[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

PayShare: share links, receive payments

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

50000

[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?

Global payment barriers block businesses and individuals: 60+ countries restricted from major processors, 7-30 day delays, 3-8% fees, banking requirements, and fraudulent chargebacks.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://youtu.be/fLQaBJ__QIk

[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

MIT

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Payments

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

PayShare is the first comprehensive payment link solution on Cardano, unlike previous wallet-to-wallet or NFT marketplace projects. While others focus on specific use cases, PayShare creates universal payment infrastructure for anyone globally. Innovation: shareable URLs replace complex wallet addresses, professional payment pages with analytics, embedded widgets for websites, and smart contracts for recurring payments. Unlike traditional payment processors that exclude 60+ countries, PayShare works globally with transparent fixed fees vs percentage-based pricing.

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

Our MVP will demonstrate:

• Payment link creation in under 30 seconds,
• Professional payment pages with goal tracking and analytics,
• One-click donations via major Cardano wallets (Nami, Eternl, Flint),
• Embeddable payment widgets for websites.

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

On-Chain Metrics:

• Transaction volume: 50+ ADA payments by Month 9, 500+ by Month 12
• Unique wallet addresses: 25+ paying wallets by Month 9, 100+ by Month 12
• Payment frequency: 5+ daily transactions by Month 12
• Smart contract interactions: 10+ recurring payment setups by Month 12

Platform Metrics:

• Active creators: 20+ by Month 9, 100+ by Month 12
• Payment completion rate: >80%
• Revenue sustainability: 50+ ADA monthly revenue by Month 12 (break-even at ~200 transactions/month)

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Solution: PayShare - Universal Payment Links

PayShare eliminates payment barriers through Cardano-powered shareable payment links that work globally.

How It Works:

• Create Payment Link - Generate custom URL in 30 seconds (no technical knowledge required)
• Share Anywhere - Send via social media, email, website, or QR code
• Receive ADA Instantly - Supporters pay with Cardano wallets, funds arrive immediately

PayShare's Cardano-First Advantage:

• Built specifically for ADA and Cardano ecosystem - not a multi-chain afterthought
• Modern payment link experience vs basic gateway solutions from 2019-2020
• Creator economy focus - designed for content creators, not just e-commerce merchants
• Open source foundation - enabling community-driven innovation on Cardano

Direct Problem Solutions:

Geographic Barriers → Global Access

• Works in every country with internet connectivity
• No geographic restrictions or country-specific requirements
• Cardano blockchain is accessible worldwide

Settlement Delays → Instant Payments

• Receive ADA in seconds, not 7-30 days
• No intermediary banks or payment processors
• Direct wallet-to-wallet transfers

High Fees → Transparent Low Costs

• Fixed 0.1 ADA platform fee (~$0.035) vs 3-8% percentage-based
• Total cost ~$0.10 regardless of payment size
• No hidden fees, currency conversion, or surprise charges

Banking Requirements → Wallet Only

• No business accounts, tax IDs, or complex onboarding
• Only need a Cardano wallet (free to create)
• No credit checks or financial verification

Chargebacks → Immutable Payments

• Blockchain transactions cannot be reversed
• No fraudulent disputes or payment theft
• Creators keep 100% of legitimate payments

Technical Complexity → User-Friendly Interface

• Professional payment pages instead of raw wallet addresses
• One-click payments through wallet integration
• Mobile-optimized experience for all users

Additional Value:

• Analytics Dashboard - Track payments, goals, and supporter engagement
• Embeddable Widgets - Easy website integration
• Smart Contracts - Recurring payments and advanced features
• Open Source - Community-driven development and transparency

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

Impact on Cardano Community

####Addressing a Critical Ecosystem Gap

Market Research Findings:

Recent analysis of the blockchain payment landscape reveals significant gaps in Cardano-native solutions:

• Multi-chain payment providers (Copperx, KvaPay, BoomFi) focus on Ethereum, Bitcoin, Polygon, and BSC - with minimal Cardano support
• Existing Cardano payment gateways are basic merchant processors, not creator-focused link solutions
• Community discussions show developers struggling to implement ADA payment functionality
• No modern, user-friendly payment link solutions exist specifically for the Cardano ecosystem
• PayShare will drive real-world ADA adoption and position Cardano as the blockchain for global payments.

Direct Ecosystem Benefits:

ADA Utility & Demand

• Creates genuine use case for ADA beyond speculation and staking
• Drives regular transaction volume through daily payment activity
• Demonstrates ADA's viability as a medium of exchange globally
• Increases ADA liquidity through frequent small-value transactions

User Acquisition

• Brings non-crypto users into Cardano ecosystem through payment necessity
• Each creator potentially onboards their entire supporter base to Cardano wallets
• Creates "gateway drug" effect - users start with payments, discover broader ecosystem

Transaction Volume Growth

• Generates consistent on-chain activity through payment processing
• Target: 500+ transactions in Year 1, growing organically with adoption
• Each transaction demonstrates Cardano's speed and low fees to new users
• Provides real usage data for network optimization and scaling

Broader Community Impact:

Global Accessibility Showcase

• Proves Cardano works in underbanked regions where traditional payments fail
• Demonstrates blockchain's potential for financial inclusion
• Creates positive real-world stories of Cardano enabling global commerce
• Positions Cardano as solution for emerging market payment challenges

Developer Ecosystem Growth

• Open-source codebase provides payment infrastructure for other projects
• APIs enable third-party integrations and ecosystem expansion
• Creates template for other developers building commercial Cardano applications

Infrastructure Development

• Establishes payment infrastructure other Cardano projects can build upon
• Creates reusable smart contracts for recurring payments and escrow
• Provides battle-tested wallet integration libraries
• Builds foundation for broader creator economy tools on Cardano

Long-term Ecosystem Value:

Network Effects

• Success attracts other payment-focused projects to Cardano
• Creates precedent for real-world commercial applications
• Each successful payment validates Cardano's utility to skeptics
• Builds community of users who rely on Cardano for actual business needs

Competitive Positioning

• Differentiates Cardano from "smart contract only" blockchains
• Showcases Cardano's advantages in payment processing over Ethereum/Bitcoin
• Creates positive media coverage around real-world blockchain adoption
• Attracts businesses and developers seeking proven payment solutions

PayShare transforms Cardano from experimental technology into essential financial infrastructure, creating sustainable value for the entire ecosystem.

[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?

Capability to Deliver with High Trust and Accountability

Proven Delivery Track Record:

• Previous Catalyst Success: Successfully completed Catalyst-funded Plutus runtime project, demonstrating ability to execute complex Cardano infrastructure on time and within budget

• Transparent Development: Open source approach with public GitHub repository from day one, enabling community oversight of all development progress

• Milestone-Based Accountability: Clear deliverables and evidence requirements for each milestone, with working demonstrations at every stage

Development Methodology:

• Incremental Delivery: Each milestone produces working functionality that can be tested and validated by the community

• Quality Assurance: Cross-review of all code, rigorous testing protocols, and security-focused development practices

• Community Engagement: Regular progress updates, beta testing with Cardano creators, and incorporation of community feedback

• Documentation Excellence: Comprehensive technical documentation and user guides ensuring long-term maintainability

Validation of Feasible Approach

Technical Validation Methods:

• MVP Demonstration: Working payment link system operational in Milestone 1 for immediate community testing

• Performance Benchmarking: Sub-3 second payment link generation with reliable transaction processing validation

• Security Testing: Community security review and professional audit of payment smart contracts before mainnet deployment

• Integration Testing: Comprehensive testing with major Cardano wallets (Nami, Eternl, Flint) across multiple devices

Market Validation Strategy:

• Beta Testing Program: 20+ Cardano community creators testing real payment flows with actual transactions

• Usage Analytics: Real-world payment completion rates, user behavior analysis, and conversion optimization

• Community Feedback Integration: Direct input from Cardano creators about payment link utility and feature requirements

• Competitive Analysis: Validation against existing payment solutions to ensure unique value proposition

Risk Mitigation and Contingency Planning:

• Conservative Technology Stack: Using proven payment processing patterns and established Cardano integration libraries

• Phased Deployment: Comprehensive testnet validation before any mainnet release

• Fallback Strategies: Core payment functionality designed to work even if advanced features face delays

• Community Support: Open source approach enables community contributions to accelerate development if needed

Success Metrics and Accountability:

• Technical Metrics: Payment processing reliability, transaction success rates, platform uptime

• Adoption Metrics: Active creators, payment volume, user satisfaction scores

• Delivery Metrics: On-time milestone completion, budget adherence, feature completion rates

• Community Metrics: User feedback scores, beta tester engagement, developer adoption of APIs

Why This Approach is Feasible:

• Payment link model is proven successful across other platforms - we're adapting established patterns to Cardano

• Conservative technical choices ensure reliable payment processing without experimental dependencies

• Two-developer team with complementary skills provides comprehensive coverage of all technical requirements

• Realistic scope focused on core payment functionality with clear, achievable technical milestones

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

UI Design, Website Implementation, and Technical Documentation

Milestone Outputs

• UI/UX design mockups for the entire platform
• Basic website implementation with static pages
• Technical documentation outlining the project architecture
• Project roadmap and detailed development plan

Acceptance Criteria

• Completed UI/UX and mockups.
• Basic website(static pages) deployed and accessible online
• Complete writing technical documentation reviewed
• Project roadmap clearly outlines subsequent development phases

Evidence of Completion

• Design links to all UI/UX mockups
• Link for live URL of deployed website
• Technical documentation PDF and architecture diagrams

Delivery Month

2

Cost

12000

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Frontend Development and Initial Blockchain Integration

Milestone Outputs

• Frontend application with basic features (user registration, wallet connection, donation processing)
• Initial smart contract implementation for basic donation functionality
• Integration of frontend with Cardano testnet for preliminary testing

Acceptance Criteria

• Frontend application successfully demonstrates basic user flows
• Wallet connection and basic transaction simulation working on testnet
• Initial smart contract can process basic donations on testnet

Evidence of Completion

• Deployed URL of the frontend application
• Screen recordings demonstrating key user flows (registration, wallet connection, donation processing)
• User guide for testing the application on testnet
• Technical Milestone Completion Report summarizing all deliverables and evidence

Delivery Month

2

Cost

15000

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Advanced Features and Beta Launch

Milestone Outputs

• Complete smart contract development with all planned features
• Full feature set implementation on the platform
• Beta version of the platform deployed on Cardano testnet
• User documentation and guides

Acceptance Criteria

• All planned smart contract features implemented and thoroughly tested
• Platform demonstrates full feature set functionality on testnet
• Beta version successfully processes various transaction types on testnet

Evidence of Completion

• Deployed URL of the beta platform on Cardano testnet
• Screen recordings and transaction hashes demonstrating full feature functionality
• QA test results, including UAT from diverse testers

Delivery Month

2

Cost

15500

Progress

30 %

Milestone Title

Production release and Project Closure

Milestone Outputs

• Platform deployed on Cardano mainnet with full functionality and production infrastructure
• Comprehensive Project Close-out Report documenting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned
• Project Demonstration Video showcasing platform features and real-world usage examples

Acceptance Criteria

• Platform successfully launched on Cardano mainnet with all features operational
• Close-out report provides comprehensive overview of project achievements, challenges, and lessons learned
• Demonstration video of the platform

Evidence of Completion

• Live working URL with verified functionality and uptime monitoring demonstrating operational status
• Comprehensive Project Close-out Report documenting project delivery, metrics, and lessons learned
• Project Close-out Video showcasing platform functionality and user testimonials

Delivery Month

1

Cost

7500

Progress

10 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Total Project Budget: 50,000 ADA

Project Duration: 7 months

1. Development Costs: 37,500 ADA (75%)

Team Compensation:

Lead Developer - Dawit Mekonnen

• Rate: 2,500 ADA/month × 7 months = 17,500 ADA

• Responsibilities: Full-stack development, payment platform architecture, user experience design, project management, Cardano wallet integration

Backend Developer - Tesnim Abdi

• Rate: 2,000 ADA/month × 7 months = 14,000 ADA

• Responsibilities: Payment processing backend, smart contract development, API development, security implementation, database optimization

Technical Development

• Smart Contract Development & Testing: 3,000 ADA

• Payment Security Implementation: 2,000 ADA

• Wallet Integration & Testing: 1,000 ADA

2. Infrastructure & Services: 7,500 ADA (15%)

Payment Platform Infrastructure:

• Cloud Hosting (AWS/Vercel): 2,500 ADA

  • 7 months development hosting + production deployment

  • Payment processing servers and database hosting

• Domain, SSL & Security: 1,000 ADA

  • Professional domain, SSL certificates, security monitoring

• Development Tools & Services: 2,000 ADA

  • Database hosting, CI/CD pipeline, testing infrastructure

• Payment Testing & Validation: 1,000 ADA

  • Testnet ADA for transaction testing, beta testing incentives

• Monitoring & Analytics: 1,000 ADA

  • Payment processing monitoring, uptime tracking, analytics tools

3. Design & User Experience: 3,000 ADA (6%)

Payment Platform Design:

• UI/UX Design for Payment Flows: 1,500 ADA

  • Payment page design, mobile optimization, conversion optimization

• User Research & Testing: 1,000 ADA

  • Payment flow testing, user feedback collection, UX improvements

• Marketing Materials: 500 ADA

  • Product screenshots, demo materials, community engagement content

4. Documentation & Quality Assurance: 2,000 ADA (4%)

Payment Platform Documentation:

• Technical Documentation: 800 ADA

  • API documentation, integration guides, developer resources

• User Guides & Tutorials: 700 ADA

  • Payment creation guides, wallet setup instructions, troubleshooting

• Security Review & Testing: 500 ADA

  • Community security review, payment flow validation, penetration testing

** Milestone Budget Distribution**

| Milestone | Duration | Amount (ADA) | Focus Area |

|-----------|----------|--------------|------------|

| Milestone 1 | 2 months | 12,000 (24%) | Design, documentation, foundation |

| Milestone 2 | 2 months | 15,000 (30%) | Frontend development, wallet integration |

| Milestone 3 | 2 months | 15,500 (31%) | Smart contracts, payment processing |

| Milestone 4 | 1 month | 7,500 (15%) | Production launch, project closure |

Budget Justification

Cost Efficiency Analysis:

• Total monthly cost: 7,143 ADA (~$2,500/month)

• Developer cost per month: ~3,571 ADA ($1,250) for two experienced developers

• Significantly below market rates for blockchain payment development

• All-inclusive pricing with no hidden costs or ongoing dependencies

Value Comparison:

• Traditional payment gateway development: $50,000-$100,000

• Enterprise payment solution: $150,000+ implementation

• PayShare total cost: $17,500 with global Cardano accessibility

Resource Allocation Rationale:

• 75% on development ensures high-quality payment platform delivery

• 15% on infrastructure supports reliable payment processing and scaling

• 6% on design/UX critical for payment conversion and user adoption

• 4% on documentation ensures long-term maintainability and community adoption

Risk Mitigation:

• Conservative cost estimates based on actual payment platform development experience

• Milestone-based payments ensure accountability and progress verification

• Buffer time included for payment security testing and optimization

• No ongoing operational funding required - self-sustaining through transaction fees

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

Value for Money

What Cardano Gets for 50,000 ADA

Complete Payment Infrastructure:

• Full-stack application with professional UI/UX, backend, and smart contracts

• Production-ready platform handling real ADA transactions and payments

• Open source codebase that other developers can build upon and extend

• Payment APIs and widgets enabling ecosystem-wide integration

Ecosystem Growth Drivers:

• New user onboarding through supporters needing Cardano wallets

• Increased transaction volume from daily payment activity

• Real-world utility demonstration showcasing ADA as viable payment method

• Global accessibility proving Cardano works in underbanked regions

Cost Efficiency Analysis

Development Cost Comparison:

• Market rate for similar project: $50,000-$75,000 USD

• PayShare total cost: $17,500 USD (50,000 ADA)

• Cost savings: 65-75% below market rates

• Per-month cost: $2,200 for two experienced developers

Feature Delivery per ADA:

• Complete payment platform: 50,000 ADA

• Smart contract suite: Included

• Professional UI/UX: Included

• Documentation & guides: Included

• Community support: Included

Return on Investment Projections

Year 1 Conservative Estimates:

• 500+ ADA transactions generating network activity

• 100+ new wallet creations from supporter onboarding

• Real-world payment use case demonstrating Cardano utility

• Open source foundation for other payment projects

Year 2-3 Scaling Potential:

• 5,000+ transactions annually as adoption grows

• Payment infrastructure used by other Cardano projects

• Creator economy growth attracting businesses to Cardano

• Positive media coverage showcasing blockchain financial inclusion

Unique Value Propositions

No Ongoing Costs:

• Self-sustaining revenue model through 0.1 ADA transaction fees

• Open source maintenance by community after delivery

• No recurring Catalyst funding required for operations

• Clear path to profitability within 12 months

Ecosystem Multiplication Effects:

• Payment infrastructure other projects can integrate

• Wallet integration libraries reusable by developers

• Smart contract templates for recurring payments and escrow

• Best practices documentation for commercial Cardano applications

Competitive Value Analysis

vs. Traditional Payment Solutions:

• PayPal/Stripe development: $100,000+ for similar functionality

• Enterprise payment gateway: $250,000+ implementation costs

• PayShare: $17,500 with global accessibility and instant settlement

vs. Other Blockchain Projects:

• Ethereum payment app: $75,000+ plus high gas fees

• Solana payment solution: $50,000+ with network stability risks

• PayShare: $17,500 with Cardano's low fees and sustainability

Risk-Adjusted Value

Low Technical Risk:

• Proven technology stack with established development patterns

• Experienced team with relevant blockchain and web development skills

• Incremental delivery with working prototypes at each milestone

• Conservative timeline allowing for proper testing and optimization

High Impact Potential:

• First comprehensive payment link solution on Cardano

• Network effects as each creator brings their audience to Cardano

• Foundation for growth of broader creator economy tools

• Demonstration project for real-world blockchain adoption

Measurable Value Delivery

Immediate Deliverables (Month 8):

• Working payment platform processing real ADA transactions

• Open source codebase available for community use

• Comprehensive documentation for users and developers

• Active user base demonstrating real-world adoption

Long-term Ecosystem Benefits:

• Payment infrastructure reducing barriers for other projects

• User onboarding pipeline bringing non-crypto users to Cardano

• Transaction volume growth supporting network health

• Success story attracting more commercial development to Cardano

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes