Slush Collaboration

Get access to the entrepreneur and investor network of the biggest startup event of the year, Slush (www.slush.org).

I coordinate the collaboration between Slush and IOG and function as boots on the ground: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomiastikainen/

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE ENCLOSED PDF MATERIALS that include more details.

A proposed partnership between Slush and Project Catalyst is based on three mutual core objectives.
UNITE PROJECT CATALYST TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MOVEMENT
Together with Project Catalyst, Slush will be the go-to community for blockchain startup ecosystem stakeholders globally.
PURSUE REDEFINED ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Encourage founders and future founders to build purpose-driven companies in the extremely impactful blockchain sector.
SHOWCASE PROJECT CATALYST AS A PROMINENT INNOVATION HUB
Showcase Project Catalyst in a unique way and attract top talents globally

See an intro to Slush in Youtube:

https://youtu.be/ENtFYNq_78U

(Unfortunately due to Corona there was no Slush last year.)

SLUSH 2021 MAIN EVENT, December 1-2, 2021 (costs not part of this proposal)

Slush 2021 will be an intimate, invitation-only gathering of the most brilliant founders, operators, investors and ecosystem thought leaders.

Cardano attendance to the physical main event can be decided later based on the global pandemic situation. It is excluded from this initial plan but can be included if the "Node by Slush" collaboration seems fruitful.

In case of cancellation of the main event, Slush is planning for an online event on the same dates (December 1-2, 2021) that would, to the extent possible, make use of the same event concepts, speakers, and partners. This could suit Project Catalyst and the global Cardano community even better.

Activities included in the proposal:

NODE BY SLUSH MATCHMAKING SPRINTS (12,000 EUR - ca 14,500 USD)

Online Matchmaking Sprints, consisting of a series of Startup-Partner meetings. Slush sets up the meetings based on screening criteria defined together with the Partner.

NODE BY SLUSH MENTORING SESSIONS (8,000 EUR - ca 9,700 USD)

Partner-hosted online Mentoring Sessions focused on hands-on advice on building companies, integrated to the official Node by Slush program. Slush promotes and, if needed, curates the sessions.

COORDINATION COST: (7 months x 400 EUR a month = 2,800 EUR - ca 3,400 USD)

A nominal fee for functioning as the local liaison and coordinator between Slush and Input Output Global.

TOTAL COST: 22,800 EUR - ca 27,600 USD

Potential value-adding services:

• Official announcement as a Slush Partner on Slush Channels, including Slush Weekly Newsletter with a global reach of +70,000 tech aficionados.
• Partner logo visibility in Slush Channels.
• An advertisement in Slush Podcast.
• (There is room for co-innovation and community input: please share your ideas in the comments section).

Public launch date of the partnership: December 1, 2021.
Before that: virtual engagement of the Slush community via "Node by Slush" collaboration.

This partnership can have a huge direct impact on this wicked challenge:

• Cardano will reach thousands of entrepreneurs, volunteers, media representatives bringing in an avalanche of "outside proposers" who "will inject vitality and diversity to the community while increasing the overall quality of proposals."
• "Cardano has ambitious plans to reach 1 billion people. To make this goal a reality, we must attract the brightest entrepreneurs from across the globe and encourage them to submit ideas which will have a positive impact on the ecosystem." Now you can catch the brightest of them in one single event.
• "We must increase brand awareness of Catalyst amongst the entrepreneur community, via multi platform proposer outreach campaigns. From content creation to media coverage, hackathons and live events." This is exactly that, an idea that will attract and engage this audience.

-> Outcome: "Bright entrepreneurs, and specialized firms from across the globe learn about Catalyst and submit high impact proposals."

Key metrics to measure:

• # of articles / videos / blog posts / news about Cardano and Project Catalyst
• # of proposals coming from Slush network
• % of external proposals getting funded
• average rating of the external proposals
• $ flowing into Cardano ecosystem due to contacts created via Slush

Milestones:

• 03 MONTHS: Detailed Partnership Plan ready and approved by IOG.
• 06 MONTHS: First virtual event held and entrepreneur engagement plan ready for the main event in December.
• 12 MONTHS: Cardano rooted as THE blockchain partner in the Slush Network (1,500 entrepreneurs and hundreds of investors).

Progress so far: Discussions between the Slush Partnership Manager and the IOG Commercial Director have already been initiated and initial meetings to discuss details have been set.

DEAR PROJECT CATALYST MEMBER, PLEASE ADD IN THE COMMENTS WHAT IDEAS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR THIS COLLABORATION. THEY WILL BE COMPILED BY THE PROPOSER AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS.