KURAT TECH: Redefining Entertainment in Ethiopia with Cardano

[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] Co-proposers and additional applicants

1.Daniel Girma

[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)

Ethiopian viewers, unlock content! Secure ADA payments. Build the future with our open-source mobile payment SDK for Cardano. Empower viewers & devs. Boost accessibility!

[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

KURAT TECH is dedicated to fostering an open and collaborative development environment within the Cardano ecosystem. As such, all outputs of this project, including the mobile payment SDK, will be released as fully open-source software.

Open Source License

We intend to license our mobile payment SDK under the Apache License 2.0 (APL 2.0). This permissive license allows for widespread adoption and modification, both for commercial and non-commercial purposes. However, it also includes copyleft provisions that require derivative works to be open-source as well, protecting the core functionalities of our contribution.

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Open Source Repository

The project code and documentation will be hosted on a publicly accessible platform like GitHub.

• This approach ensures transparency, fosters collaboration with Cardano developers, and aligns perfectly with Project Catalyst's core values of open contribution.

[METADATA] SDG rating

KURAT TECH project, focusing on a mobile payment SDK for Ethiopian content apps, aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here's how it contributes:

• SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By facilitating secure ADA payments within Ethiopian entertainment apps, our project can empower Ethiopian content creators to monetize their work effectively. This can lead to increased economic opportunities and job creation within the creative industry.
• SDG #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The development of our open-source mobile payment SDK contributes to infrastructure development for the digital economy in Ethiopia. It fosters innovation by providing tools for Ethiopian developers to integrate secure ADA payments within their applications.
• SDG #10: Reduced Inequalities: Increased accessibility to mobile payments for Ethiopian content consumption can help bridge the digital divide and provide equal access to entertainment for all Ethiopians.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem: Ethiopian audiences struggle to access their favorite content due to a lack of easy and secure mobile payment options for movies, shows, and subscriptions within Ethiopian entertainment applications.

Our Approach: We propose developing a fully open-source mobile payment SDK (Software Development Kit) specifically designed for Cardano. This SDK will empower Ethiopian content application developers to integrate secure ADA (Cardano's native token) payments within their platforms.

Benefits:

• Viewers: Enjoy seamless and secure in-app purchases using ADA, unlocking access to Ethiopian content on their mobile devices.
• Developers: Easily integrate secure ADA payments into their Ethiopian entertainment apps using our well-documented and open-source SDK, reducing development time and costs.
• Cardano Ecosystem: Expands the use case for ADA within the Cardano ecosystem, fostering innovation and adoption within the Ethiopian entertainment industry.

Uniqueness:

• Open-Source Focus: Our open-source approach fosters collaboration and encourages developers to contribute to and improve the SDK, benefiting the entire Cardano community.
• Tailored for Ethiopia: The SDK caters specifically to the needs of Ethiopian entertainment applications, addressing the current limitations in mobile payment options.
• Secure ADA Payments: Leverages Cardano's secure and transparent blockchain technology for secure and reliable in-app transactions.

Who Benefits?

• Ethiopian viewers: Gain greater accessibility to their preferred content through secure mobile payments.
• Ethiopian content creators: Benefit from new monetization opportunities through ADA payments.
• Ethiopian app developers: Receive a readily available and open-source solution for integrating ADA payments, boosting innovation within the Ethiopian mobile entertainment landscape.
• Cardano ecosystem: Benefits from increased adoption and utility of ADA within a new and relevant industry sector.

Why is this Important to Cardano?

This project directly aligns with Cardano's goals of:

• Financial Inclusion: By enabling secure ADA payments in Ethiopian entertainment apps, we promote financial inclusion for Ethiopians who may not have access to traditional financial services.
• Empowering Developers: Our open-source SDK empowers developers within the Cardano ecosystem to build innovative applications that cater to specific regional needs.
• Global Adoption: This project expands the use case for ADA beyond its core functionalities, promoting wider adoption and demonstrating its real-world applicability.

By developing this open-source mobile payment SDK, we contribute to a more inclusive and innovative Cardano ecosystem, while addressing a critical need within the Ethiopian entertainment industry.

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

Envision a thriving Cardano ecosystem where:

• Developers have access to powerful tools: Our open-source mobile payment SDK empowers developers to seamlessly integrate secure ADA payments within Ethiopian entertainment applications. This fosters innovation and expands the possibilities for building regionalized solutions on Cardano.
• ADA adoption flourishes: By creating a real-world use case for ADA payments in Ethiopia, KURAT TECH paves the way for broader adoption and increased demand for Cardano's native token.
• Collaboration thrives: The open-source nature of our project encourages developers to contribute to the SDK's improvement, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the Cardano community.

Measuring Our Impact:

• Quantitative Metrics:Number of Ethiopian entertainment applications integrating our SDK.
• Volume of ADA transactions processed through the SDK.
• Growth of the project's GitHub repository (stars, forks, code contributions).
• Qualitative Metrics:Developer engagement in online forums and discussions related to the SDK.
• Feedback from Ethiopian viewers and content creators regarding their experience with ADA payments.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Repository: The complete source code and documentation of the mobile payment SDK will be readily available on a public GitHub repository, ensuring transparency and collaboration.
• Community Outreach: We will actively engage with the Cardano developer community through:Online forums and discussions to promote the use of our SDK.
• Workshops and tutorials to educate developers on integrating ADA payments.
• Project Catalyst Report: Upon project completion, a comprehensive report will be submitted to Project Catalyst, detailing the impact, key learnings, and future development possibilities.

[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?

Building trust and accountability is paramount to the success of KURAT TECH. Here's how we ensure a high-quality, feasible project:

Team Expertise:

• Technical Expertise: Our team consists of experienced developers with a strong understanding of mobile payment systems, blockchain technology (specifically Cardano), and open-source development methodologies.
• Regional Knowledge: We have team members with deep insight into the Ethiopian entertainment industry and its payment limitations. This ensures the project caters to the specific needs of Ethiopian viewers and content creators.

Validation and Feasibility:

• Proof of Concept Development: Before full-scale development, we will create a functional prototype of the mobile payment SDK to validate its technical feasibility and user experience.
• Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Cardano developer community through online forums and discussions to gather feedback on our approach and identify potential challenges.
• Technical Review: We plan to involve a Cardano blockchain expert to review the code and ensure it adheres to security best practices.

Accountability and Transparency:

• Project Management: We will utilize established project management tools and methodologies to track progress, manage resources effectively, and maintain clear communication with stakeholders (Project Catalyst, Cardano community).
• Regular Reporting: We will provide regular progress reports to Project Catalyst, outlining milestones achieved, challenges encountered, and solutions implemented. This ensures transparency and accountability in how funds are utilized.
• Open-Source Development: By adopting an open-source approach, the project code is publicly available for scrutiny and collaboration. This fosters trust and allows the community to verify the project's integrity.

Existing Capabilities and Suitability:

• Passion and Commitment: Our team is passionate about fostering financial inclusion in Ethiopia and contributing to the Cardano ecosystem. This commitment fuels our dedication to delivering a high-quality and impactful project.

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

Project Kick-off and Core Development Foundation -2 Months (Month 1 & 2)

• Project team officially formed and roles assigned.
• Detailed project plan finalized, including timeline, resource allocation, and budget breakdown for the entire 8 months.
• Technical architecture and development environment established.
• Key functionalities of the SDK completed for initial alpha testing, including:User wallet integration for ADA payments.
• Secure in-app transaction processing framework.
• Unit testing of core functionalities initiated.
• Initial developer documentation drafted, outlining core functionalities.
• Completion of a risk assessment document outlining potential challenges and mitigation strategies.

Core SDK Functionality Completion - 3 Months (Month 3, 4 & 5)

• Completion of all core functionalities of the SDK, including:
• Enhanced merchant integration features.
• Error handling and security protocols.
• Unit testing of all functionalities completed.
• Comprehensive developer documentation finalized, including API reference and integration guide.

Beta Testing and Refinement - 2 Months (Month 6 & 7)

• Beta testing conducted with real-world Ethiopian entertainment applications.
• Feedback from beta testers incorporated to refine the SDK and address identified issues.
• Integration documentation updated based on beta testing results.
• User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) improvements based on beta tester feedback.

Public Release, Community Building, and Project Completion - 1 Month (Month 8)

• Official public release of the open-source mobile payment SDK.
• Deployment of the SDK on relevant developer repositories (e.g., GitHub).
• Development of a community outreach strategy targeting Ethiopian app developers.
• Launch of a communication channel (e.g., forum) to support developers using the SDK.
• Completion of a comprehensive Project Close-out Report, including:Summary of project achievements against goals.
• Detailed financial breakdown of ADA usage.
• Lessons learned and recommendations for future development.
• Creation of a final project video showcasing the SDK's functionality and impact.
• Final code review and bug fixing.

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

Transparency and accountability are key to our project. Here's our dedicated team:

1. Veronica Desta (Project Lead) and (Community Outreach):

• linkedin.com/in/veronica-desta
• I will oversee the entire project lifecycle, ensuring it meets deadlines, stays within budget, and delivers the proposed mobile payment SDK. I will be the primary point of contact for Project Catalyst and the Cardano community.
• I will manage communication and engagement with the Cardano developer community through online forums and workshops. This fosters collaboration and gathers valuable feedback throughout the project.

2. Gemechis(Technical Developer):

• linkedin.com/in/gemechis-elias
• will be responsible for leading the development of the mobile payment SDK.

3.Naol(Technical Developer):

• Ensuring the mobile payment SDK adheres to Cardano blockchain protocols and security best practices.

4.Daniel(Regional Expert):

• linkedin.com/in/daniel-girma-b15003144
• will provide their expertise on the Ethiopian entertainment industry and user needs, ensuring the SDK caters to the specific needs of Ethiopian viewers and content creators.

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

Project Stage 1: Project Kick-Off (67,000 ADA)

• Resources:Personnel:
• Developers (60,000 ADA)
• Technical architecture & environment setup (20,000 ADA)
• Initial SDK functionalities & unit testing (40,000 ADA)
• Security Professional (5,000 ADA)
• Risk assessment document creation
• Documentation Tools (2,000 ADA)
• Subscription to online collaboration platform
• Cloud Storage (for code repository) (Consider cost-effective options)

Project Stage 2: Core SDK Functionality Completion (54,000 ADA)

• Resources:Personnel:
• Developers (40,000 ADA)
• Enhanced merchant integration features (20,000 ADA)
• Error handling & security protocol implementation (20,000 ADA)
• Documentation (14,000 ADA)
• Unit testing completion for all functionalities
• Comprehensive developer documentation (API reference & integration guide)

Project Stage 3: Beta Testing and Refinement (45,000 ADA)

• Resources:Beta Testing (20,000 ADA)
• Conducted with real-world Ethiopian entertainment applications
• Refinement & Documentation Update (15,000 ADA)
• User Interface/Experience (UI/UX) Improvements (10,000 ADA)

Project Stage 4: Public Release, Community Building, and Project Completion (9,000 ADA)

• Resources:Developer Support Channel (2,000 ADA)
• 
  

Launch of communication forum (e.g., forum)

• Project Close-Out Report (5,000 ADA)
• Project achievements summary against goals
• Final project video showcasing functionalities & impact
• Final Code Review & Bug Fixing (2,000 ADA)
• 
  

Total Requested ADA: 175,000 ADA

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

Value for Money: Cardano Mobile Payment SDK Project

The proposed budget of 175,000 ADA represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by fostering financial inclusion, developer empowerment, and wider ADA adoption within the Ethiopian entertainment industry. Here's how:

Cost Justification:

• Personnel Costs: The compensation rates for the project lead and developers are based on research on typical Cardano developer rates and adjusted for project complexity.
• Marketing and Outreach: Costs for marketing materials translation and social media advertising are estimated based on average market rates for such services in Ethiopia. Developer conference participation is help full for investigate new things, and the estimated cost considers potential travel and booth fees.
• Transparency: We will utilize project management tools to track time spent on various tasks and resource allocation. This data will be used for transparent reporting on ADA usage.

Value Proposition:

• Financial Inclusion: The developed SDK will empower Ethiopian viewers to seamlessly access entertainment content through secure ADA payments, promoting financial inclusion for those who may lack traditional financial services.
• Developer Empowerment: The open-source nature of the SDK empowers Ethiopian app developers by providing a readily available solution for integrating ADA payments into their applications, reducing development time and costs. This fosters innovation within the Ethiopian mobile entertainment landscape.
• Wider ADA Adoption: By enabling ADA payments within Ethiopian entertainment apps, the project expands the use case for ADA beyond its core functionalities. This demonstrates real-world applicability and promotes wider adoption within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Cost-Effectiveness: The requested grant amount is strategically allocated to achieve project goals. The open-source approach leverages community contributions for long-term maintenance and development, maximizing the project's impact on the Cardano ecosystem.

Additional Considerations:

• The potential long-term impact on the Ethiopian entertainment industry and the growth of the Cardano developer community in Ethiopia is difficult to quantify but holds significant value.
• Successful project completion strengthens Cardano's reputation for fostering innovation and social impact, attracting further investment and developers to the ecosystem.