ShipShift - A decentralized package delivery ecosystem in Nigeria

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Adeola O. Adedokun

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[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)

Participants will be given a chance to enjoy more value from their existing resources by rendering their bit in the delivery process, while also offering businesses/customers affordable delivery.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[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.”

Atlas PAB - Open source offchain framework

Kupo - Open source lightweight chain indexer

Hydra - Open source Isomorphic state channels for cheap and fast transactions

[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

The project is only going to be partially open sourced. To gain first-mover advantage, it is in our best interest to differ fully open-sourcing the projects to a later date.

[METADATA] Horizons

Supply Chain

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem:

The increasing costs of deliveries, driven by soaring fuel prices and supply chain inefficiencies, have made shipping more expensive for both consumers and businesses. High inflation compounds this issue by eroding purchasing power and elevating the overall costs of goods and services, placing additional strain on household and business budgets.

There is an urgent need for innovative, cost-effective solutions to address delivery expenses, inflationary pressures, and unemployment. Developing a more efficient system that reduces the cost of package transportation while creating new income opportunities could help alleviate these interconnected challenges.

Solution:

We propose an ecosystem where participants collaborate to achieve a common goal: efficient package delivery through decentralized coordination, rather than traditional supply chain management. In this system, known as ShipShift, participants act in their own interest while contributing to the overall success of the platform.

ShipShift facilitates a marketplace powered by smart contracts, allowing participants—both Requesters and Operators—to post and bid on shipment requests. This marketplace ensures transparency and automation, tracking every step of the process from start to finish.

The ecosystem is organized into "colonies," which are groups of participants. A colony can be established by one or more individuals, referred to as "colony owners." Upon creating a colony, they receive tokens that enable them to invite and onboard new members under specific conditions.

These new members, called "operators," work together to transport packages. The delivery process involves multiple steps, which can be combined into more complex routes.

There are two primary operator roles: dispatch operators and reserve operators. Dispatch operators are individuals who commute regularly or occasionally, transporting packages along their routes. Reserve operators provide secure in-transit storage when needed. These roles ensure smooth and efficient package delivery, all managed by ShipShift to maintain accountability and efficiency.

Example scenario:

Alice lives in location A and commutes to Location B regularly.

Bob lives in location B and has storage space to spare.

Charles lives in location C but commutes regularly to location B.

Dave requires that a package be delivered from Location A to Location C.

For a successful package delivery, the ShipShift platform shall enable the requester (Dave) to either manually select the operators for package transition or automatically - using ShipShift's optimized routing algorithm.

In this scenario, Alice and Charles are commuters - hence dispatch (operators), - while Bob is a reserve operator.

The route taken by the package would therefore be as follows:

Source -> Alice -> Bob -> Charles -> Destination.

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

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community

ShipShift is set to make a significant positive impact on the broader Cardano community by harnessing the decentralized and secure nature of the Cardano blockchain to create an innovative marketplace for package delivery services. By empowering anyone—from commuters and individuals with extra storage space to full-time operators—to participate as service providers, ShipShift democratizes income opportunities and fosters economic inclusion within the Cardano ecosystem.

The project will also boost the adoption of Cardano by integrating blockchain technology into real-world applications. As participants transact using ADA for services rendered, this will enhance liquidity and utility within the Cardano network. Additionally, ShipShift will demonstrate the scalability and functionality of Cardano’s smart contracts, serving as a strong proof of concept for future decentralized applications within the community.

Measuring Impact

The impact of ShipShift will be evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

Quantitative Metrics:

Number of Active Users: Tracking both Requesters and Operators on the platform.

Transaction Volume: Total transactions processed in ADA.

Delivery Success Rate: Number of successful deliveries and average delivery times.

Participant Income: Income generated by users within the ecosystem.

Qualitative Metrics:

User Satisfaction Surveys: Assessing ease of use, reliability, and overall experience.

Community Feedback: Gathering insights from Cardano community stakeholders on the platform’s impact and effectiveness.

Case Studies: Highlighting individual success stories where users have benefited financially or enhanced their service offerings.

Sharing Results and Opportunities

ShipShift will disseminate its results and opportunities to the wider Cardano community through multiple channels:

Regular Updates: Posting progress reports on community forums like Cardano’s Project Catalyst and social media platforms such as Twitter, Telegram, and Reddit.

Detailed Content: Publishing blog posts and case studies that showcase key successes, lessons learned, and avenues for further collaboration.

Collaborations: Partnering with other projects within the Cardano ecosystem to explore new use cases or expand the platform's capabilities.

Open-Source Contributions: Sharing code and resources where appropriate to inspire similar decentralized solutions in other industries.

By maintaining transparency and encouraging a collaborative environment, ShipShift aims to serve as a valuable model for decentralized applications on Cardano, driving broader adoption and fostering innovation across the blockchain community.

[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?

Capability to Deliver with Trust and Accountability

We are fully equipped to execute the ShipShift project with the highest levels of trust and accountability, thanks to the combined expertise of our dedicated team. Each member brings specialized skills in blockchain technology, software architecture, and project management, ensuring that all facets of the project are expertly handled.

Key Team Members:

Adeola O. Adedokun – Blockchain and Functional Developer: As a member of the 1st cohort of Plutus Pioneers with extensive experience in software development and prototyping, Adeola will ensure that our marketplace's smart contracts and decentralized systems operate securely and efficiently on the Cardano blockchain.

Seyi Adedokun – Software Architect: Mr. B is responsible for designing the overall system architecture. He will ensure that the platform is scalable, reliable, and optimized for high performance as demand increases.

Franklin Anyaso – Backend Developer: Focusing on building the backend infrastructure, Franklin will ensure smooth handling of transaction data, bidding systems, and user communications that power ShipShift.

Bayodele Shedu – Frontend Developer: With an emphasis on user experience, Bayodele will develop the front-end interface to provide an intuitive and seamless experience for both Requesters and Operators interacting with the marketplace.

Our team members have a proven track record of successfully delivering similar projects in the tech and blockchain industries. This collective experience gives us the confidence and capability to execute ShipShift effectively.

Validating the Feasibility of Our Approach

To validate the feasibility of ShipShift, we will implement several key processes:

Proof of Concept (PoC) Development: We will develop a prototype to test core functionalities such as the marketplace, bidding system, and integration with Cardano-based smart contracts.

Community Engagement: Regular feedback loops with early adopters, the Cardano community, and other stakeholders will help us refine the platform and ensure it meets user needs.

Pilot Testing: A limited pilot program will be conducted to test ShipShift with real users. This will allow us to gather insights, identify potential issues, and validate our business model.

Partnerships and Audits: We will engage third-party auditors to review our smart contracts for security and collaborate with partners within the Cardano ecosystem to enhance and validate our solution.

Managing Funds with Trust and Accountability

We are committed to managing project funds responsibly and transparently. Our key steps include:

Scrum-Based Development Process: By breaking the project into sprints, we can track progress, ensure efficient resource utilization, and make adjustments based on ongoing evaluations.

Transparent Budgeting and Reporting: Financial reports will be published regularly to show how funds are allocated. We will share updates with stakeholders and the broader Cardano community to maintain transparency.

Milestone-Based Fund Releases: Funds will be released in phases tied to the achievement of specific milestones, ensuring effective use of resources and reducing the risk of mismanagement.

Internal and External Audits: Regular internal audits and collaborations with third-party auditors will ensure financial integrity and compliance with all project requirements.

With these measures in place, we are confident in our ability to deliver ShipShift with a high degree of trust, transparency, and accountability. We believe this positions us well for investor funding and long-term success.

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

User Management System (8 weeks / 2 months)

Focus: Build the foundation for user interactions, registration, authentication, and role management.

Tasks:

User Registration & Authentication

• Develop the basic structure for user accounts (sign-up, login).
• Integrate with blockchain for secure user authentication.

Role Management

• Implement different user roles (admin, courier, customer).

Basic Profile Setup

• Enable users to create and update their profiles.

Timeline Breakdown (8 weeks):

• Week 1-2: Planning & System Design (User flows, Role Management)
• Week 3-6: Development (Frontend, Backend integration with blockchain)
• Week 7: Testing (Functional and integration testing)
• Week 8: Review & Adjustments (Feedback and refinements)

Basic Marketplace Setup (8 weeks / 2 months)

Focus: Implement the core marketplace functions—service listings, bidding system, and smart contracts for transactions.

Tasks:

Service Listings

• Allow users to create and browse listings for services (e.g., delivery tasks).

Bidding System

• Enable bidding on service listings (buyers/sellers bid for services).

Smart Contract Design

• Create smart contracts to facilitate secure transactions.

Timeline Breakdown (8 weeks):

• Week 1-2: Marketplace Design (UI/UX for service listings and bidding)
• Week 3-6: Backend Development (Implementing listing and bidding functionality)
• Week 7: Smart Contract Integration (Setting up basic smart contracts for transactions)
• Week 8: Testing (Marketplace functionality and smart contracts)

Advanced Marketplace & Payment Integration (10 weeks / 2.5 months)

Focus: Expand marketplace functionality with payment integration, smart contract finalization, and security features.

Tasks:

Payment Integration

• Implement blockchain-based payment system for secure transactions between users.

Finalize Smart Contracts

• Ensure all smart contracts handle bids, payments, and escrow correctly.

Security & Scalability

• Add necessary security features (e.g., encryption, fraud prevention).
• Begin scalability optimizations for handling larger transactions.

Timeline Breakdown (10 weeks):

• Week 1-2: Final Design & Planning (Payment flows, transaction security)
• Week 3-6: Payment Integration & Smart Contract Finalization
• Week 7-9: Full System Testing (Smart contracts, security testing)
• Week 10: Review & Final Adjustments (Final refinements, feedback implementation)

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

Adeola O. Adedokun - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeola-o-adedokun-a01392141/

Seyi Adedokun - https://www.linkedin.com/in/seyi-adedokun-34604b87

Franklin Anyaso - https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklin-anyaso-80085b56/

Bayodele Shedu - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayodele-shedu/

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

Development Team Costs

With 1 ADA @ $0.34:

Milestone 1: User Management System (8 weeks):

• Frontend Developer: 7,716.16 ADA
• Backend Developer: 10,497.92 ADA
• Software Architect: 11,800.32 ADA
• Blockchain Developer: 11,020.48 ADA
• Total for Milestone 1: 41,034.88 ADA

Milestone 2: Basic Marketplace Setup (8 weeks):

• Frontend Developer: 7,716.16 ADA
• Backend Developer: 10,497.92 ADA
• Software Architect: 11,800.32 ADA
• Blockchain Developer: 11,020.48 ADA
• Total for Milestone 2: 41,034.88 ADA

Milestone 3: Advanced Marketplace & Payment Integration (10 weeks):

• Frontend Developer: 9,645.20 ADA
• Backend Developer: 13,122.40 ADA
• Software Architect: 14,750.40 ADA
• Blockchain Developer: 13,775.60 ADA
• Total for Milestone 3: 51,293.60 ADA

Resource Costs

a) Cloud Infrastructure:

Since ShipShift is using cloud infrastructure, typical costs include compute, storage, and networking services.

• Compute (Virtual Machines): Required for hosting the backend and blockchain nodes.
• Estimated Cost: 2,000 ADA over 6 months
• Storage (Databases, Blockchain Data): Storing user data, marketplace data, and blockchain logs.
• Estimated Cost: 1,500 ADA over 6 months
• Networking (Data Transfer & API Calls): Managing incoming and outgoing data requests.
• Estimated Cost: 1,000 ADA over 6 months

b) Development Tools & Software Licenses:

1. Collaboration Tools (Slack, Jira, etc.): For project management and team communication.

• Estimated Cost: 800 ADA over 6 months

1. Blockchain Development Tools: Services for testing smart contracts and deploying them to the Cardano testnet and mainnet.

• Estimated Cost: 1,200 ADA

1. UI/UX Design Tools: (For the UI/UX Designer)

• Adobe XD, Figma, or Sketch for prototyping and design.
• Estimated Cost: 500 ADA

c) Auditing and Legal Fees:

1. Smart Contract Audits: To ensure that the marketplace smart contracts are secure and robust.

• Estimated Cost: 3,000 ADA (one-time cost for auditing)

1. Legal Fees: Legal consultation for compliance with regulations around blockchain and marketplace transactions.

• Estimated Cost: 2,000 ADA

d) Marketing & Community Engagement:

1. Marketing & Outreach: Promoting the platform through community engagement and campaigns.

• Estimated Cost: 2,500 ADA over 6 months

Total Resource Costs:

• Cloud Infrastructure: 4,500 ADA
• Development Tools & Licenses: 2,500 ADA
• Auditing & Legal Fees: 5,000 ADA
• Marketing & Community Engagement: 2,500 ADA
• Total Resource Costs: 14,500 ADA

Grand Total (6-month development period):

• Development Costs: 133,363.36 ADA
• Resource Costs: 14,500 ADA
• Total Project Cost: 147,863.36 ADA (which we round up to be 150,000 ADA

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

The outlined costs for the ShipShift project provide significant value for money to the Cardano ecosystem in several key areas, ensuring both high-quality delivery and long-term impact.

Industry-Standard Alignment

The development team's hourly rates align with industry-standard rates for freelance professionals in blockchain, software architecture, and web development. These rates reflect global freelance averages, ensuring the project attracts highly skilled developers to deliver quality outcomes.

For context:

Blockchain developers typically command premium rates due to the specialized nature of the field. A rate of $58.65/hour aligns with global standards and is slightly below top-tier blockchain consulting services.

Frontend and backend developers, with rates of $39.42/hour and $55.77/hour respectively, are competitive for experienced professionals, particularly in decentralized application (dApp) development.

Software architects, who oversee system design and scalability, charge higher rates, with $62.69/hour reflecting their strategic contribution to the project's success.

Proportionate Costs for Specialized Services

The project's costs are proportionate to the complexity of creating a secure, scalable, and user-friendly blockchain marketplace. Blockchain expertise and smart contract audits are critical to ensuring secure platform operations, safeguarding user assets and transactions. These upfront costs are essential investments to prevent future security risks, making them cost-effective in the long term.

Moreover, expenses for cloud infrastructure, legal compliance, and marketing address real-world needs for launching a blockchain project that meets global regulatory standards while engaging the Cardano community.

Optimized Use of Cloud Infrastructure and Tools

The project utilizes cloud infrastructure efficiently, avoiding the need for significant upfront hardware investment, which would inflate project costs. Cloud computing scales with platform growth, offering flexibility without unnecessary expenses. By using industry-standard collaboration and design tools (Jira, Figma, etc.), the team ensures smooth communication and high-quality deliverables while keeping software costs in check.

Long-term Benefits for Cardano

The ShipShift project introduces a new use case for blockchain technology—a decentralized marketplace for package delivery services—adding both innovation and utility to the Cardano network by:

• Bringing real-world applications to blockchain.
• Expanding the decentralized marketplace ecosystem, potentially attracting more users and developers to Cardano.
• Strengthening Cardano’s position as a leader in decentralized applications and services.
• By completing the prototype within six months and adhering to the budget, the project demonstrates financial discipline and maximizes its impact on the Cardano ecosystem. This resource-efficient management ensures that each ADA spent contributes to building a robust, scalable platform.

Comparison with Similar Projects

In comparison to other decentralized marketplace and blockchain projects, ShipShift is highly cost-effective:

• Similar projects often have much higher development and infrastructure costs, but ShipShift operates within a 150,000 ADA budget.
• This budget covers essential elements like smart contract audits and legal compliance, areas that other projects frequently underfund or delay, leading to expensive revisions or security issues.

Supporting Evidence

The costs reflect typical wages for highly skilled blockchain and software developers from regions with strong blockchain expertise, such as North America, Europe, and Asia. These rates align with those reported on platforms like Upwork, Toptal, and Glassdoor, making ShipShift's expenses both realistic and competitive.

Conclusion

The ShipShift project represents value for money through careful budgeting, adherence to industry-standard rates, and a focus on delivering long-term benefits to the Cardano ecosystem. The combination of specialized talent, scalable infrastructure, and strategic marketing ensures that each ADA spent directly supports building a platform that drives adoption and innovation on Cardano.