Last updated a month ago
Cardano's on-chain data is complex to query, creating a barrier for developers. A simple, open API is needed to unlock education data and enable decentralized work applications.
We will build an open gateway to query and process learning and work-related data and transactions, enabling developers to create decentralized learning and distributed work applications easily.
Please provide your proposal title
Andamio API: Gateway to Distributed Work
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
200000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
7
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Cardano's on-chain data is complex to query, creating a barrier for developers. A simple, open API is needed to unlock education data and enable decentralized work applications.
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?
No
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 core API will not be open-sourced. However, the public API will be fully documented using the OpenAPI specification (https://www.openapis.org/what-is-openapi), so Cardano developers can easily understand the endpoints and build learning and work-related applications on top of it.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Identity & Verification
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously launched in the market (whether by you or others).
Unlike generic blockchain APIs that expose raw chain data, this gateway is designed specifically for learning, work, and AI-enabled applications.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
A functional MVP is already in development.
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
Within 12 months of launch, we will track:
On-chain Impact:
Developer adoption and usage:
Reliability and experience:
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
The current barrier to entry for interacting with Cardano’s on-chain data is too high. Developers face challenges:
This API gateway addresses these challenges through a purpose-built, high-performance middleware layer that abstracts blockchain complexity while maintaining the security and transparency of on-chain records.
Why This Approach:
This project will directly engage:
Unlike generic blockchain APIs (Blockfrost, Koios), this API gateway is:
Production Infrastructure:
This API gateway requires enterprise-grade infrastructure to deliver consistently high performance to users. Deploying high-throughput applications on GCP or Azure involves significant ongoing costs:
Monetization & Tier Strategy:
We are implementing a sophisticated monetization strategy for the subscription model and paid tiers:
Development Scope:
While our existing prototype demonstrates core functionality, launching a production-ready public API requires substantial additional work:
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
The API gateway will deliver significant value across multiple dimensions:
1. Developer Enablement & Velocity
Reduced Time-to-Market: Developers save weeks (potentially months) by using production-ready endpoints instead of building blockchain infrastructure from scratch.
Lower Barrier to Entry: Web2 developers can build on Cardano without deep blockchain expertise, expanding the talent pool.
Focus on Innovation: Teams can focus on user experience and unique features rather than reinventing infrastructure.
2. Ecosystem Growth & Decentralization
Third-Party Applications: Anyone can build education or distributed work applications on top of the API, reducing reliance on centralized platforms.
Open Source Contributions: Projects can easily integrate credential and contribution tracking without custom development.
Network Effects: As more applications use the API, the value of the Cardano ecosystem compounds.
3. Governance & DAO Infrastructure
Evidence-Based Decision Making: Provides verifiable proof-of-work and credential verification for governance projects (Catalyst, Intersect, Cardano Foundation).
Transparent Fund Distribution: Enables fair, merit-based grant and fund allocation based on verified contributions.
Accountability Systems: Support on-chain reputation and credential systems, critical to decentralized governance.
4. Strategic Positioning
AI Integration: Positions Cardano as the blockchain of choice for AI-powered educational and work-related applications, a rapidly growing market segment.
Real-World Use Cases: Demonstrates the practical utility of blockchain beyond DeFi, helping drive mainstream adoption.
Competitive Advantage: Differentiates Cardano in the education and work-related sectors, where other blockchains lack specialized infrastructure.
Our impact will be measured through both quantitative and qualitative metrics during the beta and post-launch phases:
Quantitative Metrics (Beta & Launch):
On-Chain Activity: Transaction volume facilitated through the API (course completions, credential issuance, contribution commits).
Application Ecosystem: Number of third-party applications built on the API.
Developer Adoption: Number of registered API users and active developers.
API Utilization: Monthly API request volume and endpoint usage patterns.
System Performance: API uptime percentage, average response times, and error rates.
Commercial Viability: Free-to-paid tier conversion rates and enterprise client acquisition.
Qualitative Metrics:
Ecosystem Impact: Interviews and reports from projects leveraging the API for governance, education, or open-source contribution tracking.
Developer Experience: Satisfaction scores from documentation and API usability surveys.
Community Feedback: Testimonials from developers, educators, and governance projects.
Integration Success Stories: Case studies of applications successfully deployed using the API.
This Proposal's Scope:
The metrics above represent post-launch success indicators. This proposal focuses on building the foundation to enable these outcomes by:
Completing the production-ready infrastructure
Developing comprehensive documentation and developer resources
Implementing the monetization and tier system
Conducting beta testing with early adopters
We will ensure transparency and broad access to project outputs through multiple channels:
Documentation & Resources:
Public API Documentation: Comprehensive, always-updated Swagger/OpenAPI specifications hosted at api-docs.andamio.io.
Developer Guides: Tutorials, inte\gration examples, and best practices published openly.
SDKs & Code Libraries: Open-source client libraries in popular languages (TypeScript).
Community Engagement:
Progress Reports: Regular updates shared through Catalyst reporting, social media (Twitter/X), and Andamio community channels.
Developer Workshops: Live sessions demonstrating API capabilities and helping teams integrate.
Office Hours: Dedicated support sessions for developers building on the API.
Collaboration & Partnerships:
Direct Outreach: We will actively engage with governance projects to demonstrate credential and proof-of-work endpoints.
Education Sector: Partnerships with educational institutions exploring blockchain credentials.
Developer Community: Presentations at Cardano developer events, hackathons, and community meetups.
Open Metrics Dashboard:
Post-launch, we plan to provide a public dashboard showing:
Real-time API usage statistics (anonymized)
Number of applications using the API
Transaction volume facilitated
System uptime and performance metrics
By making outputs freely accessible and actively engaging with the community, we ensure that the benefits of the Andamio API extend far beyond our direct users, contributing to the broader knowledge and capability of the entire Cardano ecosystem.
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?
The Andamio team has been building on Cardano since 2021, establishing themselves as experienced contributors to the ecosystem with a strong track record of delivery.
Strategic Partnerships:
Cardano Foundation Collaboration: We recently collaborated with the Cardano Foundation on strategic initiatives, including the high-profile FC Barcelona partnership, demonstrating our ability to work at the highest levels of the ecosystem.
Community Leadership: Active participants in ecosystem governance and community initiatives across Gimbalabs, Catalyst, and other Cardano organizations.
Production Experience:
The infrastructure and architecture described in this proposal aren't theoretical—they're battle-tested in production:
Live at app.andamio.io: Our platform currently handles real users and on-chain transactions daily.
Months of Refinement: We've continuously improved the system through months of production use, incorporating real-world feedback and optimizations.
Ready to Scale: This proven foundation is now ready to serve as infrastructure for the broader ecosystem, not just our own applications.
Our team possesses deep, hands-on experience across the full technology stack required for this project:
Backend & Infrastructure:
Go & Microservices: Proven ability to build high-performance APIs using Go, as evidenced by our production system.
Database Architecture: Expertise in PostgreSQL for structured data and Redis for high-speed caching, rate limiting, and distributed locking—all running in production today.
DevOps & Security: Implementation of production-grade security practices including distributed locks, rate limiting, and comprehensive monitoring (Prometheus/Grafana).
Cardano Specialization:
Smart Contract Development: Core team members have deep expertise in Plutus smart contract development, and have contributed to Cardano's technical standards.
Blockchain Integration: Extensive experience handling UTXOs, constructing Plutus transactions, and indexing on-chain data through our production platform.
Protocol Development: We designed and deployed the Andamio Protocol smart contracts, demonstrating end-to-end capability from concept to production.
Our approach has been continuously validated through real-world use and community engagement:
Community Feedback:
Active development with ongoing input from developers, educators, and users of the Andamio platform.
Iterative improvements based on real user needs and pain points discovered in production.
Open communication channels with the community through social media, workshops, and direct support.
Stakeholder Collaboration:
Foundation Partnership: Our collaboration with the Cardano Foundation for FC Barcelona partnership validates our technical capabilities and alignment with ecosystem priorities.
Developer Community: Regular engagement with Cardano developers through Gimbalabs and other community initiatives.
Transparent Development:
Public Swagger documentation showing our current API implementation at api-docs.andamio.io.
Open sharing of progress, challenges, and learnings with the community.
Commitment to regular reporting and accountability through Catalyst's established processes.
Experience Matters:
We're not proposing something we hope to build, we're proposing to formalize, harden, and open infrastructure that's already working as a prototype. This significantly reduces technical risk and accelerates delivery.
Sustainable Approach:
Our commercial SaaS model ensures long-term sustainability beyond grant funding, aligning our incentives with delivering a reliable, high-quality service to the ecosystem.
Ecosystem Alignment:
Through our Foundation partnership, Catalyst collaboration, and years of community involvement, we deeply understand the needs of the Cardano ecosystem and are committed to serving them.
Team Composition:
Our multidisciplinary team combines technical expertise (smart contract developers, backend engineers, DevOps specialists) with education experience, governance knowledge, and business acumen—precisely the mix needed for this project.
The question is not whether we can deliver the Andamio API, but when we can make it available to the broader ecosystem. This proposal provides the resources to accelerate that timeline and ensure production-ready quality.
Milestone Title
Architecture Design & Monetization Strategy
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
1
Cost
25000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
Core API Implementation & Authentication
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
3
Cost
75000
Progress
40 %
Milestone Title
Advanced Features & Subscription System
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
5
Cost
65000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
Testing, Documentation & Beta Launch
Milestone Outputs
Acceptance Criteria
Evidence of Completion
Delivery Month
6
Cost
30000
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Project Close-Out & Impact Report
Milestone Outputs
A comprehensive project close-out report will be produced, summarizing all planned and completed deliverables, implementation details, key milestones, and lessons learned, along with recommendations for future iterations and scaling.
We will also produce a polished close-out video that demonstrates the key features of the solution in action, highlights measurable impact using on-chain and off-chain metrics where applicable, and includes brief stakeholder testimonials or narratives to clearly communicate value to funders and ecosystem partners.
Acceptance Criteria
The project close-out report is completed and shared with the Catalyst team, clearly documenting all planned and completed deliverables, actual outcomes versus targets, key learnings, challenges, and recommendations for future improvement or scaling, including references to any relevant on-chain metrics, user adoption data, and sustainability considerations.
A close-out video is produced, clearly demonstrating the key features of the solution, showing how real users or stakeholders interact with it, highlighting measurable impact, and published publicly on at least one accessible platform (e.g., YouTube, project website), with the link included in the close-out report.
Evidence of Completion
Final close-out report shared with the Catalyst team, including link to the publicly published close-out video, references to on-chain/usage dashboards where applicable, and confirmation of receipt/acceptance from the funder or designated ecosystem representative.
Delivery Month
7
Cost
5000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Expected Cost: 25,000 ₳
System architecture and database design [12,000 ₳]
API design and caching strategy [3,000 ₳]
GCP cost estimation and architecture design tools [500 ₳]
Authentication and security architecture review [2,500 ₳]
Technical writing and diagram creation tools (Lucidchart, Miro) [800 ₳]
Public documentation hosting setup [200 ₳]
Project coordination and milestone planning [3,000 ₳]
Stakeholder communication and reporting [1,500 ₳]
Initial community outreach and presentation materials [1,500 ₳]
Expected Cost: 75,000 ₳
API server development (2 developers) [35,000 ₳]
Blockchain indexer integration [5,000 ₳]
Infrastructure deployment and configuration [17,000 ₳]
Compute instances, PostgreSQL, Redis (Month 2-3) [6,000 ₳]
Database setup and configuration [2,000 ₳]
CDN services [800 ₳]
Prometheus, Grafana setup and configuration [1,500 ₳]
Centralized logging services [1,200 ₳]
API documentation development (Swagger/OpenAPI) [4,000 ₳]
Developer guide creation and tutorials [3,500 ₳]
Sprint planning and coordination [3,000 ₳]
Progress reporting and milestone tracking [2,000 ₳]
Developer workshop preparation [1,000 ₳]
Expected Cost: 65,000 ₳
Transaction builders and subscription system (2 developers) [26,000 ₳]
Plutus transaction construction [10,000 ₳]
Admin dashboard interface [8,000 ₳]
Increased capacity for production workloads (Month 4-5) [5,000 ₳]
Database scaling and optimization [1,500 ₳]
Stripe or similar payment gateway API setup and testing (subscription fee) [2,000 ₳]
Cardano transaction construction tools [1,500 ₳]
Payment processing and billing compliance [3,000 ₳]
Terms of service and subscription agreements [2,500 ₳]
Transaction builder API documentation [2,500 ₳]
Subscription management guides [1,500 ₳]
Feature coordination and integration management [1,500 ₳]
Expected Cost: 30,000 ₳
Test suite development [12,000 ₳]
Bug fixes and performance optimization [10,000 ₳]
Beta environment and production infrastructure (Month 5-6) [4,000 ₳]
Complete developer documentation finalization [2,500 ₳]
Video tutorials creation [1,000 ₳]
Beta program promotional materials [2,000 ₳]
Developer outreach and community engagement [2,500 ₳]
Workshop and office hours hosting [1,500 ₳]
Beta program coordination [1,500 ₳]
Feedback collection and analysis [1,000 ₳]
Milestone reporting [500 ₳]
Expected Cost: 5,000 ₳
Close-out report writing and formatting [2,300 ₳]
Professional close-out video creation [2,300 ₳]
Community reporting and impact metrics compilation [400 ₳]
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
Our budget of 200,000 ADA is based on a bottom-up estimate of the hours required by our distributed global team. We have benchmarked our rates against typical freelance rates in the crypto industry to ensure competitiveness:
The primary value proposition is shared infrastructure. Currently, any developer wanting to build a robust educational or governance app on Cardano faces a "capex barrier" of building their own indexer and transaction handling logic.
Unlike many grant-funded projects that return for "maintenance funding," this project is designed to be self-sustaining after 6 months.
We provide critical "missing middle" infrastructure for the Learn & Work sector.
I confirm that evidence of prior research, whitepaper, design, or proof-of-concept is provided.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes ecosystem research and uses the findings to either (a) justify its uniqueness over existing solutions or (b) demonstrate the value of its novel approach.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal demonstrates technical capability via verifiable in-house talent or a confirmed development partner (GitHub, LinkedIn, portfolio, etc.)
Yes
I confirm that the proposer and all team members are in good standing with prior Catalyst projects.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal clearly defines the problem and the value of the on-chain utility.
Yes
I confirm that the primary goal of the proposal is a working prototype deployed on at least a Cardano testnet.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal outlines a credible and clear technical plan and architecture.
Yes
I confirm that the budget and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic for the proposed work.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes a community engagement and feedback plan to amplify prototype adoption with the Cardano ecosystem.
Yes
I confirm that the budget is for future development only; excludes retroactive funding, incentives, giveaways, re-granting, or sub-treasuries.
Yes
I Agree
Yes
The Andamio Team
James Dunseith is a Teacher, Coach, Smart Contract Developer and Facilitator with broad experience as a creator of learning experiences. In the classroom and at ed-tech startups, James led the adoption of student-centered and project-based learning models. James is a co-founder of Gimbalabs, where he writes educational content and facilitates open governance of the community. James leveraged his expertise in learning design and community engagement at Andamio.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dunseith-0135651/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesdunseith
GitHub: https://github.com/workshop-maybe
M. Ali Modiri is a security & Smart Contract Specialist, bringing a diverse skill set, merging his background in mechatronics, cybersecurity, and blockchain. A former malware analyst and penetration tester, he excels in identifying and mitigating digital threats. Ali's programming expertise spans from low-level languages like Assembly and C to high-level languages such as Golang and JavaScript. As a specialist in Plutus smart contract development, Ali is an active contributor to the Cardano community, notably as a member of the Cardano Certification Group and author of CIP 96. His focus is on advancing blockchain security and helping humanity through technological innovation.
GitHub: https://github.com/MIxAxIM
Adrian Hütter, Smart Contract Developer, is a career changer in the field of civil engineering. He taught himself programming, which now helps him leverage the rapidly changing Cardano smart contract platform. He began his Cardano journey with the first cohort of the Plutus Pioneer Program and shortly after discovered Gimbalabs, where he has been a member ever since. Adrian specializes in Plutus smart contracts and is always looking for new ways to use them. He strongly believes in open source and the power of small communities with the right tools.
Github: https://github.com/adrian1-dot
Sebastian Pabon, Educator, and Facilitator. Gimbalabs core contributor, Intersect Open Source committee member. Co-founder of Andamio. His work revolves around making developers, entrepreneurs, students, and communities worldwide aware of the option of accessing systems built on Cardano.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seb-pabon/