Blockchain x Luxury Innovation Labs (Academic Program)

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Blockchain x Luxury Innovation Labs (Academic Program)

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

45000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

10

[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?

Blockchain holds huge potential for luxury, but executives lack awareness and knowledge to explore and apply it effectively.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/blockchain/articles/10.3389/fbloc.2023.1044723/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com
,
• https://www.voguebusiness.com/technology/why-louis-vuitton-is-using-web2-tactics-to-sell-nfts?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

Yes

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

The project is planned for 10 months as it depends on university academic calendars, though we believe delivery will be shorter in practice.

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Not directly applicable, as the project focuses on academic–industry engagement rather than software development. Any tools, templates, or resources created that could benefit the ecosystem will be released under an open-source license, unless restricted by confidentiality agreements with industry partners.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Training

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

We target luxury industry students in leading academic programs - the executives of tomorrow. By integrating blockchain into real-world projects for luxury brands, we provide hands-on exposure to Cardano’s capabilities. We’ll reach them through university collaborations and guest lectures. This builds early familiarity, creating future leaders who understand and trust Cardano for luxury use cases, expanding ecosystem adoption in a high-value market.

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

• Partner with a leading luxury management program.
• Deliver academic modules on Cardano’s technology and applications.
• Guide student teams in developing real-world solutions for luxury brands.
• Showcase results through presentations, reports, and/or concept prototypes.
• Collect feedback from stakeholders, students, and faculty to refine future iterations.

What are your success metrics?

• Quality of outputs (presentations, reports, concept prototypes) assessed by team, faculty, and other stakeholders.
• Student and faculty satisfaction score (survey).
• Measured increase in awareness and understanding of blockchain applications among participating students.
• Invitations to continue or expand the program in future academic years.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

We will partner with a leading university offering luxury brand management programs - such as ESSEC in Paris and Bocconi in Milan - to launch Blockchain x Luxury Innovation Labs. Both institutions have strong ties to the luxury sector and a global alumni network.

The program will:

• Define industry-relevant briefs for luxury brands, focused on blockchain applications (e.g., authentication, ownership tracking, sustainability).
• Deliver academic modules introducing Cardano’s blockchain technology, tools, and real-world use cases.
• Guide student teams in developing practical solutions - ranging from conceptual frameworks to proof-of-concept designs - for luxury brands.
• Showcase outputs via presentations, reports, and demonstrations to academic and industry stakeholders.
• Collect feedback from faculty, students, and other stakeholders to refine the program for future editions.

By engaging the next generation of luxury industry leaders while showcasing tangible blockchain applications, we address the current lack of awareness and practical expertise, accelerating adoption of Cardano-based solutions in a high-value sector.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

This project will introduce Cardano to future luxury industry leaders through real-world projects, embedding awareness and practical skills from the start of their careers. By connecting academia with blockchain use cases, we expand Cardano’s reach into a high-value, influential sector with strong network effects. Future executives will gain direct exposure to Cardano’s capabilities, creating opportunities for adoption. The academic–industry format ensures continuous engagement, sparks new ideas, and provides a repeatable model that can be replicated with other industries and universities worldwide.

[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?

Our team combines deep expertise in luxury brand management, technology, and project execution, ensuring the initiative’s credibility and feasibility.

Boaz Unger – Founder & CEO of LuxeChain, MBA in International Luxury Brand Management from ESSEC Business School, with strong connections to ESSEC faculty and alumni. Former VP Product & Marketing at S.T. Dupont and Business Development Director at Sirin Labs. Leads blockchain–luxury initiatives through funded Project Catalyst proposals.

Mor Becker – Experienced Chief of Staff and Operations Manager with global experience at Apple and start-ups. Holds an Executive Master in Luxury Management from SDA Bocconi (Cum Laude), with strong industry connections. Brings over 10 years of expertise leading multinational and cross-functional initiatives, building programs that bridge strategy and execution, and driving impact in the luxury sector.

Zachi Diner – Senior UX/UI expert with 20+ years of experience designing user-friendly digital platforms. Former Dean of the Visual Design and Technology Department at Holon Institute of Technology. Specializes in translating complex processes into intuitive user experiences, ensuring Cardano-based solutions are accessible and engaging.

Feasibility and Validation

The project will be led in collaboration with a leading university program specializing in Luxury Management and its luxury brand partners. Success will be measured by brand engagement, student participation, quality of project outputs, and stakeholder feedback. Our track record in leading funded Cardano projects and luxury brand collaborations ensures high accountability and measurable results.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Partnership & Program Design

Milestone Outputs

• Secure collaboration with a leading university specializing in Luxury Management.
• Co-develop academic modules introducing Cardano’s technology and applications, tailored to the luxury industry.
• Design case studies and project briefs based on relevant luxury industry scenarios.
• Plan additional activities such as guest lectures and Q and A sessions with blockchain and industry experts.

Acceptance Criteria

• Written confirmation from the partner university approving the program.
• Academic program content fully developed and approved by the university.
• Project briefs aligned with both Cardano’s capabilities and luxury brand needs.

Evidence of Completion

• Document from the university confirming collaboration.
• Finalized program curriculum and project briefs.
• Shareable report (PDF or Google Doc) summarizing the content of the program.

Delivery Month

3

Cost

13500

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Program Delivery to Students & Team–Brand Pairing

Milestone Outputs

1. Deliver academic modules introducing Cardano’s technology and applications.
2. Engage students through case studies, guest lectures, and interactive exercises on blockchain in the luxury sector.
3. Prepare for the final project phase with clear guidelines and expectations.
4. Allocate student teams to specific luxury brands with defined project briefs.

Acceptance Criteria

• All planned academic sessions delivered according to the agreed program schedule.
• Students demonstrate understanding of core concepts through participation and interim assignments.
• All teams matched with brand partners and project briefs agreed upon.

Evidence of Completion

• Finalized program delivery report (shareable) including content outlines, attendance records, and feedback results.
• List of student teams, assigned luxury brands, and approved project briefs.

Delivery Month

6

Cost

13500

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Real-World Blockchain–Luxury Projects & Final Reporting

Milestone Outputs

• Student teams execute real-world blockchain–luxury projects aligned with briefs relevant to luxury brands.
• Development of deliverables such as presentations, reports, and/or non-functional prototypes.
• Final showcase event or session where student teams present outcomes to faculty, stakeholders, and invited guests from the luxury sector.
• Consolidation of all project outputs into a final, shareable close-out report.

Acceptance Criteria

• All student teams complete their blockchain–luxury projects as per the approved briefs.
• Deliverables (presentations, reports, and/or non-functional prototypes) are submitted to faculty and project leads.
• Faculty confirms completion of all projects to the agreed academic standards.
• Final close-out report summarizing program content, project outputs, and key learnings is approved by the project team.

Evidence of Completion

• Copies of all student deliverables (presentations, reports, prototypes).
• Faculty confirmation letter or statement verifying project completion and academic quality.
• Final close-out report in shareable format (PDF or equivalent) containing program summary, project highlights, and feedback insights.

Delivery Month

10

Cost

18000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Total Budget: 45,000 ADA

• Program Design and Content Development – 12,500 ADA: Creation of academic modules on Cardano technology, case studies, and supporting materials in collaboration with the university.
• University and Brand Engagement – 9,500 ADA: Coordination with faculty and brands, aligning project briefs, and scheduling activities.
• UX/UI Design and Digital Assets – 6,000 ADA: Design of engaging, accessible resources to make blockchain tools intuitive for students.
• Travel and On-Site Engagement – 7,000 ADA: Transport, accommodation, and associated costs for direct collaboration and program delivery.
• Reporting and Dissemination – 5,000 ADA: Preparation of a shareable final report covering program content, student outputs, and feedback.
• Contingency – 5,000 ADA: Provision for unforeseen costs such as schedule changes, extra materials, or sessions.

Budget Rationale

This budget prioritizes content creation, stakeholder engagement, and effective program delivery. Travel and on-site engagement are kept efficient while ensuring essential in-person collaboration. A realistic contingency covers potential uncertainties without inflating overall costs.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

This project places Cardano at the heart of a leading luxury management program, directly engaging future executives and decision-makers in one of the world’s most influential industries - one where blockchain holds huge potential, yet awareness and practical knowledge remain limited.

By exposing these future leaders to blockchain through real-world brand use cases, it will generate tangible outputs that showcase Cardano’s capabilities and foster long-term adoption in a high-visibility sector. In parallel, participating brands gain fresh perspectives and early exposure to blockchain applications developed in an academic–industry setting, strengthening the case for adoption.

These programs also bring together students from diverse disciplines - from finance and legal to marketing and R&D - ensuring a variety of perspectives that challenge traditional thinking and broaden awareness of Cardano’s relevance across business functions.

The requested 45,000 ADA budget is lean, targeted to essential activities, and designed to deliver strong returns on the community’s investment.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes