NoCode Blockchain Credential Platform for Training Providers

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

NoCode Blockchain Credential Platform for Training Providers

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

74000

[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?

Training providers face forgery-prone PDFs and manual workflows, lacking simple blockchain tools for tamper-proof, verifiable certificates that scale and enable easy social sharing.

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

Requires Cardano blockchain infrastructure for credential verification and integration with third-party services like LinkedIn API and email delivery systems.

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

Apache 2.0 License - Core platform components, credential verification tools, and integration templates will be open source and available to the education community.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Developer Tools

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

This proposal creates the first no-code blockchain credential platform specifically designed for training providers, eliminating technical barriers while providing tamper-proof verification. Unlike existing solutions requiring blockchain expertise, Trace abstracts complexity while maintaining full verification capabilities through Cardano blockchain.

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

The MVP will demonstrate complete credential lifecycle from template upload through bulk issuance to public verification. Training providers can design certificates, import learner data, and automatically issue blockchain-verified credentials with LinkedIn integration and instant third-party verification capabilities.

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

Primary success is delivering functional no-code platform with template design, bulk import, blockchain verification, and social sharing features. Future metrics include training providers using the platform, credentials issued and verified, social media shares, and verification requests from employers and institutions.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Problem

Training providers face critical challenges in credential issuance: static PDFs are easily forged, blockchain complexity requires technical expertise most providers lack, and fragmented workflows span multiple tools for design, distribution, and verification. Meanwhile, employers and institutions struggle to verify credential authenticity, often relying on time-consuming manual verification processes or accepting potentially fraudulent certificates.

These challenges create brand and reputation risks through counterfeit certificates, waste staff hours on manual merging and verification emails, reduce marketing impact when sharing requires complex uploads, and create compliance headaches as regulators increasingly demand verifiable proof over screenshots. Employers face similar verification burdens, often unable to distinguish genuine credentials from sophisticated forgeries.

Training providers and employers need solutions that eliminate certificate fraud while providing streamlined workflows accessible to non-technical users, enabling organizations to focus on education and hiring rather than credentialing complexity.

Solution

Trace provides a comprehensive no code platform that transforms credential issuance from high-risk manual processes into automated, blockchain-verified workflows. The platform addresses all major pain points through integrated functionality designed specifically for training providers while enabling seamless verification for employers and institutions.

Template management allows providers to upload existing PDF/PNG certificates or create new designs through drag-and-drop interfaces with variable placeholders for personalization. The system provides live preview capabilities ensuring brand consistency while enabling scalable customization.

Bulk import functionality accepts CSV uploads with field mapping wizards, enabling providers to process entire course cohorts efficiently. Future development may include LMS integration capabilities, but the initial concept focuses on simple, reliable CSV-based workflows.

Blockchain verification automatically records immutable hashes and metadata on Cardano, providing tamper-proof verification without requiring providers to understand smart contracts, manage wallets, or handle gas fees. The platform abstracts all blockchain complexity while maintaining full verification capabilities.

Learner delivery includes branded email notifications with unique certificate URLs and downloadable assets. Public verification pages provide mobile-optimized viewing with issuer details and blockchain proof, enabling instant third-party verification for employers, institutions, and regulatory bodies.

Social integration features auto-populate LinkedIn's certificate dialog and generate optimized images for social media sharing, transforming every graduate into organic marketing for training programmes while providing employers with easily verifiable credentials.

Unique Approach

This solution uniquely combines comprehensive credential management with blockchain verification through a completely no code interface. Unlike technical blockchain solutions or limited proprietary platforms, Trace provides full workflow automation while maintaining open verification standards and social sharing optimization for both issuers and verifiers.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Value to Community

This platform demonstrates Cardano's utility for mainstream education and employment applications while onboarding non-technical users to blockchain verification benefits. Training providers gain fraud-proof credentialing capabilities while students receive verifiable, shareable certificates that enhance professional opportunities. Employers gain confidence in credential authenticity through instant blockchain verification.

The solution expands Cardano's addressable market to include educational institutions, corporate training departments, professional development providers, and HR departments who previously lacked access to blockchain verification due to technical complexity.

Measuring Impact

Primary Success Metric: Delivery of functional no code platform with template design, bulk import, blockchain verification, and social sharing capabilities.

Platform Adoption: Training providers actively using Trace for credential issuance across educational institutions, corporate training, and professional development programmes.

Credential Volume: Number of blockchain-verified certificates issued through the platform, demonstrating real-world usage and verification activity.

Social Engagement: LinkedIn integrations completed and social media shares of credentials, measuring organic marketing impact for training providers.

Verification Activity: Third-party verification requests and successful authenticity confirmations, proving credential value for employers and institutions.

All metrics tracked through platform analytics and blockchain verification with regular community reporting.

[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?

Existing Infrastructure

This project builds upon proven web development frameworks and Cardano's established smart contract capabilities. The team brings decades of experience delivering SaaS applications, iOS and Android apps, providing solid foundation for platform development across multiple platforms and user experiences.

Partnership with a key educational partner enables immediate market validation and user feedback throughout development phases, ensuring the platform meets real-world requirements.

Technical Validation

Core concepts validated through existing blockchain credentialing systems and no code platform architectures. The approach leverages established patterns in educational technology while adding novel blockchain verification capabilities accessible to non-technical users.

Track Record

The team's combined decades of experience in SaaS application development, mobile app delivery (iOS and Android), project management, blockchain integration, and user experience design provides confidence in successful platform delivery. Previous work in educational credentialing and blockchain integration demonstrates relevant expertise for comprehensive solution development.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Platform Architecture & User Experience Design

Milestone Outputs

Comprehensive platform architecture documentation, user experience design specifications, and technical framework selection. User research validation and workflow optimization based on training provider feedback.

Acceptance Criteria

Complete technical architecture with blockchain integration specifications. User experience designs for all core workflows including template upload, bulk import, and credential verification. Validated user requirements from target training providers.

Evidence of Completion

Published technical architecture documentation. User experience design prototypes and workflow specifications. User research findings and requirement validation reports.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

15000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Core Platform Development

Milestone Outputs

Functional platform offering template upload, bulk learner data import, and a streamlined UI, with Cardano blockchain integration for credential verification and an initial end-to-end testing framework.

Acceptance Criteria

Working template upload with preview functionality. Bulk import system with CSV processing and field mapping. Cardano integration for credential hash storage and verification. Basic user authentication and project management interface.

Evidence of Completion

Live platform demonstration showing template upload and bulk import functionality. Blockchain integration proof with successful credential verification transactions.

Delivery Month

4

Cost

30000

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Credential Delivery & Verification System

Milestone Outputs

Complete credential delivery system with automated email notifications, customizable public verification pages, LinkedIn integration for seamless certificate sharing, and built-in social media optimization tools.

Acceptance Criteria

Automated email delivery with branded certificates and unique verification URLs. Public verification pages with mobile optimization and blockchain proof display. LinkedIn integration enabling one-click certificate addition. Social media sharing optimization with proper metadata.

Evidence of Completion

Full credential delivery demonstration from issuance through verification. LinkedIn integration proof and social sharing examples. Mobile-optimized verification pages with blockchain validation.

Delivery Month

5

Cost

25000

Progress

90 %

Milestone Title

Platform Testing, Launch & Ecosystem Promotion

Milestone Outputs

Platform launch with key educational partner validation. Project close-out video (3 minutes ) demonstrating platform functionality. Final project report with comprehensive metrics and lessons learned.

Acceptance Criteria

Platform launched with educational partner using system for real credential issuance. Close-out video and final report meeting Project Catalyst Fund 14 specifications. Partner validation and usage documentation.

Evidence of Completion

Live platform with partner credentials issued. Published close-out video and final report. Partner testimonials and usage metrics documentation..

Delivery Month

6

Cost

4000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Estimate Duration for Each Milestone

Milestone 1: 2 months

Milestone 2: 2 months

Milestone 3: 1 month

Final Milestone: 1 month

Allocate Resources to Each Milestone

Milestone 1: All team members (75% allocation) for research and design

Milestone 2: Technical team (100%), Others (75%) for core development

Milestone 3: All team members (100%) for delivery system development

Final Milestone: All team members (75%) for launch, video, and reporting

Discounted monthly rates for Cardano ecosystem contribution:

Project Lead (Riz): 3,000 ADA/month (typical rate: 8,000+ ADA/month)

Strategy Lead (Sacha): 3,000 ADA/month (typical rate: 8,000+ ADA/month)

Technical Architect (Nathan): 4,000 ADA/month (typical rate: 12,000+ ADA/month)

Design Lead (Dom): 2,500 ADA/month (typical rate: 7,000+ ADA/month)

Cardano Developer: 5,000 ADA/month (typical rate: 15,000+ ADA/month)

Monthly Burn Rates for Each Milestone

Milestone 1: 2 months × (2,250 + 2,250 + 3,000 + 1,875 + 3,750) = 26,250 ADA

Milestone 2: 2 months × (2,250 + 2,250 + 4,000 + 1,875 + 5,000) = 30,750 ADA

Milestone 3: 1 month × (3,000 + 3,000 + 4,000 + 2,500 + 5,000) = 17,500 ADA

Final Milestone: 1 month × (2,250 + 2,250 + 3,000 + 1,875 + 3,750) = 13,125 ADA

Subtotal

Personnel Costs: 67,625 ADA

Platform Development & Operations:

Development Tools & Infrastructure: 2,500 ADA

Testing & Quality Assurance: 1,500 ADA

Documentation & User Guides: 1,000 ADA

Marketing & Partner Launch: 1,375 ADA

Total: 74,000 ADA

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

This ₳74,000 investment creates pioneering infrastructure for mainstream blockchain credentialing while addressing critical pain points in educational verification for both training providers and employers. By providing no code access to tamper-proof credentials, the platform enables non-technical users to leverage blockchain benefits without complexity barriers.

Trace demonstrates Cardano's practical utility for education and employment sector applications while onboarding new user segments to blockchain verification. The solution addresses real business problems including credential fraud, manual workflows, and compliance requirements while generating sustainable transaction volume through credential issuance.

The investment delivers comprehensive platform infrastructure that training providers and employers across sectors can adopt, expanding Cardano's footprint in education and employment while establishing blockchain verification as industry standard for credentialing and professional development.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes