ExpertsWay: Cardano Credentials for Ethiopian Devs

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

ExpertsWay: Cardano Credentials for Ethiopian Devs

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

83333

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

7

[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?

Employers can't trust local PDF certificates from Ethiopian developers. This widespread forgery blocks thousands of skilled professionals from accessing the global job market and fair wages.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://www.figma.com/file/A55giMR6xxx4OrDpIuZ5vJ/Experts-Way-app?type=design&node-id=0-1&mode=design
,
• https://github.com/Herma-Computing/ExpertsWayV2.git
,
• https://DataSciencePLC.com

[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

The project will be fully open source under the MIT License. All code, documentation, and associated elements will be publicly accessible, allowing the community to copy, inspect, and contribute to the development. The chosen license ensures transparency, collaboration, and adherence to open source principles.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

NFT

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

Our innovation moves beyond general tools to a hyper-focused RealFi application that solves a specific, critical problem: certificate forgery for Ethiopian developers. Unlike broad platforms, we are integrating this full-scale product into our existing ExpertsWay app with a pre-built user base. This creates a tangible economic bridge for developers to access global jobs and provides Cardano with a replicable "Land and Expand" blueprint for other emerging markets. The system is also future-proofed for integration with Hyperledger Identus for self-sovereign identity.

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

Our product will demonstrate a complete, end-to-end on-chain credentialing system. A user will complete a course in the ExpertsWay app, connect their Cardano wallet, and mint a permanent, tamper-proof NFT certificate. The authenticity of this credential can then be instantly confirmed by global employers via a public web verification portal. This entire user journey and verification system will be a core feature integrated into our main "ExpertsWay" application, which will be launched on the Google Play Store upon project completion.

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

Success will be measured by tangible adoption and real-world utility. Our primary on-chain metric is minting over 500 verifiable NFT certificates on the preprod within three months of launch. Off-chain, we aim for an 80%+ user satisfaction score for the feature and a 4.5+ star app rating on the Google Play Store. Crucially, we will validate market impact by establishing formal partnerships with at least two tech recruitment agencies to officially pilot the verification of our Cardano credentials in their hiring process.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Our solution is the launch of a full-scale, on-chain credentialing system integrated directly into the ExpertsWay mobile app, powered by Cardano. This product moves beyond a conceptual phase to deliver a market-ready platform that solves the trust gap for Ethiopian developers, making their skills immediately and immutably verifiable to anyone in the world.

The User Journey (How It Works)

The process is designed to be seamless and intuitive for the end-user:

1. Course Completion: An aspiring developer, Abebe, completes an advanced Plutus programming course on the ExpertsWay app.
2. Claim Certificate: Upon completion, the app prompts him to claim his permanent, on-chain certificate.
3. Wallet Connection: Abebe connects his Cardano wallet (e.g., Eternl).
4. Minting the Credential: With a single click and a minimal transaction fee, a non-transferable NFT certificate is minted to his wallet. This NFT contains rich, immutable metadata: Abebe's name, the course title, skills acquired, completion date, and the issuing authority (ExpertsWay).
5. Global Verification: Abebe includes a link to this credential on his CV. A tech recruiter in London clicks the link, which leads to our public verification portal. The portal instantly confirms the certificate's authenticity on the Cardano blockchain, permanently solving the problem of forgery and validating Abebe's skills.

Key Technical Components of the Product

• Professional Verification Portal: A professional, web-based portal where anyone can verify the authenticity of a certificate by viewing its immutable on-chain data.

Who This Engages

• Primary Users: Aspiring software developers and IT students in Ethiopia who need to build a credible, international career portfolio.
• Key Stakeholders: International tech companies, startups, and remote recruiters seeking to hire verified talent from Africa.
• The Cardano Community: The vibrant developer community in Africa, providing them with a real-world, local project to rally behind and contribute to.

What Makes Our Solution Unique & Why Cardano

Our solution's uniqueness lies in its hyper-focused application to a high-need market where we have an existing foothold. We chose Cardano for several critical reasons that make it the ideal platform for a product of this scale:

• Low Transaction Fees: Cardano’s affordability is essential for users in Ethiopia, making the minting process accessible and sustainable.
• Unmatched Security: The EUTXO model is perfectly suited for handling unique, valuable assets like educational credentials, ensuring they cannot be duplicated or tampered with.
• Designed for Hyperledger Identus: The system is architected from day one for future integration with Hyperledger Identus. This will allow us to link verifiable credentials to a self-sovereign identity, a uniquely powerful feature of Cardano that offers unparalleled security and user control.
• Strong African Presence: Cardano's significant focus and established community in Africa provide a supportive ecosystem and a ready-made audience for our project's growth.

Link to design: https://www.figma.com/file/A55giMR6xxx4OrDpIuZ5vJ/Experts-Way-app?type=design&node-id=0-1&mode=design

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Our project's success will deliver direct, measurable value to the Cardano ecosystem by launching a tangible, real-world product with a clear path to social and economic impact in a key strategic region for Cardano.

Value to the Cardano Community:

• A Flagship RealFi Use Case: This project will be a premier showcase of RealFi (Real Finance). We are demonstrating how Cardano solves a fundamental trust problem to create verifiable economic opportunities. This provides a powerful, human-centric story that can attract mainstream users, enterprises, and partners interested in real-world utility, not just speculation.
• Onboarding with a Purpose: We will onboard a highly valuable demographic—software developers—to Cardano. By giving them their first on-chain asset tied directly to their career progression, we create long-term, engaged users who see Cardano as an essential utility, not just a currency.
• A Replicable "Land and Expand" Blueprint: Our focused launch in Ethiopia will serve as a successful case study and a blueprint for expansion. We will prove a model that can be replicated in other emerging tech hubs (e.g., Nigeria, Kenya, Vietnam), showing how to effectively integrate Cardano into local economies.
• Strengthening the Hyperledger Identus Narrative: Our system is designed for future integration with Hyperledger Identus. This project provides a clear, practical pathway for linking verifiable credentials to a self-sovereign digital identity, showcasing the enterprise-grade power of Cardano's identity solutions.

Measuring Our Impact: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

For a full product launch, our metrics are focused on demonstrating significant real-world adoption and utility:

• On-Chain Adoption: Minting 500+ verifiable certificates on preprod within 3 months of launch, demonstrating significant uptake by our target user base.
• Product Quality & Satisfaction: Achieving and maintaining a 4.5+ star rating on the Google Play Store post-launch and an 80%+ user satisfaction score on the certification feature, measured through continuous in-app feedback.
• Partnerships & Utility: Establishing formal partnerships with at least 2 international or local tech recruitment agencies to officially recognize and pilot the verification of ExpertsWay's Cardano credentials in their hiring processes.

Sharing Our Outputs and Opportunities

We are committed to full transparency and ensuring our work benefits the entire ecosystem:

• Open-Source Code: All smart contracts (Plutus) and frontend integration code will be published on our public GitHub under an MIT License for other developers to learn from and build upon.
• Community Reporting: We will provide milestone based progress updates on our social channels and a detailed end-of-project report and video walkthrough for the Catalyst community.
• The Ethiopian Playbook: We will publish a final case study article detailing our process, challenges, and results. This will serve as a guide for others wanting to implement similar RealFi solutions in other regions.
• Direct Engagement: We will host an end-of-project AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the African Cardano community to share our findings and discuss the future roadmap.

[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 uniquely positioned to deliver this project due to a proven track record within Project Catalyst, deep technical expertise, and an unmatched understanding of the local Ethiopian tech ecosystem. We build trust through a history of successful delivery and transparent processes.

1. A Proven Catalyst Track Record & A Clear Progression:

We are not new to Catalyst. Our journey has been a deliberate progression, making this proposal the logical next step:

• We Built the Audience: Our previously funded project, Cardano for 100,000+ students https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/11/cardano-open-ecosystem/cardano-for-100000-students (google play link here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.herma.apps.textbooks was a massive success with over 50,000 active users, teaching us how to create and scale educational content for a huge user base in this region. (This is a separate, completed project that demonstrates our ability to scale).

• We Built the Tools: Our Universal DevTools" and Enhancing Cardano Developer Ecosystem https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/11/cardano-open-developers/enhancing-cardano-developer-ecosystem-with-open-source-tooling projects proved our technical capability to deliver complex, open-source solutions that benefit the entire ecosystem.
• This Project (The Application): We are now applying our technical skills and scaling experience to solve a real-world economic problem for the community we know best, using our new ExpertsWay app as the launchpad for this Proof of Concept.

2. Technical Capability & Local Expertise:

Our development team is comprised of senior Cardano blockchain developers, experienced Flutter app developers, and project managers based in Addis Ababa. This gives us two key advantages:

• Technical Know-How: We have the hands-on experience to build the smart contracts and integrate them into our mobile app or website.
• Local Insight: We understand the specific challenges and opportunities for Ethiopian youth firsthand. We are not guessing what the market needs; we are part of it.

3. How We Will Validate Feasibility:

The entire project is designed as a product to validate our approach with minimal risk. Feasibility will be proven by achieving the clear, measurable KPIs outlined in our Impact section:

• Technical Feasibility: Validated by the successful issuance of 100+ beta testers on google play.

• User Desirability: Validated by achieving a 75%+ satisfaction score from our beta testers.
• Market Viability: Validated by securing a partnership, statement of interest from a local tech hub and recruiter.

4. Trust, Accountability & Fund Management:

We manage community funds with the highest level of professionalism:

• Transparent Budgeting: Our detailed budget justifies every expense, ensuring no funds are wasted.
• Milestone-Based Reporting: As with all our past projects, funds are tied to clear deliverables. We will provide comprehensive monthly updates and a detailed final closeout report to the Catalyst community.
• Open-Source Commitment: All code developed for this project will be open-sourced under an MIT license, allowing for full community inspection and accountability.

Finally, our capability is further validated by our acceptance into the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, providing us with significant technical resources and business support, further de-risking the project's successful delivery.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Core Architecture & Smart Contract Development

Milestone Outputs

This foundational milestone focuses on designing the complete system architecture and developing the secure, preprod-ready smart contracts.

Outputs:

• Detailed System Architecture diagrams.
• Completed, fully-tested Plutus smart contracts for minting non-transferable NFT certificates.

Acceptance Criteria

The final smart contract code is pushed to a public GitHub repository under an MIT license. The system architecture diagrams should be easy to read and a demo video show show the NFT certificate minting

Evidence of Completion

• Link to the smart contract code which is pushed to a public GitHub repository under an MIT license.
• Link to system architecture diagrams
• Link to demo video

Delivery Month

2

Cost

20000

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Backend Integration & API Development

Milestone Outputs

This milestone involves building the "engine room" that connects our existing ExpertsWay application backend to the Cardano blockchain, enabling seamless communication with the smart contracts.

Outputs:

• A set of robust, documented APIs for handling certificate minting, data queries, and user wallet information.
• Successful integration of the smart contracts into our backend services.
• A functional internal dashboard for monitoring on-chain activity.

Acceptance Criteria

• API documentation is published and accessible on github.
• The team provides a video demonstration showing successful test transactions being initiated from the backend and confirmed on the Cardano testnet.

Evidence of Completion

• Link to api documentation
• Link to demo video that shows transaction on testnet
• Link to latest smart contract

Delivery Month

4

Cost

23000

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Full Frontend UI/UX Implementation & Closed Beta Test

Milestone Outputs

We will develop the complete, polished user interface and the ExpertsWay app. This includes the wallet connection, certificate gallery, minting process, and sharing features. We will then conduct a closed beta test with a select group of users.

Outputs:

• A fully implemented and polished user interface for all certification features in a test version of the mobile app.
• A detailed Beta Test Report summarizing feedback, bug reports, and performance metrics from Ethiopian student testers.

Acceptance Criteria

• A comprehensive video walkthrough of the final user interface is submitted.
• Images/Videos of testing session
• The Beta Test Report is published, outlining key findings and any resulting minor adjustments.

Evidence of Completion

• Link to a video walkthrough of the final UI
• Links to images or videos of testing session
• Link to the beta test report

Delivery Month

6

Cost

25000

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Initial adoption campaign and project closeout

Milestone Outputs

This is the public launch. The feature will be deployed to the preprod version and the ExpertsWay app on the Google Play Store. This will be supported by a targeted marketing and onboarding campaign to drive initial adoption.

Outputs:

• The updated ExpertsWay app is live on the Google Play Store with the fully functional certification feature.
• Launch marketing materials (e.g., blog post, social media campaign, user tutorials).
• An analytics report showing user onboarding and minting metrics.
• A comprehensive Project Completion Report detailing all activities, and final metrics.
• The final project video, demonstrating the live, working product and sharing user testimonials.

Acceptance Criteria

• The ExpertsWay app, backend and smart contract is live and publicly accessible.
• The marketing campaign is launched to promote the product.
• A minimum of 10,000+ unique users have downloaded the app from google play.
• All required Catalyst closeout documentation and the final video are submitted.

Evidence of Completion

• Link to public google play ExpertsWay app
• Link to backend site
• Evidence of the marketing campaign.
• Link to google play report showing a minimum of 10,000+ unique users have downloaded
• Link to closeout report, based on catalyst guideline
• Link to closeout video, published on youtube

Delivery Month

1

Cost

15333

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Our requested budget of ADA 83,333 is meticulously planned to ensure the successful development, audit, launch, and initial adoption of the ExpertsWay on-chain certification product. The costs are benchmarked against competitive rates for experienced development talent in our region, allowing us to deliver exceptional value.

The budget is allocated across our five key milestones as follows:

Milestone 1: Core Architecture & Smart Contract Development

This foundational stage requires significant senior developers effort.

Personnel (Development and Architecture): ADA 20,000

Covers the time for our Technical Lead and Lead Blockchain Developer to design the system architecture and write/test the Plutus smart contracts.

Milestone 2: Backend Integration & API Development

This phase focuses on building the robust backend infrastructure to connect our app to Cardano and a critical third-party service.

Personnel (Backend & DevOps): ADA 23,000

Covers the full-time work of our Lead Backend Engineer and supporting developers to build, document, and deploy the necessary APIs and integration services.

Milestone 3: Full Frontend UI/UX Implementation & Closed Beta Test

This is the largest development phase, focusing on creating a polished and intuitive user experience.

Personnel (Frontend, UX/UI, QA): ADA 22,500

Covers the work of our Lead Mobile Developer, Frontend Developer, and UX/UI Designer to implement the entire user-facing feature set, supported by our QA Specialist.

Beta Test Incentives: ADA 2,500

To reward our 50+ beta testers for their time and valuable feedback.

Final Milestone: Project Completion & Initial Adoption Campaign

This milestone shifts focus from development to market launch and user acquisition.

Personnel (Deployment & Marketing Management): ADA 5,000

Covers the time for DevOps to manage the mainnet release and for our Product Lead to oversee the launch campaign.

Marketing & Promotion: ADA 5,000

A dedicated budget for digital advertising, content creation (videos, tutorials), and community engagement to drive our first 10,000+ users.

This covers the final reporting requirements and crucial business development activities.

Personnel (Reporting & Outreach): ADA 1,000

Covers the time for project leadership to compile the final Catalyst reports, create the project video, and engage in targeted outreach to potential employer partners.

Third-Party Professional Services (Legal/Compliance)

To ensure any partnership Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or data-sharing agreements are properly reviewed.

Project Management and Contingency

Project Management & Administration (6%)

Covers the ongoing project management, coordination, and administrative overhead across the 7-month timeline.

Contingency (5%)

A responsible allocation for unforeseen challenges or unexpected costs during development and launch.

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

This 83,333 ADA investment represents exceptional value for the Cardano Treasury by leveraging our unique strategic advantages to deliver a full, market-ready product at a fraction of the cost it would take elsewhere. The value is demonstrated through five key areas:

1. The Ethiopian Advantage: Maximizing Every ADA

The requested 83,333 ADA allows us to fund a complete product lifecycle—from architecture to a full preprod launch and marketing campaign. A project of this scope and quality would realistically cost two to three times as much if developed in higher-cost regions, making this a highly efficient use of community funds.

2. Leveraging Existing Infrastructure: Not Starting from Scratch

The budget is not for building an application from the ground up. We are integrating this high-value Web3 feature into our existing ExpertsWay application. The foundational work—user base, content platform, and core mobile infrastructure—is already in place. This means 100% of the requested funds are dedicated to the novel blockchain components, acting as a force multiplier for the Cardano ecosystem's investment.

3. High-Impact ROI: More Than Just Transactions

The return on this investment goes beyond simple on-chain metrics. By funding a project that provides a clear path to global employment for developers in an emerging economy, the Cardano community is investing in a powerful, positive narrative. This showcases Cardano as a premier platform for RealFi (Real Finance) and social impact, generating invaluable brand equity and attracting users who are aligned with Cardano's foundational ethos.

4. Long-Term Ecosystem Assets: Beyond a Single Product

This project will produce more than just a feature; it will create reusable assets for the entire community. The professionally audited, open-source Plutus smart contracts and the Flutter or website integration guide will serve as a valuable resource for other developers looking to build similar real-world applications on Cardano. We are creating a playbook that lowers the barrier to entry for future innovators.

5. A De-Risked Investment: The Value of a Proven Team

As a team with a 100% success rate in delivering previously funded Catalyst projects, we represent a de-risked investment. The Cardano Treasury is not funding an unknown quantity but is investing in a team with a proven process for accountability, reporting, and execution. This dramatically increases the probability of a successful outcome and ensures the community's funds are stewarded responsibly.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes