KURAT TECH: Redefining Entertainment in Ethiopia with Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Veronica Desta Dana

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

Individual

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

8

[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)

Experience the power of Cardano in Ethiopia. Our mobile SDK offers secure ADA payments, empowering viewers and developers.

[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

[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

KURAT TECH is committed to fostering an open and collaborative development environment within the Cardano ecosystem. As such, all outputs of this project, including the mobile payment SDK, will be released as fully open-source software.

Open Source License

We intend to license our mobile payment SDK under the Apache License 2.0 (APL 2.0). This permissive license allows for widespread adoption and modification, both for commercial and non-commercial purposes. However, it also includes copyleft provisions that require derivative works to be open-source as well, protecting the core functionalities of our contribution.

Open Source Repository

The project code and documentation will be hosted on a publicly accessible platform like GitHub. This approach ensures transparency, fosters collaboration with Cardano developers, and aligns perfectly with Project Catalyst's core values of open contribution.

By making our mobile payment SDK open-source, we aim to:

• Promote innovation: Encourage developers to build upon and extend the SDK's capabilities.
• Foster community: Create a collaborative environment where developers can share knowledge and ideas.
• Ensure transparency: Make the project's code and development process accessible to everyone.
• Align with Cardano's values: Contribute to the decentralized and community-driven nature of the Cardano ecosystem.

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem: Ethiopian audiences, both domestically and abroad, face difficulties accessing their preferred Ethiopian content due to limited and insecure mobile payment options for movies, shows, and subscriptions.

Our Approach: We propose creating an open-source mobile payment SDK tailored for Cardano. This SDK will empower Ethiopian entertainment app developers to integrate secure ADA payments, enhancing accessibility for viewers.

Benefits:

• Viewers: Enjoy seamless and secure in-app purchases using ADA, unlocking a wider range of Ethiopian content.
• Developers: Easily integrate ADA payments into their apps using our well-documented SDK, reducing development time and costs.
• Cardano Ecosystem: Expand ADA's use cases, fostering innovation and adoption within the Ethiopian entertainment industry.

Uniqueness:

• Open-Source: Our approach encourages community contributions and improvements.
• Ethiopia-Focused: The SDK is designed to address the specific needs of the Ethiopian market.
• Secure ADA Payments: Leverage Cardano's blockchain for secure and reliable transactions.

Why is this Important to Cardano?

This project aligns with Cardano's goals of:

• Financial Inclusion: Providing access to financial services through ADA payments.
• Empowering Developers: Offering tools for building innovative applications.
• Global Adoption: Expanding ADA's use cases and demonstrating its real-world value.

By developing this SDK, we contribute to a more inclusive and innovative Cardano ecosystem while addressing a critical need in the Ethiopian entertainment industry.

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

Envision a thriving Cardano ecosystem where:

• Developers have access to powerful tools like our open-source mobile payment SDK, fostering innovation and expanding the potential for regional solutions.
• ADA adoption flourishes as a real-world use case for payments in Ethiopia.
• Collaboration thrives through our open-source approach, encouraging community contributions and knowledge sharing.

Measuring Our Impact:

• Quantitative: Number of integrated apps, ADA transaction volume, and GitHub metrics (stars, forks, contributions).
• Qualitative: Developer engagement, feedback from viewers and content creators.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Repository: Publicly accessible code and documentation on GitHub.
• Community Outreach: Online engagement, workshops, and tutorials.
• Project Catalyst Report: Comprehensive project summary and future plans.

[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?

Building trust and accountability is essential for KURAT TECH. Here's how we ensure a high-quality, feasible project:

Team Expertise:

• Technical Proficiency: Our developers are skilled in mobile payments, Blockchain, and open-source development.
• Regional Understanding: Our team has deep knowledge of the Ethiopian entertainment industry.

Validation and Feasibility:

• Proof of Concept: We'll create a functional prototype to validate technical feasibility and user experience.
• Community Engagement: We'll actively seek feedback from the Cardano community.
• Technical Review: A Cardano blockchain expert will review our code for security.

Accountability and Transparency:

• Project Management: We'll use established tools and methodologies for clear communication and resource management.
• Regular Reporting: We'll provide regular progress reports to Project Catalyst.
• Open-Source Development: Publicly available code fosters trust and collaboration.

Existing Capabilities and Suitability:

• Passion and Commitment: Our team is dedicated to financial inclusion in Ethiopia and contributing to Cardano.

This approach ensures a high-quality, impactful project that benefits the Ethiopian entertainment industry and the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Project Kick-off and Core Development Foundation -2 Months (Month 1 & 2)

• Project team officially formed and roles assigned.

• Technical architecture and development environment established.
• Key functionalities of the SDK completed for initial alpha testing, including:User wallet integration for ADA payments.
• Secure in-app transaction processing framework.
• Unit testing of core functionalities initiated.
• Initial developer documentation drafted, outlining core functionalities.
• Completion of a risk assessment document outlining potential challenges and mitigation strategies.

Core SDK Functionality Completion - 3 Months (Month 3, 4 & 5)

• Completion of all core functionalities of the SDK, including:
• Enhanced merchant integration features.
• Error handling and security protocols.
• Unit testing of all functionalities completed.
• Comprehensive developer documentation finalized, including API reference and integration guide.

Beta Testing and Refinement - 2 Months (Month 6 & 7)

• Beta testing conducted with real-world Ethiopian entertainment applications.
• Feedback from beta testers incorporated to refine the SDK and address identified issues.
• Integration documentation updated based on beta testing results.
• User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) improvements based on beta tester feedback.

Public Release, Community Building, and Project Completion - 1 Month (Month 8)

• Official public release of the open-source mobile payment SDK.
• Deployment of the SDK on relevant developer repositories (e.g., GitHub).
• Development of a community outreach strategy targeting Ethiopian app developers.
• Launch of a communication channel (e.g., forum) to support developers using the SDK.
• Completion of a comprehensive Project Close-out Report, including:Summary of project achievements against goals.
• Detailed financial breakdown of ADA usage.
• Lessons learned and recommendations for future development.
• Creation of a final project video showcasing the SDK's functionality and impact.
• Final code review and bug fixing.

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

1.Veronica (Project Lead) and (Community Outreach):

• linkedin.com/in/veronica-desta
• I will oversee the entire project lifecycle, ensuring it meets deadlines, stays within budget, and delivers the proposed mobile payment SDK. I will be the primary point of contact for Project Catalyst and the Cardano community.
• I will manage communication and engagement with the Cardano developer community through online forums and workshops. This fosters collaboration and gathers valuable feedback throughout the project.

2.Tibeb (Technical Developer):

• will be responsible for leading the development of the mobile payment SDK.

3.Ermias (Technical Developer):

• Ensuring the mobile payment SDK adheres to Cardano blockchain protocols and security best practices.

4.Daniel(Regional Expert):

• will provide their expertise on the Ethiopian entertainment industry and user needs, ensuring the SDK caters to the specific needs of Ethiopian viewers and content creators.

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

Project Stage 1: Project Kick-Off (67,000 ADA)

• Resources:Personnel:
• Developers (60,000 ADA)
• Technical architecture & environment setup (20,000 ADA)
• Initial SDK functionalities & unit testing (40,000 ADA)
• Security Professional (5,000 ADA)
• Risk assessment document creation
• Documentation Tools (2,000 ADA)
• Subscription to online collaboration platform
• Cloud Storage (for code repository) (Consider cost-effective options)

Project Stage 2: Core SDK Functionality Completion (54,000 ADA)

• Resources:Personnel:
• Developers (40,000 ADA)
• Enhanced merchant integration features (20,000 ADA)
• Error handling & security protocol implementation (20,000 ADA)
• Documentation (14,000 ADA)
• Unit testing completion for all functionalities
• Comprehensive developer documentation (API reference & integration guide)

Project Stage 3: Beta Testing and Refinement (45,000 ADA)

• Resources:Beta Testing (20,000 ADA)
• Conducted with real-world Ethiopian entertainment applications
• Refinement & Documentation Update (15,000 ADA)
• User Interface/Experience (UI/UX) Improvements (10,000 ADA)

Project Stage 4: Public Release, Community Building, and Project Completion (9,000 ADA)

• Resources:Developer Support Channel (2,000 ADA)
• 
  

Launch of communication forum (e.g., forum)

• Project Close-Out Report (5,000 ADA)
• Project achievements summary against goals
• Final project video showcasing functionalities & impact
• Final Code Review & Bug Fixing (2,000 ADA)
• 
  

Total Requested ADA: 175,000 ADA

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

Budget Justification:

The proposed budget of 175,000 ADA offers excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem. It will foster financial inclusion, empower developers, and promote wider ADA adoption in the Ethiopian entertainment industry.

• Personnel Costs: Compensation rates are based on market research for Cardano developers and adjusted for project complexity.
• Marketing and Outreach: Costs for materials translation and social media advertising are estimated based on Ethiopian market rates. Conference participation is included for research and networking.
• Transparency: We'll use project management tools for transparent reporting on ADA usage.

Value Proposition:

• Financial Inclusion: Empower Ethiopian viewers with secure ADA payments, promoting financial inclusion.
• Developer Empowerment: Provide an open-source SDK, reducing development time and costs for Ethiopian app developers.
• Wider ADA Adoption: Expand ADA's use cases and demonstrate real-world applications.

Cost-Effectiveness:

The requested grant is strategically allocated to achieve project goals. The open-source approach leverages community contributions for long-term maintenance and development, maximizing impact.

Additional Considerations:

The project's potential long-term impact on the Ethiopian entertainment industry and the growth of the Cardano developer community in Ethiopia holds significant value. Successful completion strengthens Cardano's reputation for innovation and social impact, attracting further investment and developers.