Last updated 3 months ago
Israel's 5,000+ Web3 developers and 174+ blockchain companies lack a dedicated physical space for collaboration, limiting Cardano adoption in a top-10 global tech hub.
Establish Tel Aviv's first blockchain hub with Cardano as a founding partner, providing co-working, education, and events to onboard developers and grow the ecosystem.
Please provide your proposal title
Crypto Hub Proposal - Catalyst
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
60000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
6
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Israel's 5,000+ Web3 developers and 174+ blockchain companies lack a dedicated physical space for collaboration, limiting Cardano adoption in a top-10 global tech hub.
Supporting links
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
Yes
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
Dependencies: MasterKey.vc partnership for operations and ecosystem connections. Location secured.
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
Please provide details on the intellectual property (IP) status of your project outputs, including whether they will be released as open source or retained under another licence.
Yes - All content is published on YouTube channel. Educational materials, playbook, and event recordings openly shared.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Community Outreach
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano?
5,000+ web3 developers in Israel
174+ blockchain companies
University students (Tel Aviv U, Technion, Hebrew U, Ben Gurion U)
Elite military tech unit alumni (8200, Talpiot, Mamram, 81)
National and international crypto entrepreneurs
Provide a list of key activities of your project:
Months 1-2: Setup
Renovate space • Install Cardano booth • Grand opening (100+) • 4 events • 2+ partnerships
Months 3-4: Education
2-day bootcamp (30+ devs) • 10+ hrs video content • Hackathon (10+ teams) • University workshop
Months 5-6: Growth
Continue events (12+ total) • 15+ co-working members • Playbook • Sustainability plan • international collaboration with NY and UK ambassadors.
What are your success metrics?
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Israel has 5,000+ web3 developers and 174+ blockchain companies, but no dedicated blockchain hub. This limits collaboration, developer onboarding, and Cardano's visibility in a strategic market.
https://startupnationcentral.org/ ; https://www.main.icryptoforum.org/
Our Solution
Partner with MasterKey.vc to create Tel Aviv's first blockchain hub:
Co-working Space - Desks + meeting rooms for Cardano developers
Education Center - Workshops on Plutus, Marlowe, blockchain fundamentals
Event Venue - Monthly meetups (40 attendees), hackathons, panels
Cardano Showcase - Exhibition booth alongside Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, Arbitrum, Kaspa, 1Inch, G0, StarkWare, Consensys
Community Hub - Central gathering place for Middle Eastern Cardano community
Why This Works
Strategic Location: Tel Aviv connects global markets
First-Mover: First blockchain hub in Israel
Experienced Partner: MasterKey.vc brings VC expertise + network
Sustainable: Co-working revenue supports ongoing operations
Replicable: Playbook enables global expansion
What we can deliver
Israel has a great Blockchain community, some event have already been hosted there: Please check out this website link: https://www.israelcrypto.io/
Here is a link with all the partners of the Israeli crypto forum: https://www.main.icryptoforum.org/
We can bring more awareness and visibility in the middle/east by creating an important crypto hub in Tel Aviv.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
What We Deliver
Developer Growth: Talent pipeline for Cardano projects
Project Incubation: 5+ projects with workspace, mentorship, investor connections
Regional Presence
Brand Visibility: 10+ media articles + consistent coverage in Israeli tech press + Cardano Booths and Devs space for Cardano developers.
Community: Physical home for Israeli/Middle Eastern Cardano community + replicable model
Measuring Success
Quantitative: 12+ events
• 480+ attendees
• 5+ projects
• 15+ co-working members
• 10+ articles
• 5,000+ social followers
Qualitative: Project quality
• Partnership growth
• Developer testimonials
Sharing Outputs
• Milestone reporting
• Event recordings on YouTube
• Educational content on GitHub/Cardano Forum + Youtube
• Open invitations for Cardano visitors to Tel Aviv
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 Strengths
MasterKey.vc Partnership: Established blockchain VC with Israeli ecosystem connections, event experience, and developer/investor network
Team:
Resources: Location secured • Partnership confirmed • University connections • Media contacts • Early community committed
Trust & Accountability
Validation
Milestone Title
Hub Setup (₳20,000 | Months 1-2)
Milestone Outputs
Outputs:
• Renovated space: create marketing materials for the hub, seating area, screens for presentations, branded coffee area.
• working desks: place accessories (keyboard, mouse, screens, and chairs for people to be able to work from the space at ease.
• Meeting room (15): big dest with chairs and a screen for presentations.
• Event space (50+): fill up the fridge with snacks
• Cardano booth: branded Cardano booth with materials for everyone to see and review.
• Tech infrastructure: Kickers, cables, cable management, high-speed internet.
Acceptance Criteria
Physical space is fully operational with 10+ co-working desks, a meeting room for 15 people, an event space for 50+, and a dedicated Cardano exhibition booth installed. All tech infrastructure (WiFi, screens, equipment) is functional and documented with photos/videos and inspection certificates.
Evidence of Completion
Evidence: Photos/video • Inspection certificates • Equipment receipts • Visitor testimonials.
Details:
Comprehensive photo and video documentation of completed space showing all areas. Official inspection certificates confirming safety and operational standards. Itemized equipment purchase receipts. Written testimonials from first visitors and partners validating facility quality.
Delivery Month
2
Cost
20000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Launch (₳15,000 | Months 2-3)
Milestone Outputs
Grand opening (100+) • 4 events (40+ each) • 2+ partnerships • 5+ media articles • 2,000+ social followers • 5+ co-working members.
Details:
Grand opening event with 100+ attendees, four monthly community events with 40+ attendees each, two formalized strategic partnerships, five media articles in Israeli tech press, social media presence with 2,000+ followers, first five co-working members onboarded.
Acceptance Criteria
Grand opening event executed with 100+ attendees. Four monthly events completed with 40+ attendees each. Minimum 2 strategic partnerships formalized with MOUs. 5+ media articles published. Social media presence established with 2,000+ followers. First 5+ co-working members onboarded.
Evidence of Completion
Event photos/videos • Attendance records • Partnership MOUs • Media links • Analytics • Member agreements.
Details:
Evidence: Photo and video documentation from the grand opening and four monthly events. Detailed attendance records with sign-in sheets. Signed partnership MOUs with partner organizations. Published links to five media articles. Social media analytics showing 2,000+ followers. Signed co-working member agreements.
Delivery Month
3
Cost
15000
Progress
50 %
Milestone Title
Education (₳12,000 | Months 3-4)
Milestone Outputs
10+ hrs video • University workshop (50+) • Hackathon (10+ teams) • 5+ projects • 200+ community channel members.
Two-day Cardano developer bootcamp for 30+ participants covering Plutus and Marlowe, 10+ hours of educational video content published on YouTube, university workshop with 50+ students, hackathon with 10+ teams, three projects initiated, 200+ community channel members.
Acceptance Criteria
Two-day Cardano developer bootcamp delivered to 30+ participants. 10+ hours of educational video content published on YouTube. University workshop conducted with 50+ students.
Hackathon completed with 10+ participating teams and 3+ projects initiated on the Cardano blockchain.
Evidence of Completion
Published videos • University announcement • Hackathon results • GitHub links.
Details:
Evidence: Complete bootcamp curriculum materials and participant certificates. Published YouTube videos totaling 10+ hours. University partnership announcement and workshop attendance records. Hackathon results with team submissions. GitHub repositories for initiated projects. Community channel member count verification.
Delivery Month
4
Cost
12000
Progress
70 %
Milestone Title
Growth (₳10,000 | Months 5-6)
Milestone Outputs
12+ total events • 1,000+ attendees • 15+ co-working members • Sustainability plan • Playbook (20+ pages) • 5+ partnership pipeline.
Cumulative 12+ total events hosted, 480+ total attendees across all events, 15+ active co-working members, comprehensive sustainability plan for ongoing operations, 20+ page operational playbook published on Forum/GitHub, pipeline of 5+ new partnerships for future expansion.
Acceptance Criteria
Cumulative 12+ events hosted with 1,000+ total attendees. Co-working membership has grown to 15+ active members. Comprehensive sustainability plan finalized. 20+ page operational playbook completed and published. Pipeline of 5+ new partnerships established for future growth.
Evidence of Completion
Event log • Attendance data • Member testimonials • Published plan • Playbook on Forum/GitHub • Pipeline report.
Details
Comprehensive event log documenting all 12+ events with dates and topics. Cumulative attendance data showing 1,000+ participants. Video testimonials from co-working members. Published the sustainability plan document. Complete operational playbook on Cardano Forum and GitHub. Partnership pipeline report with contact details.
Delivery Month
6
Cost
10000
Progress
90 %
Milestone Title
Reporting (₳3,000 | Month 6)
Milestone Outputs
Completion report • Video documentary • Financial report • Impact assessment • Lessons learned • Roadmap • Town hall presentation.
Details: Comprehensive completion report with all deliverables documented, video documentary showcasing hub journey, detailed financial report with all expenditures, impact assessment with metrics dashboard, lessons learned document, future roadmap, community town hall presentation with Q&A.
Acceptance Criteria
Final Reporting:
Complete project documentation including video documentary, financial statements, and impact assessment published. Metrics dashboard showing all KPIs achieved. Lessons learned document shared on Cardano Forum. Community town hall presentation delivered with recording available.
Evidence of Completion
Published report • YouTube video • Financial statements • Metrics dashboard • Forum post • Presentation recording.
Details:
Published completion report on Cardano Forum with all deliverables documented. YouTube documentary video showcasing six-month journey. Detailed financial statements with expense breakdown. Live metrics dashboard with all KPIs. Lessons learned document. Recording of town hall presentation with community Q&A.
Delivery Month
6
Cost
3000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
M1: Setup ₳20,000
•Renovation (₳8k)
• Furniture/Equipment (₳8k)
• Tech (₳4k)
M2: Launch ₳18,000
•Launch event (₳5k)
• 4 events (₳3k)
• Marketing (₳7.5k)
• Partnerships (₳1.5k)
• Ops (₳1k)
M3: Education ₳12,000
•Bootcamp (₳5k)
• Content (₳2.5k)
• Hackathon (₳3k)
• University (₳1k)
• Ops (₳0.5k)
M4: Growth ₳10,000
•Events (₳2.5k)
• Marketing (₳2k)
• Playbook (₳1.5k)
• Ops (₳2.5k)
• Sustainability (₳1.5k)
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
Context: Tel Aviv is expensive (8th most expensive globally), but our ₳60,000 ($24k) is efficient vs similar hubs: Berlin ($80k), Lisbon ($60k), Singapore ($100k+)
Efficiency: MasterKey.vc in-kind contributions • Secured location • Existing relationships • Experienced team
ROI for Cardano
For ₳60,000, you get:
Permanent presence in top-10 tech hub
30+ trained developers (₳2,000 each vs $3-10k bootcamps)
480+ engaged attendees (₳125 each)
12+ events (₳1,250 each)
5+ incubated projects (₳12,000 each)
10+ media articles ($5-10k advertising value)
Replicable playbook (enables 10+ future hubs)
Middle East market gateway
Why Now
Israel = top-10 tech ecosystem with global influence
Blockchain adoption accelerating in Middle East
First-mover advantage available
Already secured partners for the hub (not dependent on cardano)
Success creates blueprint for Dubai, Singapore, London, NYC
I confirm that the proposal is a non-technical initiative, with ≤20% of the budget for tech support.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal provides verifiable evidence (portfolio, links, reports) of the team's ability to deliver the project.
Yes
I confirm that the proposer and all team members are in good standing with prior Catalyst projects.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes clear objectives with both Output Metrics (what proposal did) and Adoption-Focused Metrics (what effect proposal had).
Yes
I confirm that the proposal clearly explains the user journey and provides a credible plan for how the project will equip and motivate users for future on-chain activity.
Yes
I confirm that the initiative clearly demonstrates how it will grow the Cardano ecosystem or onboard users.
Yes
I confirm that the project plan and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic and well-defined.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal commits to public outputs and justifies any exceptions.
Yes
I confirm that the budget adheres to all policies: it is for future work, follows the merchandise rule, and excludes establishing local treasuries, incentives/giveaways, re-grants.
Yes
I Agree
Yes
Shauli Rejwan: Early-stage VC investor and a serial entrepreneur, an active member of the local and global crypto community. In 2019 Shauli co-founded D&DD and TLVBW international crypto events with Tomer Wiess. In 2022 Shauli Co-founded the Israeli Crypto, Blockchain, and Web3 companies forum where he serves as Executive Director
Amit Shilo: A Physicist, Analyst and Community Builder. Working in the Web3 space for 6 years. Currently managing the Web3 Devs Underground Community, working full time at Masterkey VC and operating as a board member (and Ex. CEO) of the Blockchain B7 foundation.
Alon Ben-Lavi: CTO & Co-Founder building cutting-edge DeFi infrastructure. Entrepreneur and technologist with 10+ years of software development experience and a background in the elite IDF Mamram unit. Passionate about decentralized systems and advancing real-time on-chain trading tech.
Eden Luttenberg: BizDev specialist with deep roots across Israel’s tech and fintech scenes, driving ecosystem growth through real execution. Eden co-founded Mamram Alumni Association’s blockchain division to hold activities and help grow Israel’s Web3 ecosystem, and Israel’s only Web3-focused early-stage accelerator, along with the country’s first Women-in-Blockchain conference that onboarded 200+ women builders on to the Web3 ecosystem.
Alon Kivity: Have been working in marketing for 5+ years, Alon’s accomplishments include founding an e-commerce group and selling it to a venture capital, head of marketing of a leading KYT provider and today - a digital marketing team lead in the sport data industry.