Cardano Builder Fest Asia by Mesh, Socious, SIDAN, Vietnam Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Cardano Builder Asia

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Mesh JS

SIDAN Lab

Socious

Cardano Vietnam

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

99016

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

3

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

Yes

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Hosting Buidler Fest #2, building up on the great experiences of Buidler Fest #1. A 2-day event for tech-savvy Cardano builders to connect, showcase and share.

[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

All relevant project sources will be fully open source, including event documentation, videos, and resources shared during the event.

[METADATA] Horizons

Connected Community

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Buidler Fest #1 in Toulouse successfully introduced an effective event format for the Cardano builder community. The goal of the original event, led by Matthias Benkort and Arnauld, was to encourage the community to continue and adapt this event model in various regions. Builder Fest Asia aims to build on this success, enhancing connections and collaboration among builders across Asia. Rather than replicating the original, this version will refine and tailor the format to suit the specific needs of the region.

This project is a collaborative effort involving MeshJS, SIDAN Lab, SociousDAO, and Cardano Vietnam, leveraging each group’s expertise to ensure smooth organization and impactful outcomes.

• Event Location: Vietnam
• Event Structure:
• Day 1: Technical presentations and community development workshops.
• Day 2: Open-Space sessions and hackathons to promote collaboration.

Our goal is to ensure seamless organization, attract top talent, and provide a rich, engaging experience for participants.

Buidler Fest #1 References:

https://buidl.2024.cardano.org/ 

https://buidl.2024.cardano.org/posts/2024-04-26-it-s-over/ 

https://medium.com/blinklabs_io/buidler-fest-2024-recap-and-thoughts-d8ccd3dce32e 

https://forum.cardano.org/t/buidler-fest-from-a-non-technical-perspective/130957 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jUXvyRPc58

• 
  

Why Host Cardano Builder Fest in Asia?

1.Strengthen Connections Among Asian Developers

The developer and builder communities in Asia are rapidly growing but remain fragmented. Builder Fest will provide an opportunity to bridge these gaps, fostering collaboration and contributing to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem.

2.Thriving Communities Actively Contributing to Cardano

Asia is home to vibrant communities like MeshJS, SIDAN Lab, Socious, and Cardano Builder Vietnam (Minswap), all of which are actively driving progress within Cardano. Hosting the event in Asia capitalizes on these efforts, further uniting and amplifying the contributions of these communities.

Why Host the Event in Vietnam?

1.Abundant IT and Blockchain Talent, Young Workforce

Vietnam has emerged as a tech hub in Southeast Asia, with over 530,000 software engineers and 50,000-57,000 IT graduates entering the workforce each year. Success stories like Sky Mavis, the creator of Axie Infinity, demonstrate Vietnam’s blockchain capabilities

Nimbus Technology Dapp.expert

2.Cost-Effective Event Hosting

Vietnam offers significantly lower operational costs than other regional hubs such as Singapore or Hong Kong, making it possible to organize large-scale, high-quality events without exceeding budget limits

Bitcoin News Asia Dapp.expert

3.Experienced Event Management

The Cardano Vietnam community, with over 50,000 members, has a proven track record of successfully organizing major events, including Cardano Meetup, Cardano Summit, and Intersect Meetup. Their experience ensures the event will be executed smoothly, attracting strong participation from both local and regional developers

Market Research Reports USA

With a combination of strong talent, cost-effective operations, and experienced event management, Vietnam is the ideal location for Cardano Builder Fest Asia.

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

Building on the success of Buidler Fest #1, Cardano Builder Fest Asia aims to create a collaborative platform to strengthen connections between developers and builders in the Cardano ecosystem. This event will foster deeper relationships and spark new friendships, leading to potential collaborative projects among individuals and communities.

Moreover, adopting an open-event model with hackathon and informal conference formats will encourage innovation through practical workshops and hands-on hackathons. These experiences will not only yield tangible results but also provide learning and development opportunities for participants.

The event will also generate compelling multimedia content—such as videos, photos, and interviews—shared widely on social media channels. This exposure will promote the vibrant activities of the Cardano developer community to both technical and non-technical audiences, expanding the ecosystem’s influence and attracting new interest from diverse groups.

Through this comprehensive approach, Cardano Builder Fest Asia will act as a catalyst for long-term collaboration and sustainable development within the Cardano 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?

This project is a direct collaboration between MeshJS, SIDAN Lab, SociousDAO, and Cardano Vietnam. With proven expertise and diverse strengths, each partner contributes unique value, ensuring the successful organization and execution of Buidler Fest Asia.

• MeshJS: Under the leadership of Hong Jing, MeshJS offers technical expertise in developer tools, on-chain ticketing systems, and event infrastructure.
• SIDAN Lab: Facilitates technical workshops and develops open-source tools, ensuring effective knowledge sharing and smooth project execution.
• SociousDAO: With extensive experience in community development and project management, Socious coordinates the event, selects speakers, and builds strategic partnerships.
• Cardano Vietnam: With a community of 50,000 members and experience in organizing major events, Cardano Vietnam manages local logistics, community engagement, and collaborates with development experts to run mentorship programs.

This diverse and experienced team ensures effective planning, seamless execution, and meaningful impact for Cardano Builder Fest Asia.

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

Milestone 1: Event Planning and Organization

Deliverables:

• Book the event venue
• Launch the event website with a speaker proposal feature
• Announce the event across communication channels
• Initiate the "Call for Speakers" campaign
• Review proposals and finalize the event program

Acceptance Criteria:

• Event venue successfully booked
• Event website launched
• Event program published

Completion Evidence:

• Link to venue booking invoice
• Link to the event website
• Event program available online

Completion Time: February

Budget Allocation: 20% of total budget

Project Completion: 20%

Milestone 2: Event Execution

Deliverables:

• Host the 2-day event as planned

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful event with participation from speakers and the community

Completion Evidence:

• Link to event summary with photos and videos

Completion Time: March

Budget Allocation: 50% of total budget

Project Completion: 70%

Final Milestone: Documentation and Reporting

Deliverables:

• Complete event report and evaluation summary
• Prepare the final project close-out report and wrap-up video

Acceptance Criteria:

• Final event report and video completed

Completion Evidence:

• Links to the final report and video

Completion Time: April

Budget Allocation: 30% of total budget

Project Completion: 100%

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

This proposal represents a collaborative effort among multiple builder projects and dynamic communities in East Asia, ensuring comprehensive expertise in technical development, research, community engagement, and project management. Each partner contributes unique strengths, ensuring the efficient organization and impactful execution of Cardano Builder Fest Asia.

1.MeshJS: Technical Support and Developer Resources

Technical Lead: Hong Jing (Jingles)

Profile: https://jingles.dev

Role and Contribution:

MeshJS, led by Hong Jing, will provide technical expertise in tool development, event infrastructure management, and developer support. With Jingles actively pursuing a PhD in machine learning and working as a full-stack developer, MeshJS will ensure the smooth operation of open-source tools designed for Cardano blockchain applications. The team will also manage the technical aspects of the event website, on-chain ticketing system, and other blockchain activities during the event.

*See more information in the link below.

https://x.com/meshsdk 

https://meshjs.dev/

2.SIDAN Lab: Research and Knowledge Sharing

Role and Contribution:

SIDAN Lab, based in Hong Kong, specializes in Cardano development and provides technical solutions and open-source tools for the community. During the event, SIDAN Lab will organize workshops and deep-dive sessions, sharing knowledge and technical insights. The team will also leverage its local network connections to ensure the smooth execution of the project.

*See more information in the link below.

https://www.sidan.io/

https://x.com/sidan_lab

3.Socious: Community Development and Project Coordination

Founder and CEO: Seira Yun

Role and Contribution:

Socious will oversee the event coordination, logistics management, and partnership building efforts. With expertise in community development, Socious will lead efforts to recruit speakers, promote the event, and engage stakeholders. Drawing from its experience managing multiple Catalyst-funded projects, Socious will ensure the event is well-planned, executed, and evaluated to achieve maximum impact.

*See more information in the link below.

https://x.com/SociousDAO 

https://socious.io/

4.Cardano Vietnam: Community Engagement and Event Organization

Cardano Ambassador and Event Organizer: Ha Nguyen

Role and Contribution:

Cardano Vietnam will handle local logistics and community outreach. With over 50,000 members and experience organizing major events—including Cardano Summit, Cardano Meetup, Intersect Meetup, and the Cardano Constitution Workshop—the team will play a key role in ensuring strong community participation. They will also collaborate with local developers to run mentorship programs, ensuring the event meets the needs of the community.

*See more information in the link below.

https://x.com/VietnamCardano

https://linktr.ee/CardanoVietnamCommunity 

https://x.com/Hahero7

https://forum.cardano.org/u/hakochan/activity

This well-rounded, experienced team guarantees the successful planning, execution, and impact of Cardano Builder Fest Asia.

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

The total budget for this event exceeds 82,000 USD, and we propose that Catalyst fund 30,200 USD (equivalent to 99,016 ADA at an exchange rate of 0.305 USD/ADA).

The remaining funds will be raised through additional support from the Cardano Foundation, IOG, and other sponsors within the Cardano ecosystem.

The 30,200 USD from Catalyst will be prioritized toward covering essential event organization costs to ensure smooth execution.

Risk Management: This already taken to account the risk management of ADA/USD fluctuation rates. (15% versus the current ADA/USD at the time of the proposal is written *0.36.

Please see the detailed budget here (Unit: USD):

Budget Sheet

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

The Cardano Builder Asia Fest offers substantial value aligned with the funding request, ensuring a high return on investment for Catalyst. Below are the key arguments justifying the proposal’s value for money:

1. Significant Value to the Cardano Ecosystem

This event will connect developers and builders across Asia, providing hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and spaces for open-source contributions. Such activities enhance collaboration, foster new partnerships, and encourage knowledge sharing, driving innovation within the ecosystem. The success of Buidler Fest #1 proves that a hacker-style, unconference format stimulates meaningful engagement and builds long-term relationships, helping sustain Cardano’s growth (buidl.2024.cardano.org).

2. Market-Aligned Budget

The proposed budget is meticulously planned, with costs aligned with local market rates. To ensure transparency, we will provide receipts and invoices for all expenses incurred. This ensures that Catalyst funds are used responsibly, maximizing the impact without unnecessary overhead.

Please see details in Comparison table.

3. Cost Efficiency Through Community Involvement

Most logistics and event coordination will be handled by dedicated community members and the organizing team, reducing external staffing costs. This community-driven approach significantly lowers operational expenses while ensuring high-quality event delivery.

4. Affordable Costs in Vietnam

Vietnam offers a cost-effective venue compared to other regional hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong. This allows us to organize a large-scale, high-quality event within a reasonable budget. The lower cost of logistics, accommodation, and venue rentals ensures that more resources can be allocated toward content, activities, and participant engagement.

For example, hotel costs: according to statistics from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the average hotel cost is 162 USD. In our budget, the cost for an international standard room in Vietnam is only 70 USD per day, saving 57%. This leads to substantial cost savings for the Builder Fest event, which has 110 participants.

References: Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)

Additionally, Vietnam’s young, skilled workforce specializing in IT and blockchain makes it an ideal location to attract regional developers to the event.

Conclusion

This event not only optimizes the budget but also delivers long-term value to the Cardano ecosystem. Open-source outputs, including tools, documentation, and networking opportunities, will strengthen the community and inspire new initiatives, ensuring sustainable growth. With 30,200 USD requested from Catalyst, this proposal strategically allocates resources to maximize the event's impact, foster innovation, and generate lasting benefits for the Cardano community.

Value for money - Value for the Cardano Ecosystem

The Value for money considers optimized savings compared to the level of seniority and experience of the team benchmarking at the local level.

• Mesh JS
• SIDAN Lab
• Socious
• Cardano Vietnam

This proposal was originated from hours of team discussions and commitments to build a dedicated platform for builders to connect and thrive in a sustainable manner. The experience of the players in the core team speaks themselves.

In short, We build for last, a thriving Cardano Builder community.