Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution addresses the challenge that many dApp developers face in acquiring end-users, which can be attributed to limited budgets and the absence of a comprehensive platform that connects dApps with Key Opinion Leaders (KoLs) and Key Opinion Consumers (KoCs) on social media. Additionally, there is currently no streamlined solution that supports payment in ADA or the native tokens of the dApps themselves, further complicating the user acquisition process.

<u>Users:</u>

1. Sponsors: These are developers, funded proposers, and dApp publishers within the Cardano ecosystem who seek to grow their user base. They are willing to sponsor campaigns using ADA or native tokens on Cardano to incentivize growth for their products.
2. Referrers: These are individuals who want to earn ADA or native tokens by introducing new users to Cardano-based products. Referrers could include influencers, content creators, or any individual with a strong network interested in promoting dApps.

<u>How Affiso Works:</u>

1. Campaign Creation: A Sponsor, such as a dApp developer or funded proposer, creates a campaign on Affiso. The Sponsor defines the reward structure in ADA or native tokens, and specifies the actions Referrers must drive, such as user sign-ups, transactions, or interactions with the dApp.
2. Referrer Participation: Referrers (KoLs, KoCs, influencers) sign up to the platform and browse available campaigns. Once they select a campaign, they are provided with a unique referral link or code which they can share with their audience across social media or other channels.
3. User Engagement: When users click on the referral link or use the code to engage with the dApp (e.g., by creating an account, completing a transaction, or interacting with smart contracts), their activity is tracked on-chain.
4. Reward Distribution: Upon successful completion of the defined actions, Referrers are automatically rewarded in ADA or the native token defined by the Sponsor. The process is fully decentralized, with transparent tracking via smart contracts to ensure accurate and timely reward distribution.

To see more how Affiso system works, please visit at https://docs.affiso.net/en/usecases

<u>Example:</u>

Imagine a dApp developer, CardanoArt, launching a decentralized art marketplace. CardanoArt wants to attract more artists and collectors to the platform. They create a campaign on Affiso offering rewards in their native token, $ART, for every new artist or collector referred.

A Referrer, @ArtLover123, an influencer in the art community on Twitter, signs up for the CardanoArt campaign. She shares her unique referral link in a tweet promoting the CardanoArt marketplace. When her followers click on the link and sign up as artists or collectors on the platform, their actions are tracked by Affiso’s smart contract.

Once CardanoArt verifies that the new users have successfully registered and listed or purchased art, @ArtLover123 automatically receives her $ART tokens as a reward. This simple and efficient process drives user adoption for CardanoArt while allowing the influencer to earn rewards in a decentralized, trustless manner.

By bridging the gap between these two groups, our platform offers a comprehensive solution that allows dApp developers to connect with influencers who are incentivized to promote their products, while also facilitating easy payments in ADA or the developers’ native tokens.

To demonstrate impact, we will measure the number of new users brought into dApps via this affiliate system, the volume of ADA or native tokens transacted through our platform, and the retention and engagement rates of the new users. Our unique approach not only solves the problem of limited user acquisition channels but also fosters a decentralized marketing economy powered by Cardano.

This solution is vital for Cardano’s growth as it supports the development of a vibrant dApp ecosystem by providing developers with the tools to drive user adoption. Leveraging the power of social media and integrating it with Cardano-native payment methods allows for scalable, organic growth that benefits both developers and influencers, helping Cardano become more widely adopted.

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Affiso, will have a significant positive impact on the wider Cardano community by facilitating a decentralized and scalable way for dApp developers to grow their user bases. By connecting dApp developers (Sponsors) with influencers and individuals (Referrers) who can drive user adoption, we are creating a sustainable growth engine for the entire Cardano ecosystem. This not only boosts on-chain transactions but also strengthens the community by increasing engagement, fostering innovation, and supporting the long-term success of dApps.

<u>Measuring Impact:</u>

We will measure our impact both quantitatively and qualitatively. Key metrics include:

• Number of dApps onboarded: Tracking the number of dApp developers using Affiso to launch campaigns.
• User Acquisition: Monitoring the number of new users and transactions generated through referral campaigns.
• Token Flow: Measuring the volume of ADA or native tokens distributed as rewards.
• Engagement Metrics: Analyzing retention rates and repeat usage by both Referrers and new users.

Qualitatively, we will gather feedback from both Sponsors and Referrers on their experience using Affiso, including ease of use, campaign success, and areas for improvement.

<u>Sharing Outputs:</u>

We intend to share our results and outputs with the Cardano community through various channels. This includes regular updates on Cardano forums and social media platforms, detailed reports on campaign performance and case studies of successful dApp growth through Affiso. Additionally, we will engage with the community by hosting webinars, workshops, and AMAs (Ask Me Anything) sessions to share insights, best practices, and opportunities for collaboration. Our goal is to create a transparent feedback loop, ensuring that the community benefits from the knowledge and success stories that emerge from our platform.

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?

Capability to Deliver the Project with High Levels of Trust and Accountability

Our team brings together a wealth of experience and proven expertise across key areas essential to the successful delivery of the Affiso project. With a diverse background in blockchain development, project management, and user engagement, we are fully capable of executing the project to a high standard.

1. Experienced Leadership: Kim Ngan, as the Project Manager, has extensive experience in managing projects within the Cardano ecosystem. Her role as a dRep and her history of proposal evaluation since Fund7 demonstrate her deep knowledge of the ecosystem. Having been involved in various roles such as vCA, vPA, and CR LV2, she is familiar with delivering projects while maintaining transparency and accountability.
2. Proven Product Management: Nguyen Trung Hau, our Product Manager, has a background in software engineering and has led successful media and advertising ventures. His leadership in product development ensures that Affiso will be developed with a strong focus on user experience and market needs.
3. Technical Expertise: The bWork team, led by seasoned smart contract developers, has a proven track record of delivering Catalyst-funded projects. Their familiarity with Plutus and Aiken ensures that Affiso’s smart contract architecture will be secure, reliable, and scalable.
4. Global User Development: The inclusion of specialists such as Quoc Tuan (South Korea), Khanh Dodo (Japan), and Vu Xuan Thanh (USA &amp; Europe) in user development ensures that Affiso will expand internationally with experienced local leads in key regions.

Validating Feasibility

1. Stage-Gated Development Process: We have outlined a clear development process with milestone-based progress tracking. Each phase of the project is structured with measurable deliverables, allowing us to regularly assess and report progress. This includes beta testing phases for smart contracts and application functionality, user engagement growth, and targeted marketing efforts.
2. Fund Management Processes: We are committed to handling project funds transparently and responsibly. A detailed budget has been created for each milestone, ensuring that costs are well-allocated across development, marketing, and community engagement. Regular financial updates and accountability reports will be shared with the Cardano community. The project team has strong experience in managing budgets from prior funded projects.
3. Technical Validation: Affiso’s smart contracts will undergo third-party code audits to ensure their security and functionality. This step is critical to maintaining trust and ensuring the feasibility of a platform that relies on secure peer-to-peer transactions. The bWork team, with their history in smart contract development, ensures that all technical deliverables will meet the highest standards.
4. User Testing &amp; Feedback: Throughout the project, we will actively engage with the Cardano community, including early adopters, to gather feedback on the platform's usability and functionality. This feedback loop will allow us to refine the product and demonstrate real-world feasibility before a broader launch.

Trust and Accountability

• Transparent Reporting: We will provide regular updates through Catalyst channels, including progress reports for each milestone, ensuring full transparency in how the funds are used.
• Smart Contract-Based Fund Allocation: Using smart contracts to manage payments to participants (such as developers and marketers) ensures automated accountability. Funds are only disbursed when predefined milestones are met, ensuring all deliverables are aligned with the project’s goals.
• Audit and Security: Code audits will be conducted by trusted third-party auditors to guarantee security, making the project trustworthy in the eyes of stakeholders and users.

By utilizing a combination of proven expertise, transparent financial management, and regular community engagement, we are confident in our ability to deliver Affiso with high levels of trust and accountability.

What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Platform Development and Initial Testing

Estimated Time: 80 hours

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Completion of Affiso MVP, including core functionality for campaign creation, referral tracking, and reward distribution.
• Initial integration of Cardano blockchain for payment processing (ADA and native tokens).
• Internal testing of the platform for functionality and bug identification.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• MVP is functional with no critical bugs preventing campaign creation, referral tracking, or reward distribution.
• Successful on-chain testing of ADA and native token payments.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Video demonstration of the MVP in use, showcasing a campaign lifecycle from setup to reward distribution.
• Test results from internal testing, including reports of any identified and resolved bugs.

Milestone 2: Beta Launch and Onboarding of Pilot Users

Estimated Time: 120 hours

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Launch of the beta version of Affiso to a limited number of Sponsors and Referrers.
• Onboarding of at least 10 dApp developers (Sponsors) and 50 Referrers for beta testing.
• Collection of user feedback for platform improvement.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• At least 10 live campaigns are running on the platform with user engagement.
• User feedback is gathered from Sponsors and Referrers to assess the platform's ease of use and functionality.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• User feedback reports summarizing insights and areas for improvement.
• Data on user engagement, including the number of campaigns, active users, and referral transactions.

Milestone 3: Platform Refinement and Full Launch Preparation

Estimated Time: 160 hours

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Platform improvements based on beta user feedback.
• Implementation of additional features such as advanced analytics for Sponsors and enhanced referral tracking for Referrers.
• Marketing and community engagement plan for full platform launch.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• All critical feedback from the beta phase has been addressed and resolved.
• New features are tested and fully operational.
• A comprehensive marketing plan is created and ready for implementation.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Updated platform with new features demonstrated via video or live demo.
• Marketing plan document, including timelines, strategies, and budget.

Milestone 4: Full Platform Launch and User Growth

Estimated Time: 100 hours

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Full public launch of the Affiso platform.
• Onboarding of at least 50 dApp developers and 500 Referrers.
• Implementation of user support and community management infrastructure.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• 50 live campaigns are successfully launched on the platform.
• User support infrastructure, including FAQ, live chat, and helpdesk, is operational.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Public announcement of the platform’s launch.
• User metrics showing campaign activity, user sign-ups, and transaction volumes.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out Report and Video

Estimated Time: 80 hours

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Final project report summarizing the outcomes, user engagement, and lessons learned.
• A video showcasing the Affiso platform, including its key features and success stories from early users.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Submission of the final project report to the community, detailing performance metrics, user feedback, and future plans.
• Video is produced and shared with the Cardano community, highlighting the project’s impact.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Project report document with detailed findings and metrics.
• Published video on Cardano channels and community forums.

Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Kim Ngan (Project Manager)

• Background: Kim Ngan has several years of experience managing online businesses and projects within the Cardano ecosystem. She’s been an active participant since Fund7, serving in various roles such as vCA (vetted Community Advisor), PA (Proposal Assessor), and CR LV2 (Challenge Reviewer). She’s also a registered and trained dRep (Delegated Representative) and holds an excellent CBCA certification from the Cardano Foundation. Her involvement in editing the Vietnamese version of the CBCA course and ongoing participation in evaluating proposals demonstrate her deep understanding of Cardano's ecosystem and governance.
• Role: Manages the overall project, ensuring coordination across all teams and overseeing timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Tiktok: Kim Ngan

Nguyen Trung Hau (Product Manager)

• Background: With a degree in Software Engineering from Open University, Hau is the co-founder and former Vice President of Visual Merchandising Co., Ltd, a company specializing in media, events, and advertising. His professional experience includes managing media campaigns and creative content, making him well-equipped to handle Affiso's media and outreach strategies.
• Role: Oversees media, brand awareness, and marketing strategies, ensuring Affiso reaches a wide audience.
• Facebook: Trung Hau

Quoc Tuan (User Development in South Korea)

• Background: Quoc Tuan is a content creator with significant experience living and working in South Korea. His understanding of the culture and social media landscape, coupled with his network of influencers, makes him an ideal candidate to lead Affiso's growth in the South Korean market. His work spans multiple platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, where he has built a reputation as a trusted voice.
• Role: Develops the user base for Affiso in South Korea by leveraging social media platforms and influencer marketing.
• Tiktok: [Quoc Tuan](<https://www.tiktok.com/<member id='49393' communityId='163'>catalyst</member>_haskell>)

Khanh Dodo (User Development in Japan)

• Background: As a well-established content creator in Japan, Khanh Dodo has cultivated relationships with other influencers and media platforms. His deep understanding of social media dynamics in Japan enables him to engage effectively with Japanese audiences, promoting Affiso and building trust with users.
• Role: Focuses on expanding Affiso’s presence and user acquisition in Japan through strategic social media campaigns.
• Facebook: Khanh Dodo

Vu Xuan Thanh (User Development in USA &amp; Europe)

• Background: Vu Xuan Thanh is an international content creator with experience in producing content for English-speaking audiences on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms. He has successfully collaborated with influencers across the USA and Europe, helping various projects gain traction in these regions.
• Role: Expands Affiso’s reach in the USA and Europe by leveraging his influencer connections and producing content that resonates with local audiences.

bWork Team (Smart Contract Development)

• Background: The bWork team specializes in Plutus and Aiken, with a successful track record of developing blockchain projects funded by Catalyst, such as bWorks.app, cReport, and PaaS. Their experience with decentralized technologies and smart contract development makes them the perfect partner to build Affiso’s secure and scalable infrastructure.
• Role: Develops and audits the smart contracts that form the backbone of Affiso’s peer-to-peer referral and payment systems.
• Telegram: PaaS

An Nguyen (Application Development Manager)

• Background: An Nguyen has extensive experience in managing the development of mobile and web applications. He has successfully led the creation of popular platforms like the Know car rental app. His technical expertise in leading development teams ensures that Affiso’s application will be robust and user-friendly.
• Role: Leads the app development process, ensuring that all technical requirements are met and that the platform operates smoothly and efficiently.
• Telegram: An Nguyen

Cong Chi (Full Stack Developer)

• Background: Cong Chi is an experienced full stack developer with expertise in both front-end and back-end development. He has worked on a variety of applications, focusing on creating secure, scalable, and user-centric platforms. His proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks allows him to adapt quickly and ensure that the Affiso platform performs optimally.
• Role: Builds and integrates the core functionalities of Affiso, ensuring that the platform is reliable, secure, and scalable for global users.
• Telegram: Công Chí

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: 12,000 ADA (14%)

• Project Initiation: Setting up the team, initial meetings.
• Project management: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)
• Legal and accounting fees: 2,000 ADA (2.3%)
• Software and tools (licenses, cloud services): 1,000 ADA (1.2%)
• Initial marketing (website, social media channels): 2,000 ADA (2.3%)
• Initial research and development: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)

Milestone 2: 15,000 ADA (17.4%)

• Infrastructure Development &amp; MVP:
• Product development and smart contract creation: 8,000 ADA (9.3%)
• Code auditing and security assessment: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)
• Community marketing: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)

Milestone 3: 14,000 ADA (16.3%)

• Alpha Product Launch &amp; Community Reporting:
• Quality assurance and progress reporting: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)
• Marketing (video demos, social media campaigns): 4,000 ADA (4.7%)
• User testing &amp; feedback collection: 3,000 ADA (3.5%)
• Customer support and documentation: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)

Milestone 4: 20,000 ADA (23.3%)

• Beta Release and Community Expansion:
• Feature development and expansion: 7,000 ADA (8.1%)
• Marketing and promotions (partnership with KOLs): 5,000 ADA (5.8%)
• Community training and support (events, workshops): 4,000 ADA (4.7%)
• Final security audit: 4,000 ADA (4.7%)

Final Milestone: 25,000 ADA (29%)

• Official Launch and Ongoing Management:
• Major marketing campaigns (launch events): 10,000 ADA (11.6%)
• Long-term maintenance and development: 5,000 ADA (5.8%)
• Ongoing operations and management (technical support, customer care): 5,000 ADA (5.8%)
• Reporting and documentation: 2,500 ADA (2.9%)
• Contingency and risk management: 2,500 ADA (2.9%)

-------------------------------

Total Allocation: 86,000 ADA

No dependencies.

How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The proposed budget for Affiso has been carefully calculated to ensure that each expenditure directly contributes to the successful delivery and impact of the project within the Cardano ecosystem. Here are the key reasons why this project represents excellent value for money:

1.Strategic Allocation of Resources

Each category of our budget—development, marketing, legal, infrastructure—has been allocated to critical tasks that are essential to building and scaling Affiso as a platform that drives user growth for dApps in the Cardano ecosystem. By focusing resources on areas that deliver measurable impact, such as onboarding users, smart contract audits, and community engagement, we maximize the return on investment for the ecosystem.

2. Competitive Costing and Local Industry Standards

The development costs are proportional to industry-standard rates for blockchain engineers, UI/UX designers, and quality assurance professionals. Our development team is based in a country where the average wage for high-skilled developers ranges from ₳10,000 to ₳15,000 per month, which is considerably more cost-effective than many international markets where wages can exceed ₳20,000-₳25,000 for similar roles.

3. Long-Term Benefits and Sustainability

The Affiso platform will benefit the entire Cardano ecosystem by facilitating user growth for dApps and incentivizing engagement through social media influencers. Sponsors—such as dApp developers—will be able to attract new users without needing significant marketing budgets, while referrers can earn ADA or native tokens. This creates a sustainable loop where dApps and users mutually benefit, enhancing Cardano's adoption.

The platform will also operate on a scalable, cloud-based infrastructure with moderate ongoing costs, ensuring that the budget is optimized not just for development but also for long-term sustainability.

4. Market Justification

Given the decentralized nature of Cardano and the need to support user growth for dApps, marketing and community engagement are essential investments. The ₳100,000 allocated to marketing represents value for money, given the scale of impact Affiso is expected to have by connecting dApps with influencers and referrers across social media platforms. We aim to onboard hundreds of referrers and numerous Sponsors, with every transaction on the platform bringing value back to the ecosystem.

5. Cost-Effective Scaling

By designing the Affiso platform with scalability in mind, we ensure that the initial investments will continue to pay off as more dApps and users join the ecosystem. The infrastructure and smart contract architecture can handle growth without requiring significant reinvestment, ensuring ongoing value creation without a proportionate increase in operational costs.

Conclusion

Overall, the costs listed represent excellent value for money due to their direct alignment with Cardano’s ecosystem goals. The Affiso platform will help dApps grow by connecting them to new users via an innovative referral system that is both scalable and sustainable. By leveraging local market rates, focusing on key impact areas, and ensuring the platform's long-term viability, we provide high value to the ecosystem at a reasonable cost.