EAST ASIA 💚 CARDANO: Cardano Hackathon @ DEVCON

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Alejandra Marin

[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

Tomás Octavio, Cristián Strajman, Maira Marin & Julián Wilfrido

[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

Yes

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

NERDCONF, the nomadic nerd conference, will host a 2-day hackathon for 300 nerds and series of talks to onboard developers into the Cardano ecosystem, enhancing visibility and 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.”

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

Although we are committed to transparency in sharing a wide range of metrics and content, as a privately owned company, we must clarify that not every aspect of our business operations can be disclosed. 

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We are Nerdconf, the nomadic nerd conference that has gathered +5000 nerds across LATAM.

We aim to raise $52.550 ADA to host the "Cardano Hackathon" as a side event at DEVCON 2024 occurring 12th - 15th November. Our goal is to expand the Cardano ecosystem and promote Cardano Catalyst by empowering developers to create MVPs of products that can be integrated into the Cardano blockchain. After the event, we will organize a call to advise teams on how to transform their hackathon MVP into a Cardano Catalyst proposal.

DEVCON is the premier Ethereum developers conference, offering a unique opportunity for Cardano enthusiasts and developers to explore advancements and innovative solutions in a competing blockchain ecosystem.

With 2+ years of experience and six successful events across LATAM, the NERDCONF team is adept at organizing and promoting high-impact tech conferences. We leverage professional production capabilities and a robust network of community partners and influencers to enhance the Cardano ecosystem.

The Project Catalyst funds will enable the NERDCONF team to attend DEVCON an act as ambassadors of Cardano, covering expenses to film and produce a vlog of the event (to be posted in the NERDCONF Founder Ale Marin channel +220k subscribers) and the hackathon experience itself for 200 nerds. The funds will also support hosting the Cardano Hackathon as a side event in a dynamic multichain environment during the larger conference week.

With over 6 months until DEVCON, while submitting this proposal, the NERDCONF team is eager to secure funding and begin producing a memorable and high-value Cardano community event! With the timeline we have, we believe we can market this event to the point where we generate significant excitement leading up to and following the hackathon, thereby strengthening community exposure among partners, competitors, and participants.

We estimate our proposal will be completed within 4 months, with the first milestone achieved in August and the final one in November.

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

Why a side event at DEVCON? Because when people gather, magic happens.

Events like ETH DENVER and DEVCON are great for the tech community, helping it grow and thrive. At NERDCONF, we use these events to boost networking and teamwork. Our team is ready to handle everything needed to fill the venue, including sound and video, food, and choosing the right place.

We'll bring together experienced Cardano leaders and new members, attracting a wide range of people from different tech areas to make new connections.

The highlight: Key ecosystem figures from various blockchains will be present, making Devcon the place where innovative minds are. Cardano will shine by showcasing its community's vitality.

Our content, including a detailed travel vlog and an engaging aftermovie, will be broadly shared to highlight our collaborative impact, with significant outreach through platforms like Ale Marin’s channel, a popular youtube channel that talks a little bit about blockchain sometimes (Ale Marin is founder of Nerdconf).

We promise to achieve:

Nerds Attending: 200

We aim to onboard 200 enthusiasts to the Cardano ecosystem, driving engagement and participation. There will be a pool prize of U$5,000.

Social Media Reach and Engagement: Over 500K

Our strategy is to leverage NERDCONF’s channels, the founder Ale Marin channel, community partnerships, and targeted ads to maximize outreach.

Onboarding Devs: Check.

Post-event engagement to monitor and support continued use of the platform and interest in future Project Catalyst opportunities.

Aftermovie and Photos: YES, please.

We will produce an epic aftermovie and photos of the eventt, which will be published on social media. We'll also share them with Cardano and Project Catalyst's social networks so they can distribute them as well.

Epic documentary of it all

We will record and distribute a video about the whole process -from submitting to making the idea come through- in Ale Marin's channel (+220k subscribers).

[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?

NERDCONF is not just another tech conference. NERDCONF is a social experience for nerds. Having successfully connected over 5,000 tech enthusiasts across LATAM and organized 6 events, NERDCONF seeks to strengthen and expand its impact on the global community of blockchain developers and nerd enthusiasts with a friendly, fun, and dynamic hackathon in collaboration with Cardano. More here.

At NERDCONF we make curious minds meet.

The team had successful host 6 events in 3 countries (México, Perú, Argentina) gathering +5000 nerds and we plan to connect even MORE NERDS this year.

Not to brag, but everytime we made an event (even if it was not in our own country) we made a sold out.

We had a full house at the BBVA Spark Space (+200 nerds) to discuss about blockchain, crypto and communities, among other topics. (Yes, talking about blockchain in a traditional bank - the irony).

You can watch all of our aftermovies here:

https://linktr.ee/nerdconf

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

Budget: $9.700 USD // ₳19.400

Milestone Description:

• Establishing connections with tech communities, targeting attendees of DEVCON.
• DEVCON Tickets.
• Venue scouting for 200.
• Putting together a strong lineup of speakers by working with Cardano circles and tech experts.
• Defining the topics and schedule of talks to ensure a cool, inspiring and engaging agenda.
• Arranging logistics for the team’s travel, including booking flights and accommodations.
• Hiring a graphic designer to create compelling graphics for promoting the event, as well as for the merchandise and decorations.

Deliverable Description: The deliverable for this milestone will encompass several key components to ensure the success of our event. We will secure confirmed partnerships with local nerd groups and provide a detailed event agenda. Travel arrangements for our team will be meticulously planned and executed. Buy tickets to assist to DEVCON. We will also create promotional graphics that effectively market our event. Further details of the hackathon, including challenges and topics, will be outlined, along with a curated list of potential speakers of Cardano and Project Catalyst. Plus, we will start contacting venues.

Budget: $6.500 USD // ₳13.000

Milestone Description: This milestone focuses on securing and preparing the main venue for our event, which involves some of the more substantial expenses. Tasks include:

• Finalizing all payment transactions for the event space rental.
• Hiring security and cleaning services to maintain order and ensure safety throughout the event.
• Arranging catering services to provide meals and refreshments for all attendees during the event.

Additionally, we'll hire an expert to manage our advertising campaign, ensuring that our promotional efforts are targeted and effective. This is covered within the existing advertising budget.

Deliverable Description: Deliverables will consist of confirmed payments and signed contracts with our service providers for venue, security, cleaning, and catering as well as the ads campaign manager.

Budget: $3.375 USD // ₳6750

Milestone Description: This milestone addresses additional logistical aspects and the production of merchandise for the event:

• Coordination with photographers and filmmakers to capture the event.
• Management of merchandise production and assembly.
• Organization of transportation logistics to move equipment and supplies to the venue.
• Recruitment of volunteers to assist with various aspects of the event as needed.

Deliverable Description: Deliverables include a complete inventory of event merchandise ready for distribution, contracts with photographers and filmmakers, and a logistics plan for transporting equipment and supplies (mostly using Uber or taxis). Additionally, a roster of volunteers will be organized and ready to assist.

Budget: $6200 USD // ₳12400

Milestone Description:

This milestone represents the culmination of our event, focusing on rewarding innovation and encouraging future growth. Activities include:

• Hosting the closing ceremony of our HACKATHON, where we will announce and award the winners.
• Organizing an online advisory call with community experts and all teams providing information about how to make a proposal on Project Catalyst"s. This happens 1 week after the event.
• Evaluating the event's impact on the community by gathering feedback to measure growth, engagement, and identify areas for improvement.
• Paying to the speakers.
• Preparing and distributing audiovisual materials that capture key moments and insights from the event - on NERDCONF social media and every social media the Cardano community and Project Catalyst"s wants to post the video to.
• Documentary on Ale Marin Youtube Channel. This will be posted 1 to 2 weeks after the event.

Deliverable Description:

The deliverables for this milestone will include several crucial components to ensure the event's success. We will give the prize to the winners. A comprehensive advisory session will be conducted online with detailed guidance on engaging with Project Catalyst"s. We will gather and analyze participant feedback to review the event's influence and identify improvement areas. Audiovisual content capturing essential highlights will be prepared and shared on NERDCONF's and partners' social media. Additionally, a documentary detailing the event will be produced and posted on Ale Marin's YouTube Channel, extending the event's reach and impact.

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

• Ale Marin - Co-founder and a pivotal figure in the organization, Ale is known for her strong leadership and networking skills. She has a significant following on social media, which she leverages to promote NERDCONF events and engage with the tech community.
• Here’s Ale’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/AleAbsolutable
• Here’s Ale linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-marin-83b369113/

• Tomi - Co-founder alongside Ale, Tomi brings a wealth of experience in event planning and community engagement. His expertise lies in orchestrating events that not only entertain but also foster meaningful connections among attendees.
• Here’s Tomi linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasoctavio/

• Cris - Handling logistics and operations, Cris ensures that every aspect of NERDCONF events runs smoothly. From venue selection to vendor management, his meticulous attention to detail guarantees that each event meets the high standards the community expects.
• Here’s Cris linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristian-strajman/?originalSubdomain=ar

• Julián - As a skilled video editor for global brands and influencers, Julio specializes in creating compelling video content that captures the essence of NERDCONF events, ensuring they resonate with an international audience.
• Here’s Juli Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgwilfrido/

• Maira - Passionate about social media, Maira manages content calendars and crafts viral-worthy visuals to amplify NERDCONF's online presence, increasing visibility and engagement for their events.
• You can see what Maira did here: https://instagram.com/nerdconf

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

WHAT’S OUR BUDGET? $52.000 ada

WHY? You can check the full details in the table below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cRahPbo9theqUJ5qLReci2NXRFRK5fBBUZcLqcxaBa4/edit?usp=sharing

TLDR? Don’t worry, the breakdown of the budget is as follows:

• Plane tickets $4.800,00
• Acommodation $400,00
• Project management $1.000,00
• CM & Video editor $800,00
• Graphic Designer $300,00
• Tickets to DEVCON $2.400,00
• Venue (payment completion) $4.000,00
• Catering (snacks per person) $2.000,00
• Ads campaign $500,00
• Filmmaker (per hour) $225,00
• Photographer (per hour) $150,00
• Merch $2.000,00
• Decoration $1.000,00
• Ideathon prize $5.000,00
• Speakers payment $1.200,00

Total in US dollars $25.775,00 // $52.000 ADA.

There’s a saying in Spanish: "Clear accounts keep friends" (cuentas claras, conservan la amistad)

Any leftover funds will enhance all other categories or go towards additional mentorship for participating teams.

If all costs are met, the remaining funds will be allocated as mentorship hours for the teams who whish to continue their project. These mentorship hours will be provided by community professionals, valued at $25 per hour.

If costs end up higher than expected, we’re ready to use up to 30% of our project management fee to make sure everything gets done.

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

This project enables us, NERDCONF, to host an impactful Cardano Hackathon as a side event to DEVCON, aiming to strengthen and grow the ecosystem with engaging activities and broad media coverage. The funding will support NERDCONF in conducting a successful event, enhancing engagement and ensuring significant marketing exposure through social media content.

We have a solid track record of precise budgeting and successful event execution, which informs our financial strategy. We consider venue proximity, travel and lodging logistics, detailed ticket pricing and venue needs. Additionally, we carefully select providers to ensure efficient service delivery.

Today, hosting events is a significant financial commitment. NERDCONF operates as a 5 person company and without venture capital, relying on well thought planning to manage substantial upfront costs. Securing funds from Project Catalyst not only reduces financial risks but also ensures the success of our events and the quality of it.

Our team commits to delivering a high-quality event, capturing and editing media content that showcases the dynamic Cardano community and its diverse projects. This content will be shared on social media to highlight the lively nature of blockchain conferences and the active participation of the Cardano community.