A practical guide to Cardano adoption in SMEs

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Samuel Wanzaluendo

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Rodriguez Boloyo

Elias Semajery

Rodriguez Kalumendo

[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

Yes

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Create a guide for PMEs on using Cardano blockchain to enhance their processes, including usage and traceability, with concrete cases, advantages, and tools like Atala PRISM and Smart Contracts.

[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?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Open Source License:

We intend to release the project under the MIT License. This license allows others to freely use, modify, and distribute the project as long as they provide proper attribution. We believe that the MIT License strikes the right balance between enabling widespread use and modification while ensuring that the original creators are credited.

Open Source Elements:

All code developed as part of this project will be made openly available in a public GitHub repository throughout the lifecycle of the project. The repository will include:

1. Smart Contract Code: Any smart contracts developed for Cardano integration, including deployment scripts.
2. Educational Materials: Guides, tutorials, and technical documentation that SMEs can follow to adopt Cardano. This includes materials for workshops, webinars, and training sessions.
3. Sample Applications and Tools: If we create any sample applications to demonstrate Cardano's use cases for SMEs, these applications will also be open source. This could include demo dApps, payment solutions, or identity management tools using Atala PRISM.

Closed Source Elements (If Any):

If there are any parts of the project that will not be made open source, we will clearly delineate them. For now, we expect the entire project to be open source, but some SME-specific configurations or proprietary consultation tools that might be created for individual businesses could remain closed-source to respect privacy agreements.

Contribution Guidelines:

We will encourage community participation and contributions through a contributor's guide on our GitHub repository. We will provide clear guidelines for submitting issues, pull requests, and forking the project for customization.

Rationale for Open Sourcing:

We strongly believe that open-source collaboration is essential to fostering innovation in blockchain adoption. By making the outputs of this project open source, we aim to create a resource that will benefit the wider business and developer communities. This will help accelerate the adoption of Cardano by providing businesses with proven solutions and code they can trust.

[METADATA] Horizons

Community

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Create a comprehensive and accessible handbook for SMEs, explaining how they can use the Cardano blockchain to improve their internal processes (inventory management, order tracking, etc.) as well as the traceability of their products. This guide will detail:

• The basic principles of blockchain.
• The specific advantages of Cardano for SMEs (security, transparency, low cost).
• Concrete use cases on how SMEs can integrate Cardano into their daily processes.
• Clear instructions for adopting Cardano-based tools, such as Atala PRISM for identity management or Smart Contracts for task automation.

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

This project will contribute to the increased adoption of Cardano blockchain in a new economic segment. By facilitating the integration of this technology in SMEs, it will help strengthen the Cardano ecosystem and demonstrate real-life use cases in a sector vital to the global economy. It will also support Cardano's reputation as a solution for transparency and traceability in supply chains.

[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 have assembled a strong and experienced team to ensure the successful delivery of this project with high levels of trust and accountability:

• Kambale Mechack – Project Leader. As a Web 3 and Blockchain Developer, Kambale has in-depth knowledge of blockchain technologies, particularly Cardano, and experience leading projects in the blockchain space. His role will be to oversee the entire project, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, and that all technical and strategic objectives are met.
• LinkedIn Profile: Kambale Mechack

• Samuel Wanzaluendo – Coordinator. Samuel, a Web Developer and Blockchain Enthusiast, brings both technical skills and organizational expertise. He will organize online meetings and coordinate with economic players, ensuring effective communication with SMEs and industry professionals.
• LinkedIn Profile: Samuel Wan

• Rodrigue Kalumendo, PhD – Editorial Lead. Rodrigue holds a PhD in Management Information Systems and will manage the editorial side of the project. His academic background ensures that the guide will be professionally written, clearly structured, and tailored for SME audiences.
• LinkedIn Profile: Rodrigue Kalumendo

• Elias Semajeri, PhD – SME Relations Lead. With a PhD in Management Information Systems, Elias will focus on managing relations with SMEs and ensuring that the guide addresses the real needs of small businesses. His role will be to clarify and verify the input provided by SME professionals, making sure the guide is practical and relevant.
• LinkedIn Profile: Elilas Semajeri

Feasibility & Validation

To ensure the feasibility of our approach, we will follow these validation steps:

• Consultation with SMEs: We will engage SMEs early in the research phase, conducting interviews and surveys to ensure the guide addresses real challenges they face. This ensures that the content will be highly relevant and useful.

• Phased Development: By breaking the project into phases (research, guide creation, review, and publication), we can track progress at each step and make adjustments as necessary. The guide will be tested and reviewed by SMEs before the final release to ensure clarity and usability.

• Expert Collaboration: With a team of highly skilled professionals, including two PhDs specializing in Management Information Systems, we can ensure that the editorial and relational aspects of the project meet the highest standards.

• Feedback Loop: After publication, we'll collect feedback from SMEs using the guide, tracking metrics such as downloads and adoption rates, and making iterative improvements if needed.

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

Research phase (1 month) :

• Consultation with blockchain experts and SMEs to understand their current needs and obstacles.
• Research on best practices and tools available in the Cardano ecosystem.

Creation of the guide (2 months):

• Writing and structuring the guide with clear sections, ranging from basic concepts to advanced examples.
• Collaboration with specialists to translate technical concepts into simple, understandable terms for a non-technical audience.

Proofreading and adjustments (1 month):

• Proofreading by test SMEs to ensure clarity and relevance of information provided.
• Integration of feedback before publication.

Publication and distribution (2 months):

• Availability of the guide in digital and paper format.
• Promotion via communication channels (webinars, conferences, social networks) to encourage adoption.

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

1. Kambale Mechack, a Web 3 and Blockchain developer. Will work as a project leader to unsure that everything is perfect and smooth (LinkedIn profile).
2. Samuel Wanzaluendo, A web developer and Blockchain enthusiast. His role will be to organize the different sessions of the online meetings and to contact the economic players. (LinkedIn profile)
3. Rodrigue Kalumendo, PhD in Management Information Systems. He'll take care of the editorial side (LinkedIn profile)
4. Elias Semajeri, PhD in Management Information Systems. Will take care of the relational part, clarifying all the details provided by SME professionals (LinkedIn profile)

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

Budget breakdown (35,000 ADA)

   Research and consultation - 6,000 ADA

       Consultation with blockchain experts and SMEs to identify needs and challenges.

       Research on best practices and tools in the Cardano ecosystem.

       Slight increase to cover additional consultations or more in-depth research.

   Guide writing and creation - 12,000 ADA

       Writing and structuring of the guide, covering basic concepts through to advanced examples.

       Collaboration with specialists to simplify technical terms.

       Additional budget allocated to refine content based on further research.

   Graphic design and layout - 5,000 ADA

       High-quality design to make the guide visually appealing and professional.

       Funding for an enhanced graphic design team or additional design elements (illustrations, diagrams).

   Distribution and marketing - 9,000 ADA

       Digital marketing campaigns to promote the guide (social media, e-newsletters, paid advertising).

       Printing costs for distribution of physical copies at conferences and events.

       More funds allocated to extend the reach of the campaign and ensure greater visibility.

   Content creation (videos/explanations) - 3,000 ADA

       Creation of explanatory videos or animations to simplify the guide's complex concepts.

       This new item adds value by providing visual aids and video content that improve the accessibility of the guide for non-technical audiences.

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

The 35,000 ADA budget for this project offers strong value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to the following reasons:

1. Widespread Adoption of Cardano by SMEs

• Targeting a critical economic segment: SMEs represent a large portion of the global economy but often lag in adopting new technologies. By educating and enabling SMEs to integrate Cardano into their business processes, this project opens up a massive new audience for the Cardano blockchain, potentially leading to:
• Increased transaction volume on the Cardano network.
• Wider use of Cardano tools like Atala PRISM and Smart Contracts, driving more real-world use cases.

2. Real-World Applications of Cardano

• Real-life use cases: This project highlights tangible, real-world applications of Cardano, particularly in supply chain management, product traceability, and identity management. By offering clear examples of how Cardano can enhance security, transparency, and efficiency in these areas, the project strengthens Cardano's position as a go-to solution for businesses.
• Long-term benefits: The guide provides enduring value as SMEs implement Cardano-based solutions and share their success stories, creating a ripple effect of adoption in their industries.

3. Accessible Educational Resource

• The guide will be a comprehensive, accessible resource that simplifies blockchain concepts for non-technical users. SMEs, who typically have limited time and resources to explore new technologies, will benefit from a step-by-step guide that makes it easier for them to adopt Cardano.
• Scalable content: The guide and the explainer videos can be reused, distributed, and adapted across different regions and industries, making this a cost-efficient educational investment for the entire Cardano ecosystem.

4. Fostering Trust in Cardano

• Boosting Cardano’s reputation: By successfully integrating Cardano solutions into SMEs, the project builds trust and recognition for Cardano as a reliable, practical solution for business challenges. This helps distinguish Cardano in a competitive blockchain landscape.
• Positive feedback loop: As more businesses adopt Cardano, it will attract further adoption, partnerships, and media attention, bringing value to the overall Cardano community and investors.

5. High Return on Investment

• Measured impact: With KPIs set to track the number of SMEs that adopt Cardano solutions after using the guide, this project will provide clear, measurable results. By aiming to onboard at least 50+ SMEs into the ecosystem, the 35,000 ADA investment can result in exponential growth as more businesses transition to blockchain technology, driving higher transaction rates and developer engagement.
• Cross-industry benefits: Beyond SMEs, this project could inspire similar efforts in other sectors, multiplying the ROI for Cardano over time.

In summary, the 35,000 ADA investment represents a strategic and efficient use of funds to accelerate Cardano adoption in the SME space, offering lasting value to the ecosystem.