CARDANO STARTUP COMPETITION

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

NERDCONF LATAM

[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

Tomas Octavio

[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)

Launch a startup competition using Cardano to support LATAM entrepreneurs in developing blockchain solutions that target key regional challenges, offering funding, mentorship, and technical support.

[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.”

.

[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

The project outputs, including smart contracts, APIs, and dApps built on Cardano, will be released under the MIT license. Repositories will be hosted on GitHub, with clear documentation and guidelines for developers to contribute, fork, or adapt the code. Additionally, regular updates and community calls will be held to engage developers and maintain transparency throughout the development process.

[METADATA] Horizons

Events

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is a startup competition designed to ignite blockchain innovation in LATAM using Cardano’s ecosystem. We recognize that many startups in the region face challenges such as limited access to funding, mentorship, and technological resources, especially in the blockchain space. By leveraging Cardano’s technology and community, and hosting flagship events in Guadalajara, Mexico; Medellin, Colombia; and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we aim to bridge these gaps and maximize impact. These locations were strategically chosen due to the success of previous events, demonstrating strong engagement and potential for growth.

Why This Approach?

Blockchain offers transformative potential, particularly in LATAM, where issues like financial exclusion, inefficient supply chains, and lack of digital identity solutions persist. Cardano’s platform, with its focus on scalability, low transaction costs, and energy efficiency, is well-suited to power these kinds of solutions. Our competition will engage entrepreneurs and developers to build dApps and services that address these specific challenges in a targeted and structured manner, combining hands-on support with practical, real-world applications.

Who Will Benefit?

This initiative targets early-stage startups, developers, and innovators in LATAM who are eager to leverage blockchain technology but lack access to resources. By providing technical support, funding, and mentorship through our events, we empower local talent to create scalable, impactful solutions, ultimately benefiting communities facing challenges in finance, identity, logistics, and more.

Demonstrating Impact

Impact will be measured through:

• Number of Startups Launched: Track the number of new ventures formed during the competition and their development over time.
• Adoption Metrics: Evaluate how many users or communities adopt and benefit from the solutions created.
• Long-term Sustainability: Support projects that can demonstrate a sustainable business model and scalability within and beyond LATAM.

Unique Value

What sets this competition apart is its integration with the Cardano ecosystem and its focus on key LATAM hubs where blockchain interest is already strong. This ensures that all solutions built have practical applications and scalability, showcasing Cardano’s ability to drive economic growth and innovation in emerging markets. By combining proven locations with strategic support, we create a sustainable pipeline for blockchain-based startups that align with Cardano’s mission.

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

Our project will significantly expand and strengthen the Cardano community in LATAM by nurturing a new wave of startups and dApps built on the platform. By addressing real-world problems such as financial inclusion, supply chain transparency, and digital identity, these startups will demonstrate Cardano’s capabilities and its practical applications, attracting more developers, businesses, and users to the ecosystem.

Value to the Cardano Community

The success of our project will showcase Cardano as the go-to blockchain for impactful, scalable solutions in LATAM. By empowering local entrepreneurs and developers, we expand the user base and developer network, leading to increased activity and transaction volume on the Cardano platform. Additionally, the competition will generate innovative dApps and services that can be integrated or scaled globally, further demonstrating Cardano’s versatility and effectiveness.

Measuring Impact

1. Quantitative Metrics:

• Number of Startups Created: Track the number of new ventures formed and their progress post-competition.
• Transaction Volume: Measure the blockchain activity generated by the new dApps and startups.
• User Adoption: Evaluate how many users engage with and benefit from the solutions created by these startups.
• Developer Engagement: Count the number of developers actively contributing to open-source projects and repositories.

1. Qualitative Metrics:

• Community Feedback: Gather feedback from participants, mentors, and the broader Cardano community to assess the perceived value of the competition.
• Case Studies: Publish detailed stories of successful startups and their journey, illustrating the impact of the competition and how Cardano facilitated their growth.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

• Open-Source Repositories: All dApps, smart contracts, and related resources developed will be published on GitHub under an open-source license, allowing the community to build upon them.
• Workshops and Webinars: We will host events to share knowledge, present successful projects, and demonstrate how others can leverage the outputs.
• Community Reports and Updates: We will provide transparent reports and updates through Cardano’s social channels, newsletters, and our website, highlighting progress, success stories, and impact metrics. This ensures that the Cardano community remains informed and engaged with the competition’s outcomes.

By sharing our outputs and encouraging community participation, we aim to create a lasting impact that extends beyond the competition, continuously growing and enriching 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?

At NERDCONF, we have demonstrated our capability to deliver impactful projects by organizing over 10 events worldwide this year, including in Buenos Aires, Lima, Medellín, Tulum, Mexico City, Monterrey, Madrid, and Bangkok, gathering 3,000+ attendees across LATAM. Our proven track record showcases our expertise in logistics, community engagement, and execution, making us well-suited to deliver this startup competition with high levels of trust and accountability.

Capability & Feasibility

Our experience in managing large-scale events in diverse locations has equipped us with a robust operational framework, a trusted network of local partners, and a seasoned team capable of executing projects efficiently. Our track record reflects our ability to handle budgets transparently, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to achieve maximum impact.

Steps for Ensuring Trust and Feasibility

1. Transparent Budget Management:

• We will use detailed financial tracking and reporting to ensure transparency in fund allocation.
• Regular updates will be shared with stakeholders, including financial breakdowns and progress reports.

1. Partnerships and Local Support:

• We collaborate with trusted local partners in each event location to ensure smooth operations and effective community engagement.
• By leveraging our established networks, we minimize risks and validate the feasibility of our approach.

1. Community Feedback and Iterative Improvement:

• We collect feedback from participants and partners to refine our approach, ensuring we address any issues swiftly and improve event quality.
• Our commitment to transparency and adaptability reinforces our accountability and reliability.

NERDCONF’s successful track record, combined with our expertise in managing community-driven blockchain events, ensures that we are well-equipped to deliver this startup competition and manage the resources with the highest standards of trust and accountability.

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

Milestone 1: Event Planning and Partnership Setup  

Description: Finalize event logistics and secure partnerships with local venues, sponsors, and mentors for each of the three events (Guadalajara, Medellín, and Buenos Aires).  

Acceptance Criteria: Confirmation of venues, signed agreements with sponsors and partners, and finalized event schedules. 

Milestone 2: Promotion and Participant Onboarding  

Description: Launch the competition's marketing campaign, including social media, newsletters, and partnerships with LATAM tech communities to recruit participants. Onboard 150+ participants across the three events.  

Acceptance Criteria: Achieve 150+ confirmed participants, a minimum of 50 for each event, and track campaign engagement metrics (e.g., sign-ups, reach, and impressions).  

Milestone 3: Event Execution  

Description: Successfully host the three events, providing workshops, mentoring sessions, and pitch competitions. Ensure all events meet safety, engagement, and educational standards.  

Acceptance Criteria: Events executed as planned with 80%+ participant attendance and positive feedback scores above 80% in post-event surveys.

Milestone 4: Startup Development and Support  

Description: Continue working with selected teams post-events, providing follow-up mentorship, resources, and funding to develop MVPs and deploy dApps on Cardano.  

Acceptance Criteria: 5+ MVPs deployed on Cardano, all projects hosted on GitHub with active community contributions and developer engagement.  

Milestone 5: Project Close-out Report and Video  

Description: Compile and present a final report and video summarizing the project’s impact, startup success stories, and community growth.  

Acceptance Criteria: A comprehensive report including quantitative and qualitative impact data, along with a professional video showing event highlights and testimonials, shared across Cardano’s channels.

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

• Ale Marin - Co-founder and a pivotal figure in the organization, Ale is known for her strong leadership and networking skills. She has a significant following on social media, which she leverages to promote NERDCONF events and engage with the tech community.
• Here’s Ale’s channel:
• 
  
• Here’s Ale linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-marin-83b369113/
• Tomi - Co-founder alongside Ale, Tomi brings a wealth of experience in event planning and community engagement. Has organized events for NASA.
• Here’s Tomi linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasoctavio/
• Cris - Handling logistics and operations, Cris ensures that every aspect of NERDCONF events runs smoothly. From venue selection to vendor management, his meticulous attention to detail guarantees that each event meets the high standards the community expects.
• Here’s Cris linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristian-strajman/?originalSubdomain=ar
• Julián - As a skilled video editor for global brands and influencers, Julio specializes in creating compelling video content that captures the essence of NERDCONF events, ensuring they resonate with an international audience.
• Here’s Juli Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgwilfrido/
• Maira - Passionate about social media, Maira manages content calendars and crafts viral-worthy visuals to amplify NERDCONF's online presence, increasing visibility and engagement for their events.
• You can see what Maira did here: https://instagram.com/nerdconf

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

You can check the full details in the table below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15PPJ4TPGR2vfZhYNzWNNXIZsxNmk0yGy29utPncPqXU/edit?usp=sharing

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

We’re all about making every ADA count, and this project is no exception. Think of it as investing in the next wave of LATAM’s tech talent, all powered by Cardano. We know the scene—NERDCONF has rocked over 10 events this year across LATAM and beyond, and we’ve got the connections to keep costs real and results epic.

Why It’s a Smart Investment

1. Event Costs:

• We’re using our insider know-how to lock down killer venues, gear, and marketing at local rates. No bloated budgets here—just solid value. Plus, our network means discounts and deals, making sure every peso stretches.

1. Top-Notch Mentorship:

• We’re bringing in the big guns—local and Cardano blockchain experts who know their stuff. We’ve budgeted based on local rates, ensuring we get the best bang for our buck, and our teams get the best training to build the next-gen dApps.

1. Marketing Magic:

• We’re not splashing cash on fancy campaigns; we’re leveraging our NERDCONF community and tech circles. We know how to hype events and get devs through the door without blowing the budget.

Why This Matters for Cardano

This isn’t just about throwing a party—it's about firing up the LATAM Cardano community and getting devs to build real, scalable solutions. Every ADA goes into creating projects that’ll ramp up Cardano’s user base and transaction volume, giving back tenfold. We’re not just talking hype; we’re talking long-term growth for Cardano, driven by startups that are legit solving real problems.

We’re making sure this investment hits hard, maximizes impact, and, of course, stays true to the NERDCONF way: big results, minimal BS.