of local tech talent. Simultaneously, it endeavours to promote real-world adoption of Cardano and blockchain technology, reaching millions of businesses yet to harness the potential of future technologies.

A comprehensive incentive mechanism is needed to coordinate and incentivise local people to take action and contribute to their local tech clusters. However, before launching a token we would seek expertise in planning a monetary policy and this should come after the initial proof on concept. In the meantime, we will introduce a simple mechanism that will enable users to receive rewards that are not tradable but which will convert into a token, once the appropriate planning has taken place. We may however, launch an NFT as a way to represent membership to the community, but this is to be decided and will form part of the planning phase.

Implementing initiatives to address the challenges in economically deprived areas and achieve technology innovation involves a combination of strategies and solutions. I intend to use the 1st Wave group to start this process by exploring:

1. Comprehensive Education and Training Programs: Develop and implement programs that provide comprehensive education, and skill development to equip individuals, especially youth, with the skills needed for future technologies.
2. Infrastructure Development: Invest in the development of supportive infrastructure, including co-working spaces, incubators, and accelerators, to create an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Access to Capital: Facilitate access to funding for startups in deprived areas, attracting investors and venture capital to stimulate economic growth.
4. Community Engagement: Actively involve and engage the local community in the planning and decision-making processes to ensure that initiatives are tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of the community.
5. Partnerships and Collaboration: Foster collaboration between government entities, educational institutions, private sector organisations, and local communities to create a holistic and sustainable approach to economic development.
6. Inclusive Hiring Practices: Encourage and support inclusive hiring practices within tech clusters, promoting diversity and ensuring that opportunities are accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
7. Policy Support: Advocate for and implement supportive policies at the local and regional levels to create an enabling environment for economic development and innovation.
8. Social Programs: Implement social programs that can benefit from technology innovation that address broader community needs, such as healthcare, housing, and social services, to create a foundation for overall well-being.
9. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the impact of initiatives over time, allowing for adjustments and improvements based on real-world outcomes.
10. Knowledge Sharing: Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration between tech clusters, ensuring that successful models and best practices are disseminated to benefit other economically deprived areas.

By combining these strategies, it's possible to create a comprehensive and sustainable solution that addresses the economic, social, and technological challenges faced by deprived areas, fostering inclusive growth and community development.

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

Being a strong supporter of Cardano, Wave is an ideal platform from technological, ethical, and philosophical perspectives. Wave's mission goes beyond building on Cardano; it includes educating people about Cardano, inspiring our community to develop on Cardano with incentive structures, and creating training programs for young developers eager to learn project development on Cardano. Our aim is to extend the reach of blockchain, AI, and the Cardano ecosystem to numerous small communities globally.

Bringing together dispersed individuals in local communities, our goal is to form tech communities that catalyse local growth and prosperity, contributing to the enhancement and upliftment of areas left behind and the advancement of Cardano. The need for people to leave deprived regions for opportunities in larger cities, draining talent and investment, should no longer persist. In today's world, smaller communities, traditionally reliant on conventional industries, can unite to foster the development of technology businesses and tech hubs that were previously deemed impossible.

Moreover, Wave aims to actively engage in collaborations with other projects developing on Cardano. We will actively pursue partnerships with projects that align and can support our mission to enhance underserved areas, one example might be World Mobile Token.

[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 technology partner, of which I am a director, will be Barr Media https://barr.media . We are a team of software developers and marketers with technical experience in blockchain, AI and big data solutions.

As the project lead, I am a versatile leader with a diverse skill set and experience in digital marketing, finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. Throughout my career, I have successfully built businesses, managed teams, devised digital strategies, launched tech products, and developed efficient business systems, spanning both compliant and non-compliant sectors.

I was recently involved in an Innovate UK project with Petroc college and together we successfully completed a successful research trial. The research trial was designed to test the concept of supporting small businesses to increase the use of technology within their business administration processes through technology knowledge transfer, embedding expert knowledge through student-led projects.

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

The 1st milestone will be the completion of a blueprinting phase for the Wave platform.

This will take the form of:

• Sitemap
• Wireframes
• Planning for the technology stack of the prototype.

Validation: Completed blueprinting documentation.

Timeline: 2-3 months

Milestone 2:

• Design phase of the platform

Validation: Completed design files.

Timeline: 4-6 weeks.

Milestone 3:

• Build phase.
• Launch the Wave platform

Validation: website launched.

Timeline: 2-3 months.

Milestone 4:

Strategy (an ongoing process):

This will take the form of two parts:

1. Develop an initial criteria/structure for others to start their own Wave Tech Clusters.
2. Develop ideas and strategies to ensure Wave has economic benefits to local communities that they are part of.
3. Collaboration with local community groups and education establishments.
4. Collaboration with local business.
5. Collaboration with local authorities and governmental organisations.

Validation: This will take the form of a white-paper at the end of the project. However, the process/research will be recorded each month as an ongoing research document.

Timeline: To be completed by the end of the 12 month project.

Milestone 5:

Project management - Incubation and on-going support for the 1st Wave Group to use as a beta-test. This will include:

• Monthly organisation and support for meet-ups for the first Wave Tech-Cluster.
• Organise, collate and gather community feedback.

Validation: This will take the form of IRL (in real life) meet-ups among community members.

Timeline: Monthly for the duration of the 12 month project.

n/a

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

The project will be ran by team members of Barr Media https://barr.media

Ben Parry / Project lead: https://www.linkedin.com/in/follow-ben-parry/

Will Lamerton / Tech lead: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-lamerton-b16ab915b/

Matt Spence / Tech lead: https://www.linkedin.com/in/real-matthew-spence/

Lottie Oxford / Marketing / Community manager: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lottie-oxford-730b091a3/

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

Blueprinting phase (milestone 1) > 10,000 ada

Design (milestone 2) > 15,000 ada

Build (milestone 3) > 15,000 ada

Strategy (milestone 4) > 10,000 ada

Project management (milestone 5) > 25,000 ada

Marketing / community management > 15,000 ada

Documentation and reporting > 10,000 ada

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

100,000 ada currently represents approximately £38,000 in the UK.

To plan, co-ordinate, organise, build and launch an online and off-line technology network and ecosystem as part of a prototype to model an international MVP, represents outstanding value.

Barr Media were recently selected to build an AI prototype for a wellbeing platform for schools which was supported by Innovate UK. The grant was approximately £35,000 for the blueprinting, design and build of the project and did not include any of the other critical components that will be required for the Wave project. You can read more about the project here: https://barr.media/case-study/plus-platform

[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