CardanoQuest: Learn, Explore & Build on Cardano Easily

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

CardanoQuest: Learn, Explore & Build on Cardano Easily

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

23000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

5

[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 education remains fragmented and inaccessible. Learners lack structured, practical, and engaging resources on Cardano fundamentals, Plutus, Marlowe, and Haskell.

[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

Core app, wallet integration, and quiz engine will be MIT licensed. Educational materials will be CC BY 4.0 for reusability and transparency.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Learn to Earn

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

We target students, developers, and blockchain enthusiasts seeking accessible learning on Cardano. Outreach will use social media campaigns, community groups, and partnerships with universities and local tech hubs. This matters for Cardano because educated learners become active users, developers, and advocates, driving real adoption, ecosystem growth, and long-term sustainability.

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

• Developing modular blockchain learning content (Blockchain 101, Plutus, Marlowe, Haskell).
• Building mobile/web app with search, categories, and quizzes.
• Incentivizing learners with ADA rewards for quiz completion.
• Launching pilot with 200 learners and expanding globally.
• Marketing campaigns and community partnerships.
• Preparing for blockchain-verified certificates and multilingual expansion.

What are your success metrics?

1,000 learners onboarded in Year 1.

• 70% module completion rate.

• 500+ quizzes completed with on-chain ADA rewards.

• >80% learner satisfaction (surveyed).

• 3+ partnerships with education groups.

• Certifcation created

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Our blockchain learning app addresses the urgent need for structured, practical, and engaging education on blockchain fundamentals, with a strong focus on the Cardano ecosystem.

The app will include:

1. Structured Learning Paths:

• Blockchain 101: fundamentals, UTxO, wallets, transactions, native tokens.

• Language 201: Plutus, Marlowe, and Haskell basics.

• Advanced modules prepared for future expansion.

1. Interactive Learning Experience:

• Search and category browsing for quick discovery.

• Quizzes that unlock only after learning modules are completed.

• ADA-based incentives for quiz completion.

1. Certification & Future Growth:

• Initial app provides incentives and progress tracking.

• Later iterations introduce blockchain-verified certificates.

• Support for multiple languages to reach global learners.

1. Technical Architecture:

• Mobile and web versions with shared backend.

• Wallet integration for rewards.

• Open source for transparency.

1. Implementation Plan:

• Foundation: build infrastructure and prototype.

• Development: integrate modules, quizzes, wallet rewards.

• Beta: launch with blockchain 101 + Cardano language basics.

• Public Launch: expand content, begin certification roadmap.

This solution ensures learners engage deeply with blockchain knowledge while creating measurable on-chain activity within the Cardano ecosystem.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Our project Blockchain Learning Application focused on Cardano fundamentals, Plutus, Marlowe, and Haskell has the potential to create a transformative, long-term positive impact on the wider Cardano community. Education is the foundation of every successful ecosystem, and by addressing the current gap in structured, engaging, and incentive-driven learning, we unlock opportunities for thousands of new users, developers, and advocates to join and contribute to Cardano.

1. Education as Gateway to Adoption

One of the most significant barriers to blockchain adoption is the steep learning curve. Many people are curious about blockchain but find existing resources either too fragmented, overly technical, or disconnected from practical application. By offering a structured, gamified, and accessible learning app, we lower this barrier significantly. Learners will be guided step-by-step through blockchain fundamentals and gradually into Cardano-specific technologies such as Plutus, Marlowe, and Haskell. This ensures that the Cardano community doesn’t just grow in numbers but grows in quality producing educated, confident users who understand how the ecosystem works and how to build upon it.

1. Creating the Next Wave of Developers and Builders

Cardano’s long-term success depends on a steady inflow of skilled developers who can write smart contracts, build dApps, and contribute to the ecosystem. Our app serves as an onboarding ramp for developers at all levels:

• Beginners learn blockchain basics and how Cardano differs from other chains.

• Intermediate learners gain practical exposure to Plutus, Marlowe, and Haskell.

• Advanced users are encouraged to test their skills through quizzes, challenges, and later, blockchain-verified certificates.

This creates a pipeline of talent for Cardano, ensuring that future Catalyst proposals, community projects, and startups will have a stronger base of trained developers to draw from.

1. Gamification and On-Chain Incentives

A unique aspect of our project is that it ties learning directly to blockchain incentives. Learners who complete modules and quizzes will earn ADA-based rewards. This does more than just motivate participation:

• It introduces new users to Cardano wallets and transaction flows.

• It creates real on-chain activity linked to education.

• It reinforces the idea that Cardano is not just about speculation, but about building and learning.

By embedding ADA rewards into the educational process, we transform every learner into an active ecosystem participant.

1. Global Reach Through Multilingual Expansion

While the first version of the app will launch in English, we are already designing it for multilingual expansion. Cardano is a global blockchain, and to achieve true adoption, we must reach communities in Africa, Asia, South America, and beyond. By preparing for translations into multiple languages, we ensure that Cardano education is not limited to one demographic, but is accessible to anyone, anywhere.

This not only grows the user base but also supports Cardano’s mission of financial and educational inclusion worldwide.

1. Strengthening Community and Ecosystem Trust

Education builds trust. When people understand how Cardano works its UTxO model, its governance, its sustainability features they are more likely to trust and advocate for it. Our project gives learners a transparent, structured way to gain that trust. Additionally, all rewards and certificates will be tied to on-chain proof, meaning the community can verify the impact independently.

This aligns with Cardano’s ethos of transparency, decentralization, and accountability.

1. Catalyst and Community Synergy

This project also strengthens Project Catalyst itself. By onboarding new learners and developers into Cardano, we are indirectly expanding the pool of future Catalyst proposers, voters, and builders. A well-educated community creates higher-quality proposals, better decision-making, and more sustainable innovation within Catalyst.

1. Long-Term Sustainability

Unlike one-off educational campaigns, this app is designed for long-term use and growth. Once developed, it becomes a permanent asset for the Cardano ecosystem. Future updates will add certifications, advanced modules, and partnerships with universities, schools, and community groups. Over time, it can evolve into a global hub for blockchain education powered by Cardano, sustaining adoption well beyond the initial Catalyst funding.

1. Ripple Effects Across the Ecosystem

The positive impact of this project extends beyond learners:

• For developers: it creates a stronger base of potential contributors.

• For community leaders: it provides a resource to educate newcomers.

• For educators and institutions: it creates opportunities to integrate blockchain learning into classrooms.

• For Cardano as a whole: it reinforces the ecosystem’s image as a leader in accessibility, education, and adoption.

Every learner who completes a module becomes a more informed wallet holder, a more confident community participant, and potentially, a future builder.

Projected Year 1 Impact

• 1,000 learners onboarded into Cardano education.

• 500+ quizzes completed with on-chain ADA rewards.

• 200 early users actively engaging during beta testing.

• 70% completion rate of Blockchain 101 modules.

• 3+ education partnerships with schools or tech hubs.

• 2 new languages prepared for future translation.

• Verifiable on-chain data proving learner engagement and reward distribution.

The positive impact of our Blockchain Learning Application lies not only in educating individuals but in transforming them into active participants of the Cardano ecosystem. By lowering barriers, providing incentives, and offering verifiable learning outcomes, we foster an informed, empowered, and globally connected community.Our project is not just about building an app; it is about building the human foundation of Cardano’s future. With 26,000 ADA, we deliver high ROI by creating a sustainable, transparent, and scalable education platform that drives adoption, strengthens trust, and positions Cardano as the global leader in blockchain learning.

[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 has a proven combination of technical expertise, design and user experience skills, educational content development, and community marketing that positions us strongly to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability. Moreover, we are committed to ensuring that every step of the project can be validated through transparent milestones, open-source development, and measurable on-chain activity.

1. Team Capability and Track Record

• Abel Teshome– Team Lead & Tech Architect

CBCA-certified blockchain professional with years in full-stack development and decentralized systems. Abel has previously built an app, integrated APIs to bots. His expertise ensures secure, scalable backend development for the learning app.

• Yonas Tesfaye – UI/UX Developer & Web3 Educator

Experienced in building intuitive onboarding flows and educational platforms. Yonas has a background in Android development and blockchain education, ensuring that learners — even first-timers can navigate the app with ease.

• Kalkidan Desalegn– Content & Marketing Lead

Specializes in creating clear, structured educational content and running multilingual marketing campaigns. She has previously grown user bases by 300% within six months for blockchain-related platforms, ensuring that our learning modules are accessible and our outreach impactful.

• Tigist Worku – Growth Strategist

Expert in data-driven campaigns, A/B testing, and growth hacking strategies. Tigist ensures not only adoption but also sustained user engagement through optimized funnels and community partnerships.

Together, the team combines technical execution, education, design accessibility, and community growth strategies. These are the exact ingredients needed to deliver a trusted and impactful educational application.

1. Framework for Trust and Accountability

We are committed to delivering the project with the same transparency and accountability that define the Cardano ecosystem:

• Open Source Development

• Core app features, wallet integrations, and the quiz reward engine will be open sourced under MIT license.

• Learning content will be licensed under CC BY 4.0, ensuring community reuse and improvement.

• GitHub repositories will be regularly updated, allowing the community to track progress.

• Transparent Milestones & Reporting

• The project is broken into clear milestones with outputs, acceptance criteria, and evidence.

• At each milestone, we will publish progress updates, including screenshots, demo links, and learner onboarding data.

• Reporting will be available through Catalyst channels and our public dashboards.

• On-Chain Verification

• All ADA incentives for quizzes will be distributed via transparent on-chain transactions.

• This provides verifiable evidence of learner participation and budget utilization.

• Future certificates will also be anchored on-chain for permanent validation.

• Financial Accountability

• Catalyst funds will be milestone-based, ensuring funds are released only upon evidence of delivery.

• A contingency reserve of 1,000 ADA ensures lean risk management without bloated costs.

• Allocation will be publicly detailed: team compensation, hosting, tools, marketing, and rewards.

• Community Feedback Loops

• Early learners will provide structured feedback during the beta phase.

• Feedback will be used to refine UI, content clarity, and incentive structures.

• We will remain engaged with the Cardano community via town halls, forums, and Discord/Telegram groups.

1. Validation Plan

We will validate feasibility through technical pilots, user testing, market campaigns, and on-chain tracking.

• Technical Validation

• Initial MVP deployed on Cardano testnet.

• Core modules (Blockchain 101, Plutus basics) integrated with quiz engine and wallet rewards.

• Security testing of quiz reward contracts before mainnet release.

• Early demo shared publicly for community testing.

• User Validation

• Pilot with 100–200 learners during beta phase.

• Metrics tracked: onboarding success, module completion rates, and quiz attempts.

• Surveys conducted to measure clarity, motivation, and satisfaction (>80% target satisfaction).

• Iterations made based on feedback before full public launch.

• Market Validation

• Targeted campaigns to onboard first 1,000 learners.

• Outreach through universities, coding bootcamps, and Cardano community channels.

• Monitoring of adoption metrics (signups, active users, referral growth).

• Use of incentive pool to measure whether rewards increase completion rates.

• On-Chain Validation

• All ADA quiz rewards logged transparently on-chain.

• Community dashboards showing number of transactions, active wallets, and rewards distributed.

• These serve as independent proof of adoption and impact without relying solely on our reporting.

1. Why Our Approach is Feasible

2. Proven Experience: Abel has built and deployed apps before demonstrating technical feasibility.

3. Modular Design: The app will be developed in phases (foundation → beta → public launch), reducing risk by validating at each stage.

4. Lean & Focused Budget: At 26,000 ADA, the budget is realistic and designed for maximum ROI without unnecessary spending.

5. Community Alignment: By incentivizing learners with ADA, we tie adoption directly to Cardano’s ecosystem growth.

6. Long-Term Sustainability: Future monetization through partnerships, certifications, and institutional integrations ensures the app continues beyond Catalyst funding.

7. Commitment to Long-Term Trust

Our team understands that Catalyst funding is not just about delivering an app it’s about earning the trust of the Cardano community. That’s why we will ensure:

• Code is auditable (MIT open source).

• Funds are traceable (transparent allocation and reporting).

• Results are verifiable (on-chain quiz rewards, learner stats).

• Community is engaged (feedback integrated into development).

This project will not end with Catalyst funding; it will evolve into a self-sustaining educational hub, continuously validated through transparent growth and ecosystem impact. We are fully capable of delivering this project with trust and accountability, thanks to a skilled and balanced team, an open-source development model, transparent reporting, and on-chain validation. Our approach is feasible because it has been carefully scoped, milestone-based, and designed with user testing at its core. By validating through technical pilots, learner feedback, targeted outreach, and measurable on-chain activity, we ensure that the Blockchain Learning App will deliver real, lasting value to Cardano. Catalyst voters can trust that every ADA invested will translate into education, adoption, and ecosystem growth building the human foundation for Cardano’s future.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Foundation & Content Creation

Milestone Outputs

The main outcome of this milestone is a strong educational foundation. The team will create detailed learning materials covering Blockchain 101 (wallets, UTxO, transactions, tokens), and beginner-to-intermediate content on Cardano languages: Plutus, Marlowe, and Haskell. Alongside content, we will design structured quizzes tied to each module. Infrastructure setup will include hosting, server preparation, and initial app design (UI/UX wireframes). By the end of this stage, we will have a complete knowledge base and quiz system ready for integration.

Acceptance Criteria

• 100% of planned course modules drafted and peer-reviewed.

• At least 3 Cardano-focused learning tracks prepared: Blockchain 101, Plutus basics, and Marlowe/Haskell fundamentals.

• 15+ quizzes written, tested, and matched to content modules.

• Infrastructure (domain, hosting, servers) running and accessible.

• UI/UX mockups approved and validated for smooth learner flow.

Evidence of Completion

• Published draft of all educational content in shared repository (GitHub/Notion).

• Quiz bank available in digital format, ready for integration.

• Screenshots of hosting setup and domain activation.

• Publicly shared UI/UX prototypes showing navigation and module structure.

• Internal review notes confirming accuracy and clarity of content

Delivery Month

2

Cost

6500

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Application Development & Beta Testing

Milestone Outputs

This milestone delivers the functioning app with integrated content, search and category browsing, and quizzes linked to rewards. ADA-based incentive mechanisms are implemented via wallet integration, allowing learners to earn rewards for quiz completion. A closed beta test will launch with 100–200 learners to validate usability, learner flow, and motivation. Marketing preparation (social campaigns, outreach to student/tech communities) will also begin.

Acceptance Criteria

• App deployed with content integration and full learner flow: browse → learn → quiz → earn.

• Search and category browsing functional with smooth performance.

• At least 100 learners onboarded in beta testing.

• 60% completion rate of at least one module among testers.

• Wallet-based ADA rewards distributed successfully on testnet/mainnet.

• Positive feedback (>70% satisfaction) collected from beta testers.

Evidence of Completion

• Live beta link accessible to Catalyst community.

• Public GitHub repo showing source code for app, wallet integration, and reward contracts.

• Screenshots and demo videos of app navigation and quiz functionality.

• On-chain testnet/mainnet data showing successful reward distribution.

• Beta test survey results shared with Catalyst voters, proving usability and adoption.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

9500

Progress

70 %

Milestone Title

Public Launch & Reporting

Milestone Outputs

The app is launched publicly with full content, quizzes, and ADA rewards. Marketing campaigns drive user onboarding, with a target of 500+ learners in the first month. Partnerships with 2–3 educational communities or local tech hubs are established. Transparent reporting dashboards are published, showing learner engagement, quiz completions, and ADA reward distributions. Final deliverables also include a roadmap for multilingual expansion and blockchain-backed certification.

Acceptance Criteria

• Public app available globally on mobile.

• Minimum 500 active learners within first month.

• At least 300 quizzes completed with ADA rewards distributed.

• 70% module completion rate from active learners.

• Transparent reporting dashboards live and accessible.

• Partnerships with at least 2 education/tech communities confirmed.

Evidence of Completion

• Public app link shared with Catalyst community.

• Analytics dashboards showing learner activity, module completions, and reward distributions.

• On-chain transaction data for ADA incentives distributed to learners.

• Published partnership agreements with at least 2 education groups.

• Final report submitted to Catalyst including user data, ecosystem impact, and Year 2 roadmap.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

7000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

We structured the budget to be lean, milestone-based, and transparent, ensuring maximum ROI for Catalyst.

Milestone 1 – Foundation & Content Creation (6,500 ADA)

• Team Compensation:

• Abel (infrastructure + backend setup): 1,500 ADA

• Yonas (UI/UX prototypes): 1,500 ADA

• Kalkidan (content drafting, Blockchain 101, Plutus basics): 1,000 ADA

• Tigist (early outreach setup): 1,000 ADA

• Hosting & Tools (servers, domain, storage, APIs): 1,500 ADA

Milestone 2 – Application Development & Beta Testing (9,500 ADA)

• Team Compensation:

• Abel (backend development, wallet/quiz integration): 2,000 ADA

• Yonas (frontend integration, learner flow, beta testing UX): 2,000 ADA

• kalkidan (content integration + learner materials): 2,000 ADA

• Tigist (beta campaigns, tester recruitment): 1,500 ADA

• Infrastructure & Tools: 2,000 ADA

Milestone 3 – Public Launch & Reporting (7,000 ADA)

• Team Compensation:

• Abel(final deployment, performance optimization): 1,500 ADA

• Yonas (UX refinements, accessibility): 1,000 ADA

• Kalkidan (marketing campaigns, partnerships, reporting): 1,500 ADA

• Tigist (growth hacking campaigns, analytics): 1,000 ADA

• Marketing & Incentives (learner ADA rewards pool): 1,000 ADA

• Unexcpected cost: 1,000 ADA

• Reserved for unexpected costs in hosting, integration issues, or reward adjustments.

Total: 23,000 ADA

This breakdown ensures:

• For preparing solid content and infrastructure.

• For core development and validation with learners.

• For public launch, rewards, and reporting.

• Contingency to cover unforeseen needs.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

Our request of 23,000 ADA is carefully structured to deliver maximum value with minimal cost. This is not a theoretical research grant it is a direct investment into education, adoption, and measurable on-chain activity that strengthens Cardano’s ecosystem.

Every ADA is tied to clear, auditable outcomes:

• Content Creation Blockchain 101, Plutus, Marlowe & Haskell: Ensures that Cardano has a permanent, structured knowledge base accessible to learners worldwide.

• Application Development & Incentives: Connects learning directly to Cardano wallets and ADA rewards, turning theory into real usage and transactions on-chain.

• Community Growth & Partnerships: Attracts students, developers, and educators into Cardano’s orbit, building a pipeline of future contributors and Catalyst participants.

Compared to the impact, the cost is lean. With 23,000 ADA we will onboard hundreds of learners in the first months, distribute rewards transparently on-chain, and establish Cardano as the blockchain where education meets adoption. The result is a compounding effect: each new learner becomes a wallet holder, a community participant, and potentially a future developer.

This budget reflects high ROI for the ecosystem small in size, but powerful in impact creating sustainable educational infrastructure that will continue to serve Cardano long after Catalyst funding ends.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes