StartUp Agency Portal: Empowering Global Entrepreneurship and Cardano Community Hubs

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

SmartPlaces

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Björn Heinze

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

478000

[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)

Creating a portal for startup agencies to empower community members and potential entrepreneurs worldwide by leveraging the launch of new SMEs and promoting the use of NFTs.

[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 software and code developed for this project will not be fully open source due to contractual obligations with our partners and to maintain a competitive edge. However, we are committed to transparency and community engagement. Therefore, we will share as much of the project's outputs and learnings as possible. Our goal is to balance openness with the need to protect sensitive information, ensuring the project's success and sustainability while contributing valuable insights and knowledge to the community.

[METADATA] Horizons

Business Services

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

SmartPlaces aims to create a portal for startup agencies to empower community members and potential entrepreneurs worldwide by leveraging the launch of new Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and facilitating the use of NFTs within the SmartPlaces platform.    

The goal is to build a robust startup agency manager portal that not only allows users to get registered and verified but also provides them with the essential tools and guidance to develop and scale their businesses with the SmartPlaces ecosystem. The platform equips them with a comprehensive set of tools to get started as a startup agency and effectively reach their target audience, including tools for adding and managing their clients and digital contract signing. Access to the platform is restricted to registered and verified users. 

Registered and verified users will have access to the information portal which provides guidance on navigating the SmartPlaces digital landscape. 

Our approach empowers entrepreneurs to create and sustain their businesses autonomously within our ecosystem. Startup agencies are an important multiplier within the SmartPlaces ecosystem as they bring new customers such as SMEs and corporates onto the SmartPlaces platform and help them use our essential tools such as NFT creation and NFT placement for advertising purposes. The potential of NFTs for advertising purposes is huge, since it not only enhances Cardano’s marketing efforts but also connects Web2 Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and corporate groups to the Cardano and Web3 ecosystem, ultimately driving more on-chain transactions and real-world usage of Cardano technology. Furthermore, Startup Agencies can introduce their clients on how to make a transaction on Cardano and different types of business relevant Blockchain based activities.

At the center of this product is the SmartPlaces platform. At its core, the SmartPlaces platform is an interactive NFT land plot map that has been live since 2022 (see map here) and allows users to buy and manage NFT land plots. With over 32,000 sold NFTs and >13k users on the platform, the SmartPlaces platform is a working and established product on Cardano with an active global community. 

As NFT land plot holders are rewarded for interactions and business activities on their land plots, Startup Agencies are even more of a multiplier for the entire ecosystem, catalyzing the onboarding of businesses and advising them on the use and benefits of NFTs for advertising purposes or to highlight products or services within the SmartPlaces ecosystem. 

By fostering these autonomous hubs, the SmartPlaces platform will provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the necessary infrastructure they need to succeed. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate SMEs into the SmartPlaces Cardano ecosystem, helping them not only to access the tools and resources they need but also to benefit from the full range of opportunities offered by SmartPlaces and Cardano.

Ultimately, SmartPlaces is setting the stage for a new era of digital entrepreneurship, one where small businesses can flourish within a decentralized environment that prioritizes innovation, autonomy, and community-driven success.

As an established Cardano project, we’re looking to enhance the existing SmartPlaces platform application by significantly extending current features and capabilities through the Startup Agency portal. 

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

With the Startup Agencies Portal, SmartPlaces will catalyze the establishment of numerous small businesses globally, enabling them to reach customers even in remote areas through the SmartPlaces ecosystem. With smartphones being ubiquitous, the SmartPlaces app becomes accessible to nearly everyone. This unique opportunity to start businesses anywhere with cutting-edge technology, without major prerequisites, seamlessly introduces many new Web2 users into the Cardano Web3 ecosystem. Consequently, it will significantly boost the number of Cardano-based businesses and onboard users, driving adoption and growth within the Cardano ecosystem.

This portal will offer access to tools and guidance, enabling these businesses to leverage NFTs and digital advertising effectively. Here are the positive impacts SmartPlaces will have on the Cardano community:

• Enhanced Visibility for SMEs: By providing a platform where startup agencies can support local businesses in gaining visibility, SmartPlaces addresses a significant challenge that small businesses fac

• Increased Adoption of Cardano and Blockchain Technology: By integrating SMEs into the SmartPlaces platform, the project will foster greater awareness and usage of Cardano’s blockchain technology

• Fostering Innovation and Digital Entrepreneurship: SmartPlaces offers a decentralized environment that promotes autonomy and innovation

• Building a robust Cardano-based Business Ecosystem: The SmartPlaces project will contribute to Cardano’s ecosystem by expanding the use of its technology for real-world business application

• Strengthening Community Engagement: The established SmartPlaces platform already has a significant user base, and the addition of the Startup Agency portal will increase community involvement

Through these initiatives, SmartPlaces aims to provide SMEs and entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need to thrive, enhancing the Cardano community and contributing to its growth and sustainability.

[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?

The SmartPlaces team is a highly experienced team of developers, business managers, UI/UX designers, marketers, strategists, project managers and PR/Com experts who have worked for companies such as KPMG, Daimler, Saudi Aramco, Microsoft, Vodafone, BMW, VW and many more, with extensive experience in developing multiple platforms, ensuring trust and accountability. Leveraging our international expertise, we validate feasibility through rigorous market research, feedback and pilot testing, ensuring robust project delivery.

With our Co-CEOs, one of whom is a seasoned lawyer, alongside being a serial tech entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in management IT consulting, and the other boasting extensive expertise in leading and implementing international, cross-industry tech, and digital transformation projects, they possess a formidable combination of legal acumen and entrepreneurial prowess. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a broad network of international partners and enterprises to the table, instilling confidence in our capability and trust to deliver the project successfully.

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

Planning, Concept & UX / UI, Analysis of Technical Requirements

In this phase, the focus is on laying the foundation of the project, creating the concept, gathering the requirements, designing the user interface for Startup Agencies, in order to start the development and encompassing design elements. Conduct thorough requirements analysis to ensure alignment with user needs and platform objective.

Concept

With the concept design, the focus is on understanding and defining the requirements of a portal for startup agencies extension of the SmartPlaces platform.

UX Design 

Designing an intuitive and user-friendly interface for startup agencies to register and interact with the startup agency portal. 

Technical requirements 

Identifying and documenting the technical requirements for building the startup agency portal, including registration and KYC verification on the platform as well as customer management.  

1) Milestones outputs:

• Defined project objectives and scope
• Wireframes for platform functionalities
• User-friendly interface designs for startup agencies
• Documented technical requirements for startup agency portal
• Defined technology stack and infrastructure specifications

2) Acceptance criteria:

• A document describing the concept and scope of the system extension
• User flows and UI design for all features described in the concept
• A document describing the technical requirements, technology stack and infrastructure requirements that are necessary

3) Evidence of milestone completion:

• Documents
• Wireframes / Video

Development & Infrastructure

Development of Frontend and Backend code to implement features described in the technical requirements document, as well as setting up the required infrastructure.

1) Milestone output(s):

• Functional prototype, ready to start testing

2) Acceptance criteria:

• All defined functionality implemented as a working protoype

3) Evidence of milestone completion:

• Document outlining the implemented flows and functionality

Development of Educational & Marketing Materials

1) Milestone output(s):

• Development of educational & marketing content with focus on training for initiating and running effective NFT advertising campaigns and educating Web2 companies about Cardano-based NFT utility and benefits.     

• Craft engaging educational materials covering SPX platform and tool usage.  

2) Acceptance criteria:

• Educational and Marketing Materials are developed

3) Evidence of milestone completion:

• Training materials and Marketing Content Overview

Testing Phase

Testing the prototype on a staging environment to identify bugs and unintended behavior.

Fixing of all bugs discovered.

1) Milestone output(s):

• Fully tested prototype

2) Acceptance criteria:

• Document outlining the test suite, discovered bugs and fixes

3) Evidence of milestone completion:

• Document

Go-Live Phase / Support

All features shipped and available.

1) Milestone output(s):

• Solution available on https://map.smart-places.io

2) Acceptance criteria:

• Launch

3) Evidence of milestone completion:

• Solution available on https://map.smart-places.io

Project Close-out Report and Video

Summarizing the project and deliverables.

1) Milestone output(s):

• Report and video

2) Acceptance criteria:

• Published video and report

3) Evidence of milestone completion:

• Document and video

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

Our project team consists of highly skilled professionals who are committed to delivering the proposed project. 

Gianluca De Lorenzis, Co-CEO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-de-lorenzis/

Björn Heinze, Co- CEO

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

Sebastian Thobe, CTO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-thobe-18408861/

Anna Rauberger, Program Manager

Serghei Granici, UX/UI

Alexander Wieser (Frontend Development)

Marvin Schluch

Waldemar Scholtyssek (Senior Developer)

Behdad Tabrizi (Developer)

Serghei Granici (Graphic Design)

Razali "Raz" Samsudin (Cardano Impact Advisor) https://www.linkedin.com/in/razali-samsudin

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

M1: Planning, design workshop formats, concept & UX/UI incl. Anal.of Techn. Requi.: 115.000 ADA

M2: Development & Infrastructure: 220.000 ADA

M3: Educational / Marketing Materials: 90.000 ADA

M4: Testing Phase: 30.000 ADA

M5: Go-Live Phase / Support: 15.000 ADA

M6: Project Close-out Report and Video: 8.000 ADA

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

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by investing in the development of essential tools, educational resources and marketing initiatives to bring SMEs onto the platform, foster ecosystem growth, increase adoption and drive economic activity, thus generating long-term benefits and returns for the Cardano community.

The cost of the SmartPlaces project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways, as it aligns with both economic and strategic benefits:

• Empowering SMEs and Entrepreneurs: By investing in a platform that provides tools and guidance for startups, the project creates an accessible pathway for SMEs to enter the Cardano ecosystem

• Driving Economic Activity on Cardano: The Startup Agency portal is designed to facilitate new business activities on the Cardano blockchain, which, in turn, generates more transactions and increases Cardano's real-world usage

• Expanding Cardano’s Utility and Reach: By integrating SMEs and their customers from traditional (Web2) markets, the project fosters a bridge to Web3 for a wide range of user

• Sustainable Ecosystem Growth: With the project focusing on sustainable business models, it ensures that the investment leads to long-lasting benefit

• Strengthening Cardano’s Position in Digital Advertising: by promoting NFTs as a form of digital advertising within the SmartPlaces ecosystem, the project leverages Cardano’s blockchain technology in a unique way that sets it apart from competitor

• Leveraging an Established Platform with an Active User Base: Since the SmartPlaces platform already has an active community and sold over 32,000 NFT land plots, the cost invested is building on an existing foundation

Overall, by supporting SmartPlaces, the Cardano ecosystem benefits from an increase in blockchain adoption, an expanded user base, and sustainable business growth—all of which offer significant value relative to the project’s cost. The project not only drives economic activities on Cardano but also builds long-term value that aligns with Cardano's goals of decentralization, innovation, and inclusive economic empowerment.