[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Universal Skill Certification Platform (Cardano-Powered)

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

95000

[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?

Current digital certificates are vulnerable to fraud, lack standardization, and are hard to verify globally even cardano education platfrom, limiting trust between students, employers & institutions.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://www.doxychain.com/blog/benefits-of-blockchain-for-digital-certificates
,
• https://medium.com/@niall.mcnulty/blockchain-based-certificates-for-academic-qualifications-b05212d57f38
,
• https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/21/3914

[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

This project’s software components (e.g., tools, libraries and codes) will be released under the MIT License and GNU GPL-3.0 . This allows others to freely use, modify, distribute, and sublicense the code, provided the original license and copyright notice are included.

[Theme Selection] Theme

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

Authentication

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

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

Unlike previous blockchain certificate projects that focus on single institutions, our platform offers universal API integration for any educational provider, AI-powered fraud detection, and seamless Atala PRISM identity management. We're the first to combine W3C standards with Cardano's DID infrastructure, enabling cross-platform interoperability while previous solutions remain siloed.

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

Our MVP will demonstrate:

1. Educational platform API integration for certificate issuance,

2. Cardano smart contract deployment for immutable storage,

3. Public verification portal for employers,

4. User dashboard with Atala PRISM identity management,

5. AI fraud detection interface. Demo accessible at platform.cardano-certs.io with sandbox environment for testing all functionalities.

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

On-chain metrics: 5,000+ certificate transactions, 50+ smart contract deployments for institutions, 100+ unique wallet addresses.

Off-chain: 50 educational institutions onboarded, 10,000 user registrations, 100 employer verifications, 85% user satisfaction.

Success validated by transaction volume growth, wallet adoption rate, institutional partnerships signed, and verification portal usage analytics tracked monthly via blockchain explorers and platform dashboards.

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

In today's rapidly evolving digital economy, credentials and certifications—whether academic degrees, online course completions, professional licenses, or workshop participation—play a crucial role in unlocking employment, education, and funding opportunities. However, current systems for issuing, storing, and verifying these credentials are fragmented, easy to forge, and often lack transparency or global recognition.

We propose building a decentralized AI Powered skill and certification platform on Cardano that enables institutions, companies, organizations, and individuals to issue, own, and verify any kind of achievement credential using blockchain technology and Fraud Detections.

What the Platform Will Offer

Blockchain-Based Credential Issuance

Any organization—from universities and training centers to online course platforms, conferences, and NGOs—can issue verifiable certificates and badges using Cardano smart contracts. These credentials are timestamped, immutable, and cryptographically signed, ensuring authenticity.

Universal Credential Wallet for Users

Users will have a decentralized identity (DID)-linked wallet where all their credentials—degrees, certifications, course completions, skill badges—are stored securely and privately. Individuals fully own their credentials and can share them with employers, universities, or institutions at will.

Public, Permissioned Verification Portal

Employers, schools, and third parties can easily verify the authenticity of any certificate via a publicly accessible Cardano-based explorer or verifier portal, without compromising the user’s personal data.

Open Credential Standards (Interoperable)

Our platform will follow W3C Verifiable Credentials and integrate with Atala PRISM for decentralized identity. This ensures future compatibility and allows interoperability with other DID-based identity systems globally.

API and Dashboard for Issuers

Certificate-issuing entities will have access to a customizable dashboard and API for uploading recipient data, defining credential formats, and managing issuance workflows—without needing to understand blockchain directly.

Gamification and Reputation Layer (Optional)

To encourage lifelong learning and user engagement, the platform can include a reward and reputation system for users who accumulate credentials, complete a series of learning modules, or engage in community-building certifications.

AI powered Fraud Detection

This AI model will detect abnormal patterns in certification to flag fraud

Use Cases

• Universities issuing diplomas that are fraud-proof and globally verifiable
• Online platforms like Coursera or Cardano Academy offering blockchain-backed course completions
• Employers verifying upskilling or technical certifications instantly
• NGOs giving recognized credentials to citizens in rural or underserved regions
• Event organizers issuing proof of participation in bootcamps or conferences
• Governments offering digital proof of professional licensing

Why Cardano?

Cardano’s scalable, low-cost, and energy-efficient infrastructure is perfectly suited for this global-use platform. Through Atala PRISM, Cardano already leads in decentralized identity innovation—this project builds on that momentum, adds new functionalities, and expands the ecosystem’s impact across industries and geographies.

Real-World Example: Imagine an educational platform like

• Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/
• Courser - https://www.coursera.org/
• Cardano Academy - https://cardanofoundation.org/academy
• and more.

When a student completes a course on blockchain development, Udemy can issue a blockchain-based certificate through our platform. The student can then share this certificate with potential employers, who can instantly verify it using the Cardano blockchain without needing any additional paperwork or third-party verification.

Key Steps and Technical Solution:

Integration API for Educational Platforms:

The platform will provide easy-to-integrate REST APIs (Software Development Kits) for online educational websites. These APIs will enable educational platforms to seamlessly connect to the Cardano blockchain and push their certification data securely. By offering SDKs in popular programming languages (Python, JavaScript, etc.), integration will be simplified for existing educational platforms.

Example Process:

• Once a student completes a course on an educational website (e.g., Coursera, Udemy), the website will use the API to send and get the student’s details, course information, and completion status to the blockchain.
• The data will then be hashed and stored on the Cardano blockchain, providing a tamper-proof certificate that is publicly verifiable.

Blockchain Certificate Creation:

For each completed course, a unique cryptographic hash will be generated from the user’s certification data (name, course details, completion date, etc.). This hash will be written onto the Cardano blockchain, ensuring that it cannot be altered or tampered with. The actual certificate data will remain securely stored in a centralized server (off-chain) with only the hash stored on-chain.

Technical Tools Used:

• Plutus Smart Contracts: These will manage the certification transactions on the blockchain, ensuring data integrity and compliance with Cardano's protocols.
• Metadata on Cardano Blockchain: Using the Cardano Metadata standard, course details will be stored on-chain in a lightweight manner while keeping the sensitive data off-chain.

Verification Portal for Third Parties:

A public verification portal will be built for employers, institutions, or any third party to verify the legitimacy of a certificate. Users or organizations can enter the certificate ID or the student’s public key to verify the certification details.

How it works:

• Users will receive a unique link or QR code associated with their certification, which can be shared with third parties.
• When a third party visits the verification portal, they can input the certificate details to retrieve the hashed record from the blockchain, confirming that it matches the issued certificate.

AI Based Fraud Detection:

• AI based Model will be Deployed for detecting anomalies data and sites to identify the fraud.

User Dashboard and Digital Identity:

The platform will include a user dashboard where learners can manage all their blockchain-issued certificates. This dashboard will be integrated with Atala PRISM (Cardano’s decentralized identity solution) to give users full control over their educational credentials, making them portable across platforms and jurisdictions.

Technical Details:

• Users will have self-sovereign identities (SSI) that link all their blockchain-issued certifications to a single, secure digital identity.
• The dashboard will allow users to export certificates, manage privacy settings, and share certificates with external platforms.

Educational Platform Onboarding & Integration Tools:

To attract educational platforms to adopt the service, the solution will provide onboarding materials, sample integration code, and technical documentation.

This will include:

• Sandbox environment: A sandbox to allow educational platforms to test the integration without interacting with the live blockchain.
• Developer tools & documentation: Detailed step-by-step guides and SDKs for developers to help with seamless integration.
• Support for non-blockchain developers: Easy-to-use interfaces for educational platforms that do not have blockchain developers, making the service accessible to both small and large educational organizations.

Certification NFT (Optional):

As an additional feature, the platform will offer non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as digital certificates. These NFTs will represent the ownership of the certification and can be displayed in personal blockchain wallets. This is an optional feature for users and institutions interested in exploring more advanced blockchain applications.

These steps will provide a simple and effective way for any online educational platform to issue blockchain-based certificates without the need for complex infrastructure. This will promote trust and verifiability, improving the credibility of online education worldwide. The use of Cardano’s blockchain will ensure low transaction costs, scalability, and security.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

This project will bring widespread positive impact across multiple sectors while advancing real-world utility for the Cardano ecosystem.

Educational Institutions

• The platform will empower schools, universities, training centers, and certification bodies to issue tamper-proof, verifiable, and globally recognized credentials. This reduces fraud, increases trust, and enhances the reputation of issuing institutions. It supports lifelong learning and makes institutional offerings more attractive to global learners.

Employers and Organizations

• Organizations will benefit from instant, secure verification of qualifications, making hiring more efficient and reducing the time and cost of background checks. Blockchain-based credentials give employers high confidence in the authenticity of an applicant’s claims, transforming how talent is validated and reducing risks in recruitment.

Students & Professionals

• Learners and working professionals gain portable, verifiable credentials that transcend geographic and institutional boundaries. These can be used for job applications, online profiles, further education, or freelance work. With blockchain-backed certificates, users can showcase their achievements with confidence — permanently accessible, globally trusted, and fraud-proof.

Developers & Online Education Platforms

• We will offer SDKs, APIs, and integration tools for third-party platforms, lowering the barrier to adoption for both developers and education providers. This will enable even small institutions or bootcamps to adopt blockchain credentialing without needing deep blockchain expertise.

Cardano Ecosystem

• Our platform showcases a real-world application of Cardano's smart contracts and decentralized identity stack (e.g., Atala PRISM). It increases network activity (transactions, wallet usage), onboards new users to Cardano, and serves as a model for DID + credentialing innovation within the ecosystem. By becoming a trusted solution in a vital sector like education, it helps position Cardano as the backbone of credential verification globally.

Broader Industry Impact

• While the initial focus is education and certification, the technology can be extended to other sectors requiring verified credentials, such as healthcare licenses, legal documentation, or financial compliance. This cross-sector potential means the project can be a gateway to broader enterprise and public sector adoption of Cardano-based identity and verification solutions.

Impact Measurement Metrics:

After the development within 1 year the platform aims to gain and measure the impacts.

Adoption Rate of Educational Institutions

• Target: Onboard at least 50 educational institutions within the first year after launch.
• Metric: Number of educational institutions using the platform for blockchain-based certification.

Certificates Issued

• Target: Issue 5000 blockchain-based certificates within the first year.
• Metric: Total number of certificates minted and stored on the Cardano blockchain.

User Registration & Engagement

• Target: Register 10,000 users (students, professionals) within the first year.
• Metric: Number of users who have completed the registration and claimed blockchain-based certificates.

Employer Integration

• Target: Integrate at least 100 employers to verify job candidates using the platform.
• Metric: Number of employers using the platform for verifying candidates’ blockchain certificates.

Ecosystem Partnerships

• Target: 3-5 new partnerships with Cardano-based projects for decentralized identity and smart contract innovations.
• Metric: Number of collaborations and partnerships built within the Cardano ecosystem.

Cardano Transactions

• Target: Generate 5,000 transactions on the Cardano network in relation to certificate issuance and verification within the first year.
• Metric: Number of blockchain transactions linked to the platform.

User Satisfaction

• Target: Achieve 80% positive user feedback from both educational institutions and certificate holders.
• Metric: Percentage of users rating their experience positively via post-certification surveys.

Promotion and Marketing Strategies:

• Social Media Campaigns: Utilize platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit to create engaging content about the upgraded platform. Regular posts highlighting key features, user testimonials, and educational resources can help generate interest and attract new users.
• Community Engagement: Host AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions, webinars, and live Q&A sessions to interact with the Cardano community directly. This fosters a sense of transparency and builds trust while providing an opportunity to showcase the platform's value proposition.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list of subscribers interested in Cardano development and education. Send out regular newsletters with updates, tips, and resources related to the platform. Personalized email campaigns can nurture leads and drive engagement.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Forge partnerships with educational institutions, blockchain organizations, and developer communities to promote the platform to their respective audiences. Co-hosting events, workshops, or joint marketing initiatives can expand reach and credibility.
• Influencer Outreach: Identify influencers, thought leaders, and prominent figures within the Cardano community who can endorse the platform. Collaborate with them to create sponsored content, guest appearances, or endorsements that reach their followers.

[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 capability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability stems from our team's extensive experience in software development, education, and community engagement. With a proven track record of delivering successful projects and initiatives within the blockchain space, we possess the expertise and dedication required to execute this proposal effectively.

Our previous experience with blockchain integration Cardano projects funded by Catalyst in the previous funding round, including:

• Universal DevTools for Real-time Tracking for 45%+ of Global Websites Support
• Enhancing developer ecosystem with open source tooling
• Cardano for 100,000+ students
• CardanoChain Poultry Trace dApp projects,

highlights our commitment and proven ability to deliver impactful projects.

Our team is proud to be partnered with MLOps Community, a global organization at the forefront of machine learning, DevOps, and cutting-edge technology. With branches in various countries and partnerships with industry leaders like AWS, NVIDIA, Databricks and more, we have demonstrated our capacity to deliver successful events and initiatives, showcasing our commitment to innovation and community engagement.

Also we are an Official Partner With Microsoft Startup Founder Hub, We receive more than 45 AI related Microsoft products with a mix of technical benefits and business resources.

We’re trusted by Microsoft!

Previous Success Recap:

• Past Experience: Our team has successfully developed Blockchain and AI based Merit-Reputation Engine for Singularitynet.io of Mindplex.ai
• Educational Explorer App: 100,000+ downloads on Google Play
• Developer and User Feedback: 85% positive response rate from 50+ developer interviews
• Developer Tools: 60,000+ active monthly users across our mobile app tooling suite
• Community Recognition: 5+ successful Project Catalyst funding rounds totaling $300K+
• Technical Expertise: 8+ years blockchain development experience
• Open Source Contributions: 50+ GitHub repositories with 2,000+ stars
• Developer and User Feedback: 85% positive response rate
• Collaboration: Our project has joined Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. We receive more than 45 AI related Microsoft products.
• Expertise in Educational Content: Experienced educators and subject matter experts ensure high-quality resources.
• Transparent Financial Management: Clear budgeting, expense tracking, and reporting processes
• Trustworthy Partnerships: Collaborations with Educational Institutions and Experts
• User Feedback Integration: Actively collecting and addressing user feedback for continuous improvement
• Well educated Leader: The project is owned and lead by BSc, MSc, BA and Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA)

We are Simply Highly Experienced programmers in haskell, plutus, solidity, AI, ML and subject matter experts ensure high-quality resources.

• Transparent Financial Management: Clear budgeting, expense tracking, and reporting processes
• User Feedback Integration: Actively collecting and addressing user feedback for continuous improvement
• Capability and Feasibility Validation: Utilizing past success metrics, implementing pilot programs, and committing personal time for project development.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Platform Architecture Design & Complete UX/UI Development

Milestone Outputs

Complete system architecture documentation defining the technical stack, database schema, API endpoints, and Cardano blockchain integration patterns. Full UX/UI design implementation using Figma with interactive prototypes covering all user journeys: educational institution dashboards, student certificate management portals, employer verification interfaces, and admin panels. The architecture will specify Django REST API structure, PostgreSQL database design, Docker containerization setup, and Cardano testnet smart contract specifications. Design system includes responsive layouts, accessibility compliance, and mobile-first approach. Deliverables include technical architecture document, complete Figma design system, user flow diagrams, database ERD, API specification draft, and UI component library. All designs will be tested for usability and accessibility standards.

Acceptance Criteria

Architecture document approved covering Django backend structure, PostgreSQL schema, Docker configurations, CI/CD pipelines, and Cardano testnet integration approach. Complete Figma design system delivered with all screens designed for: institution onboarding, certificate issuance workflows, student dashboards, employer verification portal, and administrative interfaces. Designs must be responsive, accessible (WCAG 2.1 AA compliant), and include interactive prototypes. Database ERD finalized with tables for users, institutions, certificates, verifications, and blockchain transactions. API endpoint specifications documented covering authentication, certificate CRUD operations, verification workflows, and blockchain interactions. Design review completed with at least 5 stakeholder feedback sessions incorporated. All designs exported as development-ready assets.

Evidence of Completion

Public GitHub repository created with architectural documentation, database schema files, and API specification. Figma workspace shared publicly with complete design system including all screens, components, and interactive prototypes. Technical architecture document published on Google Drive with detailed system diagrams, technology stack justification, and integration patterns. Video demonstration of Figma prototypes showing complete user journeys. Database migration files created and tested. Swagger API documentation framework setup. Docker configuration files committed to repository. Stakeholder feedback compilation document with resolution notes. Design system style guide and component library documentation.

Delivery Month

1

Cost

15000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Django Backend, REST APIs, Database & Docker Infrastructure Setup

Milestone Outputs

Complete Django backend application with PostgreSQL database implementation, comprehensive REST API endpoints, and Docker containerization. Backend features include user authentication with JWT tokens, institution management, certificate lifecycle operations, blockchain transaction logging, and verification workflows. PostgreSQL database fully implemented with optimized queries, indexing, and data integrity constraints. REST API endpoints cover: user registration/authentication, institution onboarding, certificate issuance, verification requests, and administrative functions. Docker setup includes multi-container architecture with Django app, PostgreSQL database, Redis cache, and Nginx reverse proxy. CI/CD pipeline configured with automated testing, code quality checks, and deployment procedures. API documentation generated using Django REST Swagger. Backend includes rate limiting, logging, error handling, and security middleware implementation.

Acceptance Criteria

Django application successfully running in Docker containers with PostgreSQL database connected and operational. All core API endpoints implemented and tested: authentication (register, login, token refresh), institution management (CRUD operations), certificate operations (create, read, update, verify), user management, and administrative functions. Database migrations completed with all tables, relationships, and constraints properly implemented. Unit tests covering minimum 80% code coverage for all backend functionality. Docker-compose configuration working with services: Django app, PostgreSQL, Redis, Nginx. CI/CD pipeline operational with automated testing, linting, and code quality gates. Swagger API documentation accessible and complete with all endpoints documented. Environment variables properly configured for development, testing, and production. Authentication and authorization working correctly with role-based access control.

Evidence of Completion

GitHub repository with complete Django codebase, Docker configurations, and CI/CD pipeline files. Live backend API deployed and accessible with Swagger documentation URL. Database schema documentation with ERD diagrams and migration files. Automated test suite results showing 80%+ coverage. Docker Hub images published for easy deployment. Postman collection with all API endpoints tested and documented. Performance testing results showing API response times under 200ms. Security audit checklist completed covering authentication, authorization, and data protection. CI/CD pipeline logs demonstrating successful automated deployments. API monitoring dashboard setup with health checks and performance metrics.

Delivery Month

2

Cost

22000

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

Frontend Decelopment and Cardano Smart Contracts with Integration

Milestone Outputs

Complete frontend application implementing all designed UI/UX components with full backend API integration. Frontend includes responsive dashboards for educational institutions, student certificate management portals, employer verification interfaces, and administrative panels. React components built with TypeScript, styled with Tailwind CSS, and including form validation, data visualization, and real-time updates. Cardano smart contracts developed using Plutus for certificate minting, verification, and blockchain interactions. Smart contracts deployed on Cardano testnet with comprehensive testing. Frontend integrates with Cardano wallets for user authentication and transaction signing. Certificate issuance workflow connects Django backend with Cardano blockchain through smart contract interactions. Features include certificate preview, QR code generation, batch processing, and verification portal with blockchain explorer integration.

Acceptance Criteria

React frontend application fully functional with all designed screens implemented and responsive across devices. Complete integration with Django backend APIs showing real-time data updates. TypeScript implementation with proper type safety and error handling. All forms working with validation, error messages, and success feedback. Cardano smart contracts successfully deployed on testnet with verified functionality for certificate minting and verification. Wallet integration working with popular Cardano wallets (Nami, Eternl, Flint). Certificate issuance workflow operational from frontend to blockchain with transaction confirmation. Verification portal functional with blockchain explorer integration showing certificate authenticity. Performance optimization completed with page load times under 3 seconds. Cross-browser compatibility verified on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Mobile responsiveness tested on various device sizes.

Evidence of Completion

Live frontend application deployed and accessible with all functionality working. GitHub repository with complete React codebase, smart contract code, and deployment scripts. Smart contract addresses on Cardano testnet with transaction history visible on blockchain explorer. Video demonstration showing complete user workflows from certificate creation to blockchain verification. Frontend performance audit results with Lighthouse scores above 90. Mobile responsiveness testing documentation with screenshots across device sizes. Smart contract audit report with security analysis and gas optimization results. Integration testing documentation showing API connectivity and blockchain interactions. User acceptance testing results from beta testers. Wallet integration testing with multiple Cardano wallets documented.

Delivery Month

4

Cost

21000

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

AI Fraud Detection System, Feature Integration & Comprehensive Security Implementation

Milestone Outputs

Machine learning model developed for detecting fraudulent certification patterns and anomalies using Python scikit-learn and TensorFlow. AI system analyzes certificate issuance patterns, user behaviors, and institutional activities to flag suspicious activities. All milestone features will be integrated and tested.Security implementation includes comprehensive penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security hardening across all system components. Security features include SQL injection prevention, XSS protection, CSRF tokens, rate limiting, input validation, and secure API endpoints. Smart contract security audit conducted with formal verification methods. Data encryption implemented for sensitive information storage and transmission. GDPR compliance measures implemented including data privacy controls, user consent management, and right to deletion. Security monitoring and logging system setup with automated alerts for suspicious activities. AI model integrated into Django backend with real-time fraud detection APIs.

Acceptance Criteria

AI fraud detection model trained and achieving minimum 85% accuracy in identifying anomalous certification patterns. Model integrated into backend with real-time API endpoints for fraud scoring. Tese integrated all features. Comprehensive security audit completed covering frontend, backend, smart contracts, and infrastructure with all critical vulnerabilities resolved. Penetration testing report showing no high-severity security issues. Data encryption implemented for all sensitive data at rest and in transit. GDPR compliance checklist completed with privacy policy, data handling procedures, and user consent flows. Security monitoring dashboard operational with automated alerting for suspicious activities. Smart contract formal verification completed with security best practices implemented. Rate limiting and DDoS protection configured. Security headers and SSL/TLS properly configured across all services. Backup and disaster recovery procedures documented and tested.

Evidence of Completion

AI model deployed with API documentation and performance metrics showing fraud detection accuracy. Security audit report from third-party security firm with remediation evidence. Penetration testing results and vulnerability assessment documentation. GDPR compliance documentation including privacy policy and data handling procedures. Security monitoring dashboard screenshots with configured alerts and logging. Smart contract security audit report with formal verification results. report of all interated features, Backup and recovery testing documentation with successful restoration procedures. SSL certificate installation and security headers configuration evidence. Performance testing results showing system stability under load. Code quality metrics showing improved security scores and resolved vulnerabilities.

Delivery Month

5

Cost

19000

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Production Deployment, Comprehensive Testing & Community Launch Campaign

Milestone Outputs

Complete end-to-end testing suite including unit tests, integration tests, performance tests, and user acceptance testing with real educational institutions. Production deployment on scalable cloud infrastructure with monitoring, logging, and automated backup systems. Comprehensive documentation including user guides, API documentation, integration tutorials, and technical specifications. Community outreach campaign including social media marketing, educational webinars, conference presentations, and partnership development with educational institutions. Production system includes load balancing, auto-scaling, monitoring dashboards, and 24/7 health checks. Smart contracts deployed on Cardano mainnet with proper testing and validation. Beta testing program with 5+ educational institutions providing real-world usage feedback. Community resources including video tutorials, integration guides, and developer documentation. Launch campaign targeting Cardano community, educational sector, and blockchain development community.

Acceptance Criteria

Production system deployed and operational with 99.9% uptime target achieved. Complete test suite with minimum 90% code coverage passing all tests. At least 5 educational institutions successfully onboarded and actively using the platform for certificate issuance. Smart contracts deployed on Cardano mainnet with verified functionality. Production monitoring showing system performance metrics, error rates, and usage analytics. Community engagement metrics showing: 1000+ social media followers, 50+ webinar attendees, 10+ partnership inquiries. Comprehensive documentation published including user guides, API docs, and integration tutorials. Security monitoring operational with incident response procedures tested. Backup and disaster recovery systems validated with successful recovery tests. User feedback collected and analyzed with satisfaction rating above 80%. Community support channels established with response time SLA.

Evidence of Completion

Live production platform accessible to public users with full functionality. GitHub repository with complete codebase, documentation, and deployment scripts. Production monitoring dashboard showing system health, performance metrics, and usage statistics. List of onboarded educational institutions with case studies and testimonials. Cardano mainnet smart contract addresses with transaction history. Community engagement metrics dashboard showing social media growth, webinar attendance, and partnership development. Comprehensive documentation website with user guides, API documentation, and video tutorials. Security monitoring logs and incident response documentation. User feedback surveys and satisfaction ratings analysis. Press coverage and community articles about the platform launch. Partnership agreements or MOUs with educational institutions. Production deployment architecture diagram and infrastructure documentation.

Delivery Month

6

Cost

18000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1. Development Costs – 38,000 ADA

a. Back-End Development (Smart Contracts & Blockchain Integration)

Description: Core infrastructure to store and verify certificates on the Cardano blockchain.

Cost: 20,000 ADA

Resources: 2 blockchain/backend developers

Timeline: 3 months

b. Front-End Development (User Interfaces & API Integrations)

Description: User-friendly dashboards and APIs for integration with educational platforms.

Cost: 12,000 ADA

Resources: 2 frontend developers

Timeline: 2–3 months

c. Decentralized Identity (DID) Implementation

Description: Secure identity system for users and institutions using Atala PRISM.

Cost: 10,000 ADA

Resources: 1 blockchain dev + 1 identity/security specialist

Timeline: 2–3 months

2. Design & UX/UI – 5,000 ADA

Description: Designing intuitive, accessible UI/UX for students, institutions, and employers.

Cost: 5,000 ADA

Resources: 1 UX/UI designer, 1 researcher

Timeline: 1–2 months

3. Testing, QA & Security Audit – 10,000 ADA

a. QA & Functional Testing

Description: Manual and automated testing of features and integration points.

Cost: 12,000 ADA

Resources: 2 QA testers

Timeline: 2 month

b. Third-party Smart Contract Security Audit

Description: External review of Plutus smart contracts to ensure robustness.

Cost: 4,000 ADA

Resources: External auditing firm

Timeline: 1 month

4. AI-Based Fraud Detection (Optional Feature) – 5,000 ADA

Description: ML model for detecting abnormal patterns in certification to flag fraud.

Cost: 5,000 ADA

Resources: 1 data scientist

Timeline: 1–2 months

5. Marketing, Community Engagement, and Onboarding – 13,000 ADA

a. Outreach & Institutional Partnerships

Description: Relationship building with educational providers and onboarding support.

Cost: 8,000 ADA

Resources: 1 partnership/outreach manager

Timeline: Ongoing over 6 months

b. Community Awareness (Cardano Ecosystem)

Description: Social media, content marketing, community presentations.

Cost: 5,000 ADA

Resources: Social media/marketing team

Timeline: Ongoing

6. Operations, Infrastructure & Misc. – 14,000 ADA

a. Cloud Hosting, Maintenance, & DevOps

Description: Server management, uptime monitoring, CI/CD pipelines.

Cost: 9,000 ADA

Resources: 1 DevOps engineer

Timeline: Full 6-month period

b. Miscellaneous & Contingency Reserve

Description: Buffer for unexpected technical, legal, or operational needs.

Cost: 5,000 ADA

Total: 95,000 ADA

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

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

This project represents excellent value for the Cardano ecosystem by focusing on both technical and social impact. The platform leverages Cardano’s smart contracts and decentralized identity (DID) infrastructure to create a transparent, secure, and immutable certification system. Here’s why it offers outstanding value:

Cost Efficiency:

• Development Costs: The platform development is allocated efficiently, focusing on high-impact areas such as blockchain integration, front-end, and back-end development, decentralized identity (DID), and security audits. This ensures the core functionality is built to the highest standards with a clear focus on scalability.
• Long-term Maintenance: With decentralized infrastructure, operational costs are minimal, allowing for low-cost maintenance once the platform is operational.
• Industry Alignment: By targeting the booming online education industry, the platform aligns with a global trend, increasing the platform’s potential for real-world use and adoption. The budget is modest considering the significant potential for global adoption and the robustness of Cardano's blockchain to support such a scalable service.

Increased Utility of Cardano:

• This project brings real-world use cases to the Cardano blockchain by enabling online educational platforms to issue blockchain-based certificates. This will strengthen the perception of Cardano as not just a speculative asset but as an enabler of practical, high-utility services, driving more stakeholders and users to the network.
• The platform will also engage more developers, educators, and learners in the ecosystem, introducing them to Cardano's advantages in transparency, security, and decentralization.

**Scalable Revenue Model: **

• The project follows a service-as-a-platform (SaaP) model, which ensures ongoing revenue streams for both the platform and Cardano’s ecosystem. Here’s how the revenue model works:
• Integration Fees: Online educational platforms will pay a small integration fee to connect their services with the blockchain-based certification platform. This fee covers the initial setup and smart contract deployment needed to ensure smooth certification issuance.
• Per Certificate Transaction Fee: Each time a certificate is issued on the blockchain, a transaction fee will be charged. These fees will be competitive but profitable, given the volume of certificates expected from online platforms and educational institutions.
• Subscription for Enhanced Features: Educational institutions or platforms can subscribe to premium features, such as detailed certificate analytics, fraud detection powered by AI, or batch certificate processing. This tiered pricing model will offer scalable revenues depending on the size and needs of the user.
• Verification Fees for Employers: Organizations seeking to verify certificates will pay verification fees to ensure that the credentials presented by job candidates are authentic. This is a critical value-added service, especially for employers dealing with international applicants.

High ROI for Users:

• For students and professionals, the ability to showcase blockchain-based, globally trusted certificates will offer long-term value as these credentials will be immune to tampering and fraud.
• For educational platforms, blockchain-based certificates enhance their reputation, drawing more learners who seek trusted, verifiable credentials. This helps institutions differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive space.

By offering an innovative service that benefits multiple stakeholders, the project ensures both short-term and long-term value for Cardano’s ecosystem, driving broader adoption and bringing more users into the blockchain space.

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes