Last updated 9 months ago
Centralized digital out-of-home advertising suffers from high costs, limited flexibility and poor analytics. The industry needs a more decentralized, data-driven solution to enhance accessibility.
WorldAds mounts smart displays on vehicles to form a distributed ad network.
On-chain NFTs represent ownership, while smart contracts power transparent, efficient, data-rich outdoor advertising.
This is the total amount allocated to WorldAds: Cardano-Powered DePIN Ads On Vehicle Roofs.
Please provide your proposal title
WorldAds: Cardano-Powered DePIN Ads On Vehicle Roofs
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
50000
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?
Centralized digital out-of-home advertising suffers from high costs, limited flexibility and poor analytics. The industry needs a more decentralized, data-driven solution to enhance accessibility.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
No Dependencies
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
WorldAds will be developed as an open-source project to ensure transparency, community contribution, and rapid innovation. Our core protocols and smart contracts will be released under the Apache 2.0 license, allowing anyone to freely use, modify, and contribute while protecting community-driven innovation.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.
IoT
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).
WorldAds is innovating by merging DePIN with the $34B DOOH ad market. Unlike traditional centralized networks, we tokenize screen ownership on Cardano, enabling anyone to co-own infrastructure and earn income.
Smart contracts ensure transparent revenue sharing and ad tracking, while democratized participation transforms outdoor advertising from a closed system into a community-owned economy.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
Our MVP prototype includes two smart rooftop screens currently in production as pilot units.
These displays feature GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, with ads managed seamlessly via the cloud.
Alongside this, we are prototyping the WorldAds mobile app, giving both advertisers and vehicle owners access to manage campaigns, track performance, and engage with the WorldAds ecosystem.
The prototypes will serve as a proof of concept, showcasing real-world deployment in Tanzania’s urban centers.
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
Success will be measured by tokenizing and representing screens on-chain, enabling transparent ownership.
Each ad served will generate immutable proof-of-delivery stored on-chain.
Key metrics include number of tokenized screens, volume of ad transactions executed via smart contracts, impressions verified on-chain, and adoption rate of advertisers and screen operators within the network.
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
WorldAds leverages the Cardano blockchain to manage a decentralized network of vehicle-mounted smart digital screens for dynamic, geospatially relevant advertising.
Each screen is represented as a unique NFT on Cardano, enabling fractional ownership, transparent asset management, and seamless transfer. The screens connect to a light Cardano node for real-time blockchain interaction, ensuring verifiable transparency.
To guarantee trust, a proof of ad delivery is sent onchain and authenticates geolocation data, creating immutable on-chain records.
This approach reduces costs, improves ad effectiveness, and generates valuable urban data that supports smarter city initiatives.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
WorldAds will positively impact the Cardano community by showcasing a real-world DePIN application that bridges blockchain with physical infrastructure.
Each smart display unit will be represented as an NFT on Cardano, driving novel adoption of on-chain asset representation. By recording transactions, proof of ad delivery, and geospatial data on Cardano, we highlight its scalability for enterprise use cases.
Our solution is projected to onboard over new users to Cardano while also giving advertisers a new way to get their product seen. Also vehicle owners can unlock a new revenue stream.
With a goal of 100+ live units within 36 months, WorldAds will strengthen Cardano’s position as a leader in real-world blockchain utility.
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?
We are confident that our team can deliver this project and to validate our approach, we are getting ready to conduct a pilot program in Dar Es Salam, a major African city.
This pilot will allow us to record valuable metrics on user engagement and sustainability.
Our phased rollout approach, starting with this pilot, will test all components in a real-world environment before scaling.
We are addressing technical challenges head-on. For weather resistance, we're partnering with industrial design experts to create IP67-rated enclosures for our LED units.
To manage maintenance, we're developing a network of local technicians and implementing predictive maintenance using IoT sensors.
For regulatory compliance, we have been engaging legal experts in our deployment location and have secured the necessary licensing.
Milestone Title
Build and Launch First Two Prototypes, Secure Licenses & Partnerships
Milestone Outputs
Finalize both hardware designs (digital LED screens) and software systems (content management, data analytics, and Cardano blockchain integration).
Develop functional prototypes capable of displaying ads dynamically based on geolocation while capturing key engagement data.
Secure all regulatory approvals, IP licenses, and operational permits to run digital advertising screens on vehicles in the pilot city.
Establish initial partnerships with transport operators, advertisers, and city regulators.
Acceptance Criteria
Hardware and software designs are completed, reviewed, and validated by the engineering team.
Prototypes are fully functional in controlled pilot tests, demonstrating location-based ad display and blockchain-linked data collection.
Legal counsel confirms that all licenses, rights, and regulatory approvals have been properly secured and documented.
Signed partnership agreements are in place with at least one transport operator and one advertiser for pilot deployment.
Evidence of Completion
Technical documentation confirming finalized hardware and software designs.
A prototype demonstration video showing operational capabilities, including ad display and blockchain data proof.
Copies of all obtained licenses, permits, and IP rights.
Partnership MOUs or contracts demonstrating secured commitments from stakeholders.
Delivery Month
4
Cost
15000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Finalize Partnerships with Vehicle Fleets & Launch Pilot in One City
Milestone Outputs
Signed agreements with at least two vehicle operators in the pilot city.
Complete installation of smart digital screens across selected fleets.
Conduct initial pilot deployment and testing of live ads and data collection.
Acceptance Criteria
Partnership agreements fully executed, clearly defining installation timelines, operational responsibilities, and data-sharing policies.
All scheduled screen installations are completed on time, with minimal disruption to fleet operations.
Pilot tests confirm successful display of ads, geolocation functionality, and real-time data capture.
Evidence of Completion
Copies of signed partnership agreements with vehicle operators.
Verified installation schedules, completion logs, and fleet operator training documentation.
Joint installation completion report signed by WorldAds and fleet partners.
Screenshots from the WorldAds dashboard showing live ad delivery and data collection during the pilot.
Delivery Month
8
Cost
20000
Progress
70 %
Milestone Title
Evaluate Pilot Outcomes & Produce Close-Out Video
Milestone Outputs
Comprehensive evaluation report of the pilot, including performance analytics, stakeholder feedback, and recommendations for scaling.
Revised project plan based on pilot learnings, detailing adjustments, improvements, and expansion strategy.
Close-out video summarizing the pilot outcomes, key learnings, and showcasing real-world impact.
Acceptance Criteria
Evaluation report providing a thorough analysis of technical performance, ad delivery data, operational efficiency, and user/stakeholder feedback.
Revised project plan which clearly incorporates lessons learned, addresses all identified challenges, and presents a feasible path to expansion.
Close-out video effectively communicating pilot results, adoption impact, and next steps for stakeholders and the Cardano community.
Evidence of Completion
Submission of the final evaluation report with performance data, feedback insights, and recommendations.
Updated scaling project plan with documented improvements.
Published close-out video available on public channels (e.g., YouTube, WorldAds website, or Cardano community forum).
Delivery Month
12
Cost
15000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Over this 12-month project, our budget has been designed to balance cost efficiency with maximum impact.
Below is the breakdown of proposed expenses:
Smart LED Units (₳15,000): Covers design, production, shipping, and installation of two fully operational Smart LED units on selected vehicles.
WorldAds Software And Dapp Development (₳10,000): For building the website, frontend, and app modules that enable advertisers, screen owners, and users to track uptime, nodes, and ad performance in real time.
Legal and Licensing (₳5,000): Ensures compliance with regulations, securing operational licenses and intellectual property protections.
Operational Costs (₳15,000): Administrative, logistics, and day-to-day running costs to maintain smooth execution of the project.
Marketing And Awareness (₳5,000): Campaigns to boost visibility, adoption, and partnerships, ensuring strong entry into the pilot market.
Total Budget: ₳50,000
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
WorldAds offers exceptional value for money to the Cardano ecosystem.
Our solution will showcase Cardano technology by the end of the Pilot beta phase, potentially reaching 10,000 daily viewers in the pilot city.
By leveraging existing vehicle infrastructure, we save over 70% compared to traditional billboard installations.
Our use of smart contracts reduces administrative costs by 40%+ compared to traditional ad booking systems.
Our scalable and sustainable model lays the foundation for expansion to 10+ cities within 2 years post-pilot.
We project an increased visitibily of Cardano ecosystem and projects building on Cardano through intermittent marketing of Cardano through the screens which will increase adoption and visibility.
By combining innovative advertising technology with real-world application, WorldAds maximizes the impact of every ADA invested, driving adoption, showcasing Cardano's capabilities, and generating long-term value for the entire Cardano ecosystem.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Our team comprises experts in hardware engineering, blockchain development, advertising, and social impact.
Irene Ketegwe, our founder and CEO, brings over 10 years of experience in business development.
Irene Ketegwe (Founder) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-ketegwe/
Tahir Razman, our CTO, has 8+ years in software and product development.
Tahir Razman - (CTO) - https://github.com/tahirramzan
Jan Mesarič, our lead software engineer, contributes 5+ years of expertise in IoT and distributed systems.
Jan Mesarič - (Software Engineer) - www.linkedin.com/in/jan-mesaric-79a672111/