Amplify Cardano: Community-Led Events by Rare Network

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Amplify Cardano: Community-Led Events by Rare Network

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

50000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

9

[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?

Without a strong community-led event strategy, Cardano risks losing visibility. A fresh, impactful approach is vital to elevate its presence & establish leadership in the competitive blockchain space.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cpP3sNTCJV9xDVXQ4CsQ6RUi1uVXpr4C?usp=sharing

[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

NA

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Events

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.

Event Categories & Eligibility

Collaboration is open to individuals, organizations, and collaborations within the Cardano community. Events may include:

· Local Meetups

· Technical Workshops

· Networking Socials

· Working Groups

· Conference Exhibitions

· Educational Seminars

The target is new devs, non-technical builders, university students, and local crypto communities.

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

Rare Network will manage an events fund to empower the Cardano community to host, attend, and create impactful in-person and virtual events. Core components include a specialized proposal system for equitable access, budget allocations ranging from $500 to $10,000 for various event scales, efficient and transparent administration, SOPs and brand guidelines to uphold Cardano’s values, and clear reporting to document outcomes, challenges, and overall impact.

What are your success metrics?

Rare Network will manage an events collaboration budget to empower the Cardano community to host, attend, and create impactful in-person and virtual events. Each event may receive between $500 and $10,000 in support, with a total collaboration budget capped at $50,000. Core components include a specialized proposal system for equitable access, efficient and transparent administration, SOPs and brand guidelines to uphold Cardano’s values, and clear reporting to document outcomes, challenges, and overall impact.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Rare Network will administer an events fund allowing community members to host, attend, and create meaningful opportunities through both in-person and virtual events. The key components include:

· Specialized Proposal System: Ensuring equitable access to funding.

· Diverse Budget Allocation: Providing funds between $500 and $30,000 USD for different event scales/scopes.

· Efficient Administration: Ensuring fair distribution and transparent management.

· Brand Integrity: Developing SOPs and brand guidelines to maintain alignment with Cardano’s values.

· Transparent Reporting: Documenting successes, challenges, and impact.

Event Categories & Eligibility

Funding is open to individuals, organizations, and collaborations within the Cardano community. Events may include:

· Local Meetups

· Technical Workshops

· Networking Socials

· Working Groups

· Conference Exhibitions

· Educational Seminars

Funding Process

1. Submit Proposal: Applications through an online portal.

2. Review & Approval: Evaluation by Rare Network and shared with GMC/MWG for feedback.

3. Fund Distribution: Dynamic allocation based on event type and budget needs.

4. Close-Out Report: Recipients must provide reports, KPIs, and media documentation.

Selection Criteria

· Regional Diversity: Supporting events across different regions.

· Event Experience: Ensuring high-quality execution.

· Impact: Driving innovation and engagement.

· Resource Optimization: Ensuring effective use of funds.

Administrative Costs & Timeline

· A 15% administration fee will cover planning, proposal management, and execution to compensate Rare Network for their efforts.

· Funding available from July 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026.

Strategic Alignment with Cardano’s Product Roadmap

· Ecosystem Growth: Driving global adoption and networking.

· Developer Engagement: Fostering technical workshops and hackathons.

· Collaboration: Aligning with the Growth & Marketing Committee (GMC), other Intersect committees, and Cardano’s founding entities.

· Brand Strengthening: Showcasing Cardano’s innovation through impactful events.

· Community Feedback Loop: Using events to refine strategies and improve ecosystem development.

Conclusion

Rare Network, a trusted partner within the Cardano ecosystem, has a proven track record of successfully managing community-driven initiatives. With endorsement from Intersect, GMC, Cardano Foundation, Emurgo, and IOG, this proposal ensures a sustainable, well-organized, and impactful community-led events program.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Projected Events:

2 events at $10,000 each

Estimated attendance: ~400 guests

5 events at $5,000 each

Estimated attendance: ~500 guests

8 events at $2,500 each

Estimated attendance: ~400 guests

30 events at $500 each

Estimated attendance: ~600 guests

Social Follower Growth -

Growth in followers, mentions, subs, engagement, etc.. on project's socials

Measures wider visibility and interest in host project from the event.

Number of Unique Attendees -

Total unique individuals who participated

Reflects the reach and inclusivity of the event.

Number of Surveys Collected -

Post-event survey giving direct insight into how community felt about event

Localized Activations-

New people reached from holding local events

Shows how global initiative can fuel the local ecosystem

New Collabs or Partnerships -

People or projects working together as a direct result of the event

Number of Ecosystem/Project 's that participated -

Total number of projects who held events

[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?

R 2018, who originated as SPOs and have since grown into the largest events/marketing KOL of the ecosystem.

• Managed millions of dollars in USD worth of events production budgets responsibly over the past 5 years.

• Hosted 10 Rare Social side events worldwide since 2022 at renowned conferences such as the Cardano Summit (official afterparty), Token 2049, Paris Blockchain Week, Consensus, and more, often in partnership with Emurgo, Input Output, Cardano Foundation, Project Catalyst, Intersect, and Cardano startup teams.

• Built a Cardano NFT ticketing platform, claim portal, and customer management system to allow customers to mint our events tickets with $ADA as NFTs on the Cardano blockchain.

• Formed a massive multichain community inside and outside of Cardano to better allow for cross-pollination amongst blockchain communities, in turn naturally onboarding new users to Cardano as we continue to grow.

• An instrumental organization to the founding of Intersect's Marketing & Growth Committee, as well as carrying out the responsibilities of preparing a charter, budget, and overall strategy to gain ecosystem support. Not only are we key to planning the work, but we also believe we are paramount in carrying out certain aspects of the work (i.e. administering the Cardano Community-Led Events Fund).

Visual Evidence of Experience:

Rare Evo 2024 Sizzle Reel: https://youtu.be/6njeYWovxGE?si=C1N21XCognC1OXBl

Rare Socials: A 2024 Montage: https://youtu.be/X_ZWhDXwSrM?si=JTmU-MS5jp6cuE7k

Fund 12 Launch Event Produced by Rare Network: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19Jsi_Iy_3HA4tft1qQUTRdRWMhVDqdCq/view?usp=sharing

Looking back at Rare Evo 2024, sponsored by Input | Output: https://youtu.be/cy-iY70mPX0?si=gFN5VyHKekEKo4hY

Rare Cardano NFT Ticketing: https://youtu.be/72xuvn-zTYw?si=wmA425lPmvdk0Or9

GM Cardano GMC Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/live/Yk3-fW5PzuE?si=npF9dcoBGaN7RMDa&t=18816

General Team Experience:

Rare Network Leadership Team:

WES PARKINSON (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-parkinson-8591526a/ or https://twitter.com/RareEvo))

Co-Founder of Rare Network, Wes has 13 years of global software sales and services experience within the Content Services industry. Wes created the RARE stake pool with Rand in 2020. Wes has a bachelor’s degree in Information and Telecommunication Systems with a minor in Business and Marketing.

RAND MCHENRY (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rand-mchenry-126b25145/ or https://twitter.com/RandCorp_eth))

Co-Founder of Rare Network, Rand has 15 years experience creating live events and has been working in the crypto space for 7 years. Rand was an award winning pioneer in the cannabis industry. Additionally, he was a Sales Director for a $40M annual revenue logistics company. He is the one full-time employee at Rare Network.

EVAN FISCHER (https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-fischer-01a9a6113/))

Core member of the Rare Evo team, Evan heads business operations at Rare Network, with 10 years experience in live events production and co-founder of Lucid Investments with a focus in Web3 gaming.

The Rare Network team also consists of members, Vincent, Kevin, and Shafiq, who are the co-founders of VCD Studio, the media and development wing of the organization.

Vicario Communications & Design Studio (aka VCD Studio) is an international software development, video production and marketing specialized firm. Since 2013, the company's focus has been on increasing business efficiency through robust software integration and marketing strategy. This well rounded focus and experience ensures a positive user experience and project viability.

Regarding software, the team has developed the RareEvo.io Wallet Connect, RareEvo.io Website, E-Commerce Website Platforms, Event QR Ticketing Platforms, Rental Equipment Software, Inventory Management Systems (IMS), Customer Relation Management (CRM), API Database Integrations i.e. Shipping Label Propagation and much more.

Regarding video production and marketing, the team specializes in video advertising, interviews, short and long form content, Pay Per Click (PPC) and digital and print graphic creation.

VCD Studio is owned and operated by Vincent Vicario, Kevin Vicario and Shafiq Pasha. This core team has a combined experience of more than 75 years in computer technology. The team is continually committed to pushing the boundaries of all things digital.

Vincent Vicario is an entrepreneur, owner/partner and President of Vicario Communications & Design Studio, an international software development, video production and marketing specialized firm.

Vincent has a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from University of Cincinnati, and an impressive knowledge and experience in front end/back software development, video production/editing and digital advertising. Vincent uses his skills to produce user friendly and robust software integrations and other digital interactions.

Kevin Vicario is an entrepreneur, owner/partner and Creative Director of Vicario Communications & Design Studio, an international software development, video production and marketing specialized firm.

Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communications from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a specialized focus on marketing and journalism, Kevin uses his skills in crafting compelling narratives to provide impactful digital and physical marketing strategies and software.

Shafiq Pasha is owner/partner and Technology Director of Vicario Communications & Design Studio, an international software development, video production and marketing specialized firm.

Shafiq has his Master of Computer Applications - MCA focused in Computer Software Engineering from Al-Ameen Institute of Information Science, and manages a team of software developers for VCD Studio’s entity in India. He has a significant amount of experience in front end/back software development. Shafiq is skilled in LARAVEL Frameworks, SQL, PHP, also Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET), C, and C++ and uses his knowledge to coordinate the production of robust and quality software integrations.

Rare Network Core Team:

LIAM WORSDELL (https://twitter.com/LetsTalkWerz))

As the Creative Director at Rare Network and entrepreneur in web2 with a background in property development, Liam brings a unique perspective to his role. Prior to his current position in real estate, he was a travel vlogger, proficient in producing and editing media content. Now, as the Creative Director at Rare Network, he is tasked with leading and creating all aspects of content and social media. Liam's responsibilities include crafting strategies and implementing creative solutions to drive engagement and brand growth. He finds joy in meeting new people and contributing to the growth of Cardano's remarkable individuals within its ecosystem.

NATHAN MANTIA (https://twitter.com/D3vryn))

Nathan is Rare Network's Cardano account manager and content coordinator. With over 2 decades in hospitality management, Nathan is a seasoned professional known for crafting exceptional guest experiences. He's been immersed in blockchain technology, particularly the Cardano ecosystem, for the past 8 years. He has a bachelor's degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics.

CLAIRE PARKINSON (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-parkinson-120940284/))

As the customer relations lead at Rare Network, Claire helps onboard our exhibitors and sponsors to our main conference and produced side events. Additionally, she assists in content coordination, partner relations, and vendor communication. Claire has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati and has invested in crypto since 2019. Prior to her work at Rare Network, Claire built her decade long career as a professional child caregiver raising the next generation, a teacher, and also has past sales experience.are Network has a team of 8 part time to full time employees. We currently have enough manpower to launch/maintain the Cardano Community-Led Events Fund at current scale starting from April 2025 to March 2026. There will be a team lead assigned internally, with the remainder of the team acting as support.

Key Responsibilities:

Application Review/Approval

Funds Distribution

Project Management

Consultation

Reporting

Fund Development

Our goal is to showcase our best ability to administer the fund and improve it overall in 2025, so that we can carry on with further funding for the remainder of 2026 and into Q1 of 2027.

Our team is comprised of events, media, and marketing specialists who will see the project out to successful closure.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Project Plan

Milestone Outputs

Deliverables include a comprehensive written project plan outlining goals, structure, and execution strategy for Rare Network’s community-led events initiative. It will detail collaboration guidelines, funding tiers, proposal workflows, and governance mechanisms. Supporting materials may include visual timelines, budget frameworks, and stakeholder roles to ensure clarity and alignment across the Cardano ecosystem.

Acceptance Criteria

The milestone is accepted when the project plan clearly defines the strategy, structure, and operational flow for community-led events. It must outline collaboration processes, budget allocation, and reporting standards, ensuring alignment with Cardano’s values and ecosystem goals.

Evidence of Completion

Completion will be verified by uploading the finalized project plan and supporting documents to a structured Google Drive folder accessible to stakeholders for review and implementation.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

30000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Open Applications

Milestone Outputs

Deliverables include the launch of a public-facing application portal for community members to submit proposals for hosting Cardano-aligned events. The portal will feature clear submission guidelines, funding tiers, eligibility criteria, and a user-friendly interface. Supporting materials include FAQs, SOPs, and a backend system for proposal tracking and review.

Acceptance Criteria

The milestone is accepted when the portal is live, functional, and accessible to the public. It must allow users to submit event proposals, view funding options, and understand the review process. All content must align with Cardano’s values and Rare Network’s collaboration strategy.

Evidence of Completion

Completion will be verified by providing access to the live portal and uploading documentation (screenshots, SOPs, and backend setup) to a structured Google Drive folder for stakeholder review.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

15000

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

Impact Report on Events Hosted

Milestone Outputs

Deliverables include a comprehensive written impact report summarizing all hosted events, including attendance, outcomes, challenges, and community feedback. A professionally edited closeout video will accompany the report, highlighting key moments, testimonials, and the overall impact of the initiative across the Cardano ecosystem.

Acceptance Criteria

The milestone is accepted when the impact report provides clear metrics, insights, and reflections on the events, and the video effectively showcases the initiative’s reach and community engagement. Both must align with Cardano’s values and Rare Network’s strategic goals.

Evidence of Completion

Completion will be verified by uploading the final report and video to a structured Google Drive folder, accessible to stakeholders for review, sharing, and archival purposes.

Delivery Month

7

Cost

5000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1 events at $10,000 each

Estimated attendance: ~400 guests

5 events at $5,000 each

Estimated attendance: ~500 guests

8 events at $2,500 each

Estimated attendance: ~400 guests

30 events at $500 each

Estimated attendance: ~600 guests

20% Service Fee by Rare Network of total budget.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

The demonstrated value will be:

• Increased Brand Exposure Worldwide

• Scale via a Decentralized Workforce

• Showcase a wide variety of projects through diverse event categories throughout regions globally

• Onboard more users and builders to the Cardano ecosystem

• Catch up to speed and compete with larger, equal, and smaller market cap blockchains (even some L2s spend more than Cardano who is a leading L1) who somehow have more spend and robust events strategies in place currently than Cardano.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes