PyCardano: The Ultimate Course for Python and AI Developers

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

PyCardano: The Ultimate Course for Python and AI Developers

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

42600

[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?

Python/AI developers lack a clear learning path for Cardano. Existing PyCardano docs are scattered and complex, creating a high barrier for this massive talent pool to build on our ecosystem.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://github.com/sonson0910/Aiken-Tutorial
,
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOfryGzqG2g&list=PLN7D_gHP_0qUT-mv94_FQt3pbF5eiby1P

[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

Fully open source

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Education

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

Target: Python & AI developers, with an initial focus on the Vietnamese community, who are currently underserved.

Reach: Through a free, public YouTube course, an open-source GitHub repository with all code, and an interactive support community on Discord/Telegram.

Why it matters: This onboards a vast, high-skilled talent pool into Cardano, fostering new AI-integrated projects, increasing developer diversity, and accelerating ecosystem innovation at a very low cost.

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

• Developing a full, project-based PyCardano course curriculum.
• Producing 25-30 high-quality video tutorials (from basic to advanced).
• Creating and maintaining a public GitHub repository with all open-source sample code.
• Building and managing an interactive support community on Discord/Telegram.
• Developing a final synthesis project to demonstrate practical application.
• Hosting AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions and online workshops to support learners.

What are your success metrics?

Our success is measured by both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

Quantitative:

• Number of course participants (Goal: 20+ in the first 6 months).
• Course completion rate (Goal: >50%).

Growth in YouTube video views and engagement on social channels.

Qualitative:

• Learner satisfaction surveys (Goal: average 4.5/5 stars).
• The quality and depth of technical discussions within our support community, showing real learning is occurring.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

How do you rerceive the problem you are solving?

1, Lack of Pycardano documentation and tutorials

• Most of the documentation and tutorials for cardano (especially for smart contracts) focus on Haskell/Plutus/Aiken, while Pycardano a library for Python developers is not yet widely popular.
• Python developers often struggle to find well-structured courses, illustrative examples, or learning content that ranges from basic to advanced for pycardano.
• The official pycardano documentation exists but is fragmented and lacks a systematic approach (videos, lectures, step-by-step source code examples), making it difficult for beginners to get started or causing them to become easily discouraged.

2, Barrier to entry for Python/AI devs into the Cardano Blockchain

• Many AI/Data science programmers use python as their primary language but are unfamiliar with the EUTXO model, how to interact with the blockchain, sign transactions, manage wallets, ...
• They face difficulties in integrating their AI development workflows with the Cardano infrastructure.
• There is a lack of documentation guiding integration, such as examples of how to call an AI model via python while simultaneously connecting on-chain (reading/writing data, tokens, nfts, ...).

3, Need for talent and diversification in the cardano ecosystem

• Cardano is growing rapidly, but the number of professionals skilled in both Cardano and Python is still low.
• Attracting the python community (especially from the ai and data sectors) would help cardano welcome new ideas and projects, but the biggest obstacle is the lack of a clear learning path.
• If the problem of providing pycardano documentation and courses is not addressed, the Cardano ecosystem will miss out on the potential contributions of Python/AI developers, thereby slowing down the pace of development and innovation.

Our solution is to build and launch a comprehensive online Pycardano course. This course is designed to be a solid bridge, directly connecting the large community of Python/AI developers with the power of the cardano blockchain. We will not only provide theory but will focus on step-by-step practical guidance through real-world projects, helping learners go from zero knowledge to confidently building dapp backends and integrating ai models onto cardano.

The main components of the solution:

1, Structured online course (video + text):

• A series of 25-30 high-quality video lectures (5-15 minutes each) in vietnamese with english subtitles.
• Content is presented from basic to advanced, accompanied by text-based materials and short multiple-choice quizzes to reinforce knowledge.
• Publishing platforms: YouTube (for maximum reach) and a simple learning website.

2, Open-source code repository (public github repository):

• A public github repository containing all sample code for each lesson and project in the course.
• The code is cleanly written with detailed comments, ready for learners to copy, customize, and use in their own projects.
• Examples will range from creating wallets, sending ada/token transactions, and minting nfts to more complex scenarios like interacting with metadata and integrating APIs

3, Interactive support community (discord/telegram):

• Establish a dedicated support channel on discord or telegram.
• This is a place where learners can ask questions, share progress, discuss project ideas, and receive direct support from the teaching team and the community.
• We will organize regular AMA (ask me anything) sessions and workshops to answer questions and provide updates on new knowledge.

4, Course roadmap and curriculum:

• The course is structured into 4 main modules, corresponding to 4 development milestones. This path guides learners from the initial setup steps to building a complete AI integrated dapp.

Module 1: Overview and environment setup

Objective: To equip learners with core knowledge and a ready-to-use programming environment, eliminating any initial technical barriers.

Main content:

• Start with an overview of the course and the learning roadmap.
• Guide to setting up a multi-platform environment (Windows, Ubuntu, MacOs).
• Practice initializing a project and running the first test to confirm everything is working.
• Reinforce the foundation with essential concepts like UTXO, wallets, transactions, and addresses explained visually.

Module 2: Getting started

Objective: To focus 100% on practical skills, helping learners confidently create, manage, and transact various digital assets on cardano using Pycardano.

Main content:

• Guide to setting up APIs (blockfrost, ogmios) to connect with the blockchain.
• Practice basic tasks: creating wallets (hdwallet), querying addresses, building ada-sending transactions, and consolidating UTXOs.
• Dive into the most important skill developers are interested in: minting and burning both fungible tokens (ft) and non-fungible tokens (nft).

Module 3: Advanced interaction with smart contracts

Objective: To expand learner's abilities from creating simple transactions to interacting with complex logic deployed on-chain.

Main content:

• Start with classic contracts like helloworld and vesting to understand the basic interaction flow.
• Delve into one of the newest and most powerful standards: dynamic nft (CIP68), a technology with high practical application.
• Learners will be guided in detail on how to mint, update, and burn this type of dynamic nft using both the command line (CLI) and a simple user interface.

Module 4: Apply to the real project

Objective: To synthesize all learned knowledge to build a complete dapp, demonstrating the groundbreaking application of combining ai and blockchain.

Main content:

• Present a real-world case study: integrating computer vision for facial verification linked to a decentralized identifier (DID).
• Guide through the technical steps: setting up an AI model (face tracking), storing it on ipfs, and writing off-chain code (Python) to handle ai logic, then calling corresponding on-chain transactions.
• The final result is a complete dapp deployed on the testnet, serving as a powerful demonstration and a valuable portfolio piece for learners.

Why is this solution unique and effective?

• Focus on a specific audience: instead of being broad, we directly target the Python/AI developer community, a huge, high-quality talent pool that cardano needs.
• Project-based learning: learners will build highly practical applications, helping them gain a portfolio and the confidence to start their own projects.
• Native language: providing materials in vietnamese breaks down language barriers, accelerating the learning curve for the vietnamese developer community.
• End-to-end guidance: we guide the entire process, from idea and coding to testnet deployment and a running product. this is precisely what current fragmented materials lack.

By implementing this solution, we are not just creating a course, but also building a clear career path, opening up a new stream of talent, and directly promoting innovation and diversification 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 will create a profound and lasting impact on the Cardano ecosystem by addressing one of the biggest current barriers: the lack of high-quality, accessible educational materials for the Python & AI developer community.

Value to the cardano community

• Contribute Pycardano educational resources for the Vietnamese developer community specifically and the broader developer community in general.
• Promote participation from the Python developer community.
• Enhance the quality of the talent pool for Cardano's future.
• Support the educational goals of the Cardano Foundation.

How we will measure impact

Quantitative:

• Number of developers participating in the course: goal to reach 30+ learners in the first 6 months.
• Course completion rate: at least 50% of learners complete the course and apply their knowledge to real-world projects.
• Number of projects built on pycardano: track the number of dapps or smart contracts developed by learners after completing the course.
• Community interaction and feedback rate: increase in views on video-sharing platforms (youtube, or the course hosting platform).

Qualitative:

• Feedback from learners: collect reviews through end-of-course surveys, aiming for an average satisfaction score of 4.5/5 stars.
• Quality of discussion: assess the maturity of the community through the quality of questions and technical discussions in the discord/telegram channel.

How we will share outputs and opportunities

We are committed to maximum transparency and openness in sharing the project outcomes.

Outputs:

• Video course: all video lectures will be published publicly and perpetually free on our youtube channel and project website (cardano2vn.io).
• Open-source code: all sample code and real-world projects will be published on github under the mit license, allowing anyone to freely use, modify, and build upon it.
• Documents & slides: all learning materials will be shared publicly for easy community access.

Opportunities & reporting:

• Transparent progress reporting: we will submit detailed and on-time milestone reports as required by Project Catalyst.
• Regular community updates: project progress, new videos, and important information will be shared regularly through social media channels (X, Youtube, Discord) to keep the community updated.
• Building connections: organize online workshops/amas to present advanced topics, showcase sample dapps, and most importantly, create opportunities for learners to connect with experts and other projects within the cardano ecosystem.

[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 is composed of seasoned developers and blockchain educators with a strong background in AI, Cardano, and decentralized technology. We have consistently secured funding from multiple Catalyst rounds, demonstrating our ability to execute innovative projects within the Cardano ecosystem. Some of our notable projects include:

The Moderntensor project won 1st prize in the Cardano Blockchain Hackathon 2025.

Our project funded:

• Fund 10 Funded Project: "🇻🇳 Vietnam Cardano Catalyst - NFT Exchange testing and development environment helps young people approach with the Web3.0 platform"
• Fund 11 Funded Projects:
• "Dualtarget for ADA-Holders (Staking and increasing assets) with a decentralized automated trading bot"
• "🇻🇳 The Complete Aiken Course Cardano: From Zero to Expert!"
• Fund 12 Funded Project: "Open source dynamic assets (Token/NFT) generator (CIP68)"
• Fund 13 Funded Project: “[BUTC] Fueling Growth: Cardano Hackathons to Inspire Startup Success”

These achievements not only provide a solid foundation for the current proposal but also affirm our capacity to effectively manage funded initiatives and deliver tangible value to the Cardano ecosystem.

Comprehensive blockchain expertise

Our team possesses deep knowledge and practical experience in blockchain development, AI, and decentralized solutions. Beyond project execution, we have contributed to Cardano through practical implementations and recognized research, such as:

• Article 1: "Students Scientific Research with Cardano Blockchain"
• Article 2: "Students Scientific Research with Cardano Blockchain"
• Article 3: "Scientific research results of students of the University of Transport and Communications 2024"
• Article 4: "Cardano Blockchain Hackathon Vietnam 2024”

This blend of technical skill and active engagement in the Cardano community equips us with the competence and vision to successfully execute this project.

Validation and collaboration

The project's feasibility will be demonstrated through a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), incorporating both quantitative and qualitative measurement methods:

Quantitative metrics:

• Tracking the number of module upgrades and contributions via GitHub.
• Monitoring task completion rates on Trello.
• Measuring adoption through the number of active users on the platform.

Qualitative assessment:

• Conducting user satisfaction surveys to refine the product.
• Assessing stakeholder interest during project presentations.
• Close collaboration with the Cardano community and relevant stakeholders ensures our solution is practical, meets user needs, and aligns with the latest technological advancements.

Financial management and accountability

We are committed to transparent and effective financial management through the following strategies:

• Detailed budget planning: Clear allocation of resources for development, operations, and marketing.
• Transparent cost tracking: Maintaining auditable records of all expenditures.
• Periodic reporting: Providing regular updates to assess financial performance and guide strategic adjustments.

Supported by our team's academic background and project management experience, we adhere to strict budgetary discipline and the highest standards of transparency.

Amplifying impact and open-source commitment

We are not only focused on project completion but also on amplifying its impact through open-source contributions and community engagement. Our tools and solutions will be made publicly available, fostering decentralized innovation and promoting widespread blockchain adoption. Transparency and communication are our guiding principles through open dialogue with stakeholders, regular progress updates, and a collaborative environment, we ensure all parties are engaged in the project's success.

We invite Catalyst to join us in shaping the future of decentralized innovation.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Overview and Setup Environment

Milestone Outputs

Introduction to PyCardano" video series (8 videos):

• Video 1: Course overview.
• Videos 2-4: Environment setup guides (Windows, Ubuntu, macOS).
• Video 5: Project initialization and running the first test.
• Videos 6-8: Introduction to basic and advanced concepts in Cardano (utxo, wallets, transactions, addresses, etc.).

Acceptance Criteria

• The detailed course plan is completed.
• 100% of videos and materials for milestone 1 are produced and published publicly.
• Each video achieves a minimum of 50+ views (combined from YouTube and the LMS).
• Each video receives a minimum of 5+ interactions (likes, comments).

Evidence of Completion

• Link to the YouTube playlist containing the 8 video lectures.
• Link to the course on the LMS platform (cardano2vn.io).
• Link to the resource page containing slides, documents, and the learning roadmap.
• Link to the public Google sheet reporting the measurement metrics.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

7800

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Getting started with PyCardano

Milestone Outputs

Practical guide video series (approx. 6-8 videos):

• API setup (blockfrost, ogmios).
• Wallet creation, mnemonic generation, hdwallet initialization.
• Querying wallet addresses and smart contract addresses.
• Building and signing basic transactions (sending ADA).
• UTXO consolidation in a wallet.
• Minting & burning fungible tokens (FT).
• Minting & burning non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
• Sample source code on GitHub for each video, with detailed instructions.

Acceptance Criteria

• 100% of videos and sample source code are completed and made public.
• The source code functions as described on the testnet environment.
• View and interaction metrics meet or exceed the targets set in milestone 1.

Evidence of Completion

Link to the YouTube playlist containing the milestone 2 videos.

Link to the GitHub directory containing the sample source code.

Updated Google sheet with metrics for the new videos (weekly update).

Delivery Month

3

Cost

11400

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Smart contract interaction

Milestone Outputs

Smart contract video series (approx. 8-10 videos):

• Module 1: Developing and interacting with the helloworld contract.
• Module 2: Developing and interacting with the vesting contract.
• Module 3: Introduction to and implementation of dynamic NFTs (CIP-68).
• Module 4: Guide to minting/updating/burning dynamic NFTs via the command line (CLI).
• Module 5: Guide to minting/updating/burning dynamic NFTs with a simple user interface.

AI on Cardano" case study video series (approx. 5-7 videos):

• Problem introduction: Integrating computer vision for facial verification and linking it to a decentralized identifier (DID).
• Setting up the AI model (face tracking) and storing it on IPFS.
• Writing off-chain code (Python) to handle AI logic and call on-chain transactions.
• Deploying the complete dApp to the testnet environment.
• Open-source code for the entire sample dApp on GitHub.
• Complete project documentation, including architecture and setup instructions.

Open-source code for the smart contracts (aiken/plutus) and the Python code (pycardano) to interact with them.

Acceptance Criteria

• All videos, source code, and documentation are made public.
• Interactions with smart contracts on the testnet are successful and recorded in the videos.
• Documentation explaining the workflow of each smart contract is available.
• The sample dapp is functional on the testnet and can be accessed and tested by the community.

Evidence of Completion

• Links to the YouTube playlist, GitHub, and related documentation.
• Links to sample transactions on cardanoscan (testnet).
• Link to the live dapp on the testnet.
• Updated Google sheet with metrics for milestone 3.

Delivery Month

5

Cost

12600

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Project close-out and final reporting

Milestone Outputs

• An online workshop/AMA session to present the project and answer questions from the community.
• A detailed project close-out report, summarizing the achieved results, metrics, and community feedback.
• A concise project close-out video presenting the project's impact and outputs.

Acceptance Criteria

• A successful workshop is held with at least 30 participants.
• At least 2-3 learners/followers start building their own projects inspired by the case study.
• The report and video are submitted on time and contain all required information.

Evidence of Completion

• The workshop recording is uploaded to YouTube.
• Final report updated on the Google sheet.
• Link to the submitted project close-out report.
• Link to the publicly posted project close-out video.

Delivery Month

6

Cost

10800

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

SUMMARY

Milestone 1: Overview and Setup Environment

Estimated cost for this phase: 7800 ADA ⇔ 18.31%

Milestone 2: Getting Started with PyCardano

Estimated cost for this phase: 11400 ADA ⇔ 26.76%

Milestone 3: Smart Contract Interation

Estimated cost for this phase: 12600 ADA ⇔ 29.58%

Milestone 4: Project Close-Out and Final Reporting

Estimated cost for this phase: 10800 ADA ⇔ 25.35%

Total Costs: 42600 ADA

A comprehensive breakdown of the project's phases and deliverables can be found at:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O9TCkB4mX3lLArYLexYfxwJ0r_H9CNfR6SyoKPh0x00/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 money by creating a permanent, scalable, and open-source educational asset that directly addresses a critical gap in the Cardano ecosystem. The cost is not for a temporary service, but for a one-time investment with long-term returns.

Here’s how we determined the costs and why they offer high value:

• Creating a long-term asset, not a service: The budget covers the creation of an evergreen online course (videos, source code, tutorials). Once created, these resources will be available for free, perpetually, on platforms like YouTube and GitHub. They can educate hundreds, if not thousands, of developers over time at no additional cost, making the initial investment incredibly efficient and scalable.
• Strategic investment in talent onboarding: The primary cost is the specialized time and effort required for research, content creation, and code development. We are funding the expertise needed to build a crucial bridge for the massive Python/AI developer community to enter Cardano. The cost of attracting and enabling a single skilled development team to build on Cardano would likely exceed this entire project's budget. Our project aims to empower many.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes