Last updated 7 months ago
There is a blockchain adoption gap, a struggle to achieve physical onboarding, thus limiting real-world adoption and utility for funded Cardano projects, post funding.
Establishing a modular marquee tent-network of frugal, multi-use, self-sustaining hubs, creating a trusted presence for Cardano, as MNANA token and NFT Physical Infrastructure as a Service, (PlaaS)
This is the total amount allocated to Minana Hub-Physical-Digital On-Ramp for Cardano Ecosystem.
Please provide your proposal title
Minana Hub-Physical-Digital On-Ramp for Cardano Ecosystem
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
100000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
12
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
There is a blockchain adoption gap, a struggle to achieve physical onboarding, thus limiting real-world adoption and utility for funded Cardano projects, post funding.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
Yes
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
The successful implementation of the Minana Hub project is dependent on several key factors. On a technical level, the project requires the successful development and deployment of the MNANA native token and its associated NFT framework on the Cardano blockchain, which will be governed by a clear minting policy, possibly using Plutus smart contracts. From an infrastructural standpoint, while the project has a proactive strategy for reliable power via solar kits, it will also require a consistent internet connection for on-chain transactions and content access. The project's proposed solution of local caching and an offline-first approach mitigates this, but a stable connection is still essential for synchronization. Furthermore, the long-term vision of a community-governed DAO is contingent on the active participation of local community members in governance and operational roles. The project's success is dependent on fostering a culture of ownership and shared responsibility to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
Minana Hub is committed to the principles of open-source development. The project's digital infrastructure, including the smart contracts for the MNANA token and the NFT framework, will be made publicly available on a platform like GitHub. This transparency is crucial for building trust within the Cardano community, as it allows for community audits and verification of the on-chain logic. Additionally, the educational curriculum for digital and blockchain literacy will be open-sourced.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.
Community Outreach
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).
This project introduces a Physical Infrastructure as a Service (PlaaS) & model for Cardano, providing a physical, trusted on-ramp in Africa.
It solves a critical adoption challenge for digital-native projects by offering a cost-effective solution for grassroots onboarding without the burden of high-cost leases.
The innovation is a self-sustaining, dual-revenue model combining traditional fees with a blockchain-native circular economy using the MNANA token and NFTs.
More than 2,500 NFTs minted.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
The MVP is a pilot hub located in an African town community.
It will demonstrate the full operational and sustainable financial model, including public film screenings, educational workshops, and the successful on-chain implementation of the MNANA token and NFT framework for wallet adoption.
The physical hub serves as the direct access point, and its success will be publicly reported through on-chain metrics and regular updates to the Catalyst community and Github.
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
On-Chain Metrics:
The number of new ADA wallets created and onboarded.
The quantity of NFTs minted as verifiable credentials.
MNANA token usage and community engagement.
Project Targets:
Over 5000 new ADA wallets in the first year.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Minana Hub represents a new paradigm for real-world blockchain adoption by seamlessly integrating a physical presence with a decentralized digital ecosystem. This section delves into the project's core strategies for decentralization, wallet adoption, and monetization.
The Big Picture: From Pop-Up to a Science and Tech Park
The marquee tent is not the project's final form; it is the ignition of a grander vision. The Minana Hubs are conceived as the pop-up storefronts of the decentralized world, a nimble and cost-effective way to establish a physical presence in communities where permanent infrastructure is a prohibitive expense. The humble tent is a powerful metaphor for adaptability and a proof-of-concept for a model that can grow from a temporary shelter to a permanent, multi-story structure. As the hubs generate revenue and community demand grows, the initial marquee tents will evolve into resilient steel and aluminum structures—just like a modern warehouse or a permanent community center. These hubs will not be regarded as "cheap," but as a smart, phased approach to building a robust, long-term foundation. The tokenization of the hubs allows community members to feel a sense of ownership, and as the project scales, the community will be able to vote to upgrade the physical structures.
These centers are more than just classrooms; they are vibrant, human-centric spaces for community life. They are the equivalent of a small-town science and tech park, a place where people can gather, experiment, and collaborate. Beyond film screenings and workshops, the hubs will be a place for local artists to hold exhibitions, a quiet space for students to study, and a communal area for local makers to sell their crafts. This multi-use model ensures the hubs remain relevant and deeply embedded in the social fabric of each community, fostering a sense of shared ownership that naturally leads to a safer and more trusted environment.
The Wallet Adoption Journey & Cardano Training
The Minana Hub is the physical on-ramp to a global digital economy. The process is a human-centered journey designed to demystify blockchain technology and drive genuine adoption. It begins with the fundamental first step: creating an ADA wallet. Every individual who engages with the hub's educational curriculum is immediately and actively encouraged to create their own Cardano wallet. This is not an abstract lesson but a tangible, hands-on process guided by a trusted local trainer. The objective is to ensure that by the time they leave, every learner has a secure, self-sovereign wallet in their possession.
The incentive for this critical first step is the verifiable, immutable digital credentials they receive for completing a workshop. These credentials, in the form of a Minana Skill Badge NFT, are not just a digital certificate; they are a lifelong, tamper-proof proof of their newly acquired skills. This tangible reward for a digital action—creating a wallet—transforms a complex technical task into a simple, logical, and rewarding step on a journey toward financial and digital empowerment. This is the bedrock of the project’s success, as it turns passive learners into active participants in the Cardano ecosystem from day one.
The Blockchain-Native Monetisation Model
Minana Hub's financial model is built on two complementary revenue layers: traditional, real-world income and a blockchain-native circular economy.
The traditional revenue streams—fees from film screenings and recurring leases to local schools and kindergartens—are projected to generate $24,000 USD annually per hub. This income is designed to cover the project's recurring operational costs, creating a clear and direct path to financial self-sufficiency beyond the initial grant.
The blockchain-native layer adds a new dimension of scalability and value accrual. The MNANA native token serves as a core utility token, used for discounted access to services and for micro-payments within the hub ecosystem. It is also used as a tool for incentivization, rewarding active participation, content creation, and referrals, which drives a circular economy that reinforces community engagement. The value of the MNANA token is thus directly tied to the growth and utility of the physical Minana Hub network. The NFTs also serve as a monetization channel; tiered Minana Community Passes (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) offer exclusive benefits and a sense of belonging, creating a tiered revenue stream. These NFTs can also be traded on secondary markets, which creates a new source of value for community members who have earned them.
This dual-layer approach positions Minana Hub as a prime example of a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) and a compelling investment opportunity. The requested funding is not a handout but a strategic seed investment in a growing network. By tokenizing the utility of a physical space, the project creates a new asset class that provides scalable, long-term value for the entire Cardano ecosystem. For a Catalyst voter, this is an opportunity to back a project with a clear path to self-sustainability, a demonstrable impact, and a long-term vision for network expansion that will drive value back to the token holders.
A Foundational Service for Other Cardano Projects
Minana Hub is designed to be a public good, a foundational layer of physical infrastructure that other Cardano projects can build upon. Many digital-native projects have a brilliant idea but struggle with the fundamental challenge of achieving real-world adoption in underserved communities. They lack the physical presence and local trust needed to onboard new users effectively.
Minana Hubs solve this problem. As a "Physical Infrastructure as a Service (PlaaS)," the Minana network offers a ready-made, trusted, and cost-effective solution for other projects to host workshops, run pilots, and onboard users. Instead of a project having to bear the high burdens of leases, maintenance, and logistics, they can partner with Minana Hubs to gain immediate access to a community that has already been educated and onboarded into the Cardano ecosystem. This positions Minana Hub as a critical partner, amplifying the impact of the entire ecosystem and demonstrating the true power of decentralized collaboration.
A Decentralized Community Model: Minana Hubs are designed to be multi-use community centers that serve as physical on-ramps to a decentralized world. They aim to shift power away from centralized institutions and empower individuals through blockchain technology.
From Temporary to Permanent Spaces: The initial hubs will be in flexible, cost-effective marquee tents, symbolizing a nimble approach. As the project's revenue grows, these will evolve into permanent buildings like modern warehouses or community centers.
Community Ownership: The hubs will be tokenized, allowing community members to own a piece of the project's evolution and ensuring its growth is directly tied to their prosperity.
Services and Impact
Multi-use Epicenters: Each hub will function as a pop-up space for a new economy, combining elements of a tech park, library, co-working space, community cinema, and vocational school.
Human-Centric Adoption: The hubs will facilitate hands-on learning, where people can learn about topics like peer-to-peer energy trading or host workshops. This focus on human connection and trust is key to building a global movement.
Wallet Onboarding: A key function is to guide new users, step-by-step, in creating a secure, self-sovereign ADA wallet. The goal is to onboard over 500 new ADA wallets in the first year alone.
Rewarding Participation: Learners are given a verifiable Minana Skill Badge (MSB) NFT as a digital credential for their new skills, which cannot be forged or lost.
Sustainability and Investment
Self-Sustaining Model: The project has a dual-revenue stream. It combines traditional fiat income (from things like film screenings and leases) with a blockchain-native circular economy using its MNANA token and NFTs. This model mitigates risk and ensures growth isn't dependent on grants.
Value Accrual: For investors, the MNANA token's utility is tied directly to the growth of the physical network, making it a valuable asset as decentralized adoption expands.
Physical Infrastructure as a Service (PlaaS): Minana Hubs serve as a "PlaaS" for the Cardano ecosystem. This provides other projects with a physical space to activate their services in underserved communities, without the burden of leases or high costs. This creates a foundation where the digital and physical worlds can interact and benefit from each other.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
The impact of the Minana Hub project is designed to be both profound and transparently measurable. It will address critical social and economic needs while providing a verifiable demonstration of Cardano's real-world utility.
The project has established clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure its success. In the first year of the pilot hub's operation, the project aims to:
Onboard over 5000 new ADA wallets.
Reach over 1,000 workshop participants.
Mint more than 2,500 NFTs as verifiable credentials.
Generate an annual revenue of over $30,000, demonstrating a clear path to sustainability.
Beyond these on-chain metrics, the project will have a significant societal impact. It will empower a new generation of youth in Africa by providing them with the tools, skills, and networks needed to thrive in the digital economy. It addresses the digital and financial inclusion gap by providing a hands-on, low-barrier entry point to the world of decentralized finance and self-sovereign identity. By fostering community ownership through the DAO model, the project will create a blueprint for decentralized prosperity, ensuring that the benefits of the hubs are controlled and directed by the very communities they serve. This demonstrates that the value of the Cardano network can be measured not just in on-chain transactions, but in transformed lives and empowered communities.
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 Minana Hub project is led by a capable and experienced team with a strategic plan to mitigate potential risks. Our ability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability is rooted in our core capabilities and a meticulously planned approach.
Team Expertise and Trust:
Our core leadership, co-founders Sacha and Mead Robinson, bring a wealth of complementary expertise to the project. Sacha Robinson provides extensive experience in business structuring, financial oversight, and legal compliance, ensuring that every ADA of funding is managed with fiscal responsibility and a clear strategic vision. Mead Robinson's expertise lies in the community care industry and is the driving force behind our mission, ensuring the project maintains a strong, empathetic connection with the communities it serves. The project team is further complemented by a lean, dedicated tech team with specific skills in Plutus, Haskell, UI/UX design, and DevOps, which is essential for building and maintaining the on-chain infrastructure.
A Feasible and Accountable Approach:
Our approach to validating the project's feasibility is a phased, methodical implementation plan designed for transparency and accountability. The initial 12-month pilot phase is a live proof-of-concept, where we will establish a single, highly visible hub and test every aspect of the operational and financial model in a real-world environment. This iterative process allows us to refine our curriculum and hub model based on real-time feedback from the community before scaling the network.
Our accountability to the Catalyst community is enshrined in our governance and reporting structure. We have identified clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are both on-chain and off-chain, ensuring measurable and verifiable success. These metrics, which include new ADA wallets created, NFTs minted, and annual revenue, will be transparently reported through regular updates to the community. Furthermore, our commitment to open-source development for the project's digital infrastructure—including our smart contracts and NFT framework—allows for community audits and builds trust through radical transparency.
Risk Mitigation and Resilience:
We have proactively identified potential challenges and developed a robust risk mitigation strategy to ensure the project's long-term resilience.
Internet Connectivity: To address unreliable internet access in rural areas, we will use an offline-first approach with local caching of educational content, minimizing the need for constant, high-speed connectivity.
Technical Literacy: We will overcome varying levels of technical familiarity through a tiered education curriculum that starts with the absolute basics and a simplified, user-friendly interface for blockchain interactions.
Physical Security: The community ownership model itself is our primary security measure, as a community with a vested interest in the hub will be its best guardian. We will also implement secure storage solutions for equipment and comprehensive insurance coverage.
A comprehensive competitive analysis further validates our approach. Unlike traditional alternatives like donor-dependent NGOs or profit-driven internet cafes, our model uniquely blends a sustainable business model with a community-embedded, blockchain-integrated solution, making us uniquely suited to deliver this project.
Milestone Title
Setup & Procurement (Months 1-3
Milestone Outputs
Milestone #1: Setup & Procurement (Months 1-3)
A. Milestone Outputs: The procurement and delivery of all physical and digital infrastructure for the pilot hub, including marquee tents, projectors, solar power kits, and laptops. Site selection and preparation will be completed, and the core team will be fully recruited and trained.
Acceptance Criteria
B. Acceptance Criteria: All items on the infrastructure budget list have been purchased and delivered. The pilot hub location has been secured, and the site is prepared for construction. All initial team members are onboarded and have completed their foundational training.
Evidence of Completion
C. Evidence of Completion:
Financial receipts and purchase orders for all major equipment.
Photos and videos of the procured equipment.
Signed documents or contracts related to site selection and securing the physical location.
A finalized project team roster and a report on the training curriculum.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
51000
Progress
50 %
Milestone Title
Pilot Launch & Initial Onboarding (Months 4-6)
Milestone Outputs
Milestone #2: Pilot Launch & Initial Onboarding (Months 4-6)
A. Milestone Outputs: The public launch of the pilot hub, with a full operational model in place. This includes hosting the first film screenings and educational workshops. On-chain outputs will include the deployment of the MNANA native token and the NFT framework.
Acceptance Criteria
B. Acceptance Criteria: The pilot hub is fully operational and open to the public. The first 100 new ADA wallets are created, and the first cohort of participants receive their verifiable Minana Skill Badge NFTs. On-chain assets are functional and ready for use.
Evidence of Completion
C. Evidence of Completion:
On-chain transaction data verifying the minting of the MNANA token and NFTs.
A public-facing data dashboard showing the number of new wallets created and NFTs minted.
Photos, videos, and social media posts of the hub's launch event and initial workshops.
A written report detailing the initial user onboarding process.
Delivery Month
6
Cost
19000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
Optimization & Expansion Prep (Months 7-9)
Milestone Outputs
Milestone #3: Optimization & Expansion Prep (Months 7-9)
Trainer Remuneration: for the second quarter of trainers.
Operational Overheads: for ongoing marketing, travel, and contingencies.
A. Milestone Outputs: The operational model and educational curriculum are optimized based on real-world feedback from the pilot hub. The "train-the-trainer" program is initiated, and the first local site coordinators are prepared for future expansion.
Acceptance Criteria
B. Acceptance Criteria: The pilot hub demonstrates a clear path to financial self-sufficiency with at least one school leasing partnership formalized. The "train-the-trainer" program has been successfully executed with the first cohort. Community feedback is incorporated into a revised curriculum.
Evidence of Completion
C. Evidence of Completion:
A signed lease agreement with at least one local school, demonstrating recurring revenue.
A written report on the train-the-trainer program, including a list of trained individuals and their qualifications.
A revised curriculum document that shows changes made based on community feedback.
Delivery Month
9
Cost
20000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
District-Wide Expansion (Months 10-12)
Milestone Outputs
Milestone #4: District-Wide Expansion (Months 10-12)
Trainer Remuneration: for the final quarter of trainers.
Operational Overheads: for final administrative costs and contingencies.
Expansion Prep: for administrative and proposal costs for the next funding round.
A. Milestone Outputs: A comprehensive evaluation of the pilot hub's performance against all KPIs. The finalization of the implementation plan for Phase II and the submission of new Catalyst proposals to secure funding for the additional 9 hubs. The first cohort of participants will have successfully graduated.
Acceptance Criteria
B. Acceptance Criteria: The pilot hub has met or exceeded its first-year KPIs for wallets, participants, NFTs, and revenue. A detailed plan for scaling the decentralized network is complete and approved. The new Catalyst proposals for the next funding round have been officially submitted.
Evidence of Completion
C. Evidence of Completion:
A final report on the pilot's performance, including a summary of on-chain metrics and revenue figures.
Documentation of the finalized Phase II implementation plan.
Confirmation of new proposal submissions within the Catalyst platform.
A public-facing graduation report or community announcement celebrating the first cohort.
Delivery Month
12
Cost
10000
Progress
10 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Physical Infrastructure: 40,000 ADA for tents, projectors, chairs, laptops, and facade walls.
Recurring Costs: 20,000 ADA for licenses, trainer remuneration, and operational overheads.
Sustainable Power: 15,000 ADA for solar power kits with batteries.
Expansion Preparation: 15,000 ADA for training materials and site coordinator development.
Contingency: 10,000 ADA for a buffer for unexpected expenses.
Total Project Budget: 100,000 ADA.
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
The requested funding for the Minana Hub project represents a high-leverage, low-risk investment for the Cardano ecosystem. The grant is not a subsidy but a strategic seed capital injection that will enable the creation of a physical and digital blueprint for grassroots adoption.
Justifying the Costs and Creating Value:
Our costs are not imponderable; they are a prudent and responsible investment in foundational infrastructure. The majority of the initial funding, approximately $48,500, is dedicated to durable, long-lasting assets like marquee tents, solar power kits, and laptops. This is not "trashy" infrastructure. The modern, professional marquee tents are a well-known, flexible shelter solution for prestigious events around the world. Our facade wall innovation gives them a professional, branded appearance. This investment is a catalyst for future development, as these initial hubs will generate the revenue to evolve into permanent, steel and aluminum structures that embody the project's long-term vision.
Value for the Wider Cardano Ecosystem:
Minana Hub’s value for money is exponential because we are building a platform for the entire ecosystem. For a one-time investment of $70,500, the Cardano community receives a replicable, scalable model that can be deployed across Africa and beyond. For other projects that have received funding but struggle with real-world activation, Minana offers a game-changing solution. A project can re-ignite its mission and onboard an entire community for less than $3,000 in costs by simply leveraging a single hub for a workshop. This eliminates the high burdens of leases, logistics, and maintenance, making our physical infrastructure a shared public good for the entire Cardano community. We provide the trusted physical presence, the local talent, and the on-chain mechanism for adoption, allowing other teams to focus on their core product.
The project proves that Cardano's value can be measured not just in market capitalization but in transformed lives, verifiable skills, and an empowered, globally connected community. This project offers a clear and measurable return on investment, delivering a tangible, impactful, and sustainable solution to a global challenge.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Our team possesses the full range of capabilities required to bring this complex project to life. We have a deep, specialized understanding of the Cardano blockchain and its unique eUTXO model, which is the foundational technology for our protocol. Our core team consists of two senior leaders and a dedicated technical delivery partner, whose collective expertise demonstrates a powerful synergy of visionary leadership, deep technical competence, and a commitment to transparent delivery:
Sacha Robinson (Founder): With a background as a seasoned social impact entrepreneur and fintech leader, Sacha provides the overarching strategic vision and product leadership for Minana Hub. She has a proven track record of launching and scaling multiple ventures in the fintech and social enterprise space, pioneering group-funded benefits and digital community engagement.
Mead Robinson (Co-Founder): Mrs. Robinson is the driving force behind the project's social mission. Her focus is on community-building and operations, including hub management, curriculum development, and trainer supervision. She ensures the project maintains a strong, empathetic connection with the communities it serves.
Asif Raja (Senior Advisor, Technology & Finance): Asif contributes over 30 years of experience at the intersection of technology and finance. His expertise spans AI, cloud computing, and enterprise-scale digital transformation, with a strong academic grounding in finance and risk management.
Technical Delivery Partner (Deftsoft): Our development and engineering will be handled in collaboration with an established blockchain solutions provider, Deftsoft, which has a proven track record of smart contract, wallet, and dApp development. Their team provides the technical workforce needed to deliver an enterprise-grade solution, with a focus on usability, interoperability, and security.
To complement our core team, we will actively recruit verified and experienced developers from the Cardano community to ensure we have in-house skills from those already using Plutus and other ecosystem tools. This approach fosters community-driven development and strengthens our technical capacity with talent that is passionate about Cardano's success.