Uniting Innovators Worldwide with Cardano Idea Connect

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Barnabas Zakariya

[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)

We will create a platform that connects innovators on Cardano, using AI to match similar ideas and facilitate collaboration, empowering creators to turn their visions into impactful 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

Open Source Status:

Yes, our project will be open source. We intend to make the entire platform open source, ensuring transparency and community collaboration throughout its lifecycle.

License:

We plan to use the MIT License, which allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute our code. This approach encourages contributions and helps foster a vibrant developer community around our platform.

Further Information:

We will maintain a public repository on platforms like GitHub, enabling anyone to contribute to the development process, report issues, and share enhancements. This openness will enhance collaboration and innovation within the Cardano ecosystem.

[METADATA] Horizons

Infrastructure

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our platform aims to solve the issue of duplicated efforts and missed collaboration opportunities within the Cardano community by fostering an environment where innovators can connect and build together. By integrating AI, the platform will match teams and individuals with similar ideas and interests, allowing them to collaborate before even applying for funding. We will support these teams with incentives to motivate them to start building on Cardano early, which will create meaningful interactions and strengthen the ecosystem. Our AI will also recommend team members based on their skills, ensuring that people are matched purely by their potential contributions, regardless of where they come from or what they look like. This will make the platform an inclusive space for innovators from all over the world. Furthermore, when teams secure funding, they will be encouraged to employ members from within the community, and the platform will actively help them find testers and contributors based on their needs. This creates a dynamic hub of interaction, enabling developers, testers, and creatives to collaborate on various projects. The platform will engage developers, researchers, and tech enthusiasts, helping to cultivate a global, interconnected Cardano community. Our success will be proven by the number of collaborations formed, projects built, and the growing engagement in the ecosystem.

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

Our platform will have a significant positive impact on the wider Cardano community by fostering collaboration and inclusivity. It will bring together innovators, developers, researchers, and tech enthusiasts to collaborate on ideas and projects, reducing duplicated efforts and enhancing the quality of submissions within the ecosystem. The platform will offer incentives for teams to start building on Cardano even before receiving funding, motivating early-stage projects and nurturing creativity. Through AI-driven matching, we will connect people based on their skills and ideas, ensuring diverse and inclusive collaboration, regardless of geographical location or background. We will measure the impact both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative metrics will include the number of users, the number of active collaborations, projects initiated, and completed, as well as community engagement. Qualitatively, we will track user feedback, success stories, and the growth of teams using the platform to build on Cardano. Additionally, we will monitor the number of community members who gain employment through team projects and the contribution of testers and other roles. To share the outcomes, we will publish regular reports on platform activities, successful collaborations, and community-driven projects. We will use social media channels, blogs, newsletters, and community forums to highlight the impact of the platform and the opportunities it creates for Cardano. As an inclusive, global hub for interaction, the platform will empower diverse talents to contribute to Cardano's growth, driving innovation and strengthening the ecosystem.

[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?

As the project lead, I bring expertise in both blockchain and AI development, ensuring the technical foundation for our platform is solid. John Zakariya, second on the team, is also an experienced AI and blockchain developer, allowing us to work closely together on key aspects such as AI integration, smart contract deployment, and system architecture. While Lazarus Gamaniel will be the Community Manager. With our combined technical skills, we are confident in delivering a robust platform that enhances collaboration within the Cardano community.

We intend to validate the feasibility of our approach by developing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to test the platform's core functionalities and gather feedback from early adopters within the Cardano community. In terms of managing funds, we will adopt a transparent process by maintaining detailed financial records, ensuring accountability, and regularly updating stakeholders on progress. We also plan to utilize open-source tools and maintain a public repository, ensuring that the development process is transparent and community-driven. This approach, combined with our technical expertise and commitment to openness, ensures that we can be trusted to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability.

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

Platform Architecture and Initial Development

• A: Milestone outputs
• Platform architecture defined, including back-end, front-end, and AI integration framework.
• Development of the core infrastructure, including user sign-up, login, and idea submission features.
• B: Acceptance criteria
• The platform's architecture is clearly documented and reviewed.
• Basic platform functionality (user registration, login, and idea submission) is operational.
• C: Evidence of milestone completion
• GitHub repository with documented code and architecture diagrams.
• Demo of the working MVP showcasing the initial user flow for registration and idea submission.

AI Matching Algorithm Development

• A: Milestone outputs
• Development of the AI algorithm to match users with similar ideas and skills.
• Integration of the AI into the platform to recommend potential collaborators.
• B: Acceptance criteria
• AI algorithm accurately matches users based on idea similarity and skills.
• At least 5 successful matches demonstrated in testing.
• C: Evidence of milestone completion
• Test results showcasing successful matches based on user data.
• Video demo showing the AI in action, with a detailed report on how matches were generated.

Incentive System & Community Engagement Features

• A: Milestone outputs
• Implementation of the incentive system to support teams starting to build on Cardano.
• Community interaction features, such as chat and notifications, to foster collaboration.
• B: Acceptance criteria
• Incentive system is live, and the first set of users can earn rewards for collaboration.
• At least 50 users actively engaging on the platform through chats and collaboration tools.
• C: Evidence of milestone completion
• Detailed records of incentives distributed to early collaborators.
• Metrics on platform activity (e.g., number of messages exchanged, collaborations started).

Team Employment and Contributor Network

• A: Milestone outputs
• Platform feature that helps funded teams find testers and contributors within the community.
• Functionality for teams to hire community members based on their skills.
• B: Acceptance criteria
• At least 3 teams successfully hire or engage community testers through the platform.
• Contributors from the platform are actively supporting projects.
• C: Evidence of milestone completion
• Contracts or agreements showing community members employed by funded teams.
• Feedback from teams and contributors on the effectiveness of the collaboration process.

Full Platform Launch and Global Engagement

• A: Milestone outputs
• Launch of the fully operational platform, with all features (AI matching, incentives, employment features) live.
• Global marketing campaign to onboard users from around the world.
• B: Acceptance criteria
• The platform is fully launched and operational, with at least 500 active users globally.
• All core features, including collaboration tools, incentive system, and AI matching, are functional.
• C: Evidence of milestone completion
• Public launch event, supported by a marketing campaign and social media presence.
• Detailed platform usage reports showing active users and collaborations formed.

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

Project Team:

• Barnabas Zakariya – Project Lead and AI & Blockchain Developer

Barnabas will oversee the overall project management, lead the development of the AI matching algorithm, and handle the blockchain integration aspects of the platform. His experience in AI and blockchain ensures that the technical foundation is well-constructed.

LinkedIn:

• John Zakariya – AI & Blockchain Developer

John will work closely with Barnabas to co-develop the AI and blockchain features of the platform. He will focus on the back-end infrastructure, smart contracts, and AI integration for matching collaborators.

• Lazarus Gamaniel – Community Manager

Lazarus will manage community engagement, ensuring that developers, researchers, and collaborators stay active on the platform. He will be responsible for driving user growth, managing feedback, and facilitating collaboration within the ecosystem.

Additional Team Members Needed:

We plan to recruit additional team members with the following skills:

1. UI/UX Designer: To design an intuitive, user-friendly interface that fosters engagement and collaboration on the platform.
2. DevOps Engineer: To manage platform deployment, scaling, and maintenance, ensuring that the system operates smoothly.
3. Marketing & Outreach Specialist: To promote the platform globally, creating campaigns and initiatives to attract developers, researchers, and tech enthusiasts from around the world.

We have already engaged with our core team and will ensure that the required technical resources are recruited at the appropriate stages of the project. Our goal is to build a robust, highly collaborative platform, and we understand the importance of having a well-rounded, skilled team to accomplish this vision.

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

Platform Development (Front-end, Back-end, AI Integration) : 10,000 ADA  

Since we, the project leads, are the developers, we are allocating a smaller portion of the budget to our development costs. This amount will cover core development work for the platform, including the design of the AI matching system and integration of blockchain features.

UI/UX Design : 5,000 ADA  

This will cover the cost of hiring a professional UI/UX designer to create a seamless and intuitive interface. A well-designed user experience is crucial to ensure the platform is accessible and engaging for a global audience.

DevOps, Server, and Hosting Costs : 6,000 ADA  

This amount will cover cloud services, server hosting, and DevOps for platform deployment, ensuring scalability, security, and maintenance over the first year of operations.

Incentives for Early Collaborators and Teams without Funding : 25,000 ADA  

This is a major part of the budget and will be used to provide incentives to early teams that are eager to start building on Cardano but have not yet secured formal funding. These funds will help them cover initial costs and serve as motivation to keep building, even before they receive external funding. This ensures that creators can work on their projects and continue to develop ideas without financial barriers.

Community Engagement, Marketing, and Global Outreach : 15,000 ADA  

To onboard users from the Cardano community and beyond, we will launch a comprehensive marketing campaign. This will cover costs for global advertising (social media, content marketing, etc.), outreach initiatives, and collaborations with platforms like Remostarts to ensure a broad reach.

AI Specialist and Ongoing AI Algorithm Development : 7,000 ADA  

A portion of the funds will be allocated to improving and refining the AI matching algorithm over time, ensuring that it efficiently connects collaborators based on their skills, ideas, and interests, regardless of location or background.

Legal, Compliance, and Code Auditing : 6,000 ADA  

This budget will cover necessary legal and compliance services, as well as the cost of auditing our smart contracts and platform code to ensure the platform's security and integrity, protecting the interests of all users.

Support for Teams Seeking Testers and Collaborators : 12,000 ADA  

This amount will help teams find testers and additional contributors as they develop their projects. The platform will actively facilitate connections between developers and community members who can assist with testing or other collaborative roles, further encouraging team growth and project success.

Project Management and Documentation : 6,800 ADA  

This will cover project management tools, resources for time tracking, and thorough documentation of the project’s progress and outcomes, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle. 

Miscellaneous and Contingency Fund : 5,000 ADA  

This fund will cover any unforeseen expenses or additional costs that may arise during the platform's development and initial launch.

Transparency and Clarifications:

• We have intentionally kept development costs lower since our core team will handle most of the technical development. This allows us to allocate a larger portion of the budget to supporting the community and enabling teams to begin building on Cardano even if they have not yet received funding.
• Incentives form a key part of our approach, providing early-stage builders with the financial motivation to start their projects, while AI recommendations and community support will help them form teams.
• Legal compliance and auditing will ensure the platform operates smoothly and securely, creating trust within the community.
• This platform will encourage collaboration from all over the world, giving developers, researchers, and tech enthusiasts the tools they need to start projects, find collaborators, and contribute to the Cardano ecosystem, even without initial funding.

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

Our project represents significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to its strategic allocation of funds, focusing heavily on community growth and global collaboration. With a budget of 97,800 ADA, we have structured costs efficiently to support not only the development of the platform but also incentivize early-stage teams to build on Cardano without waiting for external funding. A significant portion of the budget (25,000 ADA) is dedicated to providing incentives for teams with great ideas but limited financial resources. This ensures that builders can start creating even before securing formal funding, accelerating innovation within the ecosystem. By fostering collaboration and offering support through AI-powered team matching and skill-based recommendations, the platform will organically grow the community, leading to more projects being built on Cardano. We've also ensured that platform development costs are kept low since our core team is handling most of the technical aspects. This allows us to dedicate more resources to community engagement, legal auditing, and marketing outreach to attract a global audience of developers, researchers, and contributors. The platform will create a self-sustaining hub for innovation on Cardano, and by supporting early builders, it ensures a steady pipeline of high-quality projects. The budget is reasonable compared to industry standards, especially for a project of this scope, as much of the work is being handled by in-house developers at lower rates than typical market prices. We also aim to make the platform open source, allowing others to contribute, further maximizing its long-term value for the Cardano ecosystem. The incentive program, legal auditing, and global outreach will accelerate adoption and project development on Cardano, providing immense value for the community at a highly competitive cost.