Unlocking Cardano in Kenya: Student Innovation Hackathon

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Unlocking Cardano in Kenya: Student Innovation Hackathon

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

33000

[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?

Kenya is open to blockchain, yet Cardano has limited visibility in universities. Students lack structured, engaging opportunities to learn and build on Cardano.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://updevchallenge.com/
,
• https://edustake.updev.cloud/
,
• https://uptodatedevelopers.com/
,
• https://devcommunity.io/

[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

All public-facing outputs of the project, including educational materials, mentorship guidelines, team formation toolkits, and the event organization framework, will be published under an open source license.

[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.

We are targeting university students in Kenya, specifically those enrolled in technology, business, and innovation programs. These students are digital natives with high potential to become future Cardano builders, ambassadors, and entrepreneurs.

We will reach them through:

• University blockchain/tech clubs

• Local innovation hubs and developer communities

• Targeted social media campaigns and WhatsApp groups

• Institutional partnerships with selected universities in Nairobi

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

• Open call for applications from Kenyan universities

• 4-week onboarding & mentorship phase (virtual workshops, team formation, Cardano basics)

• Delivery of a 3-day in-person hackathon in Nairobi (Jan 7–9, 2026)

• Mentorship, ideation, and prototype pitching during the event

• Final pitch session, jury evaluation, and prize ceremony

• Post-hackathon support: onboarding to Project Catalyst and Cardano communities

• Publishing all content and templates as open educational resources

What are your success metrics?

• At least 100 students onboarded with new Cardano wallets

• Minimum of 10 project ideas proposed during the hackathon

• At least 3 winning teams continuing their ideas post-event

• Growth in participation from 5+ Kenyan universities

• Publication of open-source event toolkit for replication

• Social media reach of 10,000+ impressions during the campaign

• At least 2 follow-up collaborations with local partners or communities

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Proposed Solution and How This Solution Addresses the Problem

The proposed solution is to organize a comprehensive and high-impact Cardano Student Hackathon in Nairobi, Kenya — a country that is officially embracing blockchain innovation, yet where Cardano's presence in university ecosystems remains limited. This hackathon will be a 3-day in-person event scheduled for January 7–9, 2026, and will be preceded by a carefully designed 4-week virtual onboarding and mentorship phase. It aims to introduce university students to the fundamentals of Cardano, empower them to identify local challenges, and design blockchain-based solutions aligned with Cardano’s mission of decentralization and social impact.

Context and Problem

Despite Kenya’s dynamic youth population, rapid tech adoption, and increasing governmental openness to blockchain, Cardano is still underrepresented in university-level education, student-led innovation, and early-stage prototyping environments. Students lack accessible entry points to learn about Cardano, interact with its tools, and explore how it can be used to solve real problems in areas like financial inclusion, governance, education, or climate action.

The traditional academic curriculum does not expose students to real-world blockchain use cases or provide opportunities to connect with global ecosystems like Cardano. As a result, there is a disconnect between local talent and global blockchain innovation.

Our Solution

We aim to fill this gap by creating a vibrant, structured, and replicable hackathon model that not only introduces Cardano to students but also allows them to experience it in action. The hackathon will be built around the theme "Innovate for Development with Cardano", encouraging participants to design projects that serve real community needs.

The program will be composed of the following phases:

1. Application and University Outreach (Nov 2025)

   Targeted campaigns across universities and tech hubs in Nairobi to recruit participants from diverse backgrounds — including tech, business, design, and social sciences.

2. Pre-Hackathon Onboarding and Mentorship (Dec 2025)

   Participants will go through a virtual onboarding program covering:

   • Introduction to blockchain and the Cardano ecosystem

   • Catalyst funding and community governance

   • Team formation, ideation strategies, and problem framing

   • Sessions with local mentors and global Cardano contributors

3. Live Hackathon (Jan 7–9, 2026)

   • Day 1: Opening ceremony, workshops, and team project kickoff

   • Day 2: Intensive hacking and mentorship support

   • Day 3: Final pitch to expert jury, prize ceremony, and showcase

4. Post-Hackathon Support

   Winning and high-potential teams will be guided on how to:

   • Continue building their projects via local incubators or accelerators

   • Apply for funding through Project Catalyst

   • Integrate deeper with the Cardano developer ecosystem and community

Why This Approach Works

• Hackathons are action-driven and collaborative: They foster learning-by-doing and teamwork, especially among youth.

• They create a focused environment: In 72 hours, participants can move from zero knowledge to working on functional prototypes.

• They are gateways into ecosystems: Many of the world’s top startups began as hackathon ideas. The same is true for new Cardano projects.

This approach doesn’t require students to be developers from the start. By mixing technical and non-technical profiles, it encourages diversity of ideas and inclusive innovation.

Impact and Alignment with Cardano

This solution directly supports Cardano’s long-term vision by:

• Onboarding new users and builders through wallet creation, workshops, and hands-on experience

• Establishing meaningful relationships with universities and local innovation leaders

• Creating region-specific use cases for Cardano from the people who know the problems best — students living them

• Strengthening the Cardano Africa ecosystem, by empowering young Africans to build not just on blockchain, but on Cardano specifically

What Makes This Unique

• It’s not just a one-off event. It is a pipeline model: outreach → training → ideation → building → pitching → post-event integration.

• All training materials, pitch decks, team guides, and judging templates will be published as open source to allow others to replicate the hackathon model across Africa and beyond.

• Our focus on student ownership and community-driven innovation positions Cardano as a platform that listens to and grows with the people it serves.

Summary

The Cardano Student Hackathon in Nairobi is more than an event — it is a strategic engagement tool to introduce the next generation of African problem-solvers to Cardano. It answers a real need with a proven method and leaves behind tools, knowledge, and community pathways that extend far beyond the 3-day program.

By investing in this initiative, Project Catalyst will help unlock new talents, new ideas, and new use cases — exactly where they’re needed most.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Impact

The Cardano Student Hackathon in Nairobi will generate long-term, measurable, and replicable impact for both the local ecosystem in Kenya and the global Cardano community. The project serves as a bridge between untapped African student potential and the growing Cardano ecosystem, fostering not only awareness but meaningful contributions.

Value to the Cardano Community

This initiative will:

• Onboard 100+ students into the Cardano ecosystem through wallet creation and hands-on use of Cardano tools.

• Catalyze 10+ project ideas rooted in real local challenges, creating use cases for Cardano that reflect the needs of underserved regions.

• Provide open-source educational assets, team-building frameworks, and hackathon templates that can be reused by other Catalyst-funded organizers worldwide.

• Strengthen the African developer pipeline within Cardano, encouraging diverse participation and innovation from the continent.

• Connect new builders to Project Catalyst, potentially increasing proposal submissions, community participation, and funded initiatives led by students.

How We Will Measure the Impact

We will use both quantitative and qualitative indicators:

Quantitative Metrics:

• Number of new wallets created during onboarding

• Number of students trained and teams formed

• Number of projects submitted and pitched

• Number of post-event proposals submitted to Project Catalyst or incubators

• Web and social media reach (engagement, impressions)

Qualitative Indicators:

• Student feedback on knowledge gain and perception of Cardano

• Mentor and jury evaluations of student performance

• Partnerships formed with universities and innovation hubs

Sharing the Results and Outputs

All content and documentation created (onboarding curriculum, event guide, judging criteria, team formation templates, etc.) will be:

• Published openly on GitHub under a permissive license (MIT for code, CC BY 4.0 for educational material)

• Promoted through Cardano Africa channels, Catalyst Town Halls, and project showcases

• Offered to the Cardano community as a plug-and-play resource for replicating student engagement in other regions

We will also prepare:

• A video recap and written impact report summarizing the outcomes of the event

• A list of student-led project ideas that emerged, shared with the Catalyst community

• Follow-up calls with interested community members looking to localize or partner on similar hackathons elsewhere

Long-Term Contribution

This project is not an isolated action but the first edition of a repeatable model. It will help establish a local network of Cardano-friendly institutions and students in East Africa and contribute to Catalyst’s goal of being a global funding engine. Through documentation, community sharing, and direct mentorship, we will ensure that the knowledge and results extend far beyond the initial event.

Ultimately, this project empowers a new generation of Cardano users and builders in a high-potential region, laying the foundation for decentralized growth driven by local leadership and global collaboration.

[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?

Experience and Expertise

Our organization, Uptodate Developers,%5D(https://uptodatedevelopers.com/),) has led numerous high-impact initiatives across Africa in blockchain, education, and community empowerment. Key accomplishments include:

• DevCommunity.io: A developer hub with over 2,800 users, offering skill validation, job opportunities, and certifications aligned with Cardano adoption goals.
• UpdevChallenge.com: A pan-African innovation competition, successfully held over 3 editions, engaging 550+ participants in blockchain-based problem-solving.
• edustake.updev.cloud (to be opened): An initiative to drive Cardano adoption through education, anchored by a dedicated stake pool for learning and community engagement.

Our team comprises 18+ experienced developers and educators with extensive expertise in Web3, blockchain development, and event organization.

Active Cardano Community Engagement

We have actively contributed to the Cardano ecosystem for over three years through:

• Co-hosting the Cardano Summit 2021–2023 in DRC%5D(https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MGqm7PbpYUulFYmkEqRTWwnjiIhP0mho?usp=sharing))
• Participating in the Cardano Summit 2023 in Dubai%5D(https://x.com/danamphred/status/1725796792439071054?s=20))
• Organizing numerous Cardano meetups and conferences%5D(https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18hqUdcvSpn7Pt4HMf79D3rD_7Lqf5_Td?usp=sharing))
• Leading open-source development contributions
• Delivering live Web3 development trainings%5D(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEPknJmV6Kg&list=PLuXL2vLIqQQnLw_4FEIcZEWlKiXLw02_-))

Community Support and Growth

During Fund 8, we conducted 16 live coding sessions%5D(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEPknJmV6Kg&list=PLuXL2vLIqQQnLw_4FEIcZEWlKiXLw02_-)) that led to the creation of the Updev Community platform.%5D(https://updevcommunity.com/).) Our extended community includes 15,000+ followers across:

• Twitter%5D(https://twitter.com/DevelopersUp))
• LinkedIn%5D(https://www.linkedin.com/company/uptodate-developers/))
• Facebook%5D(https://www.facebook.com/DevelopersUp/))
• Telegram%5D(https://t.me/uptodatedevelopers))
• Instagram%5D(https://www.instagram.com/updev_officiel/?hl=en))

Transparency and Communication

We share frequent updates and progress reports through video recaps%5D(https://youtu.be/CuDZUNnUNX4?si=xKbvnlchJxi2_4A1)) and community newsletters. Our communication is designed to be accessible, honest, and real-time, building trust with participants and stakeholders alike. Since early 2024, we’ve hosted multiple Cardano meetups%5D(https://forum.cardano.org/t/recap-meetup-13-avril-opportunites-de-developpement-professionnel-sur-cardano-avec-la-plateforme-updev-community-a-linstitut-superieur-dinformatique-et-de-gestion-isig-goma/130498)) across institutions.

Visual Highlights

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Steps to Demonstrate Trustworthiness

1. Transparent Process DocumentationAll criteria and scoring for team/project selection will be made public and accessible.
2. Meeting CommitmentsEvery announced milestone and deadline will be adhered to, including result publications and prize distributions.
3. Open and Regular CommunicationProgress updates will be shared through social channels, participant emails, and the official DevCommunity.io event dashboard.
4. External EvaluationIndependent advisors or community experts will be consulted to validate judging and ensure fairness.
5. Ongoing Monitoring and EvaluationA feedback system will be implemented, and lessons learned will be published post-event for community reflection and improvement.

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By combining experience, transparency, and an established presence in the Cardano ecosystem, we are fully prepared to deliver Updev Challenge 4 – Cardano Hackathon Kenya with professionalism, accountability, and integrity.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Project Preparation and Onboarding

Milestone Outputs

• Official launch of the hackathon campaign

  • Outreach to 5+ Kenyan universities

  • Selection of 100 participants

  • Kickoff webinar and virtual onboarding material

  • Formation of 20+ student or teams

  • Mentor and jury onboarding

Acceptance Criteria

• Outreach and application campaign publicly visible (website + social media)

  • Published list of selected participants and university affiliations

  • Training material and onboarding video published on YouTube

Evidence of Completion

• Public links to website, announcement posts, and outreach media

  • PDF summary of outreach campaign and onboarding report

  • Google Spreadsheet listing selected participants and university affiliations

  • Link to the recorded kickoff webinar (YouTube or equivalent)

  • PDF or slide deck of training materials

Delivery Month

1

Cost

7000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Post-Hackathon Support, Publication & Project Close-Out

Milestone Outputs

• Onboarding of 100 selected students across 5+ universities

  • Delivery of virtual training sessions and hackathon preparation webinars

  • Formation of 20+ interdisciplinary teams

  • Assignment of mentors and facilitators to teams

  • Distribution of the Hackathon Toolkit (rules, timeline, judging criteria)

  • Setup of online coordination channels (Discord, WhatsApp, email, etc.)

Acceptance Criteria

• Virtual onboarding sessions delivered and recorded

  • Students grouped into teams with defined roles (tech, biz, design, etc.)

  • Hackathon Toolkit shared with all participants

  • At least 3 mentorship check-ins completed before the event

  • Team info and mentor assignments published in a shared directory

Evidence of Completion

• Public link to recorded onboarding/training sessions (YouTube or equivalent)

  • Google Spreadsheet listing teams, members, roles, and mentors

  • PDF version of the Hackathon Toolkit and judging criteria

  • Screenshots of team channels and communications setup

  • PDF summary of mentorship sessions and pre-hackathon activities

Delivery Month

4

Cost

10000

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Hackathon Delivery & Execution (Live Event)

Milestone Outputs

• Execution of the 3-day in-person hackathon in Nairobi (Jan 7–9, 2026)

  • Delivery of on-site workshops, technical assistance, and ideation sessions

  • Engagement of local mentors, speakers, and judges

  • Submission of 10+ student-led projects

  • Final pitch presentations and prize ceremony

  • Rewards distributed to top 3 winning teams in ADA

  • Media and video content produced to showcase the event

Acceptance Criteria

• Hackathon successfully hosted with documented participation

  • Minimum of 10 project submissions received from teams

  • Jury and judging process completed and winners selected

  • Event program and schedule shared publicly

  • At least one workshop or talk delivered by a Cardano ecosystem member

  • ADA prizes distributed to winners

Evidence of Completion

• PDF of the final hackathon program and team list

  • Public links to video coverage and official photos

  • Google Spreadsheet listing submitted projects and team members

  • Links to pitch decks or GitHub repositories from each team

  • PDF summary of judging results and award winners

  • Transaction hashes or Cardano Explorer links confirming ADA prize distribution

  • Public blog post or Medium article summarizing the event

Delivery Month

1

Cost

16000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget Breakdown — Total Requested: 33,000 ADA

Project Duration: 6 months

Structure: 3 Milestones

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Milestone 1 – Setup and Preparation (1 month) – 7,000 ADA

This milestone covers all initial preparations needed to set the stage for a successful hackathon.

• **Event Organization & Coordination (2,000 ADA)**Covers administrative setup, project management, weekly planning meetings, and coordination with Catalyst & local partners.
• **Hackathon Branding & Communication (1,500 ADA)**Design of promotional materials, social media campaigns, banners, and outreach for community visibility.
• **Participant Onboarding & Selection (1,000 ADA)**Registration form setup, participant outreach, filtering of submissions, and communication.
• **Logistics Preparation (1,500 ADA)**Pre-booking of venue, travel planning, and local support arrangements.
• **Technical Setup (1,000 ADA)**Creation of Discord/Telegram server, tooling for documentation and submission (Notion, GitHub, Airtable).

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Milestone 2 – Training and Workshop Preparation (4 months) – 10,000 ADA

This milestone ensures that participants are well-prepared to engage meaningfully during the hackathon.

• **Event Organization & Coordination (2,000 ADA)**Management of training sessions, scheduling, progress tracking, and communication with stakeholders.
• **Workshops and Educational Content (2,500 ADA)**In-depth sessions on Catalyst, Cardano tools, Git workflows, and project building.
• **Trainer and Speaker Fees (1,500 ADA)**Stipends for workshop facilitators, guest speakers, and community educators.
• **Training Materials and Kits (1,000 ADA)**Printing of guides, training booklets, branded t-shirts, notebooks, and handouts.
• **Volunteer Support & Logistics (1,500 ADA)**Local helpers for managing communication, resources, and translation if needed.
• **Technical Tooling & Subscriptions (1,500 ADA)**Access to Zoom Pro, Google Workspace, Notion Pro, GitHub team accounts, and Airtable base configuration.

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Milestone 3 – Hackathon Execution and Final Rewards (1 month) – 16,000 ADA

This milestone includes the live event, rewards, and delivery of outcomes to the Cardano community.

• **Event Organization & Logistics (2,500 ADA)**On-the-ground execution planning, team coordination, reporting, and video/photo documentation.
• **Venue Rental (1,500 ADA)**Booking of a physical event space in Nairobi for 3 days.
• **Food & Participant Comfort (2,000 ADA)**Meals, water, coffee/snacks, and on-site management throughout the event.
• **Jury and Evaluation (1,500 ADA)**Jury compensation, scoring system, and judging coordination.
• **On-Chain Rewards for Winners (8,000 ADA)**Transparent ADA rewards to top teams:
  • 1st Place: 3,000 ADA
  • 2nd Place: 2,000 ADA
  • 3rd Place: 1,000 ADA
  • 7 Runner-ups: 250 ADA each
• Rewards distributed via verifiable blockchain transactions.
• **Final Report and Communication (500 ADA)**Publishing of results, hackathon outcomes, success metrics, and next steps.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

This project provides strong value for money by delivering a high-impact Cardano-focused hackathon in East Africa, a region with untapped developer potential and growing blockchain interest. With a total budget of 33,000 ADA distributed across setup, training, and execution, the costs have been optimized to ensure every ADA contributes directly to community engagement, developer growth, and Cardano adoption.

Local Cost Efficiency: The budget allocation takes into account regional cost structures. For instance, event space rental, meals, and logistics are significantly more affordable in Nairobi compared to Western countries. A 3-day in-person hackathon with full hosting (venue, food, staff, coordination) can be delivered at a fraction of the cost that would be required elsewhere — with the same level of quality and outcomes.

Talent Mobilization: The training phase enables developers to understand and build on Cardano tooling. With minimal investment (e.g., 1,500 ADA for tool subscriptions, 2,500 ADA for workshops), we prepare dozens of new contributors who are likely to keep building beyond the hackathon. This type of ROI is exponential, as trained devs can engage with Catalyst, CIP proposals, Plutus contracts, and more.

Lean Team Structure: Each milestone includes organizational and coordination costs capped at around 2,000–2,500 ADA to ensure delivery quality without inflating admin costs. Team members are paid near local average freelance rates, ensuring fair compensation without overspending.

Reward Transparency: Hackathon rewards (8,000 ADA) will be distributed on-chain and verifiable through Cardano explorers, offering proof of delivery and incentive alignment. Only top-performing teams will receive these rewards, based on publicly scored evaluations.

Partnership Leverage: The project benefits from confirmed local partnerships — including Blockchain Centre Nairobi and Wada — that provide infrastructure, community access, and credibility, reducing the need for renting tech equipment or onboarding facilitators from scratch.

Community Outcomes: The project will onboard dozens of developers into the Catalyst ecosystem, initiate 5–8 early-stage Cardano dApps or integrations, and create visibility for the ecosystem in one of the most dynamic tech hubs in Africa.

This cost-effective approach directly aligns with Cardano’s mission of global inclusion and developer onboarding. Every ADA spent is backed by clear deliverables, visible outcomes, and long-term ecosystem growth.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes