Last updated a month ago
Cardano lacks incubators in Mexico. Without spaces like Ideathon, students cannot turn their ideas into projects, which slows down the adoption and inclusion of blockchain programs in universities.
The Hosken Academy Ideathon in Puebla will train students, incubate blockchain projects, and promote the adoption of Cardano, driving new Cardano entrepreneurs and innovators.
Please provide your proposal title
IDEATHON for Cardano based projects by Hosken Academy
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
60000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
12
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Cardano lacks incubators in Mexico. Without spaces like Ideathon, students cannot turn their ideas into projects, which slows down the adoption and inclusion of blockchain programs in universities.
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
No dependencies
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
All of the projects outputs will be published
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Incubator
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.
IDEATHON is aimed at university students in central Mexico, especially those studying technology, innovation, and engineering, who are future developers and innovators in the Cardano ecosystem. We will reach participants through partnerships with universities, campus campaigns, social media promotion, and collaboration with student organizations. Engaging students creates a pipeline of developers and innovators trained to build projects based on Cardano. This increases local adoption, generates ecosystem growth, and strengthens Cardano's presence in a strategic region of Mexico.
Provide a list of key activities of your project?
Education and Awareness
Description: Provide theoretical and practical training on blockchain and Cardano so that students understand the ecosystem and can generate decentralized solutions.
Sub-activities and metrics:
Number of educational sessions (webinars): 20 sessions over 6 months.
Total number of participants trained and reached: 160 people (100 attendees + 60 active participants).
Measuring increased knowledge of Cardano:
Knowledge test at the beginning and end of the program to assess learning.
Objective: at least a 70% average improvement in the test among participants.
What are your success metrics?
Number of new community groups formed
Target: 3 or more Cardano student groups created at participating universities.
Number of educational sessions completed
Target: 17 training sessions completed during the 6 months of training.
Ideathon attendance rate
Target: 80% or more of registered participants attend the final event.
Reach of views on social media posts
Goal: 10,000 combined impressions on outreach posts before and during the Ideathon.
Number of projects participating in the Ideathon
Goal: 15 or more projects submitted by participating teams.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
The Cardano ecosystem in Mexico faces a lack of specific training and practical innovation spaces, which limits the creation of local projects and the adoption of the network. University students interested in blockchain do not have environments that allow them to transform their ideas into real and scalable solutions.
Reasons to address this issue
There is great interest among young people in technology and blockchain, but there are few opportunities for practical learning in Cardano.
Increasing the critical mass of entrepreneurs and project creators will strengthen the local and global adoption of Cardano.
Co-creation spaces, such as the Ideathon, promote innovation, collaboration, and the generation of real value within the ecosystem.
Who participates in the IDEATHON
It is aimed at university students studying technology, innovation, and engineering.
Universities in the region, such as the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla and other partner institutions.
Mentors and trainers with experience in Cardano and blockchain.
Cardano Mexico community, to accompany and evaluate the projects.
How to demonstrate impact
Number of participants trained and their improvement in Cardano knowledge tests.
Number of projects developed and presented at the Ideathon.
New Cardano groups or communities created at universities.
Ideathon attendance rate and active participation in activities.
Social media reach and visibility of the event for the local and global community.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
The Ideathon will have a direct positive impact on the student community and the Cardano ecosystem in Mexico by:
Key performance indicators (KPIs):
More than 150 participants registered in total for IDEATHON
More than 50 entrepreneurs and innovators participated in IDEATHON
At least 50% of participants were new to Cardano.
At least 25% female participation.
-All projects published on GitHub under open source licenses.
20 training sessions delivered
More than 50 hours of educational content recorded and published.
Over 70% participant satisfaction (measured through surveys).
Over 10 collaborations with universities, technology centers, or local blockchain communities.
Creation of a dedicated group with 100 active members at the end of IDEATHON
More than 10,000 impressions on social media across all platforms.
More than 10 mentions in the community (tweets, blogs, podcasts, etc.).
Creation of a critical mass of young developers in Cardano.
Increased adoption of decentralized solutions in central Mexico.
Generation of new educational, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities for students and participants.
Promotion of local innovation with potential global impact.
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?
Team Experience, Trust & Accountability
Our team has extensive experience organizing top-tier blockchain events, such as AZTECA 2025, AMM Intersect Latam, the Constitutional Workshop in CDMX, and the CIP-1694 Workshop in Mexico City. These initiatives showcase our ability to bring together diverse participants, encourage meaningful dialogue, and deliver well-planned, professional events within the Cardano ecosystem.
To maintain trust and accountability, we will:
Ensure complete transparency in budget management by providing detailed expense reports and clear justification for all expenditures.
Share regular updates with the community and funders throughout the planning and execution stages.
Handle logistics meticulously, covering venue, travel, technical arrangements, and partnerships, to provide a smooth experience for all participants.
Apply lessons learned from past events to continually enhance organization, engagement, and methods to measure impact.
Collaborate closely with local partners and the global Cardano community to align the IDEATHON with ecosystem goals and maximize its long-term benefits.
This structured and transparent approach will instill confidence in the project’s execution and ensure Catalyst funds are utilized effectively to generate a lasting impact.
Milestone Title
University Partnerships & Training Program Setup
Milestone Outputs
Confirmation of partnerships with at least 10 universities in Mexico.
Final schedule of 20 weekly educational webinars (topics, speakers, dates).
Hiring of guest speakers/mentors for the training program.
Creation of a communication plan to promote the webinars at universities.
Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance Criteria
At least 10 universities formally confirm their collaboration (letters, emails, or agreements).
A published list of the 20 webinar topics with tentative speakers and calendar.
At least 5 confirmed speakers/mentors for the sessions.
Communication plan document available and shared.
Evidence of Completion
Signed agreements or confirmation emails from universities (screenshots/PDF).
Webinar program document (PDF/Google Doc) with session list, dates, and speakers.
List of confirmed speakers/mentors in PDF
Outreach/communication plan document for student engagement.
All evidence stored in a Google Drive folder, link will be public and shared.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
18000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Delivery of the Educational Webinar Program
Milestone Outputs
Successful delivery of 20 weekly webinars focused on Cardano, blockchain, and entrepreneurship.
Each session includes educational material (slides, readings, or case studies).
Sessions are recorded and published for later access by students and the Cardano community.
Average attendance of at least 30 students per session.
Engagement tracking (questions asked, feedback collected, assignments if applicable).
Acceptance Criteria
At least 20 webinars completed according to the planned schedule.
Each session has educational materials prepared and shared with students.
Recordings are available online (YouTube, Google Drive, or equivalent).
Average attendance of 30+ participants across sessions.
Feedback surveys show at least 70% satisfaction rate among participants.
Evidence of Completion
List of completed webinars with dates, topics, and speakers.
Links to session recordings (YouTube/Google Drive).
Slides or materials from each webinar uploaded to a shared folder.
Attendance summaries per session (anonymized if needed).
Feedback survey results compiled and shared.
All evidence stored in a Google Drive folder, link will be public and shared.
Delivery Month
7
Cost
18000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
Confirmation of Date and Location for the Ideathon
Milestone Outputs
Official confirmation of the ideathon date (coordinated with university partners and aligned with the end of the webinar program).
Confirmation of the event venue (booked and secured).
Location details documented (capacity, facilities, accessibility, internet connectivity).
Draft agenda outlining the one-day ideathon structure (opening, recap of webinars, team formation, idea pitching, judging, awards).
Acceptance Criteria
The event date is officially set and communicated to all university partners and participants.
The venue is booked and confirmed as suitable for a one-day ideathon (enough space for students, reliable internet, presentation equipment, accessibility).
Detailed documentation of the venue confirms its suitability.
Draft agenda available, covering all essential ideathon components (introduction, idea pitching, mentoring, final presentations, and awards).
Evidence of Completion
Location document (PDF) with venue details (capacity, photos or description, internet, accessibility).
Draft agenda document (PDF) shared via public link.
Confirmation of date and location included in the location document.
All documents stored in a Google Drive folder, link will be public and shared.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
12000
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Ideathon Execution & Close-out
Milestone Outputs
Successful delivery of the one-day ideathon event.
Facilitation of team formation, mentoring, and idea development.
Organization of the final idea presentations and judging session.
Prizes and recognition awarded to the most innovative and promising ideas.
Close-out report and video summarizing the outcomes (attendance, ideas generated, partnerships, lessons learned).
Creation or strengthening of a community channel (Discord/Telegram) to continue supporting students and projects beyond the ideathon.
Acceptance Criteria
The ideathon takes place on the confirmed date and at the confirmed venue.
At least 160 participants actively attend in person.
At least 10 ideas/projects are submitted by the end of the ideathon.
Mentorship and judging sessions are delivered as scheduled.
Winners are selected and recognized through a transparent process.
A close-out report and video are completed and shared with the Cardano community.
A community group/channel remains active with at least 100 members after the event.
Evidence of Completion
Photos and/or videos from the ideathon event.
Attendance list (summary, anonymized if necessary).
List of submitted ideas/projects with short descriptions.
Agenda and mentoring documentation (slides, summaries).
Announcement of winners (social media posts & website update).
Final close-out report & video (shared via public link).
Community channel link with member count.
All evidence stored in a Google Drive folder, link will be public and shared.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
18000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Total budget requested: 60,000 ADA
Cost Breakdown
Educational Webinars Program – 18,000 ADA
Honoraria for invited experts (Cardano community members, blockchain practitioners, academic partners).
Preparation of educational content and materials (slides, case studies, guides).
Recording, editing, and publishing of 20 webinars.
Ideathon Prizes & Awards – 7,000 ADA
ADA prizes for winning teams (6,000 ADA).
Recognition packages (certificates, trophies, swag, promotional items).
Marketing & University Outreach – 15,000 ADA
Branding, design, and promotional materials.
Outreach and coordination with university partners.
Mentorship & Technical Support – 4,000 ADA
Honoraria for mentors and judges on ideathon day.
Support materials and mentoring resources for student teams.
Food & Logistics for Ideathon Day – 10,000 ADA
Catering for participants (meals, snacks, coffee).
On-site logistics (A/V, internet improvements, technical equipment rental if needed).
Project Management & Coordination – 6,000 ADA
Compensation for the 3 core team members covering planning, coordination, reporting, and community continuity across several months.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
This ideathon represents great value for money for the Cardano ecosystem because it maximizes the impact of 60,000 ADA by combining five months of education with a one-day ideathon designed for students and young entrepreneurs in Latin America.
Strong Educational Investment: 18,000 ADA is allocated to a 20-week webinar program, providing students with access to blockchain and Cardano knowledge, expert mentorship, and educational resources. This creates long-term capacity, not just a one-off event.
Direct Incentives for Participation: 7,000 ADA in prizes and recognition rewards the most innovative student teams, motivating them to continue exploring Cardano-based solutions.
Strategic Outreach: 15,000 ADA ensures strong collaboration with universities, branding, and outreach, connecting Cardano to academic institutions in LatAm and attracting new talent.
Quality Mentorship & Support: 4,000 ADA covers expert mentors and judges during the ideathon, ensuring students receive valuable guidance and feedback.
Inclusive Logistics: 10,000 ADA guarantees a professional event experience with food, technical setup, and reliable infrastructure, making the ideathon accessible and engaging for all participants.
Efficient Project Management: 6,000 ADA compensates the core team (Cristian, Erick, Victor) for several months of planning, reporting, and community continuity — ensuring transparency and accountability.
Long-Term Value for Cardano
20 recorded educational webinars will remain publicly available for the global community.
100+ students trained on Cardano and blockchain fundamentals.
15+ project ideas generated during the ideathon, with potential to evolve into Catalyst proposals or startups.
University partnerships strengthen Cardano’s presence in the LatAm academic ecosystem.
A sustained student community that can continue collaborating after the ideathon.
In summary, this budget delivers education, innovation, and community growth in a cost-effective and transparent way, making 60,000 ADA a strategic investment in the future of Cardano in Latin America.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Our team is composed of three core members with extensive experience in organizing blockchain and Cardano-related events in Mexico and Latin America. While we are not developers ourselves, our strength lies in event coordination, community engagement, and ecosystem-building. For this ideathon, we will ensure strong educational and technical content by collaborating with experts from the Cardano community and the broader blockchain ecosystem in Mexico and Latin America, who will deliver the 20 weekly webinars and provide mentorship during the ideathon.
Team Members
Cristian Rojas – Project Lead & Event Coordinator
Responsible for overall project management, logistics, and delivery of milestones.
Brings experience in coordinating major blockchain events such as AZTECA 2025 and the CIP-1694 Workshop Mexico City.
Ensures transparent budget management and timely reporting to Catalyst.
Erick Valadez – Partnerships & University Outreach Lead
Leads engagement with universities, student communities, and academic partners in LatAm.
Experienced in community-building and establishing collaborations with local and regional institutions.
Ensures strong participation and long-term continuity of the student community after the ideathon.
Victor Hernandez – Marketing & Communications Lead
Manages event branding, social media campaigns, and participant engagement.
Experienced in promoting blockchain events such as AMM Intersect LatAm and the Constitutional Workshop in CDMX.
Responsible for showcasing the ideathon and webinar outcomes to a wider audience, increasing Cardano’s visibility in the region.
External Educational & Technical Support
To complement our skills, we will invite Cardano developers, blockchain practitioners, and subject-matter experts from Mexico and Latin America to:
Deliver the 20 educational webinars leading up to the ideathon.
Provide mentorship and guidance during the ideathon event.
Share practical insights on Cardano tools, blockchain use cases, and entrepreneurial applications.
This approach ensures that participants — mostly students and young entrepreneurs, not developers — gain high-quality knowledge, mentorship, and exposure to Cardano, while our core team focuses on execution, coordination, and community-building.