Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Physical Storage Rental Platform on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Caleb Montiel

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

• Diego R.
• Steven M.
• Jonathan M.

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

12

[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)

We will build a decentralized storage rental platform, solving issues of high costs, inefficiency and lack of transparency using smart contracts enabling secure peer-to-peer physical storage globally.

[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

Our project will be fully open-source, ensuring transparency and community engagement throughout its lifecycle. We will use a permissive open-source license, allowing others to freely view, modify, and contribute to the project’s development. This approach aligns with the values of decentralization and collaboration that the Cardano ecosystem champions. By making the code available in a public repository, we will foster innovation and empower other developers to build on our foundation, ultimately expanding the utility of the Cardano blockchain.

[METADATA] Horizons

Smart Contract

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We perceive the problem as a lack of a global, decentralized platform where individuals can easily rent out their unused physical storage space and others can find nearby storage solutions. Traditional storage services are often costly, inefficient, inconvenient, and centralized, which limits transparency and access.

We approach this by following the proven models of Airbnb and Uber, where users provide resources (in this case, storage space) to others in a peer-to-peer network. By leveraging smart contracts on Cardano, we ensure trust, transparency, and lower transaction costs. This decentralized approach removes the need for a central authority, which typically increases costs and limits flexibility.

Our project will engage people who have excess storage space, such as homeowners or businesses, and those who need temporary or affordable storage solutions. This creates an economic opportunity for storage providers and gives renters more affordable and accessible storage options.

We will measure our impact through platform adoption metrics such as the number of registered users, the volume of storage space rented, transaction frequency, and user satisfaction. This data will show how the platform addresses issues of high storage costs and limited availability.

Our solution is unique because it applies the decentralized, peer-to-peer model to the physical storage industry, a field traditionally dominated by centralized corporations. Those who will benefit are individuals needing temporary or affordable storage and those with extra space they can rent out. This project is important to Cardano as it showcases a practical real-world use case for decentralized applications, demonstrating the power of blockchain for secure, transparent, and scalable solutions in industries beyond finance.

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

Our decentralized peer-to-peer physical storage rental platform will bring significant value to the Cardano community by demonstrating how blockchain can solve real-world problems outside the financial sector. The project will show how decentralized, smart contract-enabled solutions can address issues of transparency, accessibility, and cost, which are prevalent in traditional storage services. By enabling the sharing of underutilized storage spaces globally, we contribute to more sustainable use of resources and encourage decentralized economic opportunities.

Measuring Impact:

We will measure impact quantitatively by tracking the number of users (storage providers and renters) on the platform, the volume of storage rented, and the number of completed transactions. We will also measure qualitative feedback from users to ensure that the platform meets their needs efficiently and transparently.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

We plan to engage the wider Cardano community by sharing our progress, challenges, and milestones through regular updates on Catalyst forums, social media, and blog posts. This will include detailed reports on platform adoption, usage data, and user feedback to demonstrate transparency. We will also offer opportunities for developers and contributors within the Cardano ecosystem to collaborate on future platform improvements, ensuring continued growth and innovation.

[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?

Caleb, the founder of Cardano Curation, leads the project team with a strong background in blockchain management. Diego, the UI/UX expert, will ensure a user-friendly experience. Jonathan, the full-stack developer, will handle both the web and app development. Additionally, we will hire a Senior Plutus Developer for smart contract creation and an app developer for mobile functionality.

We have a proven track record of managing projects transparently, with clear milestone tracking and regular updates to the community. Audits for smart contracts will be conducted, and beta testing will validate platform performance before launch. Our ability to deliver is backed by open communication, auditing, and strong project management to ensure accountability and proper fund management.

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

Milestone 1: Platform Design and Smart Contract Development (40,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Complete UI/UX design of the platform.
• Development of the core smart contract infrastructure for peer-to-peer rentals and payments using ADA.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• A functional prototype with smart contracts for storage rentals deployed on the testnet.
• UI/UX completed and ready for user testing.
• C: Evidence of Completion:
• Screenshots of the UI/UX design.
• Link to the testnet smart contracts and a short demo video.

Milestone 2: Backend and Frontend Integration (30,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Full integration of backend and frontend systems.
• APIs developed for interaction between users and the platform.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Working backend, connected with smart contracts for rental agreements and payment processing.
• Successful API interactions between users (renters and storage providers).
• C: Evidence of Completion:
• Working demo of the platform showing user interaction.
• Testing reports on backend integration.

Milestone 3: Mobile App Development and Testing (25,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Complete development of mobile app for both iOS and Android platforms.
• User testing of the app with feedback collected for improvements.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Mobile app available on test platforms (TestFlight for iOS and Google Play for Android).
• Minimum 50 beta testers and feedback reports.
• C: Evidence of Completion:
• Screenshots and video demos of the mobile app.
• User feedback and test reports.

Milestone 4: Marketing and Launch (25,000 ADA)

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Launch the platform on Cardano mainnet.
• Initial marketing campaign and partnership outreach.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• The platform live on mainnet, fully operational.
• At least 100 initial users (storage providers and renters) signed up on the platform.
• C: Evidence of Completion:
• Link to live platform.
• Report on marketing campaign performance and user sign-ups.

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

Caleb – Project Lead: Overseeing project operations, strategy, and ensuring successful coordination. Experienced with decentralized platforms and Cardano's ecosystem.

www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-montiel-953752301

Diego – UI/UX Specialist: Designing user-friendly interfaces and focusing on enhancing the user experience for the platform.

Steven – Community and Social Media Manager: Leading social media strategies, engaging with the Cardano community, and building a strong user base through outreach and promotional activities.

Jonathan – Full Stack Developer (Front-end & Back-end): Managing both front-end and back-end development to ensure the platform runs smoothly for users.

To be hired – Senior Plutus Developer: Writing smart contracts on Cardano to facilitate secure and transparent storage rental agreements.

To be hired – App Developer: Developing a mobile application to allow global access to the platform from any device.

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

1. Personnel Costs (12 months):

• Caleb (Project Lead): 2,000 ADA/month
• Total: 24,000 ADA
• Role: Leadership, project management, and Cardano ecosystem strategy.
• 
  
• Diego (UI/UX Specialist): 2,000 ADA/month
• Total: 24,000 ADA
• Role: Designing intuitive interfaces and optimizing user experience.

• Steven (Community & Social Media Manager): 1,500 ADA/month
• Total: 18,000 ADA
• Role: Growing community, managing outreach, and handling social media platforms.

• Jonathan (Full Stack Developer): 3,000 ADA/month
• Total: 36,000 ADA
• Role: Developing the backend and frontend, ensuring seamless platform functionality.

• Mobile App Developer (to be hired): 3,500 ADA/month (for 6 months)
• Total: 21,000 ADA
• Role: Developing and maintaining the mobile version of the platform for users to interact on-the-go.

• Senior Plutus Developer (to be hired): 6,000 ADA/month (for 6 months)
• Total: 36,000 ADA
• Role: Smart contract integration for decentralized agreements on Cardano.

2. Marketing & Promotion:

• Marketing Campaigns & Outreach: 3,000 ADA
• Role: Building awareness, creating partnerships, and engaging in promotional activities.

3. Miscellaneous & Project Management:

• Project Management Tools: 1,500 ADA
• Role: Software for team coordination and timeline management.
• Contingency Fund: 5,500 ADA
• Role: Buffer for unforeseen expenses or technical challenges.

Total Estimated Cost:

• Personnel: 123,000 ADA
• Marketing & Promotion: 3,000 ADA
• Project Management Tools: 1,500 ADA
• Contingency Fund: 5,500 ADA

Total Budget: 120,000 ADA

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

This project represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem by providing a decentralized peer-to-peer storage rental platform that addresses current inefficiencies in traditional storage solutions. We aim to hire team members from Latin America, which allows us to leverage lower average wage costs while promoting inclusivity and diversity within the project.

Hiring talent from Latin America not only ensures that we stay within budget but also reflects our commitment to creating job opportunities in underrepresented regions. The average wage for software developers in Latin America is generally lower compared to North America and Western Europe, making it a financially savvy choice for our project without compromising quality. For instance, according to PayScale, the average salary for a software developer in Argentina is around 13,000 ARS per month, which is significantly lower than in the U.S., where it can exceed $8,000 USD monthly.

This allows us to allocate more funds towards developing a robust platform while maximizing the value we receive from our investments.

Additionally, our budget includes competitive salaries based on industry standards, ensuring we attract skilled developers who can contribute effectively to our project. By utilizing smart contracts on Cardano for all transactions, we enhance transparency and security, providing users with confidence in our platform's integrity and functionality.

Through this approach, we not only deliver a cost-effective solution but also enrich the Cardano community by fostering global collaboration and supporting economic growth in Latin America.