Last updated 8 months ago
Beekeepers lack capital and transparency, while investors lack trusted ways to support and profit from honey production. No scalable, transparent system bridges this gap.
NFTs represent real beehives, enabling investors to fund operations and share profits. Smart contracts ensure transparent revenue distribution with growth tied to hive expansion.
This is the total amount allocated to Beehive Tokenization .
Please provide your proposal title
Beehive Tokenization
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
35000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
5
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Beekeepers lack capital and transparency, while investors lack trusted ways to support and profit from honey production. No scalable, transparent system bridges this gap.
Supporting links
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
Yes. The project will be released as open source under the MIT License, ensuring transparency, community collaboration, and reusability for other sustainable tokenization models.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.
RWA
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).
This proposal is innovative by linking real beehives to CIP-68 NFTs, giving investors verifiable ownership of productive assets. Smart contracts automate transparent revenue sharing from honey sales, ensuring trustless distribution without intermediaries. Operational data is anchored on-chain via IPFS for accountability. The model is scalable to other agricultural assets, combining sustainability, impact, and financial returns in a reusable, open-source framework.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
The MVP will be a web-based DApp on Cardano mainnet where users can mint a beehive NFT, view projected APY, and claim revenue shares via smart contracts. A simple dashboard will display NFT details, harvest countdowns, and transparent reports anchored on IPFS with explorer links for verification. The MVP will be open source under MIT License, hosted on GitHub, and accessible through a mainnet-enabled web app with Cardano wallet integration (Nami/Eternl).
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
Success will be measured by the number of beehive NFTs minted, unique holders onboarded, and liters of honey harvested per season. Key metrics include revenue from honey sales, net profit distributed to holders, and average APY delivered. Growth is tracked through the expansion of active hives, secondary market activity, and wallet interactions. Transparency is ensured via regular IPFS reports and verified on-chain settlements.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
The project establishes a digital ownership model where each NFT represents one physical beehive. Minting a beehive NFT provides the capital needed for acquisition and maintenance, while also granting holders rights to verifiable, automated revenue sharing.
Revenue Flow
Honey is harvested twice per year and sold through established distribution channels.
Revenue is converted into ADA or stablecoins and deposited into the Profit Pot smart contract.
From each harvest’s net profit:
50% is automatically reinvested into the project (funding new hives, expanding apiaries, improving beekeeper capacity, and covering long-term sustainability).
50% is distributed to NFT holders, proportionally based on their hive ownership.
Smart Contract Design
The Profit Pot smart contract enforces transparent and tamper-resistant settlement:
Deposit Function: Operators deposit funds for a harvest cycle, along with an IPFS hash pointing to verified financial/harvest reports.
Owner Snapshot: An oracle anchors the Merkle root of NFT ownership at harvest close, ensuring that only holders of record at that point can claim rewards.
Distribution Logic: The contract automatically calculates the payout split (50% reinvestment vs. 50% holder share).
Claim Function: NFT holders claim their proportional share of net profits directly on-chain, using proofs derived from the ownership snapshot.
Auditability: All deposits, reports, and settlements are visible on Cardano’s ledger and linked to IPFS, ensuring accountability.
Anti Double-Settlement: Each (hive_id, period) is flagged as settled, preventing duplicate payouts.
Transparency and Trust
Operational reports, sales invoices, and harvest yields are uploaded to IPFS, with cryptographic references stored on-chain. This provides verifiable proof of revenues and expenses. NFT holders can cross-check data through the DApp, which links directly to Cardano explorer and IPFS records.
Accessibility
The MVP DApp will allow users to:
Mint beehive NFTs through a Cardano wallet (Nami/Eternl).
View hive details, projected APY, and harvest countdowns.
Claim rewards on harvest settlement.
Access archived reports for independent verification.
Open Source & Scalability
The entire system will be open source under the MIT License, enabling transparency, third-party audits, and reuse. The architecture is designed to be generalizable to other agricultural or ecological assets (solar panels, carbon credits, tree planting), creating a repeatable model for NFT-based real-world asset tokenization with reinvestment-driven growth.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This project delivers value across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, aligning financial returns with sustainability.
Economic Impact
Provides a new, transparent source of capital for beekeeping operations.
Enables NFT holders to earn measurable returns tied to real production.
Reinvestment of 50% of profits fuels long-term business growth, compounding hive expansion and revenues.
Environmental Impact
Expands bee populations, directly supporting pollination of crops and ecosystems.
Contributes to biodiversity, food security, and ecological resilience.
Reduces reliance on unsustainable financing models by linking growth to regenerative natural processes.
Social Impact
Creates sustainable livelihoods for beekeepers through stable income and reinvestment in operations.
Educates and engages global communities in the importance of pollinators.
Builds trust via open-source code, on-chain data, and verifiable IPFS reports.
Blockchain Impact
Demonstrates a scalable framework for real-world asset tokenization.
Strengthens the Cardano ecosystem with a replicable profit-sharing DApp model.
Bridges decentralized finance with tangible environmental assets.
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?
Leadership
William Shelton brings extensive experience in blockchain, supply chain management, and public policy. As a successful Fund 8 recipient, William has a proven track record of delivering blockchain projects on time and within budget. He serves as the project lead, ensuring coordination across technical, operational, and strategic areas.
Advisory Team
Jeffery Sisco, MBA – Business Advisor, guiding marketplace development and sustainable business growth.
Danilo Parmegiani – Nonprofit Engagement Advisor, fostering institutional and NGO partnerships to scale adoption.
Seth Kaper-Dale – Social Impact Advisor, ensuring the project promotes equity and supports fair agricultural trade practices.
Technical Development
A dedicated Aiken smart contract developer is engaged to implement the NFT minting policies, profit-sharing logic, and settlement contracts on Cardano.
Smart contracts will be designed to integrate with IPFS reporting, ensuring transparency and trustless profit distribution.
Validation & Feasibility
Proof of Concept (PoC): An initial PoC will be run with a select group of farmers and businesses, validating the dApp’s NFT minting, revenue sharing, and reporting features before scaling.
Independent Audits: All smart contracts will undergo rigorous third-party security audits to ensure reliability, transparency, and stakeholder trust.
Scalability: The reinvestment model (50% of profits) ensures continuous growth of hive capacity, making the system financially and operationally sustainable.
Conclusion: With William Shelton’s proven leadership, a capable advisory team, and a skilled Aiken developer, the project is positioned to deliver a secure, transparent, and impactful solution that bridges sustainable agriculture with blockchain innovation.
Milestone Title
Milestone 1: Development & Smart Contract Deployment
Milestone Outputs
Output: Deployment of the DApp on Cardano mainnet, integrating NFT minting, wallet connectivity (CIP-30/95), and the Profit Pot smart contract. The MVP dashboard will display NFT ownership details, projected APY, and harvest countdowns. All smart contracts will be developed in Aiken, open sourced under the MIT License, and prepared for independent audit.
Acceptance Criteria
Criteria: Completion requires successful deployment of minting and distribution contracts, functional wallet integrations, and successful audit results with no critical security issues. Internal test NFTs minted and claimed to validate functionality.
Evidence of Completion
Evidence: Public GitHub repo under MIT License, smart contract addresses on Cardano explorer, audit report, and DApp access link demonstrating NFT test mints and Profit Pot interaction.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
10500
Progress
50 %
Milestone Title
Milestone 2: NFT Minting & Community Onboarding
Milestone Outputs
Output: Public launch of the NFT minting event, allowing users to purchase hive NFTs that represent real beehives. Community outreach includes campaign materials, workshops, and onboarding support to educate holders on profit-sharing and sustainability benefits.
Acceptance Criteria
Criteria: At least one NFT sale round must be executed with successful wallet-based transactions and confirmed ownership transfers. Community participation measured by wallet connections, minted NFTs, and active engagement across channels. Partnerships with marketplaces for secondary trading also initiated.
Evidence of Completion
Evidence: Verified NFT mint transactions on Cardano explorer, minting receipts, community engagement statistics (website traffic, wallet activity, events), campaign assets, and marketplace listing confirmations.
Delivery Month
4
Cost
10500
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Milestone 3: First Harvest, Distribution & Close-Out
Milestone Outputs
Output: Execution of the first honey harvest, sale of products, and settlement of profits via the Profit Pot. Revenues split 50% to NFT holders and 50% reinvested into new hives and operations. Completion includes a public-facing close-out report and a community video.
Acceptance Criteria
Criteria: One full harvest completed with revenues deposited into the Profit Pot contract, payouts executed on-chain to all NFT holders of record, and reinvestment activities documented. Transparency delivered via reports linked on-chain.
Evidence of Completion
vidence: IPFS reports with harvest volumes, invoices, and reinvestment actions; Cardano explorer transaction hashes of deposits and payouts; a comprehensive close-out report; and a published video showcasing the harvest, payouts, and growth.
Delivery Month
5
Cost
14000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Aiken Smart Contract Developer (Subcontracted): 8,000 ADA
Independent Security Audit: 2,000 ADA
Rationale: The smart contract layer is the backbone of the project, governing NFT issuance, profit distribution, and reinvestment logic. Ensuring the contracts are properly developed and independently audited is essential for trust, security, and compliance.
Full-Stack Developer Developer (To Be Hired): 6,000 ADA
UI/UX Design & Testing: 2,000 ADA
Rationale: A user-friendly application is critical for onboarding both NFT investors and beekeepers. Cross-platform development in Flutter ensures broad accessibility, while UI/UX design and testing guarantee smooth wallet integration and transparent reporting.
Legal Advisor (Edward Laporte): 3,500 ADA
Filing & Documentation: 1,500 ADA
Rationale: Tokenized beehive ownership requires enforceable agreements and compliance oversight to protect both operators and investors. This ensures long-term sustainability, legal enforceability of revenue-sharing models, and alignment with best practices in asset tokenization.
Campaign Development: 3,000 ADA
Community Workshops & Education: 2,000 ADA
Content & Media Production: 1,000 ADA
Rationale: The project relies on strong community engagement to build trust and adoption. Marketing ensures visibility of the NFTs, workshops educate stakeholders, and media materials (like the harvest video) demonstrate impact and accountability.
Project Management (William Shelton): 4,000 ADA
Close-Out Reporting & IPFS Hosting: 2,000 ADA
Rationale: Strong oversight and transparent reporting are critical for credibility. Regular updates, financial documentation, and IPFS-hosted reports provide verifiable proof of operations. The close-out report and video ensure accountability to the community and funders.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
This proposal delivers high-impact outcomes with lean resource allocation, ensuring that every ADA invested creates tangible technical, operational, and social value. By committing to an open source (MIT License) framework, the project maximizes reusability, transparency, and community collaboration across the Cardano ecosystem.
Efficient Technical Spend: Over 50% of the budget is directed to smart contract development, auditing, and DApp delivery — the foundation for secure NFT issuance, automated profit-sharing, and transparent reporting. Leveraging open-source Aiken tooling reduces costs while ensuring that all code remains freely available for reuse.
Targeted Compliance & Governance: Just 14% of the budget supports legal oversight, ensuring enforceable agreements for stakeholders without creating unnecessary overhead. Legal frameworks will also be published openly, enabling replication in other jurisdictions.
Community Growth on a Budget: With 17% of funds, sales, marketing, and education are delivered in a cost-effective manner. Open workshops, transparent campaign data, and marketplace integrations ensure adoption while minimizing recurring spend.
Transparent Operations: Project management and reporting (17%) guarantee accountability. IPFS-hosted reports, on-chain settlement proofs, and an open-source close-out harvest video all serve as verifiable evidence for investors and the wider community.
Scalable & Reusable Model: By reinvesting 50% of profits into hive expansion, the business compounds in value without further external funding. The open-source architecture ensures that this framework can be applied to other agricultural or real-world asset tokenization projects, multiplying its ecosystem impact.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Leadership
William Shelton – Project Lead
Responsible for overseeing project execution, managing operations, and ensuring delivery within scope and timeline.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpshelton/
Core Development Team
Full-Stack Developer Developer (To Be Hired)
Will build the Android/iOS DApp and or website, ensuring cross-platform usability and accessibility for NFT holders and stakeholders.
Aiken Smart Contract Developer (Engaged/Hiring Finalization)
Responsible for designing and implementing Cardano smart contracts, including NFT minting, future-crop escrow, lending protocols, and dispute resolution. The role is already budgeted and subcontracting discussions are underway, ensuring immediate onboarding once funding is secured.
Advisory Team
Jeffery Sisco, MBA – Business Advisor
Provides strategic guidance on marketplace development and scaling strategies.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreysisco/
Danilo Parmegiani – Nonprofit Engagement Advisor
Supports institutional outreach and partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danilo-parmegiani-aa075a40/
Seth Kaper-Dale – Social Impact Advisor
Advises on inclusion, equity, and social responsibility in agricultural trade.
Gary Minkoff – Public Policy Advisor
Provides expertise on government partnerships and public policy alignment.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyminkoff/
Edward Laporte – Legal Advisor
Ensures compliance oversight and legal framework development for enforceable agreements, covering token issuance and revenue-sharing obligations.