Scaffold-Cardano: Accelerating Cardano dApp Development, Robust Development framework inspired by the success of Scaffold-ETH

[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)

We will create a platfrom providing ready-to-use templates, smart contract examples, and integrated tools to simplify DApp development, reducing costs and accelerating

DApp creation on Cardano.

[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

License:

• License Type: MIT License
• Reason: The MIT License is permissive and widely used, allowing anyone to freely use, modify, and distribute the code, promoting collaboration and innovation within the Cardano community.

Open Source Repository:

• Repository Platform: GitHub
• Access: The code will be hosted on a publicly accessible GitHub repository from the onset of the project.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG Goals

- Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

- SDG Subgoals

- Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our project, "Scaffold-Cardano," aims to alleviate the challenges faced by developers working with Cardano's smart contracts. Recognizing the steep learning curve and the lack of comprehensive development tools, we plan to build a robust framework that streamlines the dApp development process on Cardano.

Problem Perception:

Cardano's specialized smart contract languages and limited development tools create a significant barrier for developers, leading to increased costs, extended development times, and slower innovation.

Approach:

Inspired by the success of Scaffold-ETH, we will provide:

1. Ready-to-Use Templates: Pre-built templates for common dApp functionalities.
2. Smart Contract Examples: Example contracts to reduce learning time.
3. User-Friendly Frontend: A frontend interface that integrates seamlessly with Plutus,Aiken etc.
4. Integrated Development Tools: Tools to facilitate testing, deployment, and debugging.

Engagement:

Our project will engage:

• New Developers: By lowering the entry barrier with user-friendly tools.
• Experienced Developers: By providing efficient tools to speed up the development process.
• Cardano Ecosystem: By fostering innovation and encouraging a wider range of dApps.

Impact Demonstration:

We will measure our impact through:

• Developer Adoption: Tracking the number of developers using Scaffold-Cardano.
• dApp Deployment Speed: Monitoring the time reduction in dApp development cycles.
• Community Feedback: Collecting feedback from developers to continuously improve the framework.

Uniqueness and Importance:

Scaffold-Cardano is unique in its comprehensive approach, combining templates, examples, and tools tailored specifically for Cardano. This solution will benefit developers by simplifying the development process, reducing costs, and accelerating the creation of innovative dApps, thereby significantly enhancing the Cardano ecosystem. This is crucial for Cardano's growth, as it will attract more developers and diversify the range of applications available on the platform.

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

Value to the Cardano Community:

Our project will significantly enhance the Cardano ecosystem by:

1. Lowering Entry Barriers: Simplifying the development process for new developers, increasing participation.
2. Accelerating Innovation: Reducing development time and costs, encouraging the creation of diverse and innovative dApps.
3. Strengthening the Ecosystem: Providing tools and resources that support the growth and diversification of the Cardano dApp ecosystem.

Measurement of Impact:

1. Quantitative Metrics:

• Developer Adoption Rate: Tracking the number of developers who download and use Scaffold-Cardano.
• dApp Deployment Increase: Measuring the number of dApps developed and deployed using Scaffold-Cardano.
• Development Time Reduction: Monitoring the average time saved in dApp development.

1. Qualitative Metrics:

• User Feedback: Collecting feedback from developers regarding the usability and effectiveness of Scaffold-Cardano.
• Community Engagement: Assessing participation in forums, workshops, and webinars related to Scaffold-Cardano.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

1. Documentation and Tutorials:

• We will provide comprehensive documentation and step-by-step tutorials to ensure developers can easily use Scaffold-Cardano.
• Platform: Available on our website and GitHub repository.

1. Community Workshops and Webinars:

• We will conduct regular workshops and webinars to demonstrate the capabilities of Scaffold-Cardano and gather feedback.
• Platform: Hosted on platforms like Zoom or YouTube Live, with recordings shared on social media and the Cardano Forum.

1. Open-Source Repository:

• Scaffold-Cardano will be open-source, allowing developers to contribute and collaborate on its continuous improvement.
• Platform: Available on GitHub for easy access and contribution.

1. Partnerships and Collaborations:

• We will collaborate with educational institutions, developer communities, and Cardano-focused organizations to promote Scaffold-Cardano and integrate it into learning curricula.
• Platform: Engaging with partners through joint events, co-authored content, and integration projects.

By providing these resources and engagement opportunities, Scaffold-Cardano aims to foster a vibrant and dynamic developer community, ultimately driving the growth and success of the Cardano blockchain.

[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?

Capability to Deliver with High Trust and Accountability

Demonstrated Expertise:

• Experienced Team: Our team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds in blockchain technology, smart contract development, and decentralized application (dApp) creation, particularly within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Successful Track Record: We have a proven track record of delivering complex blockchain projects, evidenced by previous successful deployments and positive client testimonials.

Project Management and Execution:

• Structured Project Plan: A detailed project plan outlines clear milestones, deliverables, and timelines, ensuring systematic progress and accountability at every stage.
• Agile Development Methodology: We employ an agile development approach, allowing for iterative progress, continuous feedback integration, and flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.

Financial Management and Accountability:

• Transparent Budgeting: We provide a comprehensive budget breakdown, detailing the allocation of funds across various project components, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Regular Financial Reporting: We commit to regular financial reporting, detailing expenditures and budget adherence, providing stakeholders with clear insights into fund utilization.

Quality Assurance and Feasibility Validation:

• Rigorous Testing Protocols: We will implement stringent testing protocols, including unit tests, integration tests, and beta testing, to validate the functionality and reliability of Scaffold-Cardano.
• Stakeholder Feedback Integration: Feedback from beta testers and the developer community will be systematically collected and integrated, ensuring the framework meets user needs and expectations.

Risk Management:

• Comprehensive Risk Assessment: We conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential challenges and develop mitigation strategies, ensuring proactive issue resolution.
• Contingency Planning: Detailed contingency plans are in place to address unforeseen issues, ensuring project continuity and resilience.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Open Communication Channels: We maintain open lines of communication with the Cardano community, providing regular updates and soliciting feedback to ensure alignment with community needs.
• Collaborative Partnerships: We seek to establish partnerships with key stakeholders, including developer communities and Cardano-focused organizations, to enhance project credibility and support.

Governance and Compliance:

• Adherence to Best Practices: We adhere to industry best practices in project governance, ensuring ethical management and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Independent Audits: We will engage third-party auditors to review code and project processes, providing an additional layer of trust and accountability.

Documentation and Transparency:

• Comprehensive Documentation: We will provide detailed documentation, including technical guides, user manuals, and project reports, ensuring transparency and ease of use for developers.
• Publicly Accessible Resources: All project-related resources, including code repositories and documentation, will be made publicly accessible to foster transparency and community trust.

By leveraging our expertise, structured project management approach, and commitment to transparency and quality, we are well-equipped to deliver Scaffold-Cardano with high levels of trust and accountability, ensuring it meets the needs of the Cardano developer community and enhances the ecosystem.

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

Project Planning and Design(15% of the budget)

• Description:
• Establish a clear and detailed plan which includes defining the project’s scope, objectives, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Create a detailed design specifications and system architecture to guide the creation of the framework, ensuring all components and functionalities are well-defined and aligned with project goals.
• Milestone Outputs:
• Detailed project plan.
• Comprehensive design specifications and system architecture
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Project plan covers scope, timelines, and resources.
• Design specifications and System architecture are clear and complete.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Documented project plan.
• Published design documents.

Development of Core Framework(20% of the budget)

• Description:
• Develop core functionalities, includes creating ready-to-use templates for common dApp functionalities, developing example smart contracts tailored to Cardano’s Smart contract language(Plutus,Aiken..), and building a user-friendly Frontend interface that integrates seamlessly with these templates and contracts.
• Milestone Outputs:
• Ready-to-use templates.
• Example smart contracts.
• User-friendly frontend interface.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Templates and contracts are functional and tested.
• Frontend is intuitive and integrates with Cardano smart contract language(Plutus,Aiken..).
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Code repository with templates and examples.
• Demo of front-end interface.

Integration of Development Tools (20% of the budget)

• Description:
• Focus on enhancing the framework by integrating essential development tools. These tools will include a comprehensive testing framework, deployment tools for seamless dApp launch, and debugging tools to identify and resolve issues efficiently. The goal is to provide a complete toolkit that simplifies and accelerates the development process.
• Milestone Outputs:
• Testing framework.
• Deployment tools.
• Debugging tools.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Tools are integrated and tested for functionality.
• Documentation for using tools is provided.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Functional tools in code repository.
• User guide for tools.

Beta Testing and Feedback (15% of the budget)

• Description: Release a beta version to a selected group of developers for testing. During this phase, extensive feedback will be gathered on the framework’s usability, functionality, and performance. This feedback will be analyzed and used to refine and optimize the framework, ensuring it meets the needs of the developer community.

• Milestone Outputs:
• Beta version release.
• Feedback report.
• Refined framework.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Beta version is stable and usable.
• Feedback is collected and addressed.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Beta version available for download.
• Feedback summary and implementation report.

Security Audit, Official Launch and Promotion(20% of the budget)

• Description: Following successful beta testing and refinement, Scaffold-Cardano's smart contract will be audited and officially launched to the public. This milestone includes the release of the final version of the framework, along with a comprehensive promotional campaign to raise awareness and encourage adoption within the Cardano Developer community. Marketing materials and outreach efforts will be deployed to highlight the framework’s benefits and capabilities.

• Milestone Outputs:
• Official launch of Scaffold-Cardano.
• Marketing materials and promotions.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Framework is publicly accessible.
• Promotional activities are executed.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Public launch announcement.
• Marketing campaign reports.

Post-Launch Support and Maintenance(10% of the budget)

• Description:
• After the official launch, ongoing support and maintenance will be provided to ensure Scaffold-Cardano remains effective and up-to-date. This includes establishing support channels for user assistance, releasing regular updates and enhancements based on user feedback and technological advancements, and maintaining comprehensive documentation to support continuous user engagement and satisfaction.
• Milestone Outputs:
• Ongoing support channels.
• Regular updates and enhancements.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Support system is active.
• Updates are released periodically.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Documentation of support channels.
• Changelog with updates and improvements.

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

 1: Lekun Ejigu - Blockchain Developer, Backend and Devops | Top Talent Freelancer

• Back-end development.
• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• Upwork account
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate
• 
• 
  
• Role: Lekun is responsible for the Smart contract development, DevOps aspects within the project.

2: Dawit Mekonnen - Blockchain Developer,Web Developer and Project Manager

• Fullstack developer | Node.js | React | svelte | Next.js | sveltekit | Postgress | Typescript | Docker
• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• GitHub: github account
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate

• projects:
• Svelte faces
• Canvas Text
• Role: Responsible for web development, focusing on Web-development, UI/UX design and implementation. Dawit brings expertise in creating an intuitive and engaging user interface.

3: Martereza Eshetu: Project Manager | Technical Lead | Blockchain Strategist

• Role: Oversees the project's execution, manages resources, and ensures timely delivery.
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA)

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

Milestone 1: Project Planning and Design

• Project Planning:
• Resource Cost: 5,000 ADA (Project Manager,Third Party Tools for Project Management and Planning)
• Design Specifications:
• Resource Cost: 10,000 ADA (Lead Developer and Designer, 1 month)

Total Cost: 15000 ADA

Milestone 2: Development of Core Framework

• Templates Development:
• Resource Cost: 10,000 ADA (Smart Contract Developer)
• Smart Contract Examples:
• Resource Cost: 8,000 ADA (Smart Contract Developer)
• Front-end Interface Development:
• Resource Cost: 7,000 ADA (Front-end Developer)

Total Cost: 25000 ADA

Milestone 3: Integration of Development Tools

• Testing Framework:
• Resource Cost: 5000 ADA (QA Engineer)
• Deployment Tools:
• Resource Cost: 8,000 ADA(Developers & DevOps Engineer)
• Debugging Tools:
• Resource Cost: 7,000 ADA(Developers)

Total Cost: 20000 ADA

Milestone 4: Beta Testing and Feedback

• Beta Testing Coordination:
• Resource Cost: 3,000 ADA (Project Manager)
• Server and Hosting Costs:
• Resource Cost: 4000 ADA
• Feedback Collection and Analysis:
• Resource Cost: 6,000 ADA (Support Team,Feedback Collection Tools)
• Refinement Based on Feedback:
• Resource Cost: 7,000 ADA (Developers)

Total Cost: 20000 ADA

Milestone 5: Official Launch and Promotion

• Launch Preparation:
• Resource Cost: 3,000 ADA (Project Manager, 1 month)
• Security Audit:
• Resource Cost: 9,000 ADA(Third Party Audit Firms)
• Marketing and Promotion:
• Resource Cost: 6,000 ADA (Marketing Team, 1 month)
• Community Engagement:
• Resource Cost: 2,000 ADA (Community Manager, 1 month)

Total Cost: 20000 ADA

Final Milestone: Post-Launch Support and Maintenance

• Ongoing Support:
• Resource Cost: 5,000 ADA( Support Team, ongoing)
• Regular Updates:
• Resource Cost: 5,000 ADA (Developers, ongoing)
• Documentation Updates:
• Resource Cost: 2,000 ADA (Technical Writer, ongoing)

Total Cost: 15,000

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

The costs associated with this project have been meticulously evaluated and justified, ensuring that the Cardano ecosystem receives substantial value for the investment. The following key points substantiate the project’s value for money:

Comprehensive Solution:

• Scope and Impact: Scaffold-Cardano encompasses all critical aspects of decentralized application (dApp) development, from initial planning and design to post-launch support, creating a robust and user-friendly framework.
• Ecosystem Enhancement: By streamlining the development process, the project will attract a larger pool of developers, enhancing the diversity and vibrancy of the Cardano dApp ecosystem.

Justification of Costs:

• Market-Driven Rates: The budget is based on industry-standard compensation for developers, project managers, and marketing professionals, ensuring a balance between competitive remuneration and high-quality output.
• Third-Party Services: Expenditures on code auditing and software licenses are crucial for maintaining security and compliance, which are essential for the reliability and credibility of the framework.

Cost Breakdown:

• Development Expenditures:
• Encompasses the creation of templates, smart contracts, and a user-friendly frontend, foundational elements that reduce barriers to entry and expedite dApp development.
• Testing and Tool Integration:
• Essential for ensuring the robustness, reliability, and usability of the framework, thereby enhancing developer productivity and minimizing errors.
• Marketing and Launch Initiatives:
• Vital for promoting Scaffold-Cardano and engaging the community, facilitating widespread adoption and awareness within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Ongoing Support and Maintenance:
• Ensures the framework’s continuous improvement, user support, and compliance with evolving standards, thereby maintaining its relevance and utility.

Efficiency and ROI:

• Developer Time and Cost Savings: By offering ready-to-use templates and integrated tools, Scaffold-Cardano significantly reduces development time and costs, providing a high return on investment for developers.
• Increased Ecosystem Adoption: The simplified development process is expected to lead to higher adoption rates, fostering a more extensive and active developer community.

Long-Term Benefits:

• Stimulating Innovation: The project will encourage innovation by facilitating easier prototyping and launching of new ideas, contributing to the overall growth and diversification of the Cardano ecosystem.
• Sustainability: With continuous support and regular updates, Scaffold-Cardano is poised to remain a valuable resource for developers, ensuring its long-term sustainability and ongoing value.

Supporting Evidence:

• Industry Benchmarks: The project’s budget aligns with typical freelance and professional rates in the software development industry, ensuring competitive and fair compensation.
• Expertise and Experience: The project team’s expertise in blockchain and dApp development guarantees efficient resource utilization and high-quality outcomes.