Ucheckin - A ZKP Hotel Reservation Platform with Ada as mode of payment

[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 develop a secure hotel reservation platform on Cardano blockchain, using zero-knowledge proofs and Ada payments, ensuring privacy and data protection.

[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.”

Ucheckin will depend on:

1. Cardano blockchain infrastructure providers for network support
2. Providers of zero-knowledge proof technology for implementing privacy feature
3. Ada cryptocurrency exchange platforms for facilitating payment
4. Hotels for integration into their booking systems and accommodation provision

These dependencies are essential for the project's successful delivery, as they provide foundational support and necessary resources for its operation.

[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

Our project outputs will be released under the Apache License 2.0, a permissive open-source license. This license allows for the free use, modification, and distribution of the software, with minimal restrictions. Contributors and users are free to use the software for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. We believe this license aligns with our goals of fostering collaboration, innovation, and community engagement while ensuring legal clarity and protection for all parties involved.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Ucheckin proposes a secure hotel reservation platform on the Cardano blockchain, leveraging zero-knowledge proofs and Ada cryptocurrency for privacy and seamless transactions. 

Our solution addresses the prevalent lack of privacy and security in hotel reservations. By utilizing zero-knowledge proofs, we ensure that sensitive user data remains confidential, enhancing trust and security.

This platform will engage both travelers seeking secure and private booking experiences and hotels aiming to streamline their reservation processes. 

We'll demonstrate the impact through user feedback, increased adoption by hotels, and transaction volume on the Cardano blockchain.

What sets Ucheckin apart is its focus on privacy and security, benefiting both users and hotels. This aligns with Cardano's ethos of decentralization and security, making it a valuable addition to the Cardano ecosystem.

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

The success of Ucheckin will bring several benefits to the Cardano community including the following:

1. Increased Adoption: By providing a real-world use case for Ada cryptocurrency, Ucheckin will contribute to its wider adoption within the community and beyond.
2. Enhanced Reputation: Ucheckin's focus on privacy and security aligns with Cardano's values, enhancing its reputation as a secure and privacy-focused blockchain platform
3. Economic Growth: Facilitating secure transactions using Ada will stimulate economic activity within the Cardano ecosystem, leading to increased usage and value.
4. Ecosystem Expansion: Ucheckin's integration into the Cardano ecosystem will attract more developers and businesses, fostering ecosystem growth and innovation.

Also, we'll measure impact through:

1. Transaction Volume: Tracking the volume of Ada transactions processed through Ucheckin will indicate its contribution to the Cardano economy.
2. User Feedback: Gathering feedback from users and partners will help assess the platform's usability and effectiveness.
3. Market Adoption: Monitoring the number of hotels and travelers using Ucheckin will gauge its adoption and influence in the hospitality industry.

Finally, we'll share our outputs and opportunities through:

1. Community Updates: Regular updates via social media channels, forums, and newsletters will keep the Cardano community informed about Ucheckin's progress and achievement
2. Partnership Announcements: Publicizing partnerships with hotels and other businesses will demonstrate Ucheckin's growing impact and relevance within the ecosyste
3. Developer Resources: Providing developer documentation and resources will encourage others to build similar projects on Cardano, expanding the ecosystem further.

[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?

We are well-prepared to deliver the project with high trust and accountability. Here's why:

1. Our ongoing and successful research project on ZKPs for Catalyst voting processes which was funded in the recently concluded Catalyst Fund11 demonstrates our understanding of this technology.
2. We have a history of effectively managing funds and delivering results.
3. We will implement transparent governance practices, including regular reporting on fund utilization, milestones achieved, and project progress.
4. Our partnerships within the blockchain and hospitality industries provide access to resources, expertise, and networks essential for project success.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will:

1. Conduct thorough technical validation of our approach, including prototyping and testing to ensure the integration of ZKPs into the reservation platform is feasible.
2. Conduct market research to assess demand and gather feedback from potential users and stakeholders, validating the platform's feasibility and potential impact.
3. Before full-scale deployment, we will conduct pilot tests with select hotels and users to validate usability, effectiveness, and feasibility in real-world scenario.
4. Detailed financial modeling will be undertaken to forecast revenue, expenses, and profitability, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability.

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

Platform Development Kickoff (Month 1-2)

Milestone Outputs:

• Finalized technical specifications for integrating ZKPs and Ada payments.
• Partnerships established and onboarded the first 100 hotels.
• First phase of hotel directory created.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Technical specifications approved by the project team.
• Partnerships secured with signed agreements.
• Hotel directory with 100 listings completed and accessible.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Documented technical specifications signed off by the project team.
• Signed partnership agreements with blockchain infrastructure providers and hotels.
• Accessible hotel directory showcasing the first 100 listings.

Prototype Development (Months 3-4)

Milestone Outputs:

• Functional prototype of the Ucheckin platform developed.
• ZKPs implemented for privacy and security features.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Prototype tested internally and deemed functional by the development team.
• ZKPs successfully integrated into the platform and tested for efficacy.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Working prototype demonstrated to the project team.
• Documentation showcasing the successful integration of ZKPs into the platform.

Pilot Testing and Feedback (Month 5)

Milestone Outputs:

• Pilot testing conducted with select hotels and users.
• Feedback gathered and incorporated into platform improvements.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Pilot testing completed with feedback documented.
• Feedback analyzed and specific improvements identified.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Report summarizing pilot testing findings and feedback collected.
• Documented list of platform improvements based on feedback.

Full-scale Deployment (Months 6-7)

Milestone Outputs:

• Ucheckin platform deployed for public use.
• Additional hotels and users onboarded onto the platform.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Platform accessible to the public with no major issues.
• Significant increase in the number of hotels and users actively using Ucheckin.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Platform accessible online and operational.
• Data showcasing the increase in hotel and user participation on the platform.

Project Close-out and Report (Month 8)

Milestone Outputs:

• Comprehensive project close-out report detailing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Video summarizing the project journey and showcasing platform features.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Project close-out report approved by project stakeholders.
• Video produced and approved by the project team.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Signed-off project close-out report by project stakeholders.
• Published video accessible to stakeholders and the Cardano community.

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

• Ubio Obu (Blockchain/Machine Learning Specialist):

Ubio is the CEO of Remostart, bringing a wealth of experience in blockchain and AI research, with a solid academic foundation in Artificial Intelligence. He has worked on numerous projects around AI, IoT, agriculture, environment, blockchain, HR, and human behaviors over the last 4years. He has 7 research paper publications in esteemed journals such as the American Institute of Physics and IEEE, showcasing his breadth of expertise. Additionally, he holds two patents pending and has authored a copyrighted book titled "Research Writing for Beginners". Recognized for his contributions, Ubio is a recipient of the Microsoft Winsider program, a KECTIL leadership fellow, and serves as a SingularityNet Ambassador.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ubio-obu-71927276/

• Jeff Emuveyan (Senior Android Developer):

With over seven years in Android development, Jeff specializes in developing high-quality applications that leverage the latest Jetpack libraries like Compose, Hilt & Dagger, Room, Paging, and Benchmark. Proficient in Java, Kotlin, and C/C++, Jeff excels in asynchronous programming with Kotlin Flows, Coroutines, RxJava, and RxAndroid, alongside networking solutions like Retrofit and OkHttp. His expertise extends to writing comprehensive unit and UI tests using JUnit, Mockito, Espresso, Robolectric, and UiAutomator. He is experienced in setting up CI/CD pipelines with tools such as Fastlane, Jenkins, CircleCI, and Bitrise, and adept at integrating Firebase technologies including Crashlytics, Analytics, and Realtime Database to enhance app performance and user experience.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-emuveyan-63b99b183/

• Clement Umoh (Data Privacy and Ethics Specialist): 

Mr. Umoh is a software penetration tester with background in cyber security. He has relevant experiences in handling data privacy and ethics in healthcare, ensuring responsible use of medical data. With increasing concerns about data privacy and ethical biases on our AI model, Mr. Umoh works to ensure our project adheres to the strictest ethical guidelines and regulatory standards, safeguarding patient information and boosting our user trust.

• Tracy Esu (Strategic Partnerships)

Tracy is a professional with a proven track record in cultivating meaningful partnerships and fostering collaborations across industries. As a specialist, she brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to creating synergies that drive organizational success. She specializes in identifying and establishing partnerships that align with organizational goals and objectives. Whether working with startups, enterprises, non-profits or government, her expertise lies in recognizing opportunities for collaboration that result in shared success and impact. Tracy has an impressive record of successful partnerships across sectors. From establishing cross-industry collaborations to spearheading joint initiatives, her work showcases a commitment to creating synergy that transcends individual efforts.

https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092253293008

• Divine-Favour Okonta (UI/UX and Visual Identity Creator):

A creative genius dedicated to the art of crafting compelling brand identities and visual experiences. With a penchant for excellence and a keen eye for aesthetics, he brings brands to life through innovative design solutions.

Divine-Favour specializes in creating impactful brand identities that resonate with the target audience. His expertise extends to UI/UX, logo design, color psychology, typography, and overall visual consistency as he ensures that each visual element reflects authenticity and uniqueness. Divine-Favour Okonta's portfolio showcases a diverse range of projects across industries. From startups seeking a distinctive brand presence to established businesses aiming for a rebrand, he has consistently delivered designs that leave a lasting impression.

https://www.instagram.com/pantheraposters/

• Ebere Lisa (Marketing/Promotion)

With over 7 years of experience in the field, Ebere is a Digital Transformation Specialist who works at the intersection of technology and business. She is passionate about leveraging technology to drive economic growth and social progress and has developed a deep understanding of the complex interplay between culture, technology, policy, and governance.

She has educated 4000+ African entrepreneurs on digital trade and emerging technology, in partnership with VISA, Meta, British Council, European Union, German Development Agency (GIZ), The Assembly, Nigerian Competitiveness Project, (NICOP), The American Corner, Global Entrepreneurship Week, African Fashion Development and Empowerment Center (AFDEC). Her expertise in digital transformation has enabled her to work across multiple industries in the private sector, intergovernmental organizations, and institutions to design and implement strategies that promote the growth of businesses and the digital economy while promoting responsible use of technology. She has also worked and continues to work extensively on digital skills and culture initiatives, helping to bridge the digital divide and promote digital literacy.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eberelisa/

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

Budget Breakdown

Platform Development Kickoff (Month 1-2):

• Technical specifications finalization: 10,000 Ada
• Partnership establishment and onboarding first 100 hotels: 20,000 Ada
• Project Management: 4,000 Ada

Total: 34,000 Ada

Prototype Development (Months 3-4):

• Development of functional prototype: 40,000 Ada
• Implementation of ZKPs: 30,000 Ada
• Publicity/Marketing/Community Engagement: 6,000 Ada
• Project Management: 4,000 Ada

Total: 80,000 Ada

Pilot Testing and Feedback (Month 5):

• Conducting pilot testing: 15,000 Ada
• Incorporating feedback into platform improvements: 5,000 Ada
• Publicity/Marketing/Community Engagement: 10,000 Ada
• Project Management: 4,000 Ada

Total: 34,000 Ada

Full-scale Deployment (Months 6-7):

• Deployment of the Ucheckin platform: 20,000 Ada
• Onboarding additional hotels and users: 16,000 Ada
• Publicity/Marketing/Community Engagement: 12,000 Ada
• Project Management: 4,000 Ada

Total: 52,000 Ada

Project Close-out and Report (Month 8):

• Preparation of project close-out report: 4,000 Ada
• Creation of video summarizing project journey: 4,000 Ada
• Documentation: 2,406 Ada
• Project Management: 4,000 Ada

Total: 14,406 Ada

Total Project Budget in Ada: 218,406 Ada

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

The costs of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to several factors:

1. Proportional Costs: The costs are determined based on industry standards and the complexity of the project's requirement.
2. Efficiency and Effectiveness: By investing in prototype development, pilot testing, and feedback incorporation, the project aims to identify and address any issues early on, minimizing future costs and maximizing the efficiency of the platform.
3. Strategic Investment: The project's focus on privacy and security aligns with Cardano's principles, making it a strategic investment for the ecosystem.
4. Community Engagement and Marketing: Allocation of funds for publicity, marketing, and community engagement ensures that the platform gains visibility and attracts users, ultimately driving adoption and generating value for the Cardano community.

Overall, the costs are justified by the project's potential to deliver a valuable and innovative solution to the hospitality industry while aligning with Cardano's core values. The budget allocation reflects careful consideration of the project's requirements and its significance within the ecosystem, ultimately representing value for money for Cardano stakeholders.