Cardano Decentralized Data Storage using Atala Prism

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Samson Ajulor

[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)

QuikDb will be a decentralized database solution that ensures secure, scalable, and user-controlled web3 data storage, by simplifying the backend infrastructure and offering a user-friendly interface.

[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

QuikDb will be partially open-source, following a hybrid model. The core components, such as the backend canister management, API integrations, and CLI tools for interacting with databases, will be open-source and licensed under the MIT License. This ensures transparency, encourages community collaboration, and allows developers to contribute to and improve these core functionalities.

However, proprietary components, such as the advanced analytics module and certain security mechanisms specifically tailored for enterprise use, will remain closed-source to protect intellectual property and provide premium services. This approach allows us to balance community-driven innovation with maintaining a competitive edge in the decentralized database space. 

We will maintain an open-source repository on GitHub, which will be available throughout the entire lifecycle of the project, with regular updates and documentation for developers.

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Statement:

The decentralized storage landscape is fragmented, with many solutions lacking scalability, security, and user control over data. As more projects migrate to decentralized ecosystems, there is an urgent need for a robust, secure, and user-friendly storage solution that empowers users and developers alike.

Perception of the Problem:

We perceive the problem of decentralized storage as twofold: first, the challenge of providing a secure and scalable storage system that operates seamlessly within blockchain ecosystems; and second, the need for a user-centric approach that empowers individuals to manage their data without the reliance on centralized identities and systems.

Reasons for Our Approach:

Our approach combines the strengths of the Cardano ecosystem with innovative technologies to create a solution that addresses these challenges. By leveraging Cardano’s unique capabilities, we ensure that QuikDb is not just another decentralized storage option, but a foundational component that enhances the entire ecosystem.

Project Engagement:

QuikDb will engage a diverse audience, including developers looking for secure and scalable storage solutions, users who want control over their data, and projects requiring efficient data management. Our focus on user experience and developer support will encourage widespread adoption within the Cardano community and beyond.

Demonstrating Impact:

We will demonstrate our impact through measurable outcomes, including the number of users who successfully store and manage their data on QuikDb, feedback from developers using the platform, and the efficiency of cross-chain operations. Metrics such as transaction speeds, user growth, and successful data operations will serve as indicators of our effectiveness.

Unique Aspects of QuikDb's Solution

Plutus Smart Contracts:

QuikDb’s backend architecture utilizes Plutus smart contracts to manage user interactions, database queries, and permission management. This ensures trustless, automated, and secure data operations, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Every user action—whether uploading, updating, or querying data—occurs seamlessly on the blockchain, aligning with our mission to provide a secure and autonomous decentralized storage solution.

Atala PRISM for Identity and Access Management:

QuikDb integrates Atala PRISM to overcome the challenges associated with user authentication and access control. By enabling self-sovereign identity, users retain full control over their identities and how they share access to their data. This empowers users to manage their privacy in a decentralized manner, reinforcing QuikDb's philosophy of user empowerment.

Cardano Native Tokens for Transactions:

We leverage Cardano's native tokens to facilitate microtransactions within the QuikDb platform. This integration streamlines payment processes for storage and resource management, ensuring low-cost and efficient transactions without relying on external payment systems.

Ouroboros for Scalability and Security:

QuikDb’s design prioritizes scalable, decentralized storage, utilizing Cardano’s Ouroboros proof-of-stake protocol. This approach guarantees high security, low energy consumption, and fast transaction finality, making it suitable for applications ranging from NFT metadata storage to decentralized finance records.

Future Cross-Chain Capabilities Using Cardano Bridges:

While QuikDb is built primarily on Cardano, we recognize the importance of interoperability in the Web3 landscape. By incorporating Cardano's cross-chain bridges, QuikDb is designed for future growth, allowing seamless connections with other blockchains like Ethereum and Polkadot, all while maintaining a strong foundation in Cardano's ecosystem.

Conclusion

QuikDb is positioned to be a transformative solution in the decentralized storage landscape. By leveraging Cardano’s technologies, we aim to create a user-friendly platform that not only meets the needs of developers and users but also contributes significantly to the Cardano ecosystem. Our approach ensures that QuikDb is not just another storage solution; it is a critical infrastructure component that supports innovation and growth in the decentralized world.

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

QuikDb will bring significant value to the Cardano community by providing a decentralized, cross-chain database solution that aligns with Cardano’s goals of security, decentralization, and scalability. By starting with ICP and expanding to Cardano, we will offer developers in the Cardano ecosystem a powerful tool to store and manage data in a censorship-resistant, secure, and compliant way.

Positive Impact on Cardano Community:

• Empowering Developers: QuikDb will reduce the barriers to building decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi platforms, and NFT projects on Cardano by providing an easy-to-use, decentralized database. Developers will no longer need to rely on centralized storage solutions.
• Cross-Chain Capabilities: As QuikDb becomes cross-chain, it will help bridge ecosystems, allowing Cardano developers to integrate with other blockchains more easily and tap into a broader Web3 ecosystem.
• Enhanced Data Security and Sovereignty: QuikDb’s decentralized architecture ensures that Cardano-based applications will benefit from data sovereignty and security, aligning with Cardano’s core values of decentralization and user control.

Measuring Impact:

We will measure the success of QuikDb through both quantitative and qualitative methods:

• Adoption Rates: We will track the number of developers and projects using QuikDb, focusing specifically on the Cardano ecosystem.
• Usage Metrics: Metrics such as the number of databases deployed, the volume of data stored, and transaction activity on Cardano will be key indicators of QuikDb’s impact.
• Community Feedback: We will actively collect feedback from developers and users within the Cardano community to understand how well QuikDb addresses their needs and identify areas for improvement.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Contributions: The core components of QuikDb will be open-source, allowing developers from the Cardano community to contribute, collaborate, and improve the platform. This will foster a shared sense of ownership and innovation within the community.
• Community Engagement: We will engage with the Cardano developer community through forums, meetups, and workshops, sharing knowledge and encouraging the adoption of QuikDb.
• Documentation and Tutorials: Comprehensive documentation, guides, and tutorials will be made publicly available to help developers get started with QuikDb, particularly those building on Cardano.
• Partnerships: We will seek partnerships with Cardano projects, offering QuikDb as a foundational tool for decentralized storage needs, further embedding it into the ecosystem.

By integrating QuikDb into the wider Cardano ecosystem, we aim to support the growth of decentralized applications, improve data security, and ensure scalability for Web3 projects, bringing long-term value to the community.

[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?

Our team has the expertise, experience, and proven track record to successfully deliver QuikDb with high levels of trust and accountability. We have already developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for QuikDb, which was validated at the RemoStart Hackathon, where we secured second place, demonstrating our capability to innovate and execute complex technical projects.

Capabilities:

• Experienced Team: Our core team consists of seasoned developers with deep expertise in decentralized infrastructure, blockchain technology, and Web3 development. We have successfully delivered blockchain-based projects, and each team member has a specific role focused on the development and scaling of QuikDb.
• Samson Ajulor (Project Lead): Expert in decentralized systems and blockchain infrastructure with a background in building scalable Web3 solutions.
• Victory (Backend Developer): Experienced in developing backend services, specializing in decentralized applications on ICP and Cardano.
• Kunle (AI and Machine Learning Specialist): Focused on data analytics and AI integration for decentralized platforms.
• Existing Infrastructure: We have already set up the initial architecture and environment for QuikDb on ICP, and we are in the process of preparing for Cardano integration. This solid foundation ensures that we can scale quickly and efficiently.

Steps for Ensuring Feasibility:

1. Technical Validation: We will conduct thorough testing during the development phase, using testnets (ICP and Cardano) to ensure the scalability, security, and efficiency of QuikD
2. Partnerships and Collaborations: We plan to collaborate with Cardano developers and other blockchain experts to ensure our solution is fully integrated and optimized for the Cardano ecosyste
3. Security Audits: We will undergo external security audits to ensure that the system is secure and compliant with industry standards (GDPR, HIPAA etc)

Trust and Accountability in Managing Funds:

• Transparent Financial Management: We will provide regular updates on project progress, including detailed reports on how funds are being allocated and spent. This ensures full transparency with the community and funders.
• Milestone-Based Funding: To maintain accountability, we will use a milestone-based funding model, where funds are released in stages upon successful completion of each milestone. This allows the community and funders to track our progress and ensure funds are being used efficiently.
• Open Communication: We will maintain open lines of communication with the Cardano community, providing regular progress reports, publishing open-source contributions, and addressing any concerns in a timely manner.

With our team’s technical expertise, a proven track record, and our commitment to transparency and accountability, we are confident in our ability to deliver QuikDb in a way that builds trust with both the Cardano community and funding partners.

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

Outputs:

• Finalized architecture for QuikDB with Cardano integration.
• Development environment set up, including testing environments for Cardano.
• Initial configuration of Cardano components for decentralized storage.
• Drafted plan for integrating Cardano as part of the cross-chain feature.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Architecture is defined and documented, with Cardano components operational.
• Development and testing environments are functional.
• Cardano integration plan is documented.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Architecture documents and system diagrams.
• Screenshots of the development and testing environment setup.
• Logs showing Cardano components running as expected.
• Cardano integration roadmap and technical documentation.

Outputs:

• Core backend services (canister management, database services) operational.
• Authentication API endpoints developed (email, OAuth, token-based logins).
• Basic Cardano integration initiated (data migration).
• Backend security mechanisms in place.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Backend is fully functional with basic cross-chain functionality for Cardano.
• Secure user authentication via multiple methods.
• Cardano cross-chain functionality initiated.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Backend code repository.
• API documentation.
• Logs showing Cardano data migration.
• Security audit reports for backend setup.

Outputs:

• Web-based admin dashboard for managing databases.
• CLI tools for storage management on both chains.
• Expanded cross-chain functionality, including data transfers.
• User stories implemented for cross-chain onboarding, data management, and authentication.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Frontend and CLI tools functional for Cardano.
• Cross-chain data transfers operational.
• Tested user stories for cross-chain usage.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Deployed frontend and CLI tools with demo videos.
• Documentation on cross-chain interactions.
• User stories with test results and feedback.

Outputs:

• Public launch of QuikDB with fully integrated cross-chain support.
• Platform optimized for scalability, capable of handling thousands of users across chains.
• Launch events and marketing campaigns to onboard developers and projects into QuikDB.

Acceptance Criteria:

• QuikDB publicly launched with cross-chain support for Cardano.
• Platform capable of scaling to support large user bases and data transfers.
• Effective marketing and onboarding materials distributed to the public.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Publicly accessible QuikDB platform with cross-chain capabilities.
• Documentation and tutorials published for onboarding new users and developers.
• Marketing and outreach reports showing campaign success.

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

Project Lead

• Samson Ajulor 

 Role: Project Lead 

 GitHub: https://github.com/samsonajulor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsonajulor

 Email: samsonajulor@gmail.com

Contributors

• Joan Nobei

 Role: UI/UX Designer

 Behance: https://www.behance.net/joannobei

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-nobei-2704b6227

Email: nobeijoan1@gmail.com

• Dolapo Oshikoya

 Role: Community and Research Manager

 GitHub: https://www.github.com/mujibat

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dolapooshikoya

Email: oshikoyadolapo13@gmail.com

• Victory Chizoba

 Role: Fullstack Developer

 GitHub: https://github.com/chizobavictory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chizoba-victory

 Email: Chizoba.victory1@gmail.com

• Adekunle Adewole

 Role: AI and Machine Learning Engineer

 GitHub: https://github.com/kunle2

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adewole-adekunle

 Email: adewoleadekunle23@yahoo.com

• Samuel Dahusi

 Role: Frontend Developer and UI Designer

 GitHub: https://github.com/psalmuel01

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/samuel-dahunsi

 Email: adewoleadekunle23@yahoo.com

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

Budget Allocation for Each Milestone (90,000 ADA Total)

Milestone 1: Infrastructure Setup and Initial Cardano Integration (20,000 ADA)

Objective: Establish the foundational architecture, set up the development environment, and begin the integration with Cardano.

Key Resources:

• Development tools and licenses: 7,000 ADA (for Cardano environment setup, testing tools, and licenses).
• Cardano deployment costs: 8,000 ADA (for hosting and configuring the Cardano infrastructure).
• Project management and planning: 5,000 ADA (for defining project scope, timelines, and risk management).

Outputs:

• Finalized architecture and development environment.
• Initial Cardano components configured and tested.

Milestone 2: Core Backend Development and Cardano Integration (25,000 ADA)

Objective: Develop the backend services and initiate cross-chain integration with Cardano.

Key Resources:

• Backend development: 12,000 ADA (for developing canister management and core database functionalities).
• Initial Cardano integration: 8,000 ADA (for developing cross-chain functionality with Cardano).
• Security mechanisms: 5,000 ADA (for setting up encryption and access control mechanisms).

Outputs:

• Backend services functional on Cardano with integration for cross-chain capabilities.

Milestone 3: Frontend Development and User Testing (20,000 ADA)

Objective: Develop the user-facing dashboard and CLI tools, and conduct user testing.

Key Resources:

• Frontend development: 10,000 ADA (for building the web dashboard and CLI tools).
• User testing: 4,000 ADA (for usability testing and gathering feedback from beta users).
• Documentation: 6,000 ADA (for creating guides and tutorials for users and developers).

Outputs:

• Functional frontend and CLI tools.
• Initial user feedback incorporated into platform improvements.

Milestone 4: Security Audits, Beta Release, and Public Launch (25,000 ADA)

Objective: Conduct security audits, release the beta version of QuikDB, and execute marketing for the public launch.

Key Resources:

• External security audits: 10,000 ADA (for third-party penetration testing and auditing).
• Beta release management: 5,000 ADA (for coordinating beta release and collecting feedback).
• Public launch: 6,000 ADA (for launching the platform and outreach).
• Marketing materials: 4,000 ADA (for creating and distributing promotional content).

Outputs:

• Beta version released with a secure backend.
• Publicly accessible QuikDB platform with cross-chain support.
• Marketing campaigns to onboard developers and users.

Total Budget: 90,000 ADA

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

The cost of this project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem for several reasons, given the strategic allocation of the 90,000 ADA budget while focusing on high-impact development. Here’s how the budget reflects value for the Cardano community:

Strategic Allocation to Core Development

A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to core backend and frontend development (45,000 ADA), which is essential for building QuikDb’s cross-chain functionality. By focusing on these critical components, we ensure the platform delivers tangible benefits for developers, decentralized applications (dApps), and projects requiring secure, scalable storage.

Backend development costs are kept efficient by leveraging global freelance rates, where blockchain developers typically earn between $80 and $150 per hour. This allocation ensures high-quality, secure development without overspending, allowing us to maintain a lean budget while attracting top talent.

Focus on Security and Compliance

Security is paramount for decentralized platforms, and 10,000 ADA has been allocated for comprehensive security audits. By ensuring QuikDb complies with GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulations, we mitigate risks associated with data breaches and legal penalties for Cardano-based projects. This upfront investment in security protects the ecosystem and represents long-term value.

Scalability and Cross-Chain Innovation

QuikDb’s cross-chain capabilities enhance its potential for adoption across multiple blockchain ecosystems, increasing its value to Cardano by attracting a larger developer community. The 8,000 ADA allocated for scalability testing ensures the platform can handle thousands of users and complex data transfers between chains, positioning QuikDb as a long-term infrastructure solution.

Efficient Use of Marketing Funds

We have allocated 12,000 ADA for marketing and outreach, which includes creating developer tutorials, onboarding materials, and promotional content to attract new developers and projects. This strategy ensures broad adoption of QuikDb within the Cardano ecosystem and beyond, strengthening the ecosystem by expanding its developer base.

Lean Project Management and Proportional Costs

The total budget of 90,000 ADA is efficiently structured for a project of this scope. This is achieved by utilizing a small but highly skilled team, where roles are clearly defined to maximize efficiency. Freelance rates and costs align with industry standards, allowing us to focus on essentials while ensuring quality. Additionally, the milestone-based funding model ensures funds are released only upon successful completion of deliverables, providing transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

The 90,000 ADA budget is meticulously allocated to ensure the development of a decentralized, cross-chain database platform that adds substantial value to the Cardano ecosystem. By optimizing core development, prioritizing security, and emphasizing scalability, QuikDb will enable secure and efficient decentralized data storage for a wide range of Cardano projects. Our lean approach guarantees that every ADA is utilized effectively, representing strong value for money.