Please describe your proposed solution.

<u>Main deliverable:</u>

As part of CatalystCon 2023, Stakepool Operators (SPOs) will have a dedicated space, to acknowledge the role play in the Cardano ecosystem, and to offer a platform for discussion, collaboration, and innovation between them.

<u>Project Brief:</u>

CatalystCon 2023 is an annual community-run event that highlights the achievements of Catalyst over the last year, and spotlights notable projects. This is an opportunity for all participants of Catalyst to collectively reflect on the year and to reaffirm our shared mission.

The 2023 edition of CatalystCon will be an immersive, two-day event held in December, with the aim to engage, educate, and inspire the Catalyst community and beyond. Day one will be a spotlight on various projects, featuring live product demonstrations, panel discussions and opportunities for networking.

This proposal is offers SPOs a significant spotlight on the day two of this event, including panel discussions, knowledge sharing sessions, presentations on new tools and platforms, as well as opportunities for networking and collaboration.

This event will also introduce a new component – live, in-person interactions, aiming to foster deeper connections within our community and offer previously unavailable networking opportunities.

<u>Technical Implementation:</u>

We intend to use tried and tested platforms such as Zoom, Slido, and Miro, which we have used successfully in previous events. We will conduct a series of test runs in the weeks leading up to the event to ensure that the technology supports a smooth and high-quality convention experience. Additionally, our team will be on hand throughout the event to manage any technical issues that arise.

How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

<u>Challenge Impact:</u>

Through this proposal, we are creating a dedicated space and event for the Stakepool Operators (SPOs) within the larger Cardano community. This focus on SPOs is currently missing from existing community initiatives, and by integrating them more closely, we can foster a more cohesive, cooperative, and stronger ecosystem for them.

<u>Cardano Impact:</u>

1. More visibility to the role of SPOs, encouraging more people to become involved as operators and indirectly expanding the network of nodes.
2. Enhance the sense of community and foster stronger collaborations, leading to improved solutions, tools, and standards for SPOs.
3. Enhances the robustness, security, and performance of the Cardano network with more participants.

How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

<u>Key Metrics:</u>

• Participation: Number of SPOs attending the spotlight event.
• Growth: Number of interested parties in setting up new stakepools.
• Feedback: Approval rating for the event, obtained via post-event survey.

The short-term benefits of our project will be an increased visibility and appreciation for SPOs. In the long term, the stronger community ties, enhanced SPO tools and practices, and the increase in active SPOs will all contribute to Cardano's productivity and growth.

Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

<u>Proposal Output Timeline:</u>

Outputs and results will be spread over a reasonable timeline using the milestones approach as outlined by Catalyst. Reports on progress will be shared publicly with the Catalyst community through well-known channels.

However, the nature of an event naturally lends itself to a 'one-time output' approach, which will have to be balanced with Catalyst's new milestones-based implementation preference.

Outputs will be shared publicly with the Catalyst community, by way of post-event recordings.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

The Wada team has a proven track record of delivering high-quality events and projects for Catalyst and Cardano, as well as involvement in the SPO community.

Previous work includes the successful organization of the CatalystCon 2022, a 2-day virtual event that brought together over 100 participants from more than 15 countries.

<u>CatalystCon 2022 Highlights</u>

<https://youtu.be/YbxjgrojsX8>

What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

<u>Project Goals:</u>

• At least 20 SPOs in attendance for the spotlight.
• At least 5 new SPOs indicating interest in establishing operations.
• An approval rating from SPO participants over 4 (out of 5).

<u>Validation:</u>

These goals will be validated though a combination of available analytics tools, proof-of-life video evidence and post-event surveys provided to participants.

Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

<u>Proposal Output Timeline:</u>

Milestone 1:

• Task: Outline event plan, confirm team roles, and establish communication channels.
• Success Criteria: Finalized event plan, established team roles, and confirmed tech stack.
• Projected Cost: 10% of total budget.

Milestone 2:

• Tasks: Engage partners and moderators, create schedule, identify proposed speakers, panelists, design marketing campaign, prepare content and website updates.
• Success Criteria: Secured participation agreements, finalized schedule, launched marketing campaigns, and website updates.
• Projected Cost: 25% of total budget.

Milestone 3:

• Tasks: Confirm all SPO speakers, panelists, and product demos, open registrations, and start marketing campaigns across platforms.
• Success Criteria: As above.
• Projected Cost: 15% of total budget.

Milestone 4:

• Tasks: Reconfirm all speakers and panelists, release agenda on social media, run test session.
• Success Criteria: Final confirmations from all participants, successful agenda release, successful completion of test runs.
• Projected Cost: 5% of total budget.

Milestone 5:

• Tasks: Host the event, manage technical execution, ensure smooth event operations.
• Success Criteria: Successful hosting of SPO Spotlight Day with positive attendee feedback.
• Projected Cost: 30% of total budget.

Milestone 6:

• Tasks: Gathering feedback via surveys and team sessions, analyzing the success and impact of the event.
• Success Criteria: Successful collection and analysis of feedback. Understanding the event's impact.
• Projected Cost: 15% of total budget.

<u>Project Management:</u>

Projects are typically managed through a series of video meetings at regular intervals and by utilizing the Google suite of products for documentation, data gathering, reporting and analysis. We typically lay out a detailed plan for each project, detailing the sequential steps in order to track progress, set deadlines, and ensure timely completion of tasks.

<u>Additional notes:</u>

Milestones are expected to be completed over a 3-month period from October to December, with the bulk of the work completed in the month of December.

Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1:

• Deliverable: Finalized event plan, established team roles, and confirmed tech stack.
• Outputs: A team with defined roles, an initial event concept, and a communication plan.
• Intended Outcomes: Formation of a committed team, initial event plan accepted, smooth internal communication.

Milestone 2:

• Deliverable: Secured participation agreements, finalized schedule, designed marketing campaigns, and website updates.
• Outputs: List of engaged partners and moderators, event schedule, marketing materials, and website content.
• Intended Outcomes: Successful engagement of partners and moderators, marketing campaigns.

Milestone 3:

• Deliverable: Confirmed SPO speakers, panelists,, open registrations, and initiated marketing campaigns.
• Outputs: As above.
• Intended Outcomes: Engagement of SPOs, increase in event registrations, wider reach through marketing.

Milestone 4:

• Deliverable: Final confirmations from all participants, successful agenda release, successful completion of test runs.
• Outputs: As above.
• Intended Outcomes: Smooth preparation for the event, anticipation and excitement from the community with the agenda release, assurance of technical stability with successful test runs.

Milestone 5:

• Deliverable: Successful hosting of SPO Spotlight Day.
• Outputs: Live event, media content (photos, videos, articles).
• Intended Outcomes: Increased recognition of the role of SPOs in the Cardano ecosystem, positive attendee feedback.

Milestone 6:

• Deliverable: Feedback report and impact analysis of the event.
• Outputs: Survey results and feedback report.
• Intended Outcomes: Insight into attendee experience, understanding of the event's impact, and guidance for planning future events.

Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

<u>Proposal Budget Breakdown:</u>

• Event planning and Documentation: 6000₳
• Technical Support: 5000₳
• Platform Costs and Third-party Services: 3000₳
• Project Management and Coordination: 15000₳
• Translators, Moderators and Others: 3000₳
• SPO Speakers and Panelists: 12000₳
• Live-event Support: 15000₳
• Administration and Operational Costs: 7000₳
• Marketing and Community engagement: 10000₳
• Contingency: 8000₳
• Total: 84000₳

<u>Fund 10 Milestones Budget</u>

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

<u>Project Team:</u>

This event will be hosted by the Wada team, in collaboration with various partners and translators in order to offer support to a diverse range of participants. Our primary language support is intended to be English, French and Spanish, with potential for more as the event planning progresses.

Josh Fielding - Project Lead + Global Lead @ Wada

Has a combined 10+ years’ experience in fintech and startups, focused on banking, payments and lending across Europe, APAC and African continents. He brings his years of project management and team leadership experience, running teams for Start Up Bootcamp and as an organizer for a Danish enterprise accelerator.

Active member of Catalyst, previous events proposer, successful implementation of Catalystcon 2022 and other similar conferences.

<https://linkedin.com/in/joshfielding>

Mercy A - Coordination Lead @ Wada

Has a combined 25+ years' experience in Project Management and Engagement (West Africa, Canada) Healthcare (UK, Canada) and brings a wealth of experience and passion to this project. Mercy is responsible for Wada coordination, and building partnerships.

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercy-tachie-menson-77b10931/>

Megan Hess - Event Organizer + Education & Events Lead @ Wada

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-hess-5b853292>

Afia Owusu - Event Host + West Africa Regional Lead @ Wada

Holds an MSc degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Lancaster, UK and a BSc. (Hons) in Natural Resources Management, University of Science and Technology (UST), Kumasi, Ghana. She coordinated the Project Wildlife Clubs of African implemented by Birdlife International involving 17 African countries with the major output being information exchange between African Wildlife Clubs and their international counterparts through development of an electronic manual for the mainstreaming of environmental education for participating countries.

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/afia-asamoa-04911816/>

Richmond Oppong - Marketing & Design Lead @ Wada

Richmond is a graphic designer with over 10 years of experience in logo designs, print and poster designs, business card designs, 3D signage, and mounting billboards. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design from Takoradi Polytechnic, Takoradi-Ghana. Richmond is a blockchain enthusiast and is actively part of the Cardano project catalyst community.

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/richmond-oppong-054689b4>

Ezekiel Donkor - Software Developer @ Wada

Has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology and Conservation Science from the University of Ghana. Currently works as a software developer at Wada. Loves to challenge himself to work on new emerging technologies and tools, including blockchain and web3. Currently exploring the Cardano blockchain and all the possible applications in order to build tools and products to contribute to the community at large.

+ Wada network and advisors <https://wada.org/about-us>

Main stakeholder: Wada (<https://wada.org/>)

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

The cost of the project is justified by aligning it with the expected outcomes and impact on the Cardano ecosystem. Each milestone's cost has been determined based on an analysis of the project's requirements and the resources needed to achieve its objectives effectively. Market rates, complexity of tasks, and necessary investments have been considered to ensure that the costs are proportional to the value they bring.

The project's value for money is demonstrated through its potential long-term benefits and positive impact on the ecosystem.The costs are justified by the outcomes, such as increased SPO community engagement, growth of SPO participation in Project Catalyst and expanded awareness of SPO opportunities through public events.

Overall, the project's costs are well-justified and reflect a strategic investment in the growth and success of the Cardano ecosystem.