NERDS ❤️ LATAM: Cardano hackathon series

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Tomas Octavio

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Cristian Strajman

Maira Marin

Julian 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

No

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

NERDCONF will host a series of hybrid hackathons across LATAM, engaging over 500 developers to build on Cardano, supported by LATAM Cardano Community mentors.

[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?

Yes

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

All projects presented in each hackathon will be uploaded to Github public repositories.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Recognizing the need for hands-on, practical applications to inspire innovation, we propose a series of hybrid hackathons across three major LATAM cities as part of the NERDCONF events that will impact on 500 developers.

We will engage with local developers, students, and tech entrepreneurs by introducing them to Cardano's technology through real-world problem-solving. The project will actively engage with the Cardano LATAM Community, inviting local Cardano mentors to provide guidance, ensuring that participants not only learn about Cardano but also contribute to its ecosystem.

NERDCONF, founded by three Argentinians, is the premier LATAM NERD Conference. It consists of a series of in-person events held in major Latin American cities. The conference features talks, workshops, networking games, a startup investor day, and a hackathon.

The nerd roadmap is as follows:

• Buenos Aires, Argentina: August 10 & 11 @ Parque de innovación
• Bogotá, Colombia: August 29 & 30 @ Maloka museum
• Mexico City: September 15 & 16 @ BBVA Spark Space

The venues are already booked, each one of them having a main stage and a side hall that allows about 100 nerds to attend the hackathon in-person. The hackathons will be hybrid, so the rest can join virtually.

Additionally, a 45-minute slot on the main stage at each NERDCONF will be allocated for a speaker from the Cardano LATAM Community, reaching over 700 attendees in total.

The specifics of the content, including categories, challenges, resources, mentors, and speakers, will be collaboratively defined with the Cardano LATAM Community.

We have the right team to make this happen. Here's why.

• Tomás Octavio has succesfully organized 4 hackathons for NASA in the past. This is the NASA Space Apps Challenge.
• Ale Marín is a renowned content creator and youtuber and has a massive reach on social media with over 500k followers in total.
• Ale and Tomás are the founders of NERDCONF and have successfully organized nine major events, bringing together more than 5,000 nerds. NERDCONF introduces mind-blowing emerging technologies to mainstream media audiences.
• NERDCONF has +50 community partners across LATAM and is expected to have +80 by the end of the tour.

Our impact will be assessed based on the number of attendees, the viability of prototypes developed during the hackathons, and the sustained development of projects following the event.

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

Our project will have a multifaceted positive impact on the wider Cardano community, enhancing both perception and practical engagement:

1. Brand Association and Perception: Associating Cardano with NERDCONF will elevate its cool factor, aligning it with an event that is perceived as fresh and innovative by the tech community.
2. Awareness and Education: Through engaging talks delivered by the Cardano community on the main stage at each NERDCONF event, general attendees will gain a clear understanding of what Cardano is and its practical applications.
3. Talent Development and Ecosystem Growth: By facilitating hackathons and discussions focused on real-world applications of Cardano, the project will cultivate a growing pool of talent adept at developing technology and use cases on the Cardano blockchain.

Measuring Impact:

• Brand Perception Surveys: Conduct surveys before and after the events to measure shifts in perception regarding Cardano among attendees.
• Educational Impact Assessments: Evaluate the effectiveness of the talks through attendee feedback forms and post-event quizzes to gauge their increase in knowledge about Cardano.
• Developer Engagement Metrics: Track the number of new developers who start using Cardano post-event and monitor the development progress of projects initiated during the hackathons.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

Outputs and successes from this initiative will be shared widely through Cardano community channels, social media, and at subsequent tech conferences to maintain momentum and build upon the educational outreach. Additionally, successful case studies and innovative project examples will be documented and shared to inspire continued use and exploration of Cardano’s technology.

[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 7,000 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 buildathon in collaboration with Cardano. More here.

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?

Milestone 1: Pre-Event Planning and Preparation

Budget: 20,000 ADA.

A: Milestone Outputs

• Comprehensive promotional campaign launched, including social media announcements, content creation, and collaboration with influencers.
• Completion of the recruitment and training of all event staff and volunteers, including Cardano mentors.
• Development and distribution of educational materials and hackathon guidelines to registered participants.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• All venue and supplier contracts are signed and confirmations received.
• Promotional materials are approved and live, achieving initial targeted reach and engagement metrics (e.g., views, likes, shares, registrations).
• All staff and mentors are fully briefed and prepared with the necessary resources to support the event.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Signed contracts with venues and vendors.
• Reports from social media and marketing campaigns showing reach and engagement statistics.
• Training schedules and materials for staff and mentors along with signed attendance sheets.

Milestone 2: Execution of Hackathons

Budget: 40,000 ADA.

A: Milestone Outputs

• Successful hosting of hackathons in Buenos Aires, Bogotá, and Mexico City.
• Live streaming of event stages and facilitation of online participation platforms.
• Implementation of real-time feedback mechanisms to gauge attendee engagement and satisfaction.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Events occur on scheduled dates without significant disruptions.
• Participant attendance meets or exceeds targets.
• Positive feedback from participants, with at least 80% reporting satisfaction with the event experience.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Event logs and photographs/videos from each location.
• Data analytics reports from live streaming and online participation platforms.
• Participant feedback collected through surveys conducted during and post-event.

Milestone 3: Post-Event Analysis and Community Engagement Follow-Up

Budget: 20,000 ADA.

A: Milestone Outputs

• Detailed report compiling outcomes of hackathons, including a showcase of top projects and prototypes developed.
• Post-event outreach to maintain engagement with participants, including webinars, follow-up workshops, and networking opportunities.
• Assessment report of the event's impact on the Cardano community, including metrics on new developers engaged and projects continued.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Comprehensive event report completed and distributed to stakeholders.
• Follow-up events scheduled and attended by a significant portion of hackathon participants.
• Demonstrable increase in community activity and project development related to Cardano as measured from baseline established pre-event.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Published event report available online.
• Calendar and attendee lists from follow-up events.
• Post-event survey results and comparative analysis reports detailing community growth and engagement metrics.

[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:
• 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. Has organized events for NASA.
• 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

https://youtube.com/AleAbsolutable

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

You can check the full details in the table below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZZ1X2sZO_DhdfAh_W4HiHuJRtX4clvp2Xt7MVugrypE/edit?usp=sharing

[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 3 impactful Cardano Hackathons, 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.