ODIN - Mentors Network to increase success of funded proposals

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

ODIN Community

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

6

[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)

Build a diverse network of mentors to support funded projects and help them deliver on their projects and grow their business and impact.

[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

This proposal will not produce any computer code, so Open Source does not apply.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is to establish a Mentors Network within the Open Decentralized Innovation Network (ODIN) that enhances collaboration, support, and growth for funded proposals in Project Catalyst.

See for more information on ODIN: https://linktr.ee/odininitiative

This initiative will feature experienced mentors proficient in business mentoring, best of class collaboration methodologies, and well developed networks of people and resources to address the various needs of innovators within the network.

Approach Rationale:

The integration of best of class collaboration patterns facilitates participatory decision-making and equitable involvement, which is vital in a decentralized setting like the Catalyst community that expresses a value of collaboration. Social governance boosts collaboration and steering to be steady-state, daily or weekly rhythmic rituals, building habits and strengthening development of interpersonal culture. These principles provide a frame for continuous improvement.

By combining these principles with traditional business mentoring, we provide a holistic, collaborative support system that covers strategic planning, leadership, market analysis, and networking. This dual approach ensures that members receive comprehensive guidance, helping them to refine their business models, navigate market challenges, and enhance their leadership capabilities alongside their technical and collaborative skills.

Engagement and Impact:

The ODIN Mentors Network will actively engage the Catalyst community members at various project stages, offering tailored support that is directly applicable to their immediate needs. This practical integration into their decision-making processes ensures real-time learning and adaptation. We will measure the impact through enhanced project outcomes, increased member engagement, and feedback, as well as the success rate of projects scaling up within the network.

Uniqueness and Benefits to Cardano:

This solution uniquely combines best of class collaborative frameworks with established business mentoring practices, specifically tailored for decentralized projects from within Cardano’s cultural frame. It supports project success and personal and professional development for its members, contributing to a stronger, more resilient Cardano ecosystem. By equipping members with the tools to succeed in a competitive market, this initiative helps solidify Cardano’s position as a leader in fostering innovative and sustainable growth in the blockchain sector.

We’re excited to create an open advisory program that Cardano projects can use to magnify their potential.  

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

The Mentors Network within the Open Decentralized Innovation Network (ODIN) will significantly enhance the Cardano community's ability to foster innovative and impactful decentralized projects. This initiative will provide robust mentorship by combining best of class collaboration principles with comprehensive business mentoring, thereby enriching community expertise and promoting sustainable project development.

Value to the Cardano Community:

1. Enhanced Project Success: By supporting the Catalyst community with targeted advice and strategic insight, projects are more likely to succeed and contribute positively to the ecosystem, driving adoption and innovation within Cardano.
2. Community Skill Development: The mentorship provided will elevate the overall skill level within the community, creating a pool of knowledgeable individuals who can contribute to various Cardano projects and initiatives.
3. Network Strengthening: As members become more competent and projects more viable, the network effect will strengthen, attracting more users and developers to the Cardano ecosystem.

[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?

Impact Measurement:

1. Quantitative Metrics: We will track the number of projects successfully launched, the rate of project completion, funding acquired by mentored projects, and growth in the Catalyst community membership.
2. Qualitative Assessments: Feedback from participants will be gathered through surveys focusing on mentorship effectiveness, improvements in project management skills, and overall satisfaction with the support received.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

1. Regular Reporting: Progress reports will be shared with the community through Cardano forums, newsletters, and during community calls, ensuring transparency and ongoing engagement.
2. Workshops and Webinars: Findings, success stories, and lessons learned will be disseminated through online workshops and webinars open to the entire Cardano community, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
3. Open Resources: All materials developed, such as best practices, guides, and case studies, will be made freely available to the Cardano community, ensuring that the benefits of the Mentors Network are accessible to all.

Through these measures, the project aims to directly support the Catalyst community members and contribute broadly to the growth and resilience of the Cardano ecosystem.

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

To enhance the structure and effectiveness of the Mentors Network within the Open Decentralized Innovation Network (ODIN), the following revised milestones incorporate regular mentor community meetings and a focus on the network’s ability to connect members with resources and opportunities:

Milestone 1: Infrastructure Setup and Initial Mentor Assembly

• Description: Establish the operational and organizational framework for the Mentors Network. This includes recruiting and onboarding mentors, developing initial educational materials, and setting up communication and collaboration platforms.
• Outputs: Mentor team established, initial set of educational resources ready, communication systems operational.
• Acceptance Criteria: All mentors are contracted and have completed an onboarding process, educational materials are available for use, and communication platforms are fully functional with initial user guides.

Milestone 2: Launch and First Mentor Community Meeting

• Description: Officially launch the mentorship program with an inaugural community meeting to foster network building and ensure alignment of goals. Begin promotional activities to engage the Catalyst funded proposer community and host the first series of mentorship workshops.
• Outputs: First mentor community meeting held, promotional campaign executed, initial workshops conducted.
• Acceptance Criteria: Successful hosting of the first mentor community meeting, completion of the promotional campaign with measurable engagement metrics, and positive feedback (average rating of 4 out of 5 or higher) from workshop participants.

Milestone 3: Resource Mapping and Integration of Feedback

• Description: Collect feedback from initial mentoring sessions and integrate this feedback to refine the program. Begin developing a comprehensive resource directory to assist Catalyst community members in accessing necessary tools, expertise, and opportunities.
• Outputs: Feedback report, updated mentoring strategies, initial resource directory developed.
• Acceptance Criteria: Feedback obtained from at least 80% of participants, substantive adjustments made to the program based on feedback, and resource directory launched with positive initial user feedback.

Milestone 4: Expansion of and Second Mentor Community Meeting

• Description: Conduct advanced mentorship sessions and hold a second mentor community meeting to evaluate the progress, share resources, and strategize on future directions. Expand the mentorship offerings based on emerging needs and feedback.
• Outputs: Advanced workshops delivered, second mentor community meeting conducted, expansion of mentorship topics.
• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of advanced workshops with a satisfaction rating of at least 4.5 out of 5, successful second mentor community meeting with actionable outcomes, and introduction of at least two new mentorship topics received positively by the community.

Final Milestone: Comprehensive Program Evaluation and Strategy Formulation

• Description: Perform a thorough evaluation of the Mentors Networks impact on the Catalyst community. Develop a detailed report on outcomes, lessons learned, and provide a strategy for sustainable growth and replication of the mentorship model.
• Outputs: Comprehensive evaluation report, strategic plan for future cycles.
• Acceptance Criteria: Evaluation report demonstrates that the program met or exceeded initial objectives, with strategic recommendations endorsed by stakeholders for future implementation and scalability.

These milestones ensure that the Mentors Network not only delivers on its promise of fostering innovation and collaboration but also builds a sustainable and resource-rich environment that continually supports the needs and aspirations of the Cardano community.

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

Yoram Ben Zvi - Mentor Lead

Yoram has over 20 years of experience in strategy, partnerships, and investor relations within the technology industry. He has a strong focus on combining impact and business and has worked with an NGO focused on sustainable business models across agriculture supply chains. Yoram has been very active on Cardano and Catalyst for over three years supporting the ecosystem growth and onboarding web 2 companies to Cardano. He plays a crucial role in coordinating ecosystem and business model development.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoram-ben-zvi-446836/

Nori Nishigaya - Network Facilitator

Nori is is a co-founder the Andamio and ODIN (Open Decentralized Innovation Network). He is also the founder of the Salmon Nation Decentralised Alliance (SANADA) and co-founder of Bridge Builders. He organizes meetups and events as a Cardano Ambassador, and is a serially funded proposer. Nori brings over 30 years of experience in software development, agile methodologies, leadership in managing teams, and founding and running technology startups. His passion is discovering governance and organizational best practices for radically decentralized and self-managed communities through experimentation and hands-on practice.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishigaya/ 

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

To effectively implement the Mentors Network for the Open Decentralized Innovation Network (ODIN) and ensure its success, a detailed budget has been outlined. The total funding requested from the Cardano Catalyst Fund is 100,000 ADA. Here is the breakdown of the proposed costs:

1. Personnel Costs:

• Mentors' Honorarium: 45,000 ADA
• Payment for mentors who will provide personalized guidance and workshops to ODIN members.
• Project Management: 15,000 ADA
• Compensation for project management tasks, including coordination of mentoring activities, scheduling, and participant outreach.

2. Development and Operational Expenses:

• Educational Materials and Resources: 10,000 ADA
• Creation of guides, best practice documents, and training materials.
• Technology and Tools: 5,000 ADA
• Subscription to collaboration platforms, webinar tools, and other digital resources to facilitate remote mentoring and workshops.

3. Marketing and Community Engagement:

• Outreach and Promotion: 10,000 ADA
• Marketing activities to increase awareness and participation in the mentoring program within the Cardano community.
• Event Hosting: 5,000 ADA
• Costs associated with organizing virtual workshops and webinars, including technology setup and operational support.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Impact Assessment: 5,000 ADA
• Development and deployment of surveys, data collection tools, and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the mentorship program.

5. Contingency Fund:

• Miscellaneous and Unforeseen Costs: 5,000 ADA
• Reserved for unexpected expenses or adjustments based on evolving project needs.

This budget is structured to ensure that the Mentors Network is effectively supported to achieve its goals, provide value to ODIN members, and contribute positively to the broader Cardano ecosystem. By investing in comprehensive mentorship and professional development, this initiative will help foster innovation, growth, and success across the Cardano community.

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

The proposed budget for the Mentors Network within the Open Decentralized Innovation Network (ODIN) is designed to maximize value for the Cardano ecosystem by leveraging a modest investment of 100,000 ADA to yield significant returns in terms of community development, project success rates, and the proliferation of blockchain knowledge and skills. Here’s how the cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem:

1. Leveraging Expertise:

• By allocating a substantial portion of the budget to honoraria for experienced mentors, we are investing in high-quality, proven expertise that can drastically accelerate the development and success of projects within the Cardano community. This direct infusion of knowledge and skills promotes a higher standard of project execution and innovation.

2. Sustainable Community Building:

• The funding devoted to community engagement and promotional activities will enhance visibility and participation in the mentorship program, creating a self-sustaining cycle of learning and mentorship as project participants become future mentors. This extends the value of the initial investment far beyond the immediate beneficiaries.

3. Scalability and Replicability:

• Costs allocated to developing educational materials and hosting events ensure that the resources created will be reusable and can serve as a framework for future mentorship initiatives. This not only scales the impact of the current investment but also provides a blueprint for other communities within the Cardano ecosystem to replicate success.

4. Focused Impact Assessment:

• Investment in monitoring and evaluation tools will provide detailed feedback and data on the program’s effectiveness, guiding continuous improvement and ensuring that resources are used efficiently. This creates a feedback loop that maximizes the return on investment by constantly refining the approach based on real-world data.

5. Risk Management through Contingency Funds:

• By setting aside funds for unforeseen costs, the project mitigates potential risks that could inflate costs or derail project objectives. This proactive approach ensures that the project remains on track and delivers expected outcomes without requiring additional funding.

The budget for the Mentors Network is purposefully designed to ensure that the budget allows for sustainable participation of the mentors and project managers to fulfil the goal of the proposal which enhances the capabilities of the Cardano community, fosters a culture of professional growth and innovation, and provides a model for effective community-driven project support. The anticipated improvements in project success rates and community skill levels represent a significant return on investment that will benefit the Cardano ecosystem for years to come.