Last updated 8 months ago
Cardano needs more builders, more wallets, and more on-chain activity. We want to grow a strong developer network in Africa, starting in Nigeria, and help teams turn ideas into real products.
We’re gamifying Cardano dev onboarding in Nigeria through a bootcamp, builder challenge, and reality YouTube series to attract top talent and launch real products on Cardano.
Please provide your proposal title
DevX Code & Conquer Series: Powered by Cardano
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
58638
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?
Cardano needs more builders, more wallets, and more on-chain activity. We want to grow a strong developer network in Africa, starting in Nigeria, and help teams turn ideas into real products.
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
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.
The products built by participants during the bootcamp will be open source. We believe this is important to encourage collaboration, allow others to learn from the work, and contribute to the Cardano ecosystem.
Additionally, all media content (including our YouTube series and promotional materials) will be publicly accessible and aimed at growing ecosystem awareness. Our priority is transparency, impact, and contributing meaningfully to Cardano’s developer growth.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Training
Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano?
Who We Are Targeting
We are focusing on talented developers from Nigeria’s Web3 hubs; people who already have a track record of building digital products but haven’t yet explored Cardano.
We’re also reaching out to builders active on other chains like Ethereum and Solana, who are curious about new ecosystems but need a compelling reason to try something different.
Finally, we want to engage emerging founders and startup teams who are looking for strong, reliable infrastructure to build real, scalable solutions.
We’ll connect with these developers and founders through multiple channels:
Partnerships with local Web3 communities and developer groups (e.g., NACOS, GDG Uyo, Web3Nigeria, Chainspace, TGIB).
Targeted awareness campaigns on social media and developer platforms, highlighting the unique opportunities Cardano offers.
Hosting virtual and in-person events like bootcamps, workshops, and summits to provide hands-on exposure to the Cardano ecosystem.
Leveraging mentors, ambassadors, and past participants to share their experiences and encourage peers to join.
Cardano’s growth depends not just on hype, but on real builders creating tangible products. By engaging developers who already have experience elsewhere, we bring fresh talent, ideas, and communities into the ecosystem.
Founders and startups adopting Cardano will generate practical use cases, increase network activity, and drive wallet adoption. Ultimately, this approach builds a stronger, more diverse, and sustainable ecosystem that benefits the entire Cardano community.
Provide a list of key activities of your project:
We’ll launch a national call for applications to attract talented product builders, engineers, and Web3 developers across Nigeria. From this pool, we’ll select the top 20 to participate in the full program.
After the bootcamp, participants will be paired into 10 teams. Each team will spend the next two months building a viable, Cardano-based product. We’ll support them with mentorship, check-ins, and technical guidance throughout.
These 20 developers will be brought together for a hands-on, immersive learning experience focused on Cardano development. We’ll use a gamified curriculum, where participants earn points and rewards for completing tasks, collaborating, and shipping small prototypes.
The full experience, from selection to product launch, will be turned into a high-quality YouTube reality series. We’ll follow the builders, their stories, and their challenges, while also educating and inspiring viewers about Cardano. This brings the ecosystem into the mainstream and shows the human side of Web3 innovation.
Before the final showcase, we’ll host a summit that brings together top founders from Web2 and Web3 to share insights and inspire our builders. The summit will also be aimed at educating these founders about building on Cardano and the benefits. The program will then end with a public exhibition, where all 10 teams will present their final products and receive awards based on creativity, usefulness, and impact.
What are your success metrics?
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
Problem Perception
Cardano has built a strong foundation, but like many emerging ecosystems, it still faces challenges in attracting and retaining active developers, especially in fast-growing regions like Africa. In Nigeria, there's a large pool of talented builders working on real-world solutions, but many are unfamiliar with Cardano's tools or don’t see a clear path into the ecosystem. Most onboarding efforts rely on text-heavy documentation or isolated community platforms, which can feel intimidating or disconnected. What’s missing is a fun, engaging, and rewarding way to learn, build, and belong.
Why This Approach
We’re not trying to reinvent learning, we’re just making it more real, more fun, and more connected to how people actually grow. Nigerian developers don’t need another whitepaper or endless docs. They need to see what’s possible, get their hands dirty, and feel like they’re part of something bigger.
This program brings learning to life. The bootcamp is practical, the rewards make it exciting, and the YouTube series shows the world that Cardano isn’t just for a niche group, it’s for everyone willing to build. By giving builders a platform, community, and real outcomes, we’re not just onboarding them; we’re giving them a reason to stay, grow, and tell others. That’s how ecosystems thrive.
Proposed Solution
We’re creating a new kind of builder experience, one that’s fun, rewarding, culturally visible, and deeply Cardano-native.
Here’s what we’ll do:
Scout and Select Developers in Nigeria
We’ll launch a national call for applications to attract talented product builders, engineers, and Web3 developers across Nigeria. From this pool, we’ll select the top 20 to participate in the full program.
Launch a Two-Month Virtual Product/Mentorship Sprint
Selected participants will be paired into 10 teams. Each team will spend the next two months building a viable, Cardano-based product. We’ll support them with mentorship, check-ins, and technical guidance throughout.
l use a gamified curriculum, where participants earn points and rewards for completing tasks, collaborating, and shipping small prototypes.
Host a One-Week In-Person Bootcamp
These 20 developers will be brought together for a hands-on, immersive gathering where they refine their solutions, collaborate with peers and prepare for the final demonstration. The Bootcamp doubles as a storytelling experience captured and produced as a reality-style YouTube series that documents their challenges, breakthroughs, teamwork and real growth as Cardano builders.
This brings the ecosystem into the mainstream and shows the human side of Web3 innovation.
Organise a Founders Summit + Demo Day
Before the final showcase, we’ll host a summit that brings together top founders from Web2 and Web3 to share insights and inspire our builders. The summit will also be aimed at educating these founders about building on Cardano and the benefits. The program will conclude with a public exhibition, where all 10 teams will present their final products and receive awards for creativity, usefulness, and impact.
Expected Benefits
Developer Adoption: We will onboard 20 new developers and expose hundreds more through applications and outreach.
Ecosystem Growth: We aim to build 10 open-source projects on Cardano to boost activity, expand code availability, and introduce new use cases. From the summit, we will onboard 2,000 new wallets, with the potential to grow to 10,000 wallets over the next two years through the adoption of the products developed during the summit.
Cultural Visibility: The YouTube series will bring Cardano into new spaces and introduce it to thousands of non-crypto audiences across Africa and beyond.
Long-Term Builders: Through mentorship and exposure, we will help promising teams move from idea to MVP to real ventures within the Cardano ecosystem.
Global Replication: The full program will be documented and open for other communities to adapt in their own regions.
The Project Will Target:
Talented developers from web3 dev hubs in Nigeria who have a track record of building digital products but have little to no experience with Cardano.
Builders already active on other chains like Ethereum and Solana who are curious about new ecosystems, but need a reason to switch.
Emerging founders and startup teams who are looking for new infrastructure to build real, scalable solutions.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This project helps Cardano grow in real, lasting ways, not just with hype, but by building people, products, and stories that stick. Here’s what that looks like:
We’re expecting over 500 developer applications across Nigeria. From that pool, we’ll select 20 skilled builders to go through the program. Most already build on other chains. After this experience, many of them will be building their next projects on Cardano, and they’ll bring their communities along too.
At least 10 MVPs will be built and published as open-source projects by the end of the program. These aren’t throwaway hackathon ideas. They’re real tools that others in the Cardano ecosystem can learn from, use, and build on.
At the summit, we’ll onboard 2,000 new wallets as participants engage with the ecosystem. Over the next two years, as the products built during the program gain users, we expect this number to grow to over 10,000 wallets through organic adoption.
Through our YouTube reality series, we’ll be documenting the full journey of these developers (their stories, challenges, and wins), to reach thousands of viewers outside traditional blockchain platforms. That kind of cultural visibility matters for long-term adoption.
We’ll help onboard a new wave of African builders, talented Nigerian developers solving real-world problems. Right now, most of them don’t consider Cardano. This project changes that and brings in perspectives that are often missing in Web3.
The program ends with a public demo day and a founders summit that brings together founders and builders from Web2 and Web3. It gives our teams real exposure, opens doors to future opportunities, and shows the broader world what building on Cardano really looks like.
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’ve spent the last two years building technical communities, onboarding developers, and driving blockchain adoption across Africa. So far, we’ve reached and engaged over 50,000 users on Cardano via the Olympus Insights, including both developers and non-technical contributors. Our team brings deep expertise in developer relations, community engagement, and ecosystem storytelling, and we’re already doing this work both within and beyond the Cardano ecosystem.
Our team includes experienced organisers, builders, and facilitators who’ve contributed to multiple blockchain initiatives. For example, Joseph Pius, one of our core members, is the Nigerian Country Manager for Olympus Insight, a project built on Cardano. Another teammate, Samson Anthony, served on the organising committee of Sandbox 25, a Cardano developer bootcamp that successfully onboarded 100 devs with 25 products going live on Cardano. We bring that same energy and experience to this project.
We’ve hosted and contributed to high-impact events across Nigeria, including:
Olympus Technical Workshops and local meetups
Ibom Blockchain Conference (South-South’s largest tech event), where we served as knowledge partners
Edo Tech Week, Innovate 24/25, and the Lisk Hackathon
These events weren’t just for show, they featured hands-on workshops, panels, and active product building, all of which contribute directly to developer activation.
We’ve also grown Olympus Insight’s presence in Africa, helping to onboard over 50,000 users to Cardano, including both developers and non-technical contributors.
Developer Community Partnerships
We already collaborate with several grassroots developer networks, including:
NACOS (Nigeria Association of Computing Students) -https://x.com/nacosnational
Web3Nigeria -https://x.com/Web3Nigeria
RootHub - https://x.com/Theroothub
Google Developer Group (GDG) - https://x.com/Theroothub
Teen Girls in Blockchain (TGIB) - https://x.com/GirlsBlockchain
Chainspace - https://x.com/ChainspaceHQ
For the Love of DeFi - https://x.com/FTLDOfficial_
These partnerships give us immediate access to engaged technical audiences, physical venues, and co-organising support.
Sustainable, Long-Term Approach
This project is built to seed ongoing developer communities. With mentorship, follow-up support, and content that lives on past the bootcamp, we aim to make Cardano a long-term home for African builders.
Our Commitment to Trust and Transparency
Responsible Fund Management
We work with structured, itemised budgets that undergo internal review before any spending.
We follow a milestone-based disbursement approach,funds are only released as we meet clearly defined goals.
All expenses and receipts are logged and shared in public reports.
We’ll post frequent updates via Twitter, YouTube, and Medium, including milestone completions and event footage.
We’ll share progress reports monthly, with both financial and deliverable summaries.
We will collaborate with trusted community figures and ecosystem veterans for feedback and post-project evaluation.
This provides an extra layer of assurance and insight for the broader Catalyst community.
All selected participants will complete a short but hands-on preparatory course to get familiar with Cardano development tools and terminology.
We’ll bring in Cardano-native mentors (including past Catalyst grantees and contributors) to guide teams in areas like smart contract deployment, UX, and governance.
Thanks to our existing network and partnerships, we already have access to training venues, mentor pools, and local dev communities to ensure a smooth rollout.
Success will be measured through:
Number of MVPs and GitHub submissions
Number of wallets created
Participants retained after bootcamp
On-chain engagement and community involvement
Ongoing mentorship and project growth
Milestone Title
Pre-Launch Phase
Milestone Outputs
Objective: Finalise planning, partnerships, and infrastructure.
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
1
Cost
14132
Progress
10 %
Milestone Title
Call for Applications & Developer Selection
Milestone Outputs
Open public applications through a simple landing page, with eligibility criteria and program overview
Promote call across developer communities, social media, campuses, and partner platforms.
Host info sessions, Twitter Spaces, and live Q&As to clarify the vision and encourage participation.
Review applications and shortlist 20 developers based on motivation, basic skillset, and diversity.
Welcome selected developers and provide pre-bootcamp onboarding materials.
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
2
Cost
13737
Progress
40 %
Milestone Title
Product Development, Mentorship & Community Integration
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
5
Cost
6084
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
Developer Bootcamp, Founders Mixer, Demo Day & Exhibition
Milestone Outputs
Objective: Celebrate progress, showcase projects, and connect developers with the broader ecosystem and create 2,000 wallets.
Key Milestones:
Host the Developer Bootcamp with YouTube Reality Series documentayion
Host Founders Mixer
Speakers from Web2 and Web3 Founders and Builders will be physically.
Talks from Cardano founders and regional partners.
Live demo showcase from all 10 project teams.
Public exhibition and networking between developers, builders, and investors.
Announce and reward the top 3 projects based on innovation, relevance, and usability.
Capture summit highlights for future use (content, PR, case studies).
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Pitch deck of the 10 teams present at the Bootcamp
Attendance records of the team at the summit
Video and photo documentation of the event.
Delivery Month
6
Cost
19979
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Post-Project Reporting & Ecosystem Integration
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
6
Cost
4706
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Consultation fee & payment for training sessions – 3,953 ADA (4 mentors @ 142 ADA per session for 7 sessions), Technical advisors – 2,118 ADA (3 advisors @ 589 ADA per month for 2 months)
Bootcamp lodging (Airbnb) – 5883 ADA
Hall booking for Summit & Exhibition - 589 ADA
Gamified curriculum design - 1589 ADA
Total - 14,132 ADA
Web design & hosting - 942 ADA
Tracking & analytics setup – 236 ADA
Media & Blog partner acquisition - 2000 ADA KOLs and Media Influencers- 4147 ADA
Community partnerships (NACOS, GDG Uyo, Web3Nigeria, Chainspace, TGIB) - 118 ADA Outreach CRM & coordination tools - 235 ADA
Bootcamp branding & Physical starter packs (merch, materials) – 1647 ADA
Pre-booking for Catering & logistics - 4412 ADA
Total - 13737 ADA
Leaderboard development - 2471 ADA
XP & rewards distribution - 2942 ADA
Documentation & reporting - 671 ADA
Total - 6084 ADA
Flights & ground transport - 2,539 ADA
Accommodation - 1,765 ADA
Guest logistics & hospitality - 2942 ADA
Total cash prize for winners
Live stream & recording, AV crew - 1,412 ADA
Booth fabrication - 883 ADA Branding materials - 1206 ADA
Total - 19979 ADA
GRAND TOTAL - 58638 ADA
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
This project offers strong value for money by focusing on a core challenge in the Cardano ecosystem: attracting, educating, and retaining African developer talent with increase in number of wallets created and transactions while making the journey visible and aspirational. With a total budget of 58638 ADA, we’re not just running a bootcamp. We’re launching a full ecosystem activation that combines product building, mentorship, storytelling, and community engagement.
One of the unique value drivers is the reality-style content series that runs alongside the bootcamp. This isn’t just education behind closed doors. We’ll spotlight the personal journeys of selected developers, from application to product launch. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look into the real hustle of African devs (their wins, struggles, pivots, and breakthroughs). Viewers will witness how ideas evolve into Cardano-powered products, and how the ecosystem supports builders through mentorship, technical learning, and collaboration.
This storytelling approach humanises Cardano and makes it relatable to other aspiring devs watching from the sidelines. It also encourages healthy competition and community support within the cohort, as participants will see themselves not just as learners but as role models.
Beyond the bootcamp, the Developer Summit takes things even further. We’ll bring in Web2 founders who are already building successful products and introduce them to Cardano’s infrastructure and funding opportunities. Through live demos, ecosystem showcases, and private workshops, we’ll actively encourage them to explore how they can either transition or extend their solutions to Cardano. It’s not just about the current 20 developers. It’s about inspiring dozens of established builders to join the ecosystem with fresh ideas and working code.
We’re also being deeply intentional about cost efficiency. With our pre-existing partnerships across top developer communities and student bodies in Nigeria, we’re cutting down outreach and venue costs without compromising quality. Instead of spending heavily on visibility, we’re channeling funds toward building long-term value, from reusable curriculums and open-source projects to media content that can be repurposed by Cardano entities worldwide.
When you break it down, we’re spending less than 3,000 ADA per developer to take them from beginner to product launch, while building a content engine that continues to inspire others beyond the immediate cohort. That’s not just cost-effective. It’s a strategic investment in talent, tools, and visibility for Cardano in one of the fastest-growing developer markets in the world.
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
Joseph Pius (Project Manager)
Joseph Pius - Country Manager, Olympus Insights Nigeria | Web3 Growth Strategist & Growth Marketer and Brand Strategist
Joseph Pius is a Web3 strategist, community builder, and marketing consultant currently serving as the Country Manager for Olympus Insights (OLi) in Nigeria. With a rich background in project management, brand consulting, and content strategy, Joseph has been instrumental in driving blockchain adoption and literacy across Africa’s largest economy.
At Olympus Insights Nigeria, Joseph’s marketing acumen and grassroots engagement strategies have successfully onboarded over 35,000 new users onto the Cardano blockchain, leveraging the OLi platform as a catalyst for accessible Web3 education and participation.
Joseph’s journey in the blockchain space spans key leadership roles with XOX Labs and Crivia Labs, a pioneering Web3 gaming and learning platform. His experience bridges both the technical and human sides of Web3 adoption and marketing managing complex projects while crafting relatable narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
Beyond organizational roles, Joseph is the Convener of the EVOLVE Summit, a flagship Web3 empowerment event designed to onboard, educate, and empower newcomers into the Web3 ecosystem. His events are known for their inclusive approach, merging practical education with community-driven engagement to demystify blockchain opportunities for everyday users.
With a solid track record in brand consulting, management consulting, content strategy, technical writing, and social media marketing, Joseph has consistently delivered impactful campaigns that drive user adoption and foster brand loyalty. His holistic understanding of the African Web3 landscape positions him as a strategic asset for projects aiming to scale across emerging markets.
Joseph Pius is not just a builder; he is a catalyst for Web3 mass adoption in Africa, combining visionary leadership with hands-on execution to bridge the gap between tech and people.
Twitter: https://x.com/JosephPius_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-pius-23b59419a/
**Samson Anthony (Community, Content and Partnership Manager) **
Ichie is a dynamic Web3 business development strategist and growth marketer driving blockchain adoption, partnerships, and ecosystem expansion across Africa. Currently serving as Business Development Lead at Victus Global and BitMart Exchange, Ichie works at the intersection of growth strategy, partnership building, and market activation, connecting blockchain, AI, and DePIN projects with market-making, advisory, and OTC services, while also driving Coinstore’s user and partner acquisition in emerging markets.
Ichie is also a Core Contributor with Pyth Network, supporting community growth, strategic awareness campaigns, and ecosystem alignment to expand the reach of one of blockchain’s leading oracle networks.
His impact is exemplified in the success of Sandbox’25, a flagship Cardano hackathon and mentorship program where Ichie spearheaded marketing, partnerships, and mentorship coordination. Through a blend of community partnerships, grassroots activations, and high-impact social campaigns, Sandbox’25 achieved over 150,000 social media impressions, attracted 1,800+ registrations, nurtured 100 mentored teams, and hosted 25 physical teams and 3 virtual teams, culminating in 4 winning projects. The event’s 1-month pre-hackathon mentorship equipped participants with the skills to build real-world Cardano applications, cementing its role as a springboard for African blockchain talent.
Previously, as a Core Team Member at Olympus Insights Nigeria, Ichie’s strategic marketing and community engagement efforts contributed in onboarding over 50,000 new users to the Cardano blockchain through the OLi learn-to-earn platform, making blockchain participation more accessible to everyday Africans.
Ichie stands as a catalyst for Web3 mass adoption in Africa, merging visionary strategy with hands-on execution to connect technology with the people it serves.
Blaise Hilary (Technical Lead)
Blaise Essien is a Web3 professional with over 5 years of experience with a track record of contributing to leading blockchain projects, including Reef, Seascape, Zama, and peaq. At Zama, he serves as a technical tester, identifying and reporting bugs to enhance platform performance. In his role with peaq, Blaise leads community growth initiatives across Africa, building and managing vibrant user networks through strategic events and engagement campaigns. His expertise bridges technical insight and community leadership, driving adoption and delivering impact within the Web3 ecosystem.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaise-hilary/
Ima-Abasi Pius (Digital Media & Design Co-ordinator)
Ima-Abasi is a creative professional with over 5 years of experience in design and digital content, especially in the Web3 and tech space. He has worked with projects like Oasis Network, Reef, and ArenaVS (formerly Arena Games), helping them share their ideas through clear and engaging visuals. From graphics to short videos and social media content, Ima-Abasi enjoys turning project goals into designs that connect with people. In this role, he brings a mix of creativity, attention to detail, and a focus on making sure the project’s message is seen and understood by the right audience.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ima-abasi-pius-5b70a2159/
Portfolio: https://link3.to/NNSEY4WU
Behance Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/mrrpiusz