Sky3 Team - Vietnam Cardano Developers House

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Amy - Sky3 Team Volunteer Representative

[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)

Sky3 Team is a Cardano Vietnam Developers House, fostering a vibrant community of developers through resources, mentorship, training, and regular meetups and workshops to build innovative projects.

[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

The Sky3 Team - Cardano Vietnam Developers House will ensure that essential outputs, such as educational resources, workshop materials, and results from collaborative projects, are made publicly available under appropriate open-source licenses.

[METADATA] Horizons

Incubator

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Cardano Vietnam Developers House will act as a dedicated hub aimed at addressing these problems by providing Vietnamese developers with the necessary tools, guidance, and community support to successfully onboard into the Cardano ecosystem. The Sky3 Team’s approach includes the following key initiatives:

1. Meetups and Workshops: To tackle the lack of knowledge and resources, we will organize 12 events, including 8 workshops focused on Cardano development. These workshops will serve as an educational platform for developers to share ideas, learn from experts, and explore practical blockchain applications. Through these sessions, developers can overcome knowledge barriers and improve their skills in blockchain technology.
2. Builder Connect Program: A significant problem in Vietnam is the difficulty developers face in finding the right teammates or collaborators for dApp development. The Builder Connect Program will collect individual and team profiles, helping match developers with compatible teammates. By doing so, we foster collaborations and support teams as they build decentralized applications (dApps) on the Cardano ecosystem, addressing both isolation and resource scarcity.
3. Builder Community on Discord: To address the lack of a well-structured developer network, we will create a Builder Community on Discord. This platform will enable developers to connect, share development resources, and access up-to-date materials related to Cardano. It will also help them stay informed about opportunities and receive peer support, effectively solving the problem of limited community interaction.

These initiatives collectively aim to solve the primary challenges faced by Vietnamese developers, including resource limitations, isolation, and the lack of collaborative environments. To foster quality projects from Builder Connect Program, we will host a Bootcamp for Vietnam Developers, outlined in our Bootcamp Proposal, providing essential skills for project development. Additionally, our Builder Hub will offer resources in Vietnamese, as detailed in our Builder Hub Proposal, creating a comprehensive support platform for developers.

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

Vietnam is among the top countries globally for crypto and DeFi adoption, as illustrated in the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index. Despite the fact that crypto transactions and ownership are not legally protected, the Vietnamese government is promoting blockchain research and development.

Figure 1: Regulatory framework comparison between Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand (Vietnam Crypto Report 2023 by Coin98)

Initiatives over the past years demonstrate that Vietnam is actively researching and experimenting with blockchain technology, as well as intensifying the practical applications of blockchain. Being in the "grey area" of the crypto market poses a challenge, necessitating that Vietnam enhance research efforts to establish an appropriate legal framework for this field. However, this situation also presents an opportunity for Vietnam to become one of the most attractive destinations for blockchain in the region and globally.  

Despite of active community, Cardano has not received as much attention in Vietnam compared to other blockchain ecosystems. According to data, ecosystems like Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana dominate the market, while Cardano's presence remains relatively modest. 

Figure 2: Popular Blockchain Ecosystems (Asia CryptoCurrency Market Report by Kyros Ventures and C68)

Our activities aligns with the current blockchain landscape in Vietnam and addresses these main issues:

• Increase Developer Talent Pool: By training and mentoring junior developers, the project will significantly expand the number of skilled Cardano developers in Vietnam, creating a local talent pool for the ecosystem.
• Boost Ecosystem Growth: The incubation of new projects and startups will contribute to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem, with more dApps, tools, and infrastructure projects emerging from Vietnam.
• Community Building: Establishing a dedicated community hub will strengthen Cardano’s presence in Southeast Asia, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the global Cardano community.
• Market Penetration: Leveraging the vibrant and rapidly growing blockchain market in Vietnam, this initiative will help Cardano gain a foothold and increase adoption in a strategic region.

[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?

• Experienced Team: The project is led by the most prominent Cardano project builders in Vietnam, with a proven track record in blockchain development and community engagement.
• Partnerships with Key Stakeholders: Collaborations with Cardano Foundation, local educational institutions, and blockchain associations ensure access to resources, expertise, and support.
• Phased Implementation Approach: The project will be executed in carefully planned phases, starting with community building, followed by training programs, and then project incubation. Each phase will have clear deliverables and evaluation criteria.
• Pilot Programs and Feedback Loops: Initial pilot workshops and training sessions will be conducted to gather feedback from participants, mentors, and partners. This will allow us to refine the approach before full-scale implementation.
• Transparent Reporting and KPIs: Regular updates and transparent reporting to the Cardano community will ensure accountability. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as the number of trained developers, hosted events, and incubated projects will be tracked and shared.

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

Milestone 1: Establishment of the Sky3 Team - Vietnam Cardano Developers House (Month 1-2)

Milestone Outputs:

• Official launch of Sky3Team
• Completion of the first 4 sessions of the “Cardano Builders 101” workshop series
• Established partnerships with at least 4 blockchain communities/education organizations and 2 Cardano Projects to support the community
• Vietnam Cardano Builder Community on Discord launch
• Sky3Team website launch

Acceptance Criteria:

• Minimum of 60 total participants at the Sky3Team launch event and workshops
• Positive feedback from participants of the first 4 workshop sessions
• Formal agreements signed with at least 3 partners
• Active engagement in the Discord community with at least 30 members

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Photos and videos from the launch event and meet-up
• Participant feedback forms and attendance records from workshops
• Discord server activity logs and membership count
• Sky3 Team website

Milestone 2: Launch Builder Connect Program (Month 3-4)

Milestone Outputs:

• Organize 4 workshops/meet-ups for builders to share knowledge and connect for collaborative activities.
• Officially launch the Builder Connect Program.

Acceptance Criteria:

• A minimum of 20 individuals register for the program.
• At least 5 teams are successfully formed to start building products on the Cardano ecosystem.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Participants list and profiles.
• Team and project information, including member lists, project names, and details.
• Recap and images of the workshops and meet-up events.

Milestone 3: Community Engagement and Building (Month 5-6)

Milestone Outputs:

• Organize 5 meetups, including 3 workshops focused on product building.
• Establish partnerships with at least 4 blockchain communities and 4 Cardano projects to support the developer community.
• Launch 2 projects through the Cardano Builder Connect Program.
• Maintain and regularly update the Discord community with Cardano development resources and discussions.

Acceptance Criteria:

• A minimum of 100 total participants across meetups and workshops.
• Partnerships established with 6 blockchain communities and 4 Cardano projects.
• Cardano Builder Connect projects’ social media and websites are launched.
• Active engagement in the Discord community, with consistent updates and participation from members.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Photos and videos from the meetups and workshops.
• Partnership announcements or collaboration records with blockchain communities and Cardano projects.
• Screenshots and logs of updates, discussions, and resource sharing in the Discord community.
• Participant feedback from meetups and workshops.
• Pitch deck and proposal of the 2 projects launched through the Cardano Builder Connect Program.

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

Documentation, Outreach, and Coordination led by Sky3 Team

Amy - Business Development/Coordinator LinkedIn

Amy is responsible for business development and coordination at Sky3 Team. With extensive experience as a BD at GameFi.org and Junction Vietnam, she brings valuable insights and connections to our community, helping to expand outreach and foster strategic collaborations for the growth of the Cardano developer ecosystem.

Alex - Community Manager LinkedIn

Alex serves as the Community Manager, focusing on engagement and support within the Cardano Vietnam Developers House. His role is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem where developers can access resources, receive guidance, and find motivation to collaborate and innovate.

Phong - Top Contributor LinkedIn

Phong is a key leader in the Sky3 Team with extensive experience as the former BD Lead of C68. He has also organized GM Vietnam, the largest blockchain event series in the country. Phong ensures the seamless execution and delivery of Sky3 initiatives, drawing from his wealth of expertise and event management experience.

Advisor: Long - Minswap Founder & CEO LinkedIn

Long, the founder and CEO of Minswap, serves as an advisor to the Sky3 Team. As the CEO of the top decentralized exchange (DEX) on Cardano, Long brings unmatched expertise and guidance. He is a young talent who has been involved in Catalyst from early on, starting his entrepreneurial journey as a student. Today, Minswap is a leading DEX on Cardano in terms of both reputation and trading volume, making Long an invaluable asset to the Sky3 Team's mission.

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

The project's costs mainly cover community events, workshops, and creating high-quality content. This includes technical writing, media production, and event management to support the growth of Sky3Team's blockchain and Cardano community.

Costs are based on industry-standard rates for creating and managing technical materials and media content used for training, workshops, and online engagement.

Total Budget: 100,000 ADA

Milestone 1: 37,786 ADA

Technical Support Expense:

• Technical Lead (100 hours at 30 USD/hour): 3,000 USD = 8,571 ADA

Marketing Activity Expense:

• Standee for Meetups and Workshops (4 banners at 20 USD each): 80 USD = 229 ADA
• Media (Photo + Video for 2 events at 1,000 USD/event): 2,000 USD = 5,714 ADA
• Sky3 T-shirts for the community (20 T-shirts at 20 USD each): 400 USD = 1,143 ADA
• Sky3 Notebooks for the community (20 Notebooks at 5 USD each): 100 USD = 286 ADA
• Event Venue Rental (for 3 events at 250 USD/event): 750 USD = 2,143 ADA
• Community Reward (Online in Discord and Offline in Events): 500 USD = 1,429 ADA

Personnel Expense:

• Project Management (120 hours at 25 USD/hour): 3,000 USD = 8,571 ADA
• Community Manager (120 hours at 20 USD/hour): 2,400 USD = 6,857 ADA
• Graphic Designer (40 hours at 25 USD/hour): 1,000 USD = 2,857 ADA
• Event Supporters (20 hours at 15 USD/hour): 300 USD = 857 ADA

Milestone 2: 31,786 ADA

Marketing Activity Expense:

• Standee for Meetups and Workshops (4 banners at 20 USD each): 80 USD = 229 ADA
• Media (Photo + Video for 2 events at 1,000 USD/event): 2,000 USD = 5,714 ADA
• Sky3 T-shirts for the community (20 T-shirts at 20 USD each): 400 USD = 1,143 ADA
• Event Venue Rental (for 2 events at 100 USD/event): 200 USD = 571 ADA

Personnel Expense:

• Project Management (130 hours at 25 USD/hour): 3,250 USD = 9,286 ADA
• Community Manager (120 hours at 20 USD/hour): 2,400 USD = 6,857 ADA
• Graphic Designer (40 hours at 25 USD/hour): 1,000 USD = 2,857 ADA

Milestone 3: 30,428 ADA

Marketing Activity Expense:

• Standee for Meetups and Workshops (4 banners at 20 USD each): 80 USD = 229 ADA
• Media (Photo + Video for 3 events at 1,000 USD/event): 3,000 USD = 8,571 ADA
• Sky3 T-shirts for the community (20 T-shirts at 20 USD each): 400 USD = 1,143 ADA
• Event Venue Rental (for 3 events at 250 USD/event): 750 USD = 2,143 ADA

Personnel Expense:

• Project Management (110 hours at 25 USD/hour): 2,750 USD = 7,857 ADA
• Community Manager (120 hours at 20 USD/hour): 2,400 USD = 6,857 ADA
• Graphic Designer (40 hours at 25 USD/hour): 1,000 USD = 2,857 ADA
• Event Supporters (20 hours at 15 USD/hour): 300 USD = 857 ADA

Builder Connect Program Expense:

• Reward for 2 projects: 720 USD = 2,056 ADA

For more details, please access to this link: BUDGET BREAKDOWN 

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

All proposed costs are aligned with the value of the Vietnamese market, ensuring they are reasonable and optimized for non-profit activities focused on Cardano's development. By facilitating community engagement, this project not only promotes long-term sustainability but also creates a scalable model for growing the global Cardano developer community.

The Chang Hard Fork, implemented on September 1, 2024, marks Cardano's transition into the Voltaire era, emphasizing decentralized governance. In this context, the Sky3 Team aims to establish "The Cardano Vietnam Developers House" to empower individuals to contribute to Cardano’s decentralized infrastructure. This initiative is crucial for fostering a creative and skilled community of junior developers in Vietnam, enhancing the number and quality of local talent as ADA holders gain the ability to influence the network's future.

By training and mentoring junior developers, the project will expand the skilled technical workforce on the Cardano platform, creating a local talent pool for the ecosystem. This not only strengthens Cardano's development but also helps build a robust and diverse community, which is crucial for the successful implementation of decentralized applications and other innovative projects. 

Moreover, the success and insights gained from this initiative can be scaled and replicated in other regions, creating a sustainable model for growing the global Cardano developer community.

Ultimately, this investment in the Cardano Vietnam Developers House is not just about building technical capacity - it's about cultivating a thriving, decentralized community that will shape the future of Cardano. By empowering local talent and fostering innovation, this project lays the groundwork for Cardano's continued growth and dominance in the blockchain space. The immeasurable value it brings makes this a truly worthwhile investment for the entire Cardano community.