[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

[BLAB]: Hydra's First Steps for Dev - 5 dApp Templates on L2

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

69260

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

6

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Developers want to build dApps on Hydra but are overwhelmed by the complexity and lack of simple sample code, creating major barriers that slow down Layer 2 adoption.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://forum.cardano.org/t/cardano-blockchain-programming-course/144051
,
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWFm5EzuxlQ&list=PLbQhX3HIoPxp890y_DhKmuo19oLV8zAKq
,
• https://www.cardano2vn.io
,
• https://lms.cardano2vn.io
,
• https://github.com/cardano2vn

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

To foster a transparent and collaborative development environment, all project deliverables (source code, documentation, dApp templates) will be released completely free of charge under the MIT License, allowing everyone to freely use, customize, and build upon them together.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Layer2

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Mention your open source license and describe your open source license rationale.

• All source code will be released under the MIT License. This is a permissive license that allows anyone to use, modify, and integrate the code into any project, including commercial ones, without complex restrictions. This choice is intended to remove barriers, maximize the adoption of Hydra, and encourage community contributions

How do you make sure your source code is accessible to the public from project start, and people are informed?

• We are committed to full transparency. The source code will be public on GitHub from day one of the project. The repository link will be widely announced and pinned in our C2VN community channels (Discord/Telegram). A bot will automatically announce new updates. The community can follow our entire development process in real-time.

How will you provide high quality documentation?

• We consider documentation a core deliverable. Our approach includes: detailed in-line code comments; in-depth tutorial articles for each dApp explaining concepts and implementation; and intuitive video demos. We are committed to listening to community feedback and continuously updating our documentation to ensure the highest quality.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Project Overview: Hydra's First Steps for Dev

This proposal aims to address the critical barrier to entry for developers looking to build on Hydra, Cardano's Layer 2 scaling solution. By creating five simple, open-source dApp templates with comprehensive documentation, we will provide a practical learning path that empowers developers and accelerates Hydra adoption.

The Problem

• Hydra is Cardano's revolutionary Layer 2 scaling solution, promising near-instant transactions at a minimal cost. Its potential to enable micropayments, gaming, and other high-frequency interactions is immense. However, the success of any foundational technology depends entirely on developer adoption. Currently, we face a significant barrier to Hydra's adoption.
• The core problem is the lack of practical, simple, and accessible learning materials. Developers who want to build on Hydra are overwhelmed by the theoretical complexity of state channels and the absence of concrete, step-by-step source code examples. Existing examples are often too complex, focusing on advanced use cases like auctions, which creates a large gap for newcomers. They have no clear (entry point) or learning path to get from zero to building their first dApp.
• This (chicken and egg) situation is slowing down the entire ecosystem's progress: developers aren't building due to the lack of simple examples, and users have no dApps to use. If this barrier to entry is not addressed, Hydra's true potential will never be realized, and Cardano will lose a critical competitive advantage in scalability. We need a bridge to connect theory with practice.

The Solution

• Our solution is a developer-focused project to create dApp templates that run on L2-Hydra. We will build and provide the open-source code for five sample dApps on Hydra, including both on-chain and off-chain components. These are designed as an incremental learning path to guide developers from the most basic concepts to core interactive applications.
• Each dApp will serve as a practical lesson, addressing a few key challenges:

• HydraTipJar: Teaches the fundamental lifecycle and basic transactions of a Hydra Head.
• HydraPact: Introduces multi-party agreement logic and simple shared states.
• HydraPoll: Illustrates how to collect and aggregate data from multiple participants within a Head.
• HydraTicTacToe: Demonstrates how to build a turn-based interactive application, a foundation for on-chain gaming.
• HydraTicket: Showcases a real-world business model (conditional access) using Hydra transactions.

The final product is not just five working dApps, but more importantly, a comprehensive educational toolkit. We are committed to providing:

• 100% Open-Source Code: The entire frontend and smart contract code will be made public on GitHub, with detailed comments.
• Detailed Tutorials: Each dApp will have a step-by-step guide explaining the (Why) and the (How).
• Video Demos: Short videos will be produced to demonstrate how each dApp works and to explain its technical flow.

This project will directly break down the barrier to entry, empowering developers by giving them the tools they truly need. It will transform Hydra from a complex concept into a powerful and accessible tool, fostering a new wave of innovation and building on Cardano's Layer 2.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

The impact of this project goes far beyond the creation of five sample applications. We will create a ripple effect, starting with the developer community in Vietnam and expanding globally, thereby significantly boosting the adoption and development on Hydra.

1. Direct Impact on the Vietnamese Developer Community

As Cardano2vn (C2VN), we have a unique strategic advantage. We have built an extensive network with leading universities, Information Technology student communities, and professional developers across Vietnam. This project will be a powerful tool for us to:

• Train and Integrate: We will directly use these five dApp templates as core material for workshops, hackathons, and even integrate them into the curriculum of our partner IT faculties. This will create a new generation of developers who not only know about Cardano but are also capable of building directly on Layer 2.
• Convert Talent: Vietnam is a global technology hub with an abundant talent pool. By providing a clear and practical learning path, we will convert talented Web2 developers into Web3 builders on the Cardano platform, creating a sustainable resource for the ecosystem.

2. Impact on the Global Developer Community

The biggest barrier to Hydra today is its complexity and the lack of resources for beginners. Our solution will address this problem on a global scale:

• Foundational Boilerplate Library: These five dApps, with their fully open-source code and detailed English documentation, will become a foundational boilerplate library for anyone looking to start with Hydra. A developer in Brazil, Nigeria, or South Korea can clone our repository and have a running application in just a few hours, instead of weeks.
• Multiplier Effect: Every developer who uses our source code to build their own project is a testament to this project's impact. By providing the initial (building blocks,) we activate and empower countless other builders, creating a global multiplier effect at no extra cost.

3. Long-term Impact on the Cardano Ecosystem

By lowering the barrier to entry for Hydra, this project directly contributes to the growth and health of the entire Cardano network:

• Driving Layer 2 Adoption: As building on Hydra becomes easier, the number of dApps and projects using Layer 2 will increase. This enhances the network's utility, attracts more users, and increases transaction volume.
• Strengthening Competitiveness: A vibrant Layer 2 ecosystem is vital for Cardano's long-term competitiveness. Our project is a concrete, measurable step toward building that ecosystem, ensuring Cardano remains a fast, low-cost, and scalable platform.

In summary, investing in this project is not just an investment in five dApps. It is an investment in building a community of Hydra developers, starting from a solid foundation in Vietnam and expanding to the entire world.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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?

Cardano2vn (C2VN) – Capability and Feasibility Statement

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Engagement with Students and Universities

Every year, C2VN engages with thousands of Information Technology students from leading universities in Vietnam, particularly third- and fourth-year students.

We actively support these universities in:

• Developing blockchain course frameworks and curricula
• Establishing blockchain student clubs
• Providing training programs and workshops

Examples of our activities include:

• UNETI: Supporting blockchain training and student scientific research.
• University of Transport and Communications (UTC): Collaborating with the Faculty of IT to establish a Blockchain Lab and student blockchain club.
• C2VN & University Blockchain Alliance (UBA): Organizing the Blockchain Science Conference – Potential and Application in the Digital Economy.

Track Record in Project Catalyst

We have a proven history of successfully executing Catalyst-funded projects, including:

• Creating an online blockchain technical center
• Delivering blockchain basics and Web3 Bootcamps
• Supporting students to win awards in student scientific research
• Organizing major community-led events: Hanoi Cardano Summit 2022 and Hanoi Cardano Summit 2023
• Conducting “Together We Learn Haskell” sessions
• Introducing and promoting blockchain & AI R&D in universities

Notable Achievements

• Fund 13 ProjectCatalyst: Received Catalyst and community funding to organize the Cardano Blockchain Programming Course, attracting many university lecturers and blockchain developers in Vietnam. Course details here: https://forum.cardano.org/t/cardano-blockchain-programming-course/144051
• Fund 11 ProjectCatalyst: Established a Blockchain Lab in collaboration with UTC’s Faculty of IT
• The project to create a video-based course on Hydra was successfully funded and completed during Project Catalyst's Fund 11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWFm5EzuxlQ&list=PLbQhX3HIoPxp890y_DhKmuo19oLV8zAKq
• Conducted the first Cardano Blockchain Hackathon in Vietnamese universities, with participation from students representing five universities
• Guided students in building and integrating applications with Cardano

Products and Tools

We have developed and deployed several blockchain-based tools using Lucid, such as:

• Cardano Tool: https://cardano-tool.vercel.app/
• DeMarket: https://demarket-frontend.vercel.app/
• Dual Target: https://dualtarget.duckdns.org/
• NFTCIP68: https://cip68.cardano2vn.io/

Community Involvement

C2VN members actively participate in the global Cardano community as:

• Plutus Pioneer Program members
• Stake pool operators
• Moderators and community contributors

Network and Partnerships

We have built strong partnerships with universities, technical experts, and Cardano-related organizations.

Our C2VN & UBA connects and shares blockchain knowledge among:

• University of Transport and Communications (UTC)
• East Asia University of Technology (EAUT)
• University of Economics – Technology for Industries (UNETI)
• Phuong Dong University
• Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT)

Project Management Skills

Our team excels in:

• Efficient planning, monitoring, and execution of projects
• Managing budgets, timelines, and risks
• Maintaining clear and effective communication with stakeholders

Transparency and Accountability

We prioritize transparency and accountability by:

• Providing regular updates to the community
• Maintaining open communication channels
• Ensuring responsible and efficient budget management

With our track record, network, and technical expertise, we are confident in our ability to successfully execute this project and deliver results that meet and exceed community expectations.

You can view more details about our capability team here: https://www.cardano2vn.io/docs/team

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Milestone 1: Project Initiation & Planning

Milestone Outputs

A. Milestone Outputs

1. Team and Roles Document: A public document introducing the key project team members and clearly describing the roles and responsibilities of each person (e.g., Project Manager, Lead Developer, Frontend Developer).
2. Work Environment Infrastructure:GitHub Repository: A public repository set up for the project. Community Channel: A Discord or Telegram channel created and opened for community participation.Task Management Tool: A Trello or Jira board set up and made publicly visible (in view-only mode) showing the milestones and main tasks.
3. Detailed dApp Scope Document: A complete document that clearly defines the features, limitations, and specific goals for each sample dApp in the project (HydraTipJar, HydraPact, HydraPoll, HydraTicTacToe, HydraTicket).
4. Detailed Development Plan: A document outlining the technical roadmap, technology stack, and a detailed work breakdown plan for the development of the 5 sample dApps, aligned with the proposed milestone
5. Event Marketing and communications

Acceptance Criteria

B. Acceptance Criteria

1. Team and Roles: The document must be public and clearly define the main responsibilities for at least 2 core roles in the project.
2. Work Environment:The GitHub repository must be created and include a README.md file with a brief project introduction.The community channel must be active and have a welcome/introductory message.The task management board must be set up and contain the initial tasks for Milestone 2.
3. dApp Scope: The scope document must cover all 5 dApps, and each dApp must have a clear functional description for the development team to build upon.
4. Development Plan: The plan must identify the technology to be used and include a high-level timeline for the completion of each dApp.
5. Event marketing and communication on social channels

Evidence of Completion

C. Evidence of Completion

1. A link to the Team and Roles Document.
2. Links to the GitHub Repository, the Community Channel, and the public Task Management Board.
3. A link to the Detailed dApp Scope Document.
4. A link to the Detailed Development Plan.
5. Evidence of Event Marketing and communications compiled is available on Google Docs

Delivery Month

1

Cost

6500

Progress

10 %

Milestone Title

Milestone 2: Development of dApp 1 (HydraTipJar) & dApp 2 (HydraPact)

Milestone Outputs

A. Milestone Outputs

1. Open-Source Code (HydraTipJar & HydraPact): The complete codebase for both dApps will be made public in the same GitHub repository, organized into separate folders.
2. Live Demo Versions: Two separate public URLs, each leading to a live demo version of HydraTipJar and HydraPact.
3. Tutorial Documentation: Two separate tutorial articles, one for each dApp. The HydraTipJar article will focus on the basic Head lifecycle, while the HydraPact article will explain simple multi-party agreement logic.
4. Demonstration Videos: Two short YouTube videos, each showcasing the user flow of one dApp.
5. Event Marketing and communications

Acceptance Criteria

B. Acceptance Criteria

1. Open-Source Code: The codebase for both dApps must be public on GitHub, commented, and include a guide for running them locally.
2. Demo Versions: HydraTipJar: The dApp must allow a user to open a Head, send one or more tips, and close the Head to settle the final transaction on Layer 1. HydraPact: The dApp must allow a group of users to join a Head, each contributing a predefined amount, and automatically send the total funds to a target address upon completion.
3. Tutorial Documentation: Each article must clearly and accurately explain the core technical concepts that its respective dApp demonstrates.
4. Demonstration Videos: Each video must demonstrate the full functional flow of its respective dApp smoothly and understandably.
5. Event marketing and communication on social channels

Evidence of Completion

C. Evidence of Completion

1. A link to the GitHub Repository containing the source code for both HydraTipJar and HydraPact.
2. Two (2) links to the live demo versions for each dApp.
3. Two (2) links to the detailed tutorial articles.
4. Two (2) links to the demonstration videos on YouTub
5. Evidence of Event Marketing and communications compiled is available on Google Docs

Delivery Month

2

Cost

17340

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

Milestone 3: Development of dApp 3 (HydraPoll)

Milestone Outputs

A. Milestone Outputs

1. HydraPoll Open-Source Code: The complete codebase (Smart Contract & Frontend) will be made public on GitHub.
2. Live Demo Version: A public URL where the community can directly access and test the dApp.
3. Tutorial Documentation: A detailed article explaining how the dApp works and providing setup instructions.
4. Demonstration Video: A short YouTube video showcasing the user flow of HydraPoll.
5. Event Marketing and communications

Acceptance Criteria

B. Acceptance Criteria

1. Open-Source Code: The code must be public on GitHub, clearly commented, and include a guide for running it locally.
2. Demo Version: The dApp must perform its core functions correctly: users can successfully create a poll, join it, and vote.
3. Tutorial Documentation: The documentation must be clear enough for a developer to redeploy the dApp on their own.
4. Demonstration Video: The video must clearly and understandably showcase all main features of the dApp.
5. Event marketing and communication on social channels

Evidence of Completion

C. Evidence of Completion

1. Link to GitHub Repository: A direct link to the directory containing the HydraPoll dApp source code.
2. Link to Demo: A URL where the community can access and interact directly with the dApp.
3. Link to Tutorial: A link to a detailed tutorial article.
4. Link to YouTube Video: A link to a public demo video.
5. Evidence of Event Marketing and communications compiled is available on Google Docs

Delivery Month

1

Cost

13740

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Milestone 4: Development of dApp 4 (HydraTicTacToe)

Milestone Outputs

A. Milestone Outputs

1. HydraTicTacToe Open-Source Code: The complete codebase (Smart Contract & Frontend) for the Tic-Tac-Toe game will be made public on GitHub.
2. Live Demo Version: A public URL where two players can access and play a full game of Tic-Tac-Toe against each other.
3. Tutorial Documentation: A detailed article explaining how to build a turn-based interactive application on Hydra, using the Tic-Tac-Toe game as the example.
4. Demonstration Video: A short YouTube video showcasing two players joining and completing a game.
5. Event Marketing and communications

Acceptance Criteria

B. Acceptance Criteria

1. Open-Source Code: The code must be public on GitHub, clearly commented, and include a guide for running the project locally.
2. Demo Version: The dApp must fully enforce the logic of a Tic-Tac-Toe game: A player can start a match and invite a second player; Turn-based logic must be enforced (a player can only move on their turn); Players cannot move into an already occupied square; The application must automatically detect and correctly announce win, lose, or draw conditions.
3. Tutorial Documentation: The documentation must explain core concepts like managing the game state and enforcing turn-based logic within the Hydra Head.
4. Demonstration Video: The video must show a complete game, clearly demonstrating that the game's rules are being applied.
5. Event marketing and communication on social channels

Evidence of Completion

C. Evidence of Completion

1. Link to GitHub Repository: A link to the GitHub Repository containing the HydraTicTacToe source code.
2. Link to Demo: A URL where the community can access and interact directly with the dApp.
3. Link to Tutorial: A link to a detailed tutorial.
4. Link to YouTube Video: A link to a public demo video.
5. Evidence of Event Marketing and communications compiled is available on Google Docs

Delivery Month

1

Cost

13740

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Milestone 5: Development of dApp 5 (HydraTicket) and Closing project

Milestone Outputs

A. Milestone Outputs

1. HydraTicket Open-Source Code: The complete codebase (Smart Contract & Frontend) for the ticket/content access dApp will be made public on GitHub.
2. Live Demo Version: A public URL featuring locked content, allowing users to experience the payment flow to unlock and view the content.
3. Tutorial Documentation: A detailed article explaining the pay-to-access model and how to use transaction metadata as a digital ticket on Hydra.
4. Demonstration Video: A short YouTube video showcasing the entire process from seeing locked content to successfully paying and accessing it.
5. Event Marketing and communications
6. Organize AMA sessions to answer developer questions.
7. Create a Project Close-Out Report on Google Drive.
8. Create a Project Close-Out Video on Youtobe .

Acceptance Criteria

B. Acceptance Criteria

1. Open-Source Code: The code must be public on GitHub, clearly commented, and include a guide for running the project locally.
2. Demo Version: The dApp must correctly execute the business logic flow:HydraTicket Open-Source Code: The complete codebase (Smart Contract & Frontend) for the ticket/content access dApp will be made public on GitHub.
3. Tutorial Documentation: The documentation must clearly explain how to connect a payment transaction to the granting of access rights using the state within the Head.
4. Demonstration Video: The video must smoothly demonstrate the entire process, proving that content access is granted immediately after the payment is confirmed in the Head.
5. Event marketing and communication on social channels
6. The video of the AMA was recorded and uploaded to YouTube.
7. Create a Project Close-Out Report on Google Drive
8. Create a Project Close-Out Video on Youtobe

Evidence of Completion

C. Evidence of Completion

1. Link to GitHub Repository: A link to the GitHub Repository containing the HydraTicket source code.
2. Link to Demo: A URL where the community can access and interact directly with the dApp.
3. Link to Tutorial: A link to a detailed tutorial.
4. Link to YouTube Video: A link to a public demo video.
5. Evidence of Event Marketing and communications compiled is available on Google Docs
6. The video of the AMA was uploaded to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cardano2vn
7. The copy version of the Project Close Out Report will be published on public Google Driver
8. Project Close Out Video are published on the YouTube channel.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

17940

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Here are the details of the project's budget:

• Milestone 1: Project Planning and Course introduction ₳6500 <=> 9,38%
• Milestone 2: Development of dApp 1 (HydraTipJar) & dApp 2 (HydraPact) ₳17340 <=> 24,04%
• Milestone 3: Development of dApp 3 (HydraPoll) ₳13740 <=> 19,84%
• Milestone 4: Development of dApp 4 (HydraTicTacToe) ₳13740 <=> 19,84%
• Final Milestone: Development of dApp 5 (HydraTicket) and Closing project ₳9600 <=> 25,90%

Total: ₳69260.00

Budget details here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Cygbssv96abpC-QS-xr_W6DOEV4xeL31JbCWpNvEswA/edit?usp=sharing

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

This project represents exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem by delivering a strategic investment in critical "soft" infrastructure for a highly efficient cost. The value is demonstrated across three key dimensions:

1. Strategic Investment with a High, Compounding ROI

The true value of this project is not in the five dApps themselves, but in the powerful multiplier effect they create. These open-source templates and tutorials are essential infrastructure that lowers the barrier to entry to Hydra. By providing the foundational "building blocks," we save countless future developers weeks or even months of work. This initial investment from the treasury will be repaid many times over through the time and resources saved across the ecosystem, empowering a new wave of innovation on Layer 2.

2. Cost-Effective and Responsible Budgeting

This high return on investment is achieved through a lean, expert team and a responsibly structured budget.

• Competitive Rates: Our budget is based on a team located in Vietnam, a global tech hub with competitive costs. Our proposed self-employed rates are significantly more cost-effective than the lower-end US and European averages (often cited at ~$50/hr for similar roles like JavaScript developers or project managers). These rates account for all employment overheads of the contracted resources.
• Acceptance of Currency Risk: Crucially, our team is taking on the full currency risk of being paid in ADA. This means that a decline in ADA's price would result in a lower payment for our work. Conversely, any increase in ADA's price would reward our contribution and long-term belief. This acceptance of volatility is a clear demonstration of our commitment to and investment in the success of the Cardano ecosystem.

3. Building a Sustainable, Global Asset

Ultimately, this funding creates a lasting, free, and open-source asset for the entire global community. The cost of not doing this project—leaving Hydra as a powerful but inaccessible technology for new builders—is far greater than the modest investment we are requesting.

Given these factors—a high-impact strategic deliverable, a powerful multiplier effect, and a cost-effective budget executed by a team willing to share currency risk—we believe this proposal offers outstanding value for money for the Cardano Treasury.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes