AMPDup: Streamline Creator Support on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Max Zurlino

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

100000

[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)

We will develop AmpdUP, a dApp with seamless integration and user-friendly design, fostering community-driven financial support for creators on Cardano.

[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 Dependency

[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

AmpdUP is committed to being open source throughout its entire lifecycle, ensuring transparency and community collaboration.

Open Source Details:

• License Type: MIT
• Repository: A dedicated GitHub repository will host all source code, documentation, and resources, ensuring accessibility for developers, creators, and enthusiasts who wish to contribute or adapt the project for their needs

By maintaining an open source repository, ampdUP not only fosters innovation but also ensures that improvements and enhancements can be continually made by the community.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Perception: Existing platforms for creator support often involve high service fees and lack transparency. Blockchain technology allows us to eliminate the middleman, ensuring funds reach creators safely and without undue charges.

Our Approach: We focus on simplicity and intuitiveness, streamlining the steps needed to support creators. Our commitment to an open-source model fosters community involvement and drives continual evolution based on feedback.

UI/UX Prototype -- Work in progress --

Target Audience:

AmpdUP engages a diverse group within the Cardano ecosystem:

• Creators seeking financial support and enhanced audience engagement.
• Supporters looking to contribute transparently and securely to their favorite creators.
• Developers aiming to enhance their applications with easy-to-integrate support functions.

Future Goals and Expansions:

• AMPDsub Subscriptions: Following a successful audit, we will integrate our subscription model to enable sustained support beyond one-time tips.
• Social Feed Integration: We will enhance community interaction by integrating with platforms like Discord and Twitter, allowing creators to share updates directly.
• Shop Integration: Plans include enabling creators to sell merchandise directly through their profiles, expanding their revenue opportunities.

Uniqueness and Importance:

• Community Driven and Open Source: Our open-source development ensures that ampdUP remains adaptable and responsive to user needs.
• Boost to Cardano's Ecosystem: By facilitating transactions in ADA and potentially other tokens (ideally stablecoin), ampdUP not only showcases Cardano’s utility for real-world applications but also supports the ecosystem’s growth through microtransactions.

Why This Matters to Cardano:

While tipping is a well-understood concept, ampdUP introduces it to the digital realm on the blockchain, providing a secure, transparent, and global way to support creativity, akin to tipping in retail but enhanced for the digital and global age.

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

AmpdUP will enhance the Cardano ecosystem by:

1. Increasing Blockchain Utilisation: By facilitating easy tipping and subscription services, ampdUP will drive frequent microtransactions in ADA, increasing the usage and circulation of the cryptocurrency.
2. Empowering Creators: Providing a blockchain-based platform for creators to receive support directly from their community enhances their financial stability and independence.
3. Encouraging Adoption: By simplifying the integration of blockchain services, ampdUP lowers the barrier for both users and creators new to blockchain technology, promoting wider adoption.

Measuring Impact:

• Transaction Volume: We will track the volume and frequency of tips and subscriptions processed through ampdUP, providing a direct measure of increased ADA utilisation.
• Adoption Rates: The number of active users and creators on the platform will be monitored to gauge growth and adoption within the dAPP.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open Source Repository: All code and development documentation will be available in our GitHub repository, encouraging other developers to adopt, adapt, and improve upon our solution.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: By collaborating with other projects and platforms within the ecosystem, we aim to integrate ampdUP more deeply into the Cardano network, enhancing its utility and accessibility. (web-components, etc.)

Long-Term Contribution:

• Sustainability: AmpdUP aims to be self-sustaining by generating revenue through a fair fee on transactions and subscriptions, ensuring the project's long-term viability and continuous contribution to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Service Cost: A one time Service charge for creators, ensuring a revenue stream for the platform and covering infrastructure cost.
• Scalability: With the infrastructure built to support scalability, AmpdUP plans to expand its features and services, continuously adding value to the Cardano community.

[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 team's robust expertise, with over a decade each in business management, brand development, tech startup infrastructure, creative direction, UI/UX, combined with significant involvement (3+ years) in the Cardano ecosystem, ensures a well-rounded approach to project execution. Leveraging our extensive experience, we have already developed a fully functional alpha MVP of AMPDid, which showcases our capability to innovate and deliver effective solutions. This alpha version confirms our technical proficiency and keen understanding of the market needs, establishing a strong track record for scaling blockchain technologies.

With this solid foundation, we are well-prepared to expand AMPDid and enhance its features to effectively serve a broader audience.

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

Front-End Enhancements

• Gallery Page UX Improvements
• User Interaction Features:
• Implement a modal window for error handling.
• Tipping UI Flow.
• Design and Responsiveness:
• UI/UX design of all components and UX flow.
• Tipping flow UI design
• TX building via MeshSDK

Backend Infrastructure and Core Features

• Data Tracking and Management:
• Track tips and display them on user profiles in real-time via GoMaestro API
• Track "amplifiers" which include unique tippers and subscribers.
• Track the ADA value of tipped and subscribed amounts.
• Database and Performance Improvements:
• Improve the database structure for better performance, considering an upgrade from the current PostgreSQL setup.
• User Signup:
• Implement NFT minting during the first stage of user signup.
• Profile modifier to update profile information and links, ensuring users own the NFT in their wallet. (powered by AMPDid)

Deployment

• Deploying on AWS infrastructure to ensure scalability and robustness.

Testing

• User testing, Fixing remaining bugs/errors
• Based on user feddback adjust small UI fixes.

Final delivery of functional prototype

Tasks:

• Publish the full codebase on GitHub (as listed above) for community access and contribution. -- Fair Use License --
• Produce and release a project close-out report and overview video

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

Max Zurlino - CEO: Manages operations and strategic direction.

David Borgenvik - CTO: Leads front-end and back-end development.

Jeremie Miller - Lead Cardano Developer | WEB3 Lead

Bruno Aveiro- Product Manager: Oversees product strategy and development.

Flavio Duarte - Creative Director: Heads aesthetic design and visual storytelling.

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

1.UI/UX Design

• Estimated Cost: 20,000 ADA

2.Front-End Development

• Estimated Cost: 35,000 ADA

3.Backend Development

• Estimated Cost: 45,000 ADA

Additional Budget Items

• Project Management:
• Tools and services for project coordination and management
• Legal and Accounting Services:
• Fees for legal and accounting services to ensure compliance and proper fund management
• Estimated Cost: 10,000 - 15,000 ADA (Self funded)

Total Estimated Budget: 100,000 ADA

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

Supporting the development of AmpdUP, also means supporting the potential growth in builders being able to sustainable keep building our ecosystem in a healthy manner. Cardano relies on creators, influencers, marketers, builders etc.

By building a simple dAPP that has at its core the only goal to simplify how we as a community are capable of supporting one another, aligns perfectly with the core Cardano values. While the idea is simple, the impact could be immense.