[PRO39] - A dApp Web3 Freelancer Service Marketplace on Cardano ~ Fiverr on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ha Nguyen

[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

98035

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

8

[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)

a dApp Web3 Service marketplace to offer affordable Blockchain services, connecting project owners and freelancers, thus accelerating the growth of Catalyst and Blockchain startups.

~Fiverr 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 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

Not yet at the moment, as per the published Privacy Policy of our platforms with the relevant stakeholders: freelancers, Job seekers, and other partners. We cannot disclose the entire source code.

However, In the future, we will consider public partially the codes under the auditing process from 3rd party auditors.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG rating:

Our proposal focuses on Sustainable Development Goal #8, which promotes sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. It addresses post-pandemic, and Ukraine Crisis impacts, aiming to improve unemployment rates and support freelancers. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of a remote work environment and enhanced worker productivity, crucial for success in online service marketplaces with timely and punctual delivery requirements.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution: Fiverr on Cardano

Establish a freelancers' platform, offering affordable Blockchain and technology services, facilitating the connection between project owners and freelancers, and assisting Catalyst-Cardano projects and Blockchain start-ups growing faster.

Reasons for approaching:

1. The demand for talent in the field of Blockchain, web3, and IT is high.

Talent recruitment salary for Blockchain, web3, IT industry is high. This proves the shortage of human resources and the high demand for recruitment.

Demand for talent in crypto is less dependent on the market as the industry matures.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/demand-for-talent-in-crypto-less-dependent-on-market-as-industry-matures 

https://cryptojobslist.com/blog/2022-crypto-jobs-report

2. Most of the skilled human resources are looking due to job cuts in many large companies.

https://news.crunchbase.com/startups/tech-layoffs/

3. Project owners in Cardano, Catalyst, and Blockchain have difficulty finding talent that fits within the budget. That affects the progress and completion of the project.

• 50% incompletion rate(~677 Incompleted proposals) of 1349 funded proposals are still PENDING, (not counting F11-ongoing)
• 503 proposals are not eligible for Fund 12 (fund 1 to Fund 9) nearly 2 years since fund 9 result.

LINK SOURCE:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10IPEA1JNkcSKYivKa4FfhxRvbYUae_WDEYqvzrs1ptU/edit#gid=1960419401

There could be some challenges for this for more than 2 year incompletion rates

1. The financial management of the proposal team due to the fluctuation of ADAUSD
2. The skillsgap between qualify Freelancers vs. Business demands.
3. The lack of particular hub for freelancers especially in Cardano blockchain, Plustus, Haskell programing languges, etc... while Cardano are more and more coming to Smart Contract and heading to Voltaire era.
4. dRep delaying: this also poses a thread on the quality and highly-skilled proposers to have capacity to manage project ontime.

However, positively we see a slight decreases around 5% in incompletion rates vs. first half of 2023. And we see a better rule for Proposers with max cap of number of Proposals and the latest deadline completion for past funded proposals. This will also help the Catalyst Cardano community become better.

Project end-users aim: 

The proposed platform would enable to engage the following users.

1. Project Owner
2. Company
3. Freelancer
4. IT, Web3, Blockchain Talent (enthusiasts)
5. Service Provider

Project demonstrate outcomes

(*See the part [CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] for further data and information)

1. Help start-up projects in the fast-moving and emerging blockchain technologies and the Cardano ecosystem possibly find suitable talent sources.
2. Provide a large and feasible amount of work and tasks for those who are seeking extra income to cover job layoffs from tech companies and increase the chance to explore new job opportunities in the blockchain domain based on the existing skillsets.
3. Increased number of projects completed in Catalyst - Cardano.

The uniqueness of this solution and why this is important to Cardano.

1. Integrate the five most recognized Cardano light wallets: Lace, Eternl, Typhon, Flint, and Nami, onto our platform as the primary payment methods between involved parties.
2. Apply smart-contract to ensure the final payment of the involved parties fairly and transparently.
3. Automatically categorize freelancers into different levels based on the available criteria.

Our improvement on the current MVP of the dApp Web3 service marketplace.

• Business Model

As we taking input from the community, we adding the new thing on our business model (although we were funded by Project Catalyst since Fund 8, 9) but our Business model does not vulnerably rely on Project Catatlyst.

In order to be breakeven we need a monthly transaction of 1200 job done, and we charge the Freelancers 10% , Businesses 3% (compared to other Market Place platforms like Fiverr Upwork with 20% for Freelancers, 5-10% for PRO businesses, plus platform fee

This made us more competive and utilized thepower of Blockchain and Smartcontract for Automation while provide the reasonable services for the Cardano community.

• We have Payment options.

In order to be suitable with Payment gateways, we have offer both

-Cardano -based wallet transations and Pay Pal for market which are not legally viable for cryptocurrency transation.

• Community is key

We have freequent community activities to bond with freelancers and understand businesses so that we can offer them not only jobs, but coaching on-the jobs, lifestyles and educations/tips for a thriving community customized based on languages speaking.

• New UX/UI

We are also taking feedbacks from community for a more User centric UX/UI experience with a 3rd Dev partner.

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

This Proposal targets the goal of the Challenge:

Integrations with other existing services, products, and protocols that improve the end-user experience. This could mean giving the user more options or making something more accessible to use that benefits the broader ecosystem.

Impact of our Proposal on the Cardano Ecosystem

1. Increasing the number of products available for community use enriches the ecosystem with new use cases: Freelancer Connecting Platform.
2. Helping projects in Catalyst and Cardano start up smoothly.
3. Attract and focus highly skilled human resources to support the development of the Cardano ecosystem.
4. Increase the number of transactions using ADA through transaction settlement.
5. Increase the number of newly registered wallets from new users.

The value our proposal brings to the Cardano ecosystem

1. Create a new product, an exciting and valuable platform.
2. Attract users from other blockchains and fields to use the services and experience the blockchain technology that Cardano provides.
3. Through transactions, users interact more with the Cardano Blockchain, driving even more adoption, feedback, and innovation. 

These contribute to the strong growth of the Cardano ecosystem.

1. Number of website visits: 20.000

2. Number of new registered users: 1000

3. Number of Freelancers posting services: 200

In which number of freelancers providing Cardano, Blockchain-related services: 100 people

4. Number of service orders (number of transactions): 500

In which number of projects funds by Catalyst to order services: 30

5. Number of completed contracts: 100

In which the number of contracts related to Catalyst, Cardano: 20 contracts.

6. Number of ADA payment transactions: Over 100 transactions

7. Number of newly registered wallets related to ADA payments: Over 100 wallets.

8. Number of Telegram community members: Over 5000 members

9. Number of Cardano-based Wallets integrated: 5

[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?

Ability and experience suitable to implement the project:

Our team possesses the necessary skills and expertise to implement this project effectively. We have amassed considerable experience in the following areas:

1. Business administration, including the setup, management, and operation of platforms.
2. Proficiency in programming technology products, platforms, and banking payment systems.
3. Financial management and cash flow management expertise.
4. In-depth knowledge in the field of Blockchain, with a particular focus on Cardano.

Financial management process:

1. Our team consists of a seasoned Financial Manager with 20 years of experience in finance and banking
2. Accountant with over ten years of expertise in revenue, expenditure management, financial reporting, and business operations.

Transparent Workflow:

1. The Financial Manager is responsible for budget planning, allocation, and management.
2. The Accountant handles revenue and expenditure operations and maintains payment vouchers.
3. The Financial Manager and Accountant present the budget management sheet, receipts, and expenditures to the Project Manager every month.

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

MASTER SOM LINK

Master Project Dev plan and Marketing SOM

We will have detailed master plan here for 8 months, all the milestones will be updated following this Master Timeline for 2 seperate work sprint: for Dev and for Marketing Innitiatives.

Product Development Plan in 8 months:

Marketing Plan in 8 months:

Statement of Milestones (SOM) built in advance: With the assistance of Cardano Ambassador, Mr. Yuta, we present the SOM in advance:

• to align with Catalyst Fund 10's guidelines for plan transparency and clarity (same application in Fund 11, as per checking with Mr. Daniel Ribbar of IOHK)
• to facilitate easy reviewing for Community Reviewers (CR),
• to illustrate that our completion percentage consistently surpasses the budget percentage required for each milestone.
• Final Milestones meet the MIN threshold of 20% > min level: 15%.

SOM Guide Link:

https://docs.projectcatalyst.io/fund-documentation/fund10-docs/how-to-submit-project-milestones/what-milestones-should-be-included-in-the-statement-of-milestones

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Milestone 1:

A: Milestone outputs

• Integrate 5 Cardano light walletsConnect Nami Wallet
• Connect Eternl Wallet
• Connect Flint Wallet
• Connect Other Wallet 1 (Lace Wallet (beta))
• Connect Other Wallet (Typhon/Yoroi Wallet (beta))TBU (by challenge team)

B: Acceptance criteria

• Users can connect and make payments through Cardano lightweight wallets.

C: Evidence of milestone completion

• Direct update on our web dApp: https://proskills39.com/

M1: Month 1-2

% budget request: 20%

% Accumulated Stage of Project Completion: 25%

Milestone 2: Month 3-4

% budget request: 20%

% Accumulated stage of Project Completion: 50%

A: Milestone outputs

• Automatically categorize freelancers Level
• Database and module design for Freelancer hierarchical rule
• Updated User interface design

B: Acceptance criteria:

• Freelancer rankings are decentralized and determined automatically based on predetermined criteria.
• Every Freelancer has a level badge
• Updated new UI/UX

C: Evidence of milestone completion

• Direct update on our web dApp: https://proskills39.com/

Milestone 3: Month 5-6

% budget request: 20%

% Accumulated stage of Project Completion: 75%

A: Milestone outputs

• Finalizing smart contract
• Test the Smart Contract (Preview Network)
• Deploy the Smart Contract

B: Acceptance criteria:

• The number of Contracts between Freelancers and businesses
• Transactions are automated and securely handled by Smart Contracts.

C: Evidence of milestone completion

• Direct update on our web dApp: https://proskills39.com/
• Freelancers/Business window for order management.
• a document report from: Proskills39 Admin page for contract stage

Milestone 4: - Month 7-8

% budget request: 20%

% Accumulate of Project Completion: 95%

A: Milestone outputs

• Run marketing campaing when project go LIVE fully
• Achieve the marketing KPI

B: Acceptance criteria:

• All KPI Dev and KPI Marketing mentioned at the Website: https://proskills39.com/ (our social channels)

C: Evidence of milestone completion

• a summary of marketing campaigns report and achieved KPI

Final Milestone:

Final closing report & Closing Video to Catalyst

End of Month 8

% budget request: 20% (remaining 20% as per minimum requirement of 15% of total budget)

% Accumulated of Project Completion: 100%

C: Evidence of milestone completion

Direct update on our youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ProSkills39

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

Project Management Team (Executive team)

1.Ms. Hà Nguyễn – Project Manager

• Cardano Ambassador in Vietnam.
• Experienced entrepreneur in e-commerce and marketplace trading.
• Five years of experience in business and project management.
• Deputy head of corporate planning and new business model development at Japanese companies.
• Certified Blockchain Business Consultant from Emurgo Academy.
• Roles in Catalyst: PA (91% Good, 6% Excellent), vPA, Sponsored Proposer.
• Actively connects Vietnamese and Japanese communities with the international community.
• Moderator for:
• Vietnam ADA Cardano Community: >5000 members
• Cardano ADA Vietnam: >47,000 members
• Cardano ADA Catalyst Việt Nam - Khởi nghiệp, việc làm
• Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/Hahero7
• Telegram: https://t.me/hanguyen122009
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-thi-ha-45b108233/

Financial Management team

1. Mr.Iga - Finance Manager

• More than 20 years of experience in finance and credit-related companies
• Twenty years of experience in investing in financial markets: securities, forex, cryptocurrencies…
• Currently working in finance, commerce, and real estate at a Japanese corporation.

2. Ms.Dien - Accountant

• More than 12 years of experience as a financial-tax accountant
• More than 04 years of experience holding the position of chief accountant at the company
• Currently working as a chief accountant at 01 company and as an accounting-tax consultant for more than eight other companies
• Join Catalyst as a PA at Fund 9
• Have basic knowledge of Blockchain and Cardano
• Telegram: https://t.me/Dienlynguyen
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-dien-27a320265/

Product development Team (Programming team)

ProSkills39's programming team comes from Vknight.io - a large and professional company with extensive experience in developing software for large banks in Vietnam and extensive domestic and foreign organizations.

1. Mr.Luu Nguyen - Product Manager

• CEO of Vknight.io
• Software Engineer - Specialization:

-Analysis & Database Design.

-Data structure.

-Database Programming, Analysis & Design.

• Master of Business Administration, with full knowledge of banking, accounting, statistics, ...
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-mau-luu-0999a6238/
• Email: nguyenmauluu@gmail.com 

*Vknight.io's developer team

Vknight.io is a large and professional team. Nearly 200 members, under the close supervision and management by Mr. Luu- CEO of Vknight.

Vknight.io has successfully implemented many projects for all domestic and foreign banks such as:

Domestic banks: Viet A Commercial Joint Stock Bank, VinaSiam Bank, Lao-Viet Bank, Saigon Bank, SACOMBANK,...

Foreign banks: Far East National Bank (Vietnam), Huanan Bank (Vietnam), HSBC (Vietnam), Cambodia Public Bank (Cambodia) ), Vattanac Bank (Cambodia), Angkor Capital Bank Plc., Phongsavanh Bank ( Laos), Ayeyarwady Bank (Myanmar)…

Vknight.io is in charge of foreign markets for JITS company such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar...

Besides, Vknight.io is a co-developer and co-owner of software such as Optimal9 core banking software, Flex reporting system, software connecting peripheral channels with core banking system (HUB)...

Below are experienced leaders in charge of managing programming teams, ensuring project progress.

2. Mr. Hoang Nguyen - Technology Consultant (Tech-lead)

• Software Engineer & Information System - Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry: 

-Thematic Oracle 

-Artificial Intelligence 

-E-government 

-Computer Science

• Design and develop Autosar-based embedded software components. 
• Had participated in many projects for the company and have over six years of experience in core banking system consulting. 
• And now, he is in charge of project management for many major projects in the market Cambodia and collaborates with many clients in the field of Microfinance.
• Github: https://github.com/nguyenvuhoang
• Email: nguyenvuhoangz@gmail.com

3. Mr.Dang Ngo

• Education of Technology Can Tho University, focus on: 

-Analyze & Design Database. 

-Structure of Data. 

-Programming, Analyze & Database Design.

• Two and a half years of experience working with Oracle DB, Java, VB.Net 
•  Programming with ReactJs, C#, and MS SQL server.
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ngo-dang-kane-33b917195
• Email: ngodangdt@gmail.com

Sales & Marketing Team

1. Mr.Buck Nguyen - Project Marketing & Partner Lead

• Caradno Asia Team team leader
• Founder of Cardano Asia TikTok (Funded Project Fund 9, Fund 10, Fund 11) with more than 200,000 interactions/followers https://www.tiktok.com/cardano.asia 
• Admin of the Cardano NFT (CNFT) community: https://twitter.com/AsiaCnft 
• dRep TV Hub founder.
• Cardano4good founder. http://cardano4good.net/vi
• Long-term experience in community building and online marketing.
• Joined Catalyst as PA, vPA, Funded Proposer, CR CR LV1, LV2, Challenge Team, PoL and MR since Fund 9, Fund 10, Fund 11
• Five+ years of research experience in Cardano blockchain and investment
• SPO for over 3 years.
• Telegram: https://t.me/Buck_Nguyen

Operation Team

1. Ms. Hanh Nguyen- Operations Lead

• - 2 years of experience in HR - Union. Role: -Recruit;Tracking attendance, leave, resign, leave early, leave work,...; Perform duties on social insurance and health insurance.
• - 2 years of experience in the field of state management of trade unions, labor - employment, and social evils prevention. Gmail: hanhnguyennnn2412@gmail.

3. Ms. Bella Pham:

• 6 years of experience in HR. Role: -Recruit;Tracking attendance, leave, resign, leave early, leave work, operational control, administrative work in real state 
• Email: pthaomic@gmail.com

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

We plan to build the features of this project on a platform that we have funded by Catalyst fund before. The aim is to take advantage of the infrastructure and save the budget.

Total budget proposed in this proposal: 98.035 ADA

(2% risk management of over total budget)

Budget rate: ADA USD 0.43 as per proposal written day on 15May2024

This already considers the risk of price fluctuation of ADA for the duration of project delivery.

Attachment: Budget calculation file

1.Budget allocation

• 60% for Product development
• 20% for marketing
• 18% for personnel expense.
• 2% for Risk management

2. Personnel expenses:

With the desire to have the opportunity to contribute to supporting Cardano, Catalyst to grow stronger, we will strive to work with a salary 44-57% lower than the average salary in the market. (please see salary benchmarking below)

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

VALUE FOR MONEY- SALARY BENCHMARKING

The cost of the project is also considered low-end compared to the cost of the seniority of the engineers in the team. 

1. Salary benchmarking in the local country: We keep 44-57% savings on personnel cost for the team member's hourly rate: Salary Benchmarking
2. Our budget Allocation mainly focused on Product development (60%) and Commercial (~20%)
3. Consider the team allocation at different levels of the project org chart (18% budget)
4. Cardano Ecosystem is an emerging industry, and we need to have the proper induction and training for the new members.
5. 2% for risk management

VALUE FOR THE CARDANO ECOSYSTEM:

The cost of the ProSkills39 project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem through several factors:

1.  Alignment with Strategic Goals: The project's objectives and deliverables align with the strategic goals of the Cardano ecosystem and challenge setting
2. Impactful Deliverables: The project aims to deliver tangible outcomes that benefit the Cardano ecosystem, including solving the unemployment of freelancers and connecting talents for Catalyst-funded proposers.
3.  Measurement of Progress and Success: The project team has established transparent success criteria and performance indicators for each milestone. These metrics will be used to track progress, evaluate the project's success, and update the Catalyst Community. We walk the talk with the Catalyst Core Values.