CardSynth

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

CardSynth

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

36000

[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

Yes

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Cardano lacks a native solution for generating and verifying quality datasets, limiting AI-driven dApps and offering no clear incentives for data creators.

[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 project outputs will be fully open source from day one, hosted on a public GitHub repository. This includes backend code, smart contracts, demo scripts, and documentation. We will use the Apache 2.0 license, which is OSI-approved and allows the community to freely use, copy, modify, and distribute the code. This ensures transparency, reproducibility, and long-term value for the Cardano ecosystem.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Community

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).

CardSynth is innovative because it integrates AI-generated synthetic datasets with Cardano’s blockchain, minting them as NFTs for verifiable provenance and incentivizing creators through donations and bounties. Unlike previous funded ideas focused on education or generic tools, CardSynth establishes a novel trust layer and data economy on Cardano, opening a completely new category of AI-blockchain use cases that can drive adoption and inspire future dApps.

Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.

The MVP will demonstrate the end-to-end workflow: generating synthetic datasets via AI models, storing them permanently on Irys, and minting their metadata as NFTs on the Cardano testnet. It will also showcase a simple donation and bounty system rewarding dataset creators. All outputs—including backend code, smart contracts, demo scripts, and documentation—will be open source and publicly available on GitHub, with a demo video for easy access by the Cardano community.

Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.

Success will be measured through on-chain and community metrics: at least 100 datasets minted on the testnet, 80 bounty/donation transactions executed, and 2 community events (1 workshop, 1 mini-hackathon) engaging 100+ participants. Public deliverables include an open-source GitHub repository, comprehensive documentation, demo scripts, and a video showcasing the MVP workflow. These metrics ensure verifiable adoption and measurable impact for the Cardano ecosystem.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

CardSynth addresses the lack of verifiable data on Cardano by providing a decentralized protocol for AI-generated datasets. Users can create synthetic data through open-source AI models (e.g., Hugging Face, Gemini), which is then stored permanently via Irys. The dataset’s metadata is minted as an NFT on Cardano, establishing verifiable provenance and on-chain trust. To incentivize contribution, CardSynth introduces a donation and bounty system using smart contracts, allowing the community to directly reward creators and validators. This generates measurable on-chain activity while encouraging high-quality contributions. Beyond the core MVP, CardSynth is designed for extensibility, enabling future features such as AI-assisted data quality scoring and a prompt marketplace. Together, these components position Cardano as the first blockchain to provide a transparent, community-driven synthetic data economy, solving a key bottleneck for AI adoption and dApp innovation.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

CardSynth will positively impact the Cardano ecosystem in three ways. First, it will generate measurable on-chain activity, with dataset NFTs and bounty transactions creating hundreds of new testnet transactions during the MVP phase. Second, it will onboard new talent by attracting AI developers, researchers, and educators into Cardano through targeted workshops and a mini-hackathon, introducing them to blockchain-based dataset generation. Third, it will establish critical infrastructure for trusted AI data, laying the foundation for new dApps in areas such as DeFi agents, AI-driven oracles, and privacy solutions. In the longer term, extensions such as the Data Quality Verification Layer and Hackathon Starter Kit will empower Cardano hubs worldwide to scale adoption in a grassroots, decentralized way. By providing both immediate validation and a clear roadmap for growth, CardSynth creates lasting value for the community and accelerates Cardano’s position in AI-blockchain integration.

[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?

The CardSynth team combines strong technical expertise and proven delivery in hackathons with a clear commitment to open-source development. The Project Lead is an experienced full-stack developer with skills in TypeScript/Express, Web3 integration, and NFT minting, and has successfully shipped prototypes at Saga Hackathon and Sui Overflow. This background demonstrates both the technical capability and the ability to execute under time and resource constraints. To ensure feasibility, the project is scoped as a 6-month MVP with clear milestones: core backend and NFT workflow, storage integration, bounty contract, and community validation through workshops and a hackathon. Deliverables will be fully open-sourced, ensuring transparency and accountability. Validation will come from concrete on-chain metrics (datasets minted, transactions executed) and community engagement metrics (participants, contributions). This structured, measurable approach ensures feasibility and builds trust with the Cardano community.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Core Backend & AI Integration

Milestone Outputs

The first milestone will deliver the foundational backend for CardSynth, built using TypeScript/Express. This includes setting up API endpoints for dataset generation and integrating an open-source AI model (Gemini or Hugging Face). We will create an initial workflow where users can input parameters and generate structured synthetic datasets (e.g., simulated financial transactions, medical transcriptions). The system will include data validation scripts to ensure proper formatting and structure. Outputs will include the backend codebase, API documentation, and at least one small synthetic dataset generated and shared. These deliverables establish the technical base for subsequent NFT minting and storage integration.

Acceptance Criteria

This milestone will be considered complete once the backend can successfully generate datasets on demand via API calls. At least one pilot dataset must be produced and formatted according to a predefined schema (JSON or CSV). API endpoints must be documented and tested for reliability. Community testers should be able to clone the repo, run the backend locally, and generate datasets themselves following the instructions. Demonstrated reproducibility by third parties is the key success criterion.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include a public GitHub repository containing the backend code, configuration files, and API documentation. A sample synthetic dataset (JSON/CSV) will be shared as proof of generation. We will also record a short demo video showing the full process: running the backend locally, calling the API, and generating output. These assets will be publicly available to the Cardano community, proving the foundation for NFT minting is complete.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

14400

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

NFT Minting & Storage Integration

Milestone Outputs

We will implement smart contracts to mint dataset metadata as NFTs on the Cardano testnet. Each dataset generated in Milestone 1 will be stored permanently using Irys/IPFS, and the hash plus metadata will be linked to the minted NFT. Outputs include the Plutus contract code, deployment scripts, and 10 pilot datasets minted on testnet. Documentation will cover how to mint, query, and verify dataset NFTs. This establishes the verifiable trust layer for CardSynth.

Acceptance Criteria

Completion requires at least 10 synthetic datasets minted as NFTs on Cardano testnet with corresponding storage hashes accessible via Irys. Smart contract functionality must include minting, querying metadata, and linking to storage. External reviewers must be able to verify the NFTs on Cardano testnet explorer. Repo and docs must enable third parties to replicate the workflow.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include testnet transaction hashes, NFT explorer links, and Irys storage URLs. The GitHub repo will contain the Plutus smart contract code and minting scripts. Documentation will explain step-by-step minting and verification. A demo video will showcase generating a dataset, storing it, minting it, and verifying on testnet.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

7200

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Bounty & Donation Incentive System

Milestone Outputs

We will design and deploy a simple bounty and donation smart contract that allows community members to reward dataset creators directly. Outputs include smart contract code for creating bounties, claiming them, and logging donation transactions. At least 50 testnet transactions will be executed to validate. Documentation will describe how creators can register datasets for funding and how users can contribute ADA to support them.

Acceptance Criteria

Milestone is complete when ≥50 bounty/donation transactions are executed on testnet. Functionality must support: (1) creating a bounty with conditions, (2) dataset creator receiving funds, and (3) donations logged transparently. Third parties must confirm contract activity via Cardano testnet explorer.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include testnet explorer screenshots showing bounty and donation transactions, GitHub repo with contract code and scripts, and technical documentation. A demo video will show creating a bounty, fulfilling it, and receiving ADA on testnet.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

10800

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Community Validation & Open Sourcing

Milestone Outputs

This milestone focuses on community adoption. We will host at least one online workshop (≥50 participants) and a mini-hackathon (≥50 participants). Deliverables include event materials (slides, tutorials, demo scripts), participant onboarding guides, and public release of the full open-source repo. A demo video will explain the end-to-end workflow. Outputs ensure knowledge transfer and community engagement.

Acceptance Criteria

Completion requires ≥100 total participants across events, ≥100 datasets minted on testnet, and full open-source release. Repo must be accessible, documented, and tested by participants. Event feedback forms must confirm engagement and understanding.

Evidence of Completion

Evidence will include event reports with participant counts, screenshots/photos, and feedback summaries. GitHub repo link will confirm public release of backend, smart contracts, and docs. A demo video and tutorial slides will be published. Together these will validate that the project has been tested and embraced by the community.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

3600

Progress

10 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

We are requesting a total of ₳36,000 to deliver the CardSynth MVP within 6 months. The budget is allocated as follows:

• Backend & Smart Contract Development (40% – ₳14,400): Covers backend API implementation, dataset formatting/validation scripts, and Plutus contract development for NFT minting and bounty logic.

• AI Integration & Infrastructure (20% – ₳7,200): Includes integration of Gemini/Hugging Face models, Irys/IPFS storage, API hosting, and server resources required during prototyping.

• Community Events & Bounties (30% – ₳10,800): Funds to organize 1 workshop and 1 mini-hackathon (target ≥100 participants), including promotional materials, event logistics, and small bounties to incentivize early adopters.

• Documentation & Reporting (10% – ₳3,600): Preparation of open-source documentation, demo scripts, technical guides, and a final project report.

This lean budget ensures that 90% of funds directly support development and community adoption, while maintaining full transparency through open-source outputs and public reporting.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

CardSynth delivers high value to the Cardano ecosystem by combining technical innovation with measurable adoption at a low cost. For ₳36,000, the project will:

• Produce a working MVP that generates synthetic datasets, stores them permanently, and mints verifiable NFTs.

• Generate ≥500 on-chain testnet transactions (dataset minting, donations, bounties).

• Onboard 100+ new participants into the ecosystem through workshops and a hackathon.

• Provide fully open-source deliverables: backend code, smart contracts, demo scripts, and documentation, which can be reused by future developers at no additional cost.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes