Please describe your proposed solution

Please describe your proposed solution:

• We will create an on-chain investment arm with Plug and Play Ventures using Clarity infrastructure. Cardano needs a way to attract VC investment investment to projects building in the ecosystem. This investment arm will empower high-potential projects through strategic funding, driving growth and adoption. With this proposal, our aim is to entice VCs to get involved in the Cardano Ecosystem. By partnering with a high profile Venture Capital Firm to be an example and case study for other VCs to enter the space.

How do you perceive the problem you are solving?

• The Cardano ecosystem has high-potential projects that require capital and visibility to reach broader adoption. We, Cardano, need a way to get attention of VCs. Due to Cardano not giving a bunch of VCs tokens at launch we have to find other ways, like this to get them involved. If we can incentivize a couple of early movers to enter and set up operations in the Cardano Ecosystem, we can start a wave of firms getting interested with less and less incentive.

What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have?

• By partnering with Plug and Play, a global investment firm and tech center with over 500M Assets Under Management, we want to start a wave of firms getting interested in investing in the Cardano Ecosystem. As builders in the ecosystem, we understand that obtaining investments in the Cardano Ecosystem is not easy and due to the lack of incentive VCs have been given to enter the ecosystem, we need to provide a case study with a reputable firm to entice others to join.

Who will your project engage?

• Plug and Play Ventures, high-potential Cardano projects, developers, entrepreneurs, and the broader Cardano community. This high-profile announcement would also incentivize entrepreneurs outside of Cardano to build within the Cardano Ecosystem.

How will you demonstrate or prove your impact?

• Our impact will be proven through measurable project growth, transparent on-chain metrics, and comprehensive community feedback.

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

In what way will the success of your project bring value to the Cardano Community?

• One way this proposals brings value is it will drive ecosystem growth by funding innovative projects, bringing greater adoption and ecosystem credibility. Additionally, our aim is to start a movement of VC firms entering the Cardano Ecosystem once they have seen others have success. By opening the doors and providing an example for VCs, we believe great value will be brought to the Cardano Ecosystem.

How will you measure this impact?

• Impact will be measured through funded project growth metrics, dollars invested in Cardano projects, adoption rates, and community engagement metrics.

How will you share the outputs and opportunities that result from your project?

• We will provide transparent reporting through case studies, public reports, and on-chain tracking tools.

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 Clarity Foundation has been at the forefront of developing governance and treasury management infrastructure for the Cardano ecosystem. Our proven experience in building scalable solutions has empowered decentralized projects and supported community growth. Additionally, the direct involvement of the head of crypto at Plug and Play Ventures ensures strategic alignment, industry insight, and credibility. Our combined expertise will be demonstrated through the successful deployment of a pilot phase, engagement with key stakeholders, and transparent reporting and iteration cycles throughout the project lifecycle.

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

Milestone 1: Milestone 1: Implementation Planning (3 Months)

Budget Allocation: 50,000 ADA

• Milestone Outputs:
• Formalized partnership agreements.
• Project roadmap with timelines and key deliverables.
• Stakeholder communication and engagement plan.
• Initial technical implementation plan for the on-chain infrastructure.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• All partnership agreements signed and documented.
• Project roadmap approved by key stakeholders.
• Clear and actionable stakeholder communication plan in place.
• Initial technical implementation design reviewed and approved by relevant persons.
• Evidence of Milestone:
• Signed partnership agreements
• Documented project roadmap
• Approved technical implementation plan

Milestone 2: Milestone 2: Internal Beta Implementation (2 Months)

Budget Allocation: 100,000 ADA

• Milestone Outputs:
• Beta testing environment established using Clarity’s on-chain infrastructure.
• Governance token distribution to relevant stakeholders.
• Testing conducted with selected partners.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful deployment of the beta environment.
• Collection of feedback from all participating partners.
• Governance token distribution confirmation.
• Evidence of Milestone:
• Beta environment deployment proof.
• Test completion reports and feedback forms.
• Governance token distribution confirmation.

Milestone 3: Milestone 3: Full Launch of the On-Chain Investment Arm (2 Months)

Budget Allocation: 150,000 ADA

• Milestone Outputs:
• Put money in the DAO treasury to be invested in Cardano projects. On-chain investment arm officially deployed and operational.
• Community engagement initiatives conducted.
• Marketing campaigns executed.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• On-chain investment functionality verified and fully operational.
• Successful completion of public launch events/activities.
• Evidence of community engagement (e.g., user interactions, forums, etc.).
• Metrics from marketing campaigns showing reach and engagement.
• Evidence of Milestone:
• Deployment of the investment arm.
• Marketing campaign performance reports.
• Community engagement data (forum posts, surveys, etc.).

Milestone 4: Milestone 4: Cardano Project Pitch Competition (3 Months)

Budget Allocation: 100,000 ADA

• Milestone Outputs:
• In-person pitch competition organized and promoted.
• Submission and evaluation process for Cardano projects.
• Selection of winning project(s) for investment.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful hosting of the competition with a minimum of 10 project submissions.
• Announcement of winning project(s).
• Evidence of Milestone:
• Competition promotional materials.
• Event hosted and documented.
• Documentation of winner(s) announcement and selection process.

Milestone 5: Milestone 5: First Investment Made by Plug and Play (1 Month)

Budget Allocation: 25,000 ADA

• Milestone Outputs:
• Initial investment into selected project(s).
• Tracking and reporting tools for investment performance established.
• Ongoing engagement and mentorship initiated.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Transfer of investment funds to selected project(s).
• Confirmation of tracking and reporting tool functionality.
• Initial mentorship sessions conducted with documented plans for follow-up.
• Evidence of Milestone:
• Transaction records of investment.

Final Milestone: Milestone 6: Case Study Report and Close-out Report (1 Month)

Budget Allocation: 75,000 ADA

• Milestone Outputs:
• Comprehensive report on project results.
• In-depth interviews with key stakeholders.
• Insights and recommendations for future investment strategies.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion of case study and close-out report.
• Inclusion of feedback from all major stakeholders.
• Evidence of Milestone:
• Finalized case study and close-out report.
• Stakeholder feedback forms and recommendation validation documents/media.

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

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

Plug and Play (PNP): PNP is a Global Venture Capital Firm with over 500M AUM. They invest in over 250 start-ups a year and have a specific arm for crypto investments. PNP runs accelerator programs in over 50 locations world wide and has a large network of corporate partners/investors that entrepreneurs will be able to tap into.

Clarity: Clarity is a governance and treasury management infrastructure provider that has been building in the Cardano ecosystem for the last 3 years.

Maximillian Jungreis: Head of Crypto & Digital Assets at Plug and Play Ventures

• Focuses on enterprise adoption in Web3 and blockchain innovations.

Logan Panchot: CEO of Clear Contracts Inc. and cofounder of Clarity

• Stanford graduate with expertise in Web3 innovation and organizational strategy.

Justin Scheiner: COO of Clear Contracts Inc. and cofounder of Clarity

• Full-stack developer and computer science major with deep expertise in blockchain tech.

Matt Laux: Founding Engineer of Clear Contracts Inc. and Clarity DAO member

• Full-stack developer with experience in mechanical engineering and software development.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The total requested funds amount to 1,500,000 ADA, distributed as follows:

• 1,000,000 ADA will be deposited directly into the on-chain investment arm treasury to provide capital for high-potential Cardano projects.
• 500,000 ADA will be allocated across milestone activities, supporting marketing, technical development, community engagement, and project validation efforts.

Our success depends on Plug and Play Ventures' collaboration, bringing their global reach, investment experience, and leadership in Web3 and enterprise adoption.

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

In 2024 Crypto/blockchain VC firms invested $8,000,000,000 (8 BILLION!) into industry start ups. The amount of this investment that was allocated to the Cardano Ecosystem is too low. By partnering with Plug and Play Ventures, which has about $500,000,000 in assets under management, the Cardano ecosystem can begin to attract this whole maket that deploys billions of dollars in capital into companies and projects each year.