Cardano Enterprise Solutions (CES)

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Sacha Windisch

[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)

3

[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)

Cardano Enterprise Solutions: A proactive team driving adoption by engaging key web3, web2, and industry leaders, bridging ecosystems, and turbo-boosting commercial opportunities and ecosystem growth.

[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

The Cardano Task Force project focuses on strategic partnerships, business development, and ecosystem engagement rather than software development. As such, there is no code involved, making the concept of open sourcing irrelevant at this stage. However, we highly value the principles of open source and are committed to ensuring that if specific technologies or tools are developed during the course of our work, we will open source them. This approach ensures transparency and collaboration within the Cardano ecosystem, aligning with our commitment to contributing to the community's growth and innovation.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Solution:

Cardano Enterprise Solutions (CES) is a brand designed to drive enterprise adoption of Cardano. Backed by experienced professionals, including two former Partnerships Senior Managers from the Cardano Foundation, CES actively pursues integration and commercial opportunities while serving as a trusted source of information.

• Our team will facilitate onboarding, grant applications, funding, strategy, and execution to build commercial partnerships and ensure self-sufficiency without relying on Catalyst grants.

• The CES website will consolidate key information enterprises need to make informed decisions about blockchain integration and investment, including frequently asked questions about regulation, technology, business, and risks. 

• Our initial approach is already validated by the 5 projects we are bringing to Catalyst Fund 12:

1. TRAKX: will develop thematic indices for Cardano native tokens and facilitating institutional access.
2. Frens Protocol: a one of a kind technology that will simplify Cardano transfers by enabling crypto and fiat exchanges via links, which removes the need for complex wallet setups.
3. Palisade: will work on the integration of ADA and Cardano native assets for custody and tokenization on the Palisade Custody Platform.
4. Redefind: will bring open-source crytpo recovery insurance for retail and institutional investors to Cardano users and projects
5. Spaciom: will shape the future of brand experience and e-commerce by developing a framework for 3D immersive experiences & e-commerce tools in collaboration with top global brands and creators.

These initiatives exemplify our capacity to engage with and support projects that will have a significant impact on Cardano's adoption and utilization across various industries and verticals. We are also relying on a rich pipeline of additional projects to further drive this momentum.

Problem Perception:

Cardano, despite its advanced technology and supportive community, struggles with underutilization and adoption compared to other Layer 1 blockchains. There is a critical need for strategic outreach and integration with broader markets, verticals and players, shifting the focus from mere education to active business development. 

Our Approach: We are a team of business development and strategic partnership experts dedicated to Cardano's long-term goals. This approach leverages our strategic independence, deep industry connections, and blockchain expertise to drive adoption.

• Strategic Independence: Operate without perceived biases, making decisions that best serve the Cardano ecosystem.

• Deep Industry Connections: Utilize extensive networks within Cardano, other blockchains, and traditional industries to foster impactful collaborations.

• Blockchain Ecosystem Expertise: Apply our understanding of blockchain adoption drivers to implement effective strategies.

Engagement Strategy:

• Target Web3 Startups: Engage early and later-stage startups to quickly adapt and integrate new technologies. Example: Frens Protocol, Palisade

• Expand to Web2 and Legacy Industries: Engage with established companies and sectors (e.g., healthcare, finance) that can benefit from blockchain integration. Example: Trakx.io

• Support Through Ecosystem Builders: Collaborate with incubators, VCs, and business angels to foster innovation within Cardano.

Demonstrating and Proving Impact:

• Quantitative Metrics: Track projects engaged by industry and stage, monitoring increased on-chain activity.

• Advocacy and Visibility: Maintain active social media (X) and publish articles to showcase Cardano's benefits and innovations.

Unique Skillset:

Our team comprises two former senior managers from the Cardano Foundation with backgrounds in computer science, project management, and management consulting. With experience at institutions like Goldman Sachs, the Bank of England, and AT Kearney, we are strategically positioned across North America and Europe to reach major markets effectively.

We bridge blockchain and industry, facilitating project builds on Cardano and porting projects from other platforms.

Importance to Cardano:

Our solution addresses Cardano's market reach and ecosystem diversity limitations. By bringing in strategically selected business partners and projects, as the ones mentioned above, we enhance Cardano's technological robustness and commercial viability. This strategic expansion is crucial as we move towards seamlessly integrating blockchain solutions into mainstream industries through account abstraction, ensuring Cardano's reputation and utility across various sectors.

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

Cardano Enterprise Solutions’ (CES) mission is to bridge innovation to industry. We aim to take the best of Cardano's technological innovations and bring them to industries in need of traceability and authenticity solutions.

The wider Cardano community will be at the forefront of our plans to foster adoption by managing commercial relationships between the ecosystem's technical innovators and traditional industries seeking partners.

We will communicate our progress via social media channels and a regular newsletter to subscribers. Exponential Partners will publish financial accounts and provide specific updates on Cardano Enterprise Solutions.

Value to the Cardano Community:

Our project is strategically positioned to catalyze adoption during the critical recovery phase following a challenging crypto winter. 

We've engaged with prominent projects - inside the Cardano ecosystem and beyond - that recognize the necessity of our initiative—they see the intrinsic value we add, but lack the resources to implement similar strategies internally. 

By outsourcing these strategic expansion efforts to our team, these entities can concentrate on their primary objectives, leveraging our expertise to facilitate growth and integration. This approach not only enhances their operational efficiency but also enriches the Cardano ecosystem with diverse and robust projects.

Measuring Impact:

• Project Engagement: Track the number of entities engaged, in the process of or successfully on boarded onto the Cardano platform.

• Growth Metrics: Monitor the increase in active projects on Cardano, using GitHub activity and new project launches as key indicators.

• Catalyst Participation: Number of projects we introduced to Catalyst currently seeking a grant as a direct measure of rising interest and engagement in the ecosystem.

• Transactional Activity: Analyze transaction volumes and other on-chain metrics to quantify increased activity and usage of the Cardano blockchain.

Communicating Success and Opportunities:

• Community Updates: Utilize social media, blogs, and community forums to announce progress and highlight successful integrations, creating a transparent and ongoing dialogue with the community.

• Sustained Engagement: Continuously scout and secure new opportunities for ecosystem growth.

• Co-marketing: a range of natural new co-marketing opportunities will arise from bringing these new actors to the Cardano space

[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?

Team Capabilities and Expertise:

The team consists of two former partnership managers from the Cardano Foundation, possessing comprehensive experience across Europe, Asia, MENA, and the Americas. We are strategically based in London and Montreal to provide global coverage, ensuring responsiveness across all time zones. Our team is deeply embedded in the Cardano ecosystem, with extensive connections including:

• Direct links with the founders and influential figures within the Cardano community.
• Strong relationships with key stakeholders and leading projects within the ecosystem.
• Recognition as trusted experts in Cardano's technology and strategic development.

Background and Experience:

Our academic credentials and professional experiences make us uniquely suited to spearhead this initiative:

• Academic Backgrounds: Finance from McGill University and Computer Science from University College London.
• Professional Experience: Our team members have held executive roles in management consulting, tech. entrepreneurship, equity derivatives trading, project management, technical integration, and strategic planning.
• Industry Exposure: We have a broad range of experience across sectors including blockchain, financial services, technology, manufacturing, retail, and real estate.
• Previous Employers: Our team has worked with top-tier institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, the Bank of England, AT Kearney, Cantor Fitzgerald, Cognizant, and directly within the Cardano Foundation.

Feasibility and Operational Readiness:

Our progress to date: We have been working on this initiative for the past 2 years, running testing on the value proposition and proving the model's viability.

• Major Projects Contact: We have established communication with >10 major projects in the Cardano ecosystem.
• Broader Network: We are actively engaging with 85 startups and industry players outside the Cardano ecosystem.
• Pipeline Companies: We have identified 14 companies in our pipeline ready to build on Cardano.
• Fund 12 Projects: we are bringing 5 new projects to Catalyst for this fund:

1. TRAKX: will develop thematic indices for Cardano native tokens and facilitating institutional access.
2. Redefind: will bring open-source crytpo recovery insurance for retail and institutional investors to Cardano users and projects
3. Frens Protocol: a one of a kind technology that will simplify Cardano transfers by enabling crypto and fiat exchanges via links, which removes the need for complex wallet setups.
4. Palisade: will work on the integration of ADA and Cardano native assets for custody and tokenization on the Palisade Custody Platform.
5. Spaciom: will shapethe future of brand experience and e-commerce by developing a framework for 3D immersive experiences & e-commerce tools in collaboration with top global brands and creators.

Visibility and Influence: Highlighted by our participation at significant industry events, such as:

• Invitation to speak at Paris Blockchain Week, where Sacha led discussions on blockchain adoption on the master stage.
• Invitation to the opening of Crypto AM summit 2022 Crypto AM Summit 2022 Day 1- where Riz gave a KeyNote speech
• The Landscape of Stablecoins: Development and Considerations, where Riz was Moderator of Panel at Cardano Summit 2023
• DeFi on Cardano, where Riz was moderator of the DeFi panel at Cardano Summit 2022

Engagement Metrics: Currently, we are actively engaging with various projects, with several already transitioning to build on Cardano and submitting proposals to Catalyst.

Managing Funds

• Our team possesses a proven track record of successfully managing project funds. We have consistently adhered to best practices in financial management, ensuring transparent budgeting, timely reporting, and accurate forecasting. With experience in handling similar projects (see our LinkedIn Profiles below), we've built strong internal controls, allowing us to maintain accountability and efficiency. Our previous projects have met or exceeded milestones and delivered substantial value, which demonstrates our reliability and commitment to responsibly allocate resources.

• Financial Projections: We will provide detailed financial projections that clearly state expected costs. These projections will be periodically reviewed and adjusted based on actual project progress and feedback, ensuring financial foresight and responsible budget management.

• Regular Reporting: We will implement reporting mechanisms to track and report on financial expenditures and project progress to all stakeholders. This will ensure that all spending is transparent and aligned with our project goals.

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

To effectively manage and track the progress of the Cardano Enterprise Solutions (CES) initiative, here are three detailed milestones that reflect the key stages of the project, specifying actions, deliverables, and evidence for each:

Milestone 1: Platform Development and Initial Engagement

Objective: Establish the foundational CES platform and begin engagement with initial key projects.

• Actions:
• Develop and launch the CES website with comprehensive resources about Cardano integration for enterprises.
• Pending Catalyst funding begin official collaborations with the five projects: TRAKX, Frens Protocol, Redefind, Palisade, and Spaciom.
• Deliverables:
• A fully functional CES website hosting critical information, FAQs about regulation, technology, business, and risks.
• Progress report detailing the interactions with initial projects, summarizing initial discussions and integration plans: TRAKX, Frens Protocol, Redefind, Palisade, and Spaciom. Pending catalyst funding.

• Evidence:
• Website URL with live content.
• Documentation of initial project plans with TRAKX, Frens Protocol, Palisade, Redefind, and Spaciom.

Milestone 2: Engagement and Initial Integration

Objective: Initiate and establish partnerships, and begin the integration of selected projects onto the Cardano platform.

Actions:

• Conduct outreach to and begin negotiations with potential web3, web2, and industrial partners.
• Assist the first batch of partners with technical and strategic integration onto Cardano, including support for Catalyst proposals.
• Host initial workshops and training sessions for new partners.

Deliverables:

• List of engaged entities and partnership agreements.
• Integration reports for each partner and summaries of initial workshops.

Evidence: Correspondence and agreements with targeted entities; technical integration documentation.

Milestone 3: Impact Evaluation and Expansion Planning

Objective: Assess the effectiveness of the task force activities and prepare for scaling efforts.

Actions:

• Evaluate the initial impact using KPIs such as the number of onboarded partners, project launches on Cardano, and increased transaction volumes.
• Develop a comprehensive scaling strategy based on initial successes and challenges.

Deliverables:

• Impact assessment report detailing the outcomes and effectiveness of the task force.
• Scaling strategy document outlining plans for broader reach and deeper impact.

Evidence: Compiled performance data and documented scaling strategy.

Final Completion Report Outline: Ilustrative

1. Executive Summary

• A high-level overview of the project's objectives, scope, and outcomes.
• Summary of key findings, achievements, and the overall impact on the Cardano ecosystem.

2. Project Objectives and Scope

• Detailed recapitulation of the project goals as stated at the beginning.
• Scope of the project, detailing what was intended to be accomplished.

3. Activities and Milestones

• Chronological account of all key activities and milestones reached.
• Discussion of each milestone, planned versus actual outcomes, and any deviations from the original plan.

4. Outcomes and Performance Analysis

• Detailed analysis of the outcomes related to each project objective.
• Performance metrics, including engagement levels, website traffic, partner integrations, and feedback from enterprises.
• Comparison of expected outcomes versus what was achieved.

5. Challenges and Resolutions

• Discussion of major challenges faced during the project lifecycle.
• Strategies implemented to overcome these challenges.
• Insights gained from dealing with project obstacles.

6. Stakeholder and Partner Engagement

• Overview of stakeholder and partner engagement throughout the project.
• Specifics on collaborative efforts, including any formal partnerships formed.
• Feedback and testimonials from stakeholders and partners.

7. Financial Overview

• Detailed report on budget utilization covering all financial aspects of the project.
• Breakdown of spending by category (development, marketing, outreach, etc.).
• Analysis of financial efficiency and any cost overruns or savings.

8. Impact on the Cardano Ecosystem

• Specifics on how the project has influenced Cardano’s adoption in the enterprise sector.
• Evidence of growth in the ecosystem, including new projects onboarded, increased transaction volumes, or other blockchain activities.
• Long-term benefits realized or anticipated as a result of the project.

9. Lessons Learned

• Key takeaways that could benefit future projects within the Cardano community.
• Recommendations for similar initiatives based on project experiences.

10. Future Recommendations and Roadmap

• Suggestions for future actions based on the project’s outcomes.
• Potential areas for further development or follow-up projects to build upon the successes and learnings of CES.

11. Conclusion

• Final thoughts on the project’s contribution to Cardano’s goals.
• Reiteration of any ongoing commitments or next steps post-project.

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

Sacha Windisch: Lead for the Americas

Riz Pabani: Lead for EMEA

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

1. Website Development and Knowledge Base - 20k ADA

• Website / Branding Collateral: Outsourcing to a freelance designer and web developer.
• Estimated cost: 10k ADA
• Estimated hours: Coordination and management by senior team (50 hours).
• Knowledge Base Creation: Content creation partly outsourced to professional writers and industry experts.
• Estimated cost: 10k ADA
• Estimated hours: Content supervision and strategy by senior team (40 hours).

2. Marketing and Outreach - 20k ADA

• Blockchain Event Presence:
• Travel, conference fee, and booth setup: 15k ADA.
• Estimated hours: Participation and networking by senior team (60 hours).
• Social Media and Online Presence: Managed by a part-time digital marketer.
• Estimated cost: 5k ADA
• Estimated hours: Oversight by senior team (20 hours).

3. Legal and Compliance - 20k ADA

• Trademark Registration:
• Estimated cost: 5k ADA (including external legal counsel fees).
• Estimated hours: Direct management by senior team (10 hours).
• Commercial Contract Generation:
• Estimated cost: 15k ADA (including external legal services).
• Estimated hours: Review and negotiation by senior team (30 hours).

4. Enterprise Engagement and Support - 40k ADA

• Personnel Availability for Enterprise Inquiries:
• As there are only two senior managers, they will handle inquiries directly.
• Estimated cost: 20k ADA (considered as part of their overall compensation).
• Estimated hours: 100 hours (distributed across various inquiries and meetings).
• Engagement of Large Enterprises:
• Direct outreach and relationship building led by senior team.
• Estimated cost: 20k ADA (for travel and incidental expenses related to engaging enterprises).
• Estimated hours: 100 hours focused on strategic engagements and partnership developments.

Project Management and Coordination

• Inherent in all activities: Given the small team, project management and strategic decision-making are integrated into all tasks.
• Estimated additional hours for overall project management: 50 hours.
• Cost included in the overall compensation.

Total ADA Allocation: 100k ADA

• Total Estimated Hours: 460 hours by the senior team across all project components.

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

The cost of the Cardano Enterprise Solutions (CES) project represents significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several key ways:

1. Strategic Enterprise Adoption:

The project focuses on driving enterprise adoption of Cardano, a critical avenue for expanding the blockchain's use cases beyond typical consumer applications. By investing in the development of CES, the ecosystem is placing resources towards attracting large-scale, institutional users who can bring substantial transaction volume and stability to the Cardano network. This helps in validating Cardano as a competitive Layer 1 solution, enhancing its reputation and market presence.

2. Efficient Resource Allocation:

With a focused budget of 100k ADA, the project leverages the expertise of two former senior managers from the Cardano Foundation, optimizing the use of human resources. These professionals are highly skilled in project management, business development, and strategic planning, ensuring that every ADA spent is maximized for impact. The precise allocation of tasks—from website development to legal compliance and enterprise engagement—ensures that funds are directed toward essential activities that promise the highest return on investment.

3. Multiplier Effect on Ecosystem Growth:

By facilitating the onboarding of enterprises onto the Cardano platform, the project acts as a catalyst for further ecosystem growth. Each enterprise that integrates with Cardano potentially opens up new channels for numerous additional users and transactions, increasing the overall network effect. This not only enhances liquidity but also diversifies the types of transactions and interactions on the network, making it more robust and versatile.

4. Long-Term Commercial Viability:

The CES initiative is designed to build commercial partnerships and develop revenue-sharing models that make the project self-sufficient in the long run. This approach reduces the reliance on continuous funding from Catalyst grants and sets a precedent for other projects within the ecosystem to follow, encouraging sustainability and financial independence.

5. Enhanced Visibility and Credibility:

By participating in major blockchain events and maintaining an active online presence, the project significantly boosts Cardano’s visibility in the commercial and enterprise sectors. This heightened awareness can attract more developers, enterprises, and investors to the Cardano ecosystem, further increasing its credibility and attracting more funding and partnerships.

6. Comprehensive Support Infrastructure:

The project’s emphasis on creating a detailed knowledge base and providing direct support for enterprise inquiries ensures that potential adopters have all the resources they need to make informed decisions. This reduces barriers to entry, speeds up the integration process, and enhances user experience, contributing to higher satisfaction and retention rates.

In summary, the Cardano Enterprise Solutions project offers exceptional value for money by using targeted investments to drive significant and measurable improvements in enterprise adoption, ecosystem growth, and network sustainability.