LATAM: The Land of Builders 2.0

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

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

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

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

We will host a series of six events impactful in three cities in LATAM, with the goal of incorporating a new wave of builders into the Cardano ecosystem.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[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?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All project outputs, including information, analytics, and processes, will be made public to the Cardano community. We are committed to ensuring transparency and sharing our project's resources with the community.

[METADATA] SDG rating

This project helps solve several points of the SDGs, including SDG 4 (Quality Education) because it teaches people from various social strata about blockchain technology and Cardano in an open way. In SDG 5 (Gender Equality) because we are going to teach both men and women or people of other genders. In SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) because knowing about blockchain gives new job opportunities to people in various areas such as the economy, programming, construction of new businesses. Finally, in SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) because everything related to Cardano technology has to do with innovation and in our program we will see these topics that encourage people to co-create ideas that support their environment in 3 different countries.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The central problem we intend to address in the second edition of LATAM The Land of Builders revolves around the lack of localized onboarding resources and knowledge about Cardano in the LATAM region. LATAM, one of the largest developer hubs in the world, has yet to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by the Cardano ecosystem. This problem is mainly rooted in the absence of accessible guidance, educational materials and participation opportunities tailored to the region.

Our solution is to create a comprehensive and dynamic six-month initiative designed to empower LATAM builders and innovators to seamlessly join the Cardano community. We believe that by focusing on builders, we can stimulate innovation and foster a thriving ecosystem within the region. This Effort will take place in 3 LATAM countries simultaneously, Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico.

This is how we plan to achieve this:

Cardano Builders Bootcamp: we will conduct an introduction to Cardano Bootcamp. This intensive program will provide participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to understand the basic concepts of Cardano and the benefits of developing it.

Catayst Builders Contest: As a culmination of our initiative, we will organize a Builders Ideas contest. This event will encourage participants to collaborate, innovate and develop projects within the Cardano ecosystem. All participants will write their own Catalyst Proposal and the best will receive prizes.

What makes our solution unique is its concentrated effort to localize the onboarding process for LATAM Builders. By addressing the specific needs of this region, our goal is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of builders who can contribute to the growth and development of Cardano. Project beneficiaries include aspiring builders and innovators in LATAM who will gain the knowledge and resources needed to actively participate in the Cardano community.

This initiative is crucial for Cardano because it unlocks the immense potential of LATAM, tapping into a pool of talent and creativity that can drive innovation within the Cardano ecosystem. By fostering a strong, informed and engaged community of builders, we not only enrich Cardano's ecosystem but also strengthen its global presence and impact. This initiative aligns with Cardano's mission to create a decentralized and inclusive future and extends its reach to a region with untapped potential. We will also open wallets in each of the 3 countries we visit.

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

The positive impact of our project on the broader Cardano community is multifaceted and significant. By focusing on localized onboarding and engagement in LATAM, our initiative contributes to the broader Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

Expanded builder base: our project aims to attract and incorporate new builders from LATAM into the Cardano community. This influx of new talent and innovative perspectives strengthens the overall builder base, increasing the capacity to build and improve the Cardano ecosystem.

Increased innovation: With a more diverse and geographically distributed community, Cardano can expect to see an increase in innovation. LATAM Builders bring unique experiences and ideas that can lead to the creation of novel projects, applications and solutions within the Cardano ecosystem.

Global reach: LATAM is an important region with a vast population of over 600 million people. Engaging developers in this region enhances Cardano's global reach, diversifying its user and developer base and expanding its influence in emerging markets.

Demonstrable impact: By measuring metrics such as increased participation in events, number of projects developed and engagement in the Latin American region, we can provide evidence of the impact generated by our project. Furthermore, if successful, this can be replicated in other LATAM countries or other regions of the world.

Ecosystem resilience: a more geographically diverse community can help improve the resilience and decentralization of the Cardano ecosystem. This aligns with Cardano's core principles of decentralization and inclusion.

In short, the positive impact of our project on the Cardano community at large is manifested through a larger, more diverse and engaged developer base, increased innovation and broader global reach. It contributes to Cardano's vision of a decentralized, inclusive and innovative blockchain platform with a global presence.

Key success indicators:

Number of event attendees: We expect to reach at least 50 attendees at all events (50x6=300 new people). Creating a new cohort of Cardano builders.

Catalyst proposals and projects: Our goal is to directly contribute to the initiation of at least 10 Catalyst proposals or Cardano projects as a result of our project developer outreach and onboarding efforts.

[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?

Our ability to deliver this project with high levels of confidence and accountability is based on the extensive experience and proven track record of our team members, Maximiliano Rios, Arturo Garcia and Rocio Belen Vernuccio. They have a proven track record of successfully managing and executing community building initiatives and blockchain related projects.

Both Maximiliano, Arturo and Rocio have held key leadership roles in blockchain organizations, Maximiliano as an Ambassador for the Algorand Foundation, Arturo in managing impactful projects as their marketing and development agency, and Rocio as a Marketing expert can help reach new audiences.Their leadership experiences reflect their ability to lead and execute projects with integrity and accountability.

Community engagement: her involvement in organizing numerous events, workshops and conferences within the blockchain space highlights her commitment to fostering transparent and inclusive communities.

Metrics and impact measurement: throughout the project, we will implement key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess progress and impact. Metrics such as event attendance, participant engagement, social media reach, and developer onboarding will be monitored and reported periodically to validate project effectiveness.

In summary, our team's extensive experience, leadership roles, past successes and commitment to transparency, coupled with a focus on measurable metrics and community feedback, provide solid foundations for executing this project with high levels of confidence and accountability. We are dedicated to validating the viability of our approach through transparent reporting and ongoing community engagement.

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

Objective: The first milestone includes securing venues and dates for Argentina, creating educational content, creating promotional content, securing speakers and sponsors.

Acceptance Criteria: Locations secured with their respective dates of the first event in the first Country (Argentina), Promotion initiated on social networks, Initial Draft, Educational Content, Agenda and Speakers.

Objective: Organize Cardano Builder Bootcamp and Catalyst Workshop in Argentina to attract people interested in the Cardano ecosystem.

Acceptance Criteria: Execution of the Cardano Builder Bootcamp and Catalyst Workshop in Argentina, with evidence that the event took place, photographs and videos of the event duly published on Social Networks. All participants in the competition will leave with a well-crafted Catalyst proposal to present at the next Catalyst fund.

Objective: The third milestone includes securing locations and dates for Uruguay.

Acceptance Criteria: Locations secured with their respective dates of the first event in Uruguay, Promotion initiated on social networks, Initial Draft, Educational Content, Agenda and Speakers.

Objective: Organize Cardano Builder Bootcamp and Catalyst Workshop in Uruguay to attract people interested in the Cardano ecosystem. And secure locations and dates in Mexico.

Acceptance Criteria: Execution of the Cardano Builder Bootcamp and Catalyst Workshop in Uruguay, with evidence that the event took place, photographs and videos of the event duly published on Social Networks. All participants in the contest will leave with a well-crafted Catalyst proposal to present at the next Catalyst fund. Locations secured with their respective dates of the first event in Mexico, Promotion initiated on social networks, Initial Draft, Educational Content, Agenda and Speakers.

Objective: Organize Cardano Builder Bootcamp and Catalyst Workshop in Mexico to attract people interested in the Cardano ecosystem.

Acceptance Criteria: Execution of the Cardano Builder Bootcamp and Catalyst Workshop in Mexico, with evidence that the event took place, photographs and videos of the event duly published on Social Networks. All participants in the competition will leave with a well-crafted Catalyst proposal to present at the next Catalyst fund.

Objetive: Evaluate the impact of the project and prepare a comprehensive report.

Acceptance Criteria: Produce a detailed report summarizing the achievements, challenges and impact of the project.

Showcase at least 5 innovative projects that emerged from the competitions.

Share the report with the Cardano community.

These milestones provide a clear roadmap for project implementation and a basis for evaluating its success. The achievement of each milestone will demonstrate our ability to execute the project as proposed and contribute to the growth of the Cardano community in Latin America.

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

Maximiliano Rios

Community Champion Argentina at the Algorand Foundation (March 2023 - Dicember 2023)

Lead the Algorand Foundation ecosystem growth in Argentina through in-person events and social media content. In 2023 organized two hackathons, one in April at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and another in November as part of LABITCONF 2023 (the most important blockchain event in Latin America). LABITCONF saw the participation of more than 35 teams of entrepreneurs and developers.

Business Developer at the National Technological University (April 2019 - Present)

Responsibilities: Establishing valuable relationships and agreements for the University. Organizing TEDx talks - UTN (in 2019 and 2023).

F11 Funded Proposer (https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/113790)

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

Arturo Garcia

Co-founder of Cardano Newsletter, a leading platform in the Cardano community that provides analysis and relevant news about the ecosystem, becoming one of the most far-reaching news projects in the Cardano ecosystem! 

CEO of Gluon Lab, one of the first Web3 marketing agencies in Latin America, specializing in marketing strategies for projects in the cryptocurrency and decentralized technologies space.

Co-founder of Nosva, a crypto fund established during the 2020 halving, recognized for its successful Nosva Game Yield Guild Games project, which became the second highest performing guild game in Argentina and in the top 10 in Latin America. Oversight of 103 active beneficiaries in various metaverse projects.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-garcia-325682262/

Rocío Belén Vernuccio

With a strong background in marketing and sales, I have been in charge as Marketing Director in innovative projects driving them to Silicon Valley, such as COR, and I have collaborated with global brands in high impact marketing campaigns. For the past five years, my focus has been on the blockchain world, where I led an investor community of over 3000 people in Argentina, organizing events in the main cities of the country to foster the growth and adoption of this emerging technology.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocío-belén-vernuccio-851390b9/

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

Budget: TOTAL $43,300 = A 0.45 = 96,223 ADA

Project Management = 2 x $1300 for 6 months = $15,600

Documentation and Assistant = 200 USD * 6 Months = $1,200

Travel + Lodging Córdoba Argentina x 2 = 500 x 2 = $1,000

Transfer + Lodging Uruguay x 2= 1000 x 2= $2.000

Transfer + Lodging Mexico x 2= 2000 x 2= $4.000

2 Events in Argentina = $3500

2 Events in Uruguay= $8.000

2 Events in Mexico= $8.000

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

The cost of the project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem for the following reasons:

Strategic Expansion: The project targets Latin America, a region with a growing interest in blockchain technology. By allocating resources to this region, the project aims to tap into a market with enormous potential for Cardano's growth and adoption. The costs are justified by the strategic importance of expanding into this region.

High Impact: The project's activities, including organizing events, workshops, and hackathons, have the potential to attract a significant number of developers and builders to the Cardano ecosystem. The impact of bringing new talent and innovation to Cardano outweighs the costs associated with these initiatives.

Proportional Budget: The budget has been carefully considered to ensure it aligns with the specific needs of the project. Costs are proportional to the objectives and expected outcomes, with a focus on achieving tangible results, such as developer onboarding, community growth and Cardano recognition as a whole.

Skilled Team: The project team consists of experienced individuals with a proven track record in blockchain and community engagement. Their expertise and dedication enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes, making the costs a valuable investment.

Potential Return: The investment in community growth, developer onboarding, and regional expansion can lead to the creation of new projects, partnerships, and use cases on Cardano. The potential return on investment in terms of ecosystem development and adoption justifies the costs.