CrushOU: Empowering Matchmaking through Cardano Blockchain and Tokenized Advice

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nguyen Thai Bao

[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)

12

[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)

Using Cardano blockchain to motivate community matchmaking advice, offer personalized compatibility analysis for real-life connections and foster more authentic relationships beyond digital profiles.

[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?

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

No. This will be a commercial tool however some core components, such as the smart contract infrastructure, will be open-source.

[METADATA] Horizons

Entertainments

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Overview:

CrushOU leverages Cardano blockchain technologies, smart contract to incentivize community matchmaking advice, offer personalized, data-driven compatibility analysis for real-life connections and foster more authentic relationships beyond digital profiles.

Problem:

Traditional matchmaking, dating app mainly focus on digital profile, leading to online scammers, financial fraud, fake profile and poor user experience. In 2001, more than 24,000 Americans were hit by romance scams with scammers stealing over 1 billion dollars.

Our Detailed Solution:

CrushOU’s proposed solution is an innovative approach to dating and matchmaking that focuses on real-life interactions, enhancing the spontaneity and authenticity that traditional dating apps lack. The solution revolves around a mobile app where users can snap photos of people they encounter in public settings, such as streets or venues, and receive personalized advice on their compatibility with those individuals. This advice is generated through a combination of company algorithms and community input, incentivized by token rewards.

The app leverages blockchain technology, specifically tokens, NFTs, and smart contracts, to encourage community engagement. Users can earn tokens by contributing thoughtful matchmaking advice, which fosters a decentralized, trust-based ecosystem. The project prioritizes real-world encounters over digital profiles, reducing the risk of online scamming, and improving the overall dating experience by focusing on authentic, in-person connections.

By using the feedback of client and reputation system as inputs of smart contract to compute the reward for community matchmakers, we assure the good quality of advice and ensure that only the best matchmakers have high benefits from this system. Open-source smart contract makes the criteria of reward distribution publicly, transparently, and ensures fairness in how rewards are issued.

By integrating blockchain technology, this solution ensures transparency, security, and community-driven insights, offering a fresh alternative to the traditional online dating space.

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

CrushOU project has a significant positive impact on the wider Cardano community through many aspects, enhancing both technological and social engagement.

1/ Increased Adoption of Cardano Blockchain:

Token and Smart Contract Usage: By integrating token-based incentives and smart contracts, the project will introduce a new use case for the Cardano blockchain. This will encourage more users to create wallets, transact using tokens, and interact with Cardano-based applications, thus increasing the overall adoption of the platform.

Onboarding New Users: Many users from the matchmaking/dating app industry may be unfamiliar with blockchain technology. The project will serve as an entry point, helping them understand how blockchain (specifically Cardano) can improve user experiences with transparency, fairness, and incentivized participation.

2/ Expanding the DeFi Ecosystem:

Token Economy: By creating a tokenized ecosystem where users are rewarded for contributing matchmaking advice, CrushOU expands Cardano’s decentralized finance (DeFi) use cases. This helps build and reinforce the infrastructure for Cardano’s token economy, driving further interest from developers and investors.

Incentivized Engagement: CrushOU project introduces a novel way to use tokens as rewards, which will motivate other developers in the Cardano community to build similar community-driven incentive systems, driving innovation in DeFi models.

3/ Strengthening Cardano's Social Impact Mission:

Focusing on Real-World Interactions: CrushOU project enhances social connections in real life, focusing on authentic encounters rather than the impersonal, profile-driven nature of existing platforms. By integrating blockchain technology to improve relationships and genuine interactions, the project aligns with Cardano’s broader mission of delivering positive social impact through blockchain.

Trust and Authenticity: The transparency provided by blockchain technology (e.g., immutable feedback, token rewards) reduces the risk of scams and fake profiles. This aligns with Cardano’s philosophy of creating a more ethical and trust-centered digital ecosystem, contributing to a safer, more responsible online environment.

4/ Encouraging DApp Innovation on Cardano:

CrushOU project presents a non-financial, community-driven use case for blockchain, showing that Cardano can be used for more than just financial transactions or traditional DeFi applications. This will inspire other developers to think creatively about blockchain applications, leading to greater diversity in decentralized apps (DApps) on Cardano.

5/ Boosting Cardano's Reputation:

Real-World Application of Blockchain: By addressing a real-world problem (online scams and poor user experiences in dating apps) with a blockchain-based solution, CrushOU showcases the tangible benefits of Cardano to a wider audience. This will help Cardano strengthen its reputation as a platform that solves real-world issues, not just theoretical blockchain problems.

Visibility and Promotion: If CrushOU project becomes successful, it will naturally draw attention to Cardano’s capabilities. Media coverage, user growth, and community engagement can highlight the strength of the platform, encouraging other entrepreneurs to build their projects on Cardano.

6/ Sustainability and Scalability:

Sustainable Incentive Model: The token-based reward system CrushOU implements will demonstrate how blockchain can create sustainable models for community-driven platforms. This will encourage the wider Cardano ecosystem to explore similar models in other industries, from education to entertainment.

Scalability of Cardano: By running a community-based project with a token economy and smart contracts on Cardano, CrushOU will test and showcase Cardano’s scalability. This will demonstrate the platform’s capacity to handle large-scale, real-world applications, attracting more enterprise-level projects.

Overall, CrushOU has the potential to make a lasting impact on the Cardano community by expanding use cases for its blockchain, encouraging community collaboration, driving DeFi and DApp innovation, and contributing to Cardano’s social impact mission.

[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?

1/ Capability to Deliver with High Trust and Accountability:

Team Expertise: Our core team brings together a unique blend of expertise across key areas necessary for the success of this project, ensuring both high levels of trust and accountability in every aspect of our development process.

• Finance & Data Analysis Expertise: One of our key team members specializes in financial analysis and data analytics with proficiency in Python and SQL. The experience ensures that our platform's reward systems and tokenomics are underpinned by sound financial strategies and data-driven insights. They bring invaluable knowledge of designing systems that are transparent, scalable, and built on strong analytical foundations.
• Legal Expertise: Our in-house lawyer specializes in digital and blockchain-related regulations, ensuring that our platform remains fully compliant with international and regional legal frameworks. They bring extensive knowledge in intellectual property rights, privacy laws, and blockchain compliance, which is vital for navigating the complex legal landscape in multiple jurisdictions. This expertise guarantees that our platform will be developed with legal integrity, building trust among users and stakeholders.
• Full-Stack Development Expertise: Our full-stack developer has a solid background in both front-end and back-end development, proficient in JavaScript, Node.js, and React. The experience in building scalable, secure, and user-friendly platforms ensures that we can deliver a seamless experience for users, from photo submission to blockchain interaction.

Planned Expansion with Specialist Talent:

• To complement our existing skill set, we plan to bring on seasonal experts to manage specific high-tech aspects of the project, such as blockchain and smart contract development. These additional hires will ensure that we implement robust smart contract logic, efficient Cardano blockchain integration, and secure token management systems.
• By hiring skilled blockchain and smart contract developers, as well as another full-stack developer, we ensure that our platform remains technologically sound, highly secure, and fully scalable as we grow our user base and functionality.

Together, our team is fully capable of delivering the project with a high level of trust, accountability, and technological excellence. We are committed to continuous development and refinement to meet user needs and industry standards.

Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Applying blockchain and smart contract in our business’s model ensures transparency and security in transactions, which helps build trust within the user community. Every token transaction, community-written advice, and interaction can be securely tracked and verified, making CrushOU matchmaking platform more reliable.

User Data Privacy and Security: CrushOU prioritizes user privacy, especially when handling sensitive data like photos and personal preferences. Our use of encryption and secure storage methods, ensuring that data cannot be accessed or manipulated by unauthorized parties.

Privacy Regulations of Submitted Contents: By uploading photos or other content to the Platform, clients confirm that they have the legal right and authority to upload, share, and display the Content, including obtaining explicit consent from any individual featured in the photos, unless such consent is not legally required.

In Vietnam and many other countries allow people snap and use freely photos from public places, public activities without consent as long as these photos do not defame other people. Therefore, in accordance with the laws of these countries, we permit the submission of non-consensual photos taken in public places, public events, and public activities. However, clients must still comply with local laws and regulations if they are using the platform outside these countries.

Tokenized Incentives System: The token-based reward system ensures that community contributors are held accountable for providing high-quality matchmaking advice. Reputation systems, backed by blockchain, could be used to ensure that only trustworthy community members gain influence. Feedbacks from users could affect the rewards of matchmakers. These leads to the fact that community contributors have to focus on the quality of their advices.

2/ Intended Approach to Validate Feasibility:

Pilot Testing: we intend to launch a small-scale pilot version first to test the user experience, matchmaking accuracy, community engagement and monetization model. This will help us validate the core features and gather user feedback before scaling up.

Market Research: we conduct surveys on single adults through social networking platforms to determine their interest in a matchmaking app.

Community engagement: we test the community-driven advice model by involving early adopters or influencers in the matchmaking community. These people can give their matchmaking advice to other people in a testing group; and they can provide valuable feedback on the platform’s performance and help refine our approach.

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

Mobile App & PC Platform Development

Duration: 4 months

Key Tasks:

• Develop the mobile app.
• Develop the PC platform.
• Integrate the mobile app with the PC platform
• Implement algorithms or methods for matchmaking suitability analysis.
• Conduct UI/UX design and early user testing for both platforms.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Working prototypes of mobile app and PC platform.
• Matchmaking algorithm in place.
• Basic interface ready for testing and feedback.

Acceptance criteria: MVP (minimum viable product) versions of PC & mobile app with essential functionalities.

Blockchain Infrastructure Setup & Token Rewards System

Duration: 3 months

Key Tasks:

• Integrate Cardano blockchain for token management and reward system.
• Set up smart contracts for community matchmakers’ token rewards.
• Finalize the tokenomics model (token issuance, spending, and rewards).
• Begin testing blockchain reward payouts.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Blockchain integration complete with token reward system.
• Initial testing of smart contracts for rewarding matchmakers.

Acceptance criteria: a simplified version of the tokenomics and smart contract system to reward matchmakers.

Community Engagement & Beta Testing

Duration: 2 months

Key Tasks:

• Beta testing with both matchmakers and clients on the platform.
• Engage the community, including onboarding matchmakers.
• Monitor user feedback to refine the platform and improve UX.
• Test token reward payouts and community incentives.
• Develop additional features on PC platform (NFT Marketplace, Community Voting for Beauty Contest,...)

Deliverables:

• Beta version of both the app and platform.
• Early community members engaged.
• Functional token-based reward system.

Acceptance criteria: Test the platform with real users and engage the community by onboarding early matchmakers and clients, and refine the platform based on their feedback.

Full Launch & Marketing

Duration: 3 months

Key Tasks:

• Launch the complete app and platform with integrated blockchain and reward system.
• Execute marketing campaigns to attract users and scale the platform.
• Implement monetization strategies (premium matchmaking advice, token features).
• Refine the platform based on user feedback.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Fully launched app and PC platform.
• Token economy fully operational.
• Early user acquisition and monetization in progress.

Acceptance criteria:

• Launch the app and platform fully with integrated blockchain and token rewards.
• Focus on user acquisition through cost-effective marketing strategies.
• Start monetization through premium matchmaking advice or token-based features.

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

CrushOU has a plan to establish an entity and our core team members include:

Nguyen Thai Bao

LinkedIn

Roles in Poject: Project Manager, Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Tokenomics/Blockchain Strategist, Finance Director

Lu Phung Tien

Roles in Project: UI/UX Designer, Marketing Material Designer

Phan Ngoc Ly

Role in Project: Full-stack Developer, Blockchain Developer, Development Team Lead

Nguyen Dao Thien Huong

Roles in Project: Community Manager, Marketing Lead

Ngo Bao An

Roles in Project: QA Tester, Customer Support Lead

Dao Van Thang

Role in Project: QA Tester

Dao Minh Quan

Role in Project: Legal/Compliance Expert

We are going to recruit additional team members, they are seasonal employees and will be hired when the project comes to their tasks.

Blockchain/Smart Contract Developers

Required skill set: Plutus, Haskell, Cardano APIs, CLI, native tokens, Cardano node setup, wallet management, and staking.

Full-stack Developer

Required skill set: HTML, CSS, Javascript, ReactJs/NextJS, Node.js, NestJs, React Native.

Legal/Compliance Expert

Role:

• Handle legal considerations around data protection (e.g., GDPR compliance).
• Ensure regulatory compliance with blockchain and token laws.
• Advise on intellectual property, contracts, ToS and user agreements.

Required skill set: blockchain & token laws, Data protection regulations

We are going to collaborate with talents from Fptsoftware.com who graduate the top IT university in Vietnam.

Role: FPT Software, globally recognized IT solutions provider, is key partner in the project. They will provide development resources, support for blockchain integration, smart contract solution, and assistance in scaling the platform. With expertise in large-scale software development, they will handle infrastructure deployment, API development, and ensure the project’s scalability.

Key Contributions:

• Providing skilled developers for blockchain, mobile, and web platforms.
• Offering infrastructure solutions, including cloud and server setup.
• Supporting ongoing maintenance and testing during the project lifecycle.

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

Milestone 1: Mobile App & PC Platform Development

Duration: 4 months

UI/UX Designer: 2 months x 1000 = $2000

Full-Stake PC & Mobile Platform Developers:

·        4 months x $1,300 = $5200 (For Mobile developer)

·        4 months x $1000 = $4,000 (For PC platform developer)

Testing (QA): 2 months x $500 = $1000

IT Infrastructure Costs: $900

Servers, Cloud Hosting (AWS/GCP/Azure): ~$150/month = $600

Domain, SSL Certificates: ~$100/year

Testing Tools and Licenses: ~$200 (one-time)

Total Infrastructure for Milestone 1: $900

Project Manager: $4,000

Contingency Fund: $1,000

Project Coordination and Documentation: $300

Total: $18,400

Total ADA @ 0.36 = ADA 51,111

Milestone 2: Blockchain Infrastructure Setup & Token Rewards System

Duration: 3 months

Blockchain Developer (1 senior level): 3 months x $2,000 = $6,000

Smart Contract Development (1 junior level blockchain developer): 3 months x $1,500 = $4,500

Tokenomics & Legal/Compliance: $1,700

IT Infrastructure Costs: $650

Blockchain Infrastructure & Fees: $650

Blockchain API Services (e.g., Blockfrost): ~$50/month = $150

Smart Contract Deployment Fees (Cardano): ~$500

Total Blockchain Costs: $650

Project Manager: 3 months x $1,000 = $3,000

Contingency Fund: $1000

Project Coordination and Documentation: $300

Total: $17,800

Total ADA @ 0.36 = ADA 49,444

Milestone 3: Community Engagement & Beta Testing

Duration: 2 months

Beta Testing Team (1 QA tester): 2 months x $500 = $1,000

Development Team (refine UX and build additional features on PC platform, 1 developer): 2 months x $1,000 = $2,000

Project Manager: 2 months x $600 = $1,200

Community Manager (to engage matchmakers and clients): 2 months x $600 = $1,200

IT Infrastructure Costs for Scaling: $1,600

Contingency Fund: $500

Project Coordination and Documentation: $300

Total: $7,800

Total ADA @ 0.36 = ADA 21,667

Milestone 4: Full Launch & Marketing

Duration: 3 months

Community Manager (to engage matchmakers and clients): 3 months x $600 = $1,800

Development Team (supporting final launch, 1 developer): 3 months x $1,000 = $3,000

Infrastructure Costs for Scaling: $1,600

Project Manager: 3 months x $600 = $1,800

Contingency Fund: $500

Project Coordination and Documentation: $300

Total: $9,000

Total ADA @ 0.36 = ADA 25,000

Fund Request ADA @ 0.36 = ADA 147,222

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

The project represents very high value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1/ Efficient Use of Resources:

Cardano allows for native token issuance directly on the blockchain without the need for smart contracts (unlike Ethereum’s ERC-20 standard). This simplifies the creation and transfer of tokens while reducing gas costs.

By using Plutus, we can develop highly secure and efficient smart contracts for matchmaking algorithms, token distribution, and user interactions without requiring significant resources to handle contract vulnerabilities. This helps in reducing development and auditing costs.

Leveraging the existing Cardano infrastructure (smart contracts, tokens, etc.) allows us to minimize development and operation costs, compared to building project on other blockchain. This makes the project more cost-effective and sustainable for Cardano.

Labor costs in Vietnam are roughly 70-80% lower than in the US and other developed countries; therefore, building this project in our country would be a cost efficiency.

2/ Long-Term Impact on the Cardano Ecosystem:

User Adoption: Introducing matchmaking and dating services on Cardano attracts users who may not have been previously involved with blockchain technology. The feature of focusing on the real-life relationships, spontaneous encounters and the token-based incentive model for the matchmaking advices can attract people of all ages or any married status to use CrushOU’s platform. This influx of users and new token holders could benefit the Cardano blockchain by increasing network activity, creating new opportunities for staking, and boosting liquidity.

Innovation in Social and Dating Networks: CrushOU platform is a novel concept that combines real-world matchmaking with blockchain technology. This creates a unique use case within the Cardano ecosystem, fostering innovation and showing the versatility of Cardano for different applications beyond traditional finance, cryptocurrency transactions.

3/ Scalability and Future Growth:

Scalable Architecture: There are nearly 4 billion people being single and having demand to find out their true lovers; and the token-based incentive model for the matchmaking advices can attract people of all ages or any married status to use CrushOU platform. Therefore, this project has the huge potential to scale quickly as it grows in popularity, which will result in further usage of Cardano’s blockchain. This scalability provides value for the Cardano ecosystem as it enables widespread adoption of blockchain-based applications in everyday life.

Revenue and Sustainability: Although this matchmaking service is totally free, the project can eventually generate revenue through premium matchmaking services, token & NFT sales, and membership, … which reduce reliance on future funding and contribute value back to the Cardano ecosystem by reinvesting in the platform's growth.

4/ Community Engagement:

CrushOU not only uses blockchain but also empowers the Cardano community by giving them an active role in providing matchmaking advice and earning tokens. This aligns with Cardano’s philosophy of decentralization and community-driven value creation, making the project a good match for the ecosystem.

Overall, CrushOU project represents a high-value investment that maximizes the impact of the funds requested, aligns with Cardano’s goals of innovation and decentralization, and ultimately delivers lasting value for the ecosystem and its stakeholders through community engagement and blockchain-driven scalability.