SPACIOM - The Future of Brand Experience & E-Commerce

[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)

Spaciom is shaping the future of brand experience and e-commerce by developing a framework for 3D immersive experiences & e-commerce features in collaboration with top global brands and creators.

[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

To protect our mission and intellectual properties, we do not plan to open source any components of the platform. However, we do plan to open our ecosystem so creators and blockchain projects can use our tools to create and customize their own virtual experiences.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Spaciom is shaping the future of brand experience and e-commerce by building a platform where brands and creators can provide dynamic and immersive 3D virtual experiences while offering their products and services to their audience. 

Today’s Problems For Brands & Creators

Today's market lacks easy solutions for brands and creators to craft high-quality immersive experiences for their audiences. While social media platforms expand their reach, they offer little control over format and experience. Websites and apps provide flexibility but struggle with driving traffic and still face format limitations.

E-commerce platforms like Amazon or Shopify set the standard for online shopping but often fail to bridge the gap between potential buyers and products, hindering informed purchasing decisions. 

Physical stores and pop-up events immerse customers in a brand experience and allow potential buyers to interact with the products, but their fixed locations limit accessibility to a few and are costly to maintain.

The Spaciom Solutions

Spaciom revolutionizes brand immersion with its 3D virtual experience platform. By blending entertainment and e-commerce, brands and creators can craft interactive, enjoyable experiences for audiences to learn about them and their history, engage with their products and content, and even participate in mini-games and earn rewards. Options range from product showrooms and virtual museums to artistic exhibitions and replicas of real-world locations—or entirely fictional settings. Brands and creators have full control over the experience they want to offer. 

With Spaciom's advanced 3D visualization and interaction capabilities, users can manipulate products in 3D, project them into their environment, and try them on using AR technology, closely mimicking a real-life interaction. Viewers will also be able to purchase the product directly from the virtual experience for a better user experience. Research by Nestle and Overstock.com shows that using 3D and AR technologies can boost sales conversion rates by up to 200% and reduce returns by 25%.

Furthermore, Spaciom’s virtual experiences deliver an extraordinary experience at a fraction of the cost of physical stores and are accessible worldwide, anytime.

Blockchain + Real-World Economy

Spaciom aims to bring blockchain technology to the mainstream by embedding it seamlessly into our platform, catering to both experienced blockchain users and traditional market customers.

Initially, users will be able to consume and interact with content and purchase goods and services. Our primary goal is to offer a frictionless payment system for the Cardano token, bridging the real-world economy with the Cardano ecosystem. Token holders will be able to spend their ADA with an ever-growing list of world-renowned brands and creators.

In the second phase, we will expand user functionalities, allowing users to create their own virtual experiences, display their content and assets, and connect with friends. As strong proponents of digital ownership, we designed our platform to ensure that every asset resides on the blockchain. Experienced users can connect their wallets, trade or display NFTs, and claim rewards from their favorite brands and creators. For those new to blockchain, our user-friendly system will handle blockchain interactions, enabling everyone to benefit from true digital ownership.

How it works

1. We partner closely with our clients to develop an exceptional virtual experience tailored to their specific goals—whether it's attracting new customers, showcasing products, boosting sales conversions, or simply providing existing customers with an enjoyable experience.
2. After designing the content, we integrate it into our platform, incorporating advanced navigation, content interaction features, and a seamless payment system. This ensures a consistent and enjoyable user experience across different spaces. As our platform continuously evolves, both our customers and their users benefit from the latest enhancements and updates.
3. The virtual experiences we create will be accessible on the Spaciom app, allowing users to seamlessly transition from one experience to another. If desired, the experience can also be integrated into our clients' own apps within their ecosystems. Our platform supports a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and VR headsets, ensuring broad accessibility.
4. Once launched, the virtual spaces are open for users to explore, interact with products, try them on or project them using AR, and make purchases directly through the app. This immersive environment enhances user engagement and shopping experience.
5. Through our comprehensive dashboard, brands and creators can continuously update their offerings, add fresh content, host live events, and manage transactions. They can also publish exclusive, subscription-based content and access detailed analytics to measure and enhance user engagement.

Proof of Concept Demo

To illustrate our technology and concept in action, we have created The Hall of Sports - a virtual room exhibiting 3 of the world's most famous sports: American Football, Basketball & European football/Soccer. The video below is a screen capture of the app in real-time using AR to navigate through the virtual room. 

You can try the app for yourself here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fbjTjEzpaYysaZ7cYeSNqS2wMk8hsxxm?usp=sharing

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

Bringing the Real-World Economy to Cardano

Spaciom is set to create a robust payment platform that allows users to purchase products directly within the virtual experience, featuring ADA as the preferred cryptocurrency payment option. This initiative provides ADA holders the opportunity to use their tokens with top global brands for a variety of goods and services.

Securing User Value

Initially, Spaciom will cater to brands and creators, developing a suite of tools and features tailored to their needs. Once product-market fit is achieved with these early adopters, the focus will shift toward expanding the platform’s social features. This expansion will enable users to create their own digital experiences, purchase digital assets, and earn virtual bonuses from their favorite brands. All digital items will be minted as NFTs on the Cardano blockchain, allowing direct wallet connections and blockchain interactions for experienced users, while also simplifying digital ownership through a user-friendly interface for those new to blockchain technology. This blockchain-based economy is designed to introduce millions of projected new users to Cardano while enriching the ecosystem with valuable assets from our established partners.

A Powerful Platform for Cardano Projects

The Spaciom platform offers a robust opportunity for projects on Cardano to create their own virtual experiences. Projects can collaborate with our team to develop highly customizable experiences or use our toolset to design their own. These virtual hubs can serve as central points for communities, showcasing products in visually compelling ways, selling physical products or NFTs, hosting live events, and rewarding users. Users will be able to connect with their wallet and execute transactions directly from the experience. This flexibility allows projects to engage with their audiences in innovative and immersive ways, enhancing their reach and impact.

[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?

The Spaciom team includes five core members and over 16 contributors, collectively boasting more than 200 years of experience across business development, management, IT development, marketing, sales, and various other fields.

Over the last 2 years, we have conducted much research and forged solid partnerships that will enable us to realize our vision. The first iteration of the platform has already been fully planned and priced out. We are already in contact with various important brands and key players in the sports, entertainment, and fashion industries. We have received countless positive feedback on our proof-of-concept app and validated the market demands for our product.

As for the use of funds, we vow to be completely transparent and fully cooperate with the reviewers. We plan to open a dedicated bank account for the funds received through this proposal and match every outgoing amount with an admissible receipt and financial statements that will be provided upon request.

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

Navigation

A: Milestone Outputs

• Transition from Unreal Engine to Unity.
• Development of a robust AR navigation feature for seamless user movement within the virtual environment.
• Delivery of a mobile prototype offering intuitive augmented reality (AR) navigation within a demo environment.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Functional navigation feature enabling smooth and intuitive user movement.
• A fully operational mobile prototype demonstrating AR navigation in a demo environment.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Testing results showcasing the effectiveness of the navigation feature.
• Presentation and demonstration of the mobile prototype with AR navigation in the demo environment.

Interaction

A: Milestone Outputs

• Development of content interaction features enabling dynamic user engagement with the virtual environment.
• Functionalities for manipulating 3D objects, examining 2D visuals closely, and accessing detailed information about the content.
• Integration of enhanced interactive capabilities into the mobile test version.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successful implementation of features allowing manipulation of 3D objects and examination of 2D visuals.
• Users can access detailed information about the content within the virtual environment.
• A mobile test version demonstrating these interactive capabilities with strategically positioned objects and visuals.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Testing results showing effective manipulation of 3D objects and detailed examination of 2D visuals.
• Presentation and demonstration of the mobile test version with fully integrated interactive features.

Content Creation

A: Milestone Outputs

• Design and creation of a detailed demonstration showcasing the appearance and feel of the content experience.
• Cataloging of created assets into a library for future use.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Completion of a virtual experience ready for customer demonstration.
• Demonstration effectively showcases the appearance and feel of the final product.
• Assets are organized and cataloged into a reusable library.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Detailed presentation and demonstration of the fully realized content experience to customers.
• Positive feedback from potential customers on the look and feel of the experience.
• Documentation of the asset library, including descriptions and metadata for future reuse, demonstrating efficiency improvements for future projects.

Payment

A: Milestone Outputs

• Integration of a comprehensive payment system solution.
• Implementation of a specialized ADA payment option developed by the TxPipe team.
• Order management system for vendors to receive detailed information regarding each order.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successful integration of the payment system with both credit card and ADA token options.
• Verification that users can seamlessly complete transactions using their preferred payment method.
• Confirmation that vendors receive accurate and detailed order information.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Testing results demonstrating successful transactions with both credit cards and ADA tokens.
• User feedback confirming the flexibility and ease of completing purchases.
• Reports from test transactions showing vendors receive detailed and accurate order information for each transaction.

First Milestone & Customers Onboarding

A: Milestone Outputs

• Finalization of the MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
• Onboarding of initial customers.
• Preparation and release of a comprehensive project close-out report.
• Creation and release of a demo video for the Cardano community.
• Anticipation of launching the first client experience within two to three months post-MVP completion.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• MVP is fully functional and ready for customer use.
• Successful onboarding of initial customers.
• Project report is prepared and released.
• Demo video is created and released to the Cardano community.
• Detailed timeline and plan for launching the first client experience within two to three months.
• Completion and submission of the project close-out report and video.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Documentation confirming the MVP is finalized and initial customers are onboarded.
• Availability of the comprehensive project report and demo video to the Cardano community.
• Public release of the project close-out report.
• Clear plan and timeline documented for the launch of the first client experience.

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

Timothy Parker - CEO

As CEO, Timothy leads the acquisition of customers and partnerships. Throughout the development of the MVP, he will actively present our progress to potential customers and partners, capitalizing on the interest we have cultivated since the project's inception to secure new commitments.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-parker-b5a856158/

Jeremie Joncas - COO

Jeremie will oversee project management, ensuring that the development stays on track and within budget and that all project milestones are met efficiently and effectively. He will collaborate closely with the 3D artist to design the experience, making sure our user experience standards are met.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremie-joncas-1502b7157/

Harvest Smith - Chief Business Development Officer

Harvest will support Timothy in acquiring new customers and partners by focusing on generating new leads and building strong relationships. Additionally, he will implement targeted outreach strategies and leverage his sports industry network to foster connections that align with our sales objectives.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harvest-smith-52499147/

Artur Pawlak - CTO

As our CTO, Artur will oversee the development of the MVP, leading a team of developers and artists to ensure adherence to our development plan. He will coordinate the technical efforts, manage project timelines, and enforce quality standards to deliver a robust product.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/artur-j-pawlak/

Additional Collaborators

In addition to our core team, we have over 16 additional collaborators contributing to the project, bringing a combined experience of more than 250 years across diverse fields such as business, IT development, content creation, marketing, sales, and various other industries. This extensive expertise ensures that Spaciom is built on a foundation of knowledge and innovation.

Additional Hiring

We are currently looking to fill two technical positions:

Mid-Level Developer

• Requirements: Over 5 years of experience developing gaming functionality with Unity.
• Role: Collaborate with our CTO to develop game-like features, including navigation and interaction. Integrate content with functionalities, compile, and deliver the app on mobile platforms.

3D Artist

• Requirements: Over 5 years of experience in building 3D assets for Unity, covering the complete pipeline.
• Role: Create the virtual environment and 3D content, including modeling, texturing, shading, lighting, and rendering.

Partnerships

Here are some of our partnerships:

Green Zebra Technology - Venue advertising and management solution

Student-Athletes NIL - Name, image, and likeness management for collegial athletes

NPC Labs - Digital asset integration solution with physical item production

Foley & Lardner - Legal Service

Winston Start - Startup Accelerator

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

Time & Budget Allocation for Labor

Product Manager (Jeremie): 880 hours - 10,000 USD

CTO (Artur): 880 hours - 55,000 USD

Mid- Level Developer(s): 480 hours - 18,000 USD

3D Artist: 320 hours - 12,000 USD

Total labor cost: 95,000 USD

Asset Purchase Budget

3,000 USD

Cardano Payment Module Integration by TxPipe

20,000 USD

Software & Licenses

Unity Pro - One Year Commitment - 3 Seats: 6,120 USD

Total: 124,120 USD or 285,267 ADA (at the time of writing) 

The remaining 14,733 ADA will serve as a reserve to cushion against market volatility and cover conversion fees.

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

Deliverables and Return on Investment

With the funding we seek, we will have a full Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready to generate revenue and bring value to the Cardano ecosystem. The MVP will showcase our capabilities and potential, driving further investment and adoption.

Strategic Vision and Potential Growth

We believe strongly that our project will deliver exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem, underpinned by Spaciom's goal to escalate into a billion-dollar company within its initial five years of operation. This ambitious growth represents a significant potential to enhance the ADA token's utility and adoption, being our preferred choice for cryptocurrency transactions.

Economic Impact and Strategic Partnerships

Our strategic partnerships are set to inject substantial economic activity into the Cardano ecosystem, fostering broader economic benefits and increased adoption of ADA. This aligns with our goal to drive extensive utilization of the Cardano infrastructure.

Cost Efficiency of Development Team

Our development team is based in Canada, where we can take advantage of favorable wage rates compared to more expensive markets. This allows us to maximize the value derived from our budget without compromising on quality or expertise.

Supporting the Cardano Ecosystem

Working with TxPipe provides revenue for developers and service providers within the Cardano ecosystem. This not only supports the ecosystem's growth but also ensures that our project is deeply integrated and aligned with Cardano’s broader goals.

In conclusion, given these factors, we are confident in our capability to deliver value that significantly exceeds the funding we are seeking. This will manifest not only in direct financial returns but also in substantial long-term benefits to the Cardano ecosystem, reinforcing its market position and expanding its user base.