Summon Platform Expansion: Free Services for SPOs, DReps

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Summon Association

[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)

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)

Offer free polling services for Stake Pool Operators and verified DReps, as well as strengthening the Summon Platform's infrastructure and augmenting its positive impact within the Cardano ecosystem.

[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.”

This project will require the Summon Platform to be live and running so that it can offer services to SPOs, DReps, and the wider Cardano community. Since we are the group building the Summon Platform we will be able to fully deliver these capabilities.

[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

The Front-end will be open-source but infrastructure code will be proprietary. We plan to use the APACHE 2.0 License for any open-source components because it is highly permissive. Anyone will be welcome to use the code for commercial purposes if they desire. However, we offer no warranty and accept no liability and do not offer use of our trademarks.

[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

11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

SDG Subgoals

16.6 - Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

16.7 - Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

8.10 - Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all

8.3 - Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

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

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

The Summon Platform is already running and offering Snapshot Voting Poll services to Cardano projects and community members. Recently we served as the Partner Vote platform for the CIP-1694 Governance Temperature Check called for by the Cardano Foundation and Intersect MBO because our platform offered Hardware Wallet integration, which was not possible on the Cardano Ballot platform.

We believe that constituent polling is an essential part of representative governance, which is why it is important for DReps and SPOs to be able to interact with their delegators. With this grant we will be able to offer the following support.

Free Snapshot Polling for DReps: By providing decentralized representatives (DReps) with complimentary snapshot polling services, we facilitate more effective and inclusive decision-making processes. This feature not only aids DReps in gauging community sentiment accurately but also encourages broader participation in network governance.

Free Polling for Stake Pool Operators (SPOs): SPOs are crucial to the Cardano network's block production operation and serve a vital role in Hardfork approval. Offering them free polling services enables them to engage more efficiently with their delegators and stakeholders, fostering a more dynamic and responsive governance environment.

Education on Decentralized Governance: The Summon Association team will engage with various teams, imparting knowledge about decentralized governance. This educational initiative is vital for empowering communities within the Cardano ecosystem to self-govern effectively. By providing educational materials and guidance, we ensure that community members are well-equipped to participate meaningfully in governance processes.

Our approach is unique because it not only provides practical tools (like polling services) but also focuses on the foundational aspect of education and capacity building. The beneficiaries of this solution are diverse, including DReps, SPOs, and the broader Cardano community. By empowering these groups, we directly contribute to the robustness and efficacy of Cardano's decentralized governance model. This alignment with the ethos of Cardano – promoting decentralization and community participation – makes our solution not just innovative but also integral to the long-term health and progress of the ecosystem.

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

Areas of Impact:

• Enhanced Participation and Governance: By providing free polling services to DReps and SPOs, we enable a more inclusive and representative governance process within the Cardano ecosystem. This will likely lead to increased community engagement and a stronger sense of ownership and involvement among members.
• Educational Outreach: Our focus on educating about decentralized governance will empower community members with the knowledge to effectively participate in and contribute to the ecosystem. This education can lead to more informed decision-making processes, fostering a more mature and sophisticated governance culture.
• Attracting New Users: By offering unique and valuable services, we anticipate attracting new users to the Cardano community, contributing to its growth and diversity. A larger, more active user base enhances the network's robustness and its appeal to potential adopters.

Measuring Impact:

• Quantitative Metrics: We will track metrics such as the number of polls conducted, the number of participants in each poll, and the growth in the number of DReps and SPOs using our services. We will also monitor the increase in new users joining the Cardano ecosystem, attributable to our project.
• Qualitative Feedback: Surveys and feedback sessions with DReps, SPOs, and community members will provide insights into the effectiveness of our educational materials and the perceived value of our services.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Public Reporting: We will publish regular reports detailing our progress, the usage statistics of our services, and feedback from the community. These reports will be made available on our website and shared through Cardano community forums and social media channels.
• Community Engagement: We plan to host webinars and interactive sessions where we share our findings, gather feedback, and discuss opportunities for improvement and expansion. These sessions will be open to all Cardano community members.
• Collaborative Growth: By openly sharing our insights and learnings, we aim to encourage collaboration with other projects and entities within the ecosystem, fostering a culture of shared growth and mutual support.

In summary, our project aims to strengthen the Cardano community's governance mechanisms, educate its members, and attract new users. By measuring both quantitative and qualitative impacts and actively sharing our findings, we hope to contribute significantly to the community's evolution and success.

[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 capability to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability is underpinned by a strong foundation of experience and formal organization. The Summon team's pioneering role in establishing the first DAO on Cardano is a testament to their expertise and innovative approach in the blockchain space. This prior experience is crucial, as it demonstrates a proven track record in developing and managing decentralized applications.

The presence of a live product with several features already in operation further reinforces the team's capability. This existing product not only shows technical proficiency but also provides a tangible example of the team's ability to deliver on its promises.

The internal development team is another key asset. Having a dedicated team ensures that there is a focused and consistent effort towards achieving the project's goals. This internal resource provides the flexibility and responsiveness necessary to adapt to new challenges and opportunities that may arise during the project's lifecycle.

Legal and professional compliance is a critical aspect of building trust and accountability. As a commercially registered Association in Zug, Switzerland, the Summon Association adheres to stringent legal standards. This compliance not only assures legality but also enhances the trustworthiness of the organization in the eyes of the community and stakeholders.

The formation of the Summon Platform Operating Company further exemplifies a commitment to formal and reputable management of the platform's development and operation. This structured approach to organization and management conveys seriousness and professionalism, essential qualities for ensuring trust and accountability.

In terms of validating the feasibility of the approach, the existing capabilities and achievements provide a strong basis. The team's history of successfully launching and operating a DAO on Cardano, coupled with the ongoing development and management of a live product, are clear indicators of practical feasibility. This track record, combined with the organizational structure and legal compliance, positions the Summon team as not only capable but also highly reliable and accountable in delivering this project.

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

Platform Development and Beta Testing

• Objective: Develop the initial version of the polling platform tailored for DReps and SPOs, followed by a beta testing phase.
• Output: A beta version of the polling platform, equipped with essential features for creating and managing polls.
• Acceptance Criteria: The platform must be able to handle real-time polling with minimal latency, support at least 500 concurrent users, and pass all functional and security tests during the beta phase.

Educational Resource Creation and Dissemination

• Objective: Develop comprehensive educational materials to guide users on decentralized governance and effective utilization of the polling platform.
• Output: A series of educational resources, including user manuals, video tutorials, and live webinars.
• Acceptance Criteria: Educational materials must be reviewed and approved by a panel of experts in decentralized governance for accuracy and ease of understanding. At least 80% of surveyed users should report a significant increase in their understanding after using these resources.

Community Feedback Integration and Platform Enhancement

• Objective: Collect and integrate feedback from the Cardano community to refine and enhance the platform.
• Output: An updated version of the platform with improved features and usability based on community feedback.
• Acceptance Criteria: Successful integration of at least 70% of the top-requested features or improvements identified in the community feedback. A post-update survey should indicate at least a 25% increase in user satisfaction compared to the beta version.

Continue the work of the previous milestones. Ensure platform continues to run with free services for SPOs and DReps for at least 7 months since submission of the Catalyst Grant.

Acceptance Criteria: Submit report showing that any outstanding work has been completed and platform continues to run with user statistics.

Continue the work of the previous milestones. Ensure platform continues to run with free services for SPOs and DReps for at least 9 months since submission of the Catalyst Grant.

Acceptance Criteria: Submit report showing that any outstanding work has been completed and platform continues to run with user statistics.

Continue the work of the previous milestone and ensure they are completed. Ensure platform continues to run with free services for SPOs and DReps for at least 11 months since submission of the Catalyst Grant.

Acceptance Criteria: Prepare Closeout Report as required under Project Catalyst rules with project completion information and video.

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

Adam Rusch, President, Summon Association

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

• Responsible for performance of Summon Association
• Oversee education and outreach efforts
• Holds PhD in Education Policy and member of the School of Information Sciences faculty at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Member of Cardano Civics Committee and Parameters Committee at Intersect MBO
• Founding core contributor of ADAO

Riley Kilgore, Head of Development, Summon Platform Operations Company

https://www.linkedin.com/in/riley-kilgore-1645b813a/

• Oversee the development process of software and product development
• Assist in project outreach and technology integration
• Experienced DevOps and Smart Contract Engineer
• Wrote first DAO script deployed on the Cardano Blockchain as founding core contributor of ADAO

Dominik Zachar, Solutions Architect, Summon Platform Operations Company

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

• Design and oversee the execution of solutions that meet infrastructure and project needs
• Experienced Solutions Architect and software engineer
• Founding core contributor of ADAO

Rodrigo Molina, Front-end Developer, Summon Platform Operations Company

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-molina-dacaret-data-and-gis/

• Engineer innovative solutions for front-end and back-end needs
• Innovative software engineer with growing portfolio
• Long time core contributor to ADAO

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

• Project Management & Research (115,000 ADA)
• Percentage of Total Budget: 20%
• Details: This category covers essential planning, administration, and research activities. It is pivotal for effective project management and strategic decision-making, ensuring the project remains aligned with its objectives and is executed efficiently.

• Integration Development (306,775 ADA)
• Percentage of Total Budget: Approximately 53.33%
• Details: A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to developing the necessary infrastructure and protocols for seamless integration with existing systems or platforms. This includes salaries for skilled developers and the cost of technological resources, essential for building robust and efficient integration capabilities.

• Testing & Refinement (76,775 ADA)
• Percentage of Total Budget: About 13.33%
• Details: This allocation is critical for conducting thorough testing and refinement to ensure the project meets its functionality and quality standards. It covers the expenses related to testing processes and any necessary improvements, safeguarding the reliability and performance of the project.

• Documentation (76,775 ADA)
• Percentage of Total Budget: Roughly 13.33%
• Details: This budget is allocated for creating comprehensive user documentation and sample decentralized applications (dApps). It plays a crucial role in supporting user understanding and showcasing the project's capabilities, thereby enhancing user experience and engagement.

• Contingency Reserve (25,000 ADA)
• Percentage of Total Budget: About 6.67%
• Details: This reserve is set aside to address unforeseen costs or challenges that may arise during the project's execution. It provides a buffer to ensure the project's smooth progression despite any unexpected obstacles, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in project management.

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

The cost of our project represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1. Enhanced Governance Efficiency: By providing free polling services to Decentralized Representatives (DReps) and Stake Pool Operators (SPOs), we enable more efficient and inclusive decision-making processes. This efficiency translates into quicker responses to network upgrades and hardfork approvals, which can ultimately save time and resources for the ecosystem.
2. Educational Empowerment: Our educational outreach on decentralized governance equips community members with the knowledge and skills needed to actively participate in Cardano's governance. This education can lead to more informed decision-making, reducing the risk of poorly considered proposals and increasing the overall efficiency of governance processes.
3. Community Growth: Offering unique and valuable services, along with educational resources, attracts new users to the Cardano community. A larger, more active user base contributes to the network's robustness and its appeal to potential adopters and investors. This growth can result in a stronger ecosystem, increasing Cardano's competitiveness in the blockchain space.
4. Collaborative Ecosystem: By actively sharing our insights and learnings, we aim to encourage collaboration with other projects and entities within the Cardano ecosystem. This collaborative approach promotes the collective growth of the ecosystem, maximizing the value generated by all participants.

[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