Please describe your proposed solution.

Extend our existing DAO infrastructure to enable Agora DAOs to stake treasury assets to Stake Pools to further decentralize and secure the Cardano Network. We will make this possible for non-technical users by creating a proposal template for DAOs create a proposal that will stake treasury assets to a Stake pool after going to a community wide vote for approval.

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

Success for this challenge states “There are no better ways to manage your DAO than to use Cardano DAOs.” By extending the Clarity DAO infrastructure (<https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/9/f9-daos-less3-cardano/clarity-dao-infrastructure>) to enable DAO treasuries to stake to SPOs we are continuing on our mission to create the best DAO tooling in the web3 ecosystem.

Empowering DAOs to stake their funds directly to Stake Pools promotes further decentralization of the Cardano network. By enabling DAO treasuries to participate in the staking process, we aim to increase overall stake and allow DAOs to earn yield by staking, thereby reinforcing network security and fostering a more robust ecosystem. This solution aligns with our commitment to embracing decentralized governance principles and actively contributing to the advancement of the Cardano network.

These integrations will also help improve the key metrics of the challenge by increasing the number of communities and projects engaged in collaboration using Cardano DAO creation tools, increasing the amount of ADA coming from DAOs transaction fees, increasing the number of DAOs that use Cardano as a governance/management chain, and increasing the number of DAO toolsets available for DAO ops.

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

To measure the success of our DAO-Owned Staking Key project, we will track the following metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs):

Adoption and Participation:

• Number of DAO treasuries actively utilizing the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature to participate in DeFi protocols.
• Rate of adoption among different types of DAOs (e.g., industry-specific DAOs, community-driven DAOs).

Total Value Locked (TVL):

• Total value of assets staked by DAO treasuries in stake pools using the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Growth rate of TVL from DAO treasuries participating in staking through the implemented feature.

Return on Investment (ROI):

• Calculation of staking rewards earned by DAO treasuries using the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Comparison of ROI for DAO treasuries utilizing the feature against alternative investment options.

Security and Trust:

• Number of successful staking transactions conducted by DAO treasuries using the DAO-Owned Staking Key, without any security incidents or breaches.
• Feedback and satisfaction levels of DAO treasuries regarding the security and reliability of the feature.

Community Engagement:

• Level of engagement and feedback from the Cardano community regarding the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Participation in community forums, discussions, and feedback channels related to the implemented feature.
• Incorporation of community suggestions and improvements into future iterations of the feature.

Ecosystem Growth and Decentralization:

• Number of new stake pool operators (SPOs) onboarded due to increased stake delegation from DAO treasuries.
• Percentage increase in the total number of stake pools as a result of the involvement of DAO treasuries.
• Analysis of the impact on Cardano's decentralization metrics, such as stake distribution and pool diversity.

By monitoring and analyzing these metrics, we will assess the effectiveness and impact of the DAO-Owned Staking Key project. This data-driven approach will enable us to make informed decisions, identify areas for improvement, and ensure the long-term success and growth of the feature within the DAO infrastructure.

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

We are committed to transparently sharing the outputs and results of our DAO-Owned Staking Key project with the community and stakeholders. Our plans for sharing include:

Documentation and Guides:

• We will create comprehensive documentation and user guides that explain the functionality and benefits of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature in a non-technical manner.
• These resources will outline step-by-step instructions on how to utilize the feature and participate in staking using the Clarity platform.
• The documentation will also cover the process of creating on-chain proposals using the Clarity platform and highlight the automatic execution mechanism upon community approval.

Community Engagement:

• We will actively engage with the Cardano community through various channels, such as forums, social media platforms, and community meetups.
• We will host dedicated Q&A sessions and webinars to address questions, provide clarifications, and gather feedback from the community regarding the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• This engagement will foster open dialogue, encourage participation, and ensure that the community remains informed and involved in the project.

On-Chain Proposals and Voting:

• Leveraging the capabilities of the Clarity platform, we will create an on-chain proposal detailing the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature and its implementation.
• The proposal will include all relevant information, such as the benefits, technical details, and expected outcomes.
• Community members will have the opportunity to review and vote on the proposal directly on the blockchain, ensuring a transparent and decentralized decision-making process.
• If the proposal receives community approval, the execution will be automated, and the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature will be implemented accordingly.

Regular Updates and Reports:

• We will provide regular updates and progress reports on the implementation of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• These updates will outline milestones achieved, key insights gained, and any adjustments made based on stakeholder feedback and community engagement.
• The reports will also include relevant metrics, such as adoption rates, TVL growth, and community sentiment, to showcase the impact and success of the project.

By employing these communication and engagement strategies, we aim to foster transparency, community involvement, and accessibility, enabling both technical and non-technical users to understand and actively participate in the DAO-Owned Staking Key project.

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

Our team has a proven track record of delivering on proposals within the Cardano ecosystem, as demonstrated by our past participation and successful outcomes in Cardano Project Catalyst. We understand the significance of trust and accountability in executing projects, especially when it involves sensitive aspects such as DAO treasuries and staking.

Notably, we have succeeded in delivering on the Clarity DAO Infrastructure proposal passed in fund9. https://projectcatalyst.io/funds/9/f9-daos-less3-cardano/clarity-dao-infrastructure

We created a hosted web platform to interact with the Agora governance module and extended Agora to provide premium features to DAOs. With this platform, event non technical users can create a DAO with custom governance rules, create a smart contract proposal that automatically executes, and cast on-chain votes in DAOs.

Here's how our team ensures high levels of trust and accountability in project delivery:

Experience and Expertise:

• Our team members possess extensive experience and expertise in their respective domains, including decentralized governance, smart contract development, UI/UX design, and Cardano ecosystem integration.
• We have a deep understanding of the underlying technology and best practices, enabling us to make informed decisions and deliver reliable solutions.

Transparent Communication:

• We prioritize transparent and open communication with all stakeholders, including the Cardano community, DAO organizations, and project funders.
• We provide regular updates, progress reports, and hold interactive sessions to address questions, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with project goals.

Commitment to Documentation:

• We recognize the importance of thorough documentation to maintain transparency and accountability.
• Our team produces comprehensive documentation, including technical specifications, user guides, and project reports, which are made available to stakeholders to review and verify the project's progress.

Community Engagement:

• We actively engage with the Cardano community to foster trust and accountability.
• Through community meetups, forums, and social media channels, we encourage open dialogue, gather feedback, and incorporate community perspectives into our decision-making processes.

Adherence to Best Practices and Standards:

• We follow industry best practices, adhere to established standards, and conduct thorough testing and security audits to ensure the reliability and robustness of our solutions.
• We prioritize the security of DAO treasuries and stake pool operations, implementing safeguards and risk mitigation strategies to protect funds and maintain trust.

Past Success and References:

• Our successful track record in delivering on previous proposals in Cardano Project Catalyst serves as a testament to our ability to fulfill our commitments and achieve desired outcomes.
• We can provide references and testimonials from previous collaborators, stakeholders, and community members to vouch for our trustworthiness and accountability.

By combining our experience, transparent communication, documentation practices, community engagement, adherence to standards, and past successes, we are confident in our capability to deliver the proposed project with high levels of trust and accountability.

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

The main goals for the project are as follows:

1. Enable DAO treasuries to stake their funds directly to Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) and participate in the proof-of-stake consensus mechanism.
2. Enhance network security by increasing the overall stake, thereby deterring malicious attacks.
3. Promote decentralization by encouraging wider participation from various stakeholders.
4. Create an additional revenue stream for organizations by allowing them to earn staking rewards.
5. Maintain flexibility and control for organizations over their staked assets.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will undertake the following steps:

Research and Analysis:

• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of existing staking protocols, networks, and their integration capabilities.
• Assess the technical requirements and potential challenges associated with implementing the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Analyze the feasibility of generating secure staking keys and ensuring the integrity and protection of the staked funds.

Prototyping and Proof of Concept:

• Develop a prototype of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature to demonstrate its functionality and feasibility.
• Implement a limited-scale testing environment to validate key features, such as key generation, stake delegation, and reporting.

Stakeholder Feedback and Engagement:

• Collaborate with organizations associated with the DAO to gather their feedback and requirements regarding the proposed feature.
• Conduct surveys or interviews to understand the level of interest and potential adoption of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback and iterate on the design and implementation based on their input.

Risk Assessment:

• Identify potential vulnerabilities, loopholes, or risks associated with the generation and management of DAO-owned staking keys.
• Address the identified issues and implement necessary measures to ensure the security and integrity of the staked funds.

Performance and Scalability Testing:

• Simulate various scenarios to evaluate the performance and scalability of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Assess the ability of the infrastructure to handle increased stake delegation, reporting requirements, and potential future growth of the DAOs.

Pilot Deployment and Evaluation:

• Select a subset DAOs and SPOs to participate in a pilot deployment of the feature.
• Monitor and evaluate the pilot deployment to assess the usability, functionality, and impact of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Gather feedback from participating organizations to identify any additional improvements or refinements needed.

Based on the outcomes of these validation steps, we will be able to determine the feasibility of the proposed approach. Any necessary adjustments or refinements can be made to ensure a successful and reliable implementation of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature within the existing DAO infrastructure.

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.

Milestone: Research and Analysis

• Tasks:
• Evaluate existing staking protocols and networks (2 weeks)
• Identify technical requirements and challenges (1 week)
• Analyze key generation and fund protection mechanisms (1 week)
• Expected Timeline: 4 Weeks

Milestone: Prototyping and Proof of Concept

• Tasks:
• Develop a prototype of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature (2 weeks)
• Implement limited-scale testing environment (1 weeks)
• Expected Timeline: 3 Weeks

Milestone: Stakeholder Feedback and Engagement

• Tasks:
• Gather feedback and requirements from organizations within the DAO (2 weeks)
• Conduct surveys or interviews with stakeholders (2 weeks)
• Iterate on design and implementation based on stakeholder input (2 weeks)
• Expected Timeline: 2 Weeks

Milestone: Performance and Scalability Testing

• Tasks:
• Simulate various scenarios to evaluate performance (4 weeks)
• Assess scalability under increased stake delegation (2 weeks)
• Expected Timeline: 4 Weeks

Milestone: Pilot Deployment and Evaluation

• Tasks:
• Select organizations for pilot deployment (2 weeks)
• Monitor and evaluate the pilot deployment (4 weeks)
• Gather feedback and identify refinements (2 weeks)
• Expected Timeline: 6 Weeks

Milestone: Finalize Implementation and Documentation

• Tasks:
• Implement refinements based on pilot feedback (4 weeks)
• Prepare comprehensive documentation and educational resources (2 weeks)
• Expected Timeline: 4 Weeks

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

Milestone: Research and Analysis

• Deliverables:
• Evaluation report of existing staking protocol and network.
• Documentation of technical requirements and challenges.
• Analysis on key generation and fund protection mechanisms.
• Outputs:
• Clear understanding of available staking protocol and network.
• Identification of technical considerations for implementing the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Assessment of key generation and fund protection mechanisms.
• Intended Outcomes:
• Informed decision-making regarding the implementation approach.
• Identification of potential risks and challenges, allowing for proactive mitigation strategies.

Milestone: Prototyping and Proof of Concept

• Deliverables:
• Functional prototype of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Testing environment for limited-scale testing.
• Outputs:
• Working prototype demonstrating key functionalities.
• Testing environment to validate key features.
• Intended Outcomes:
• Verification of the technical feasibility of the proposed feature.
• Identification of any usability or functionality issues that require refinement.

Milestone: Stakeholder Feedback and Engagement

• Deliverables:
• Feedback and requirements gathered from organizations within the ecosystem.
• Survey or interview findings from stakeholders.
• Updated design and implementation based on stakeholder input.
• Outputs:
• Consolidated feedback and requirements from DAO organizations.
• Insightful survey or interview findings reflecting stakeholder perspectives.
• Revised design and implementation reflecting stakeholder input.
• Intended Outcomes:
• Alignment of the proposed feature with the needs and expectations of DAO organizations.
• Enhanced user experience and adoption potential based on stakeholder feedback.

Milestone: Performance and Scalability Testing

• Deliverables:
• Performance testing results and analysis.
• Scalability assessment report under increased stake delegation.
• Outputs:
• Detailed performance testing results.
• Assessment of scalability under different scenarios.
• Intended Outcomes:
• Optimization of the feature's performance to ensure responsiveness and efficiency.
• Understanding the feature's scalability limits and potential bottlenecks.

Milestone: Pilot Deployment and Evaluation

• Deliverables:
• Selection criteria for participating organizations in the pilot deployment.
• Evaluation report on the pilot deployment.
• Refined design and implementation based on pilot feedback.
• Outputs:
• Participating organizations for the pilot deployment.
• Analysis of the pilot deployment results.
• Iterated design and implementation reflecting pilot feedback.
• Intended Outcomes:
• Real-world validation of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Identification of any issues or improvements required for successful adoption.

Milestone: Finalize Implementation and Documentation

• Deliverables:
• Refined and finalized implementation of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Comprehensive documentation and educational resources.
• Outputs:
• Completed implementation of the feature with refinements based on pilot feedback.
• Documentation and educational resources guiding organizations on using the feature effectively.
• Intended Outcomes:
• Deployment-ready DAO-Owned Staking Key feature.
• Empowered organizations with the necessary information to leverage the feature for staking and rewards.

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

Amount of hours estimated to complete 335 hours.

=========================

Cost per hour $60

=========================

335 x 60 = $20,100

=========================

Total cost of 67,000 ADA (Assuming ADA is $.3)

67,000 x .3 = $20,100

================

Milestone: Research and Analysis

• Tasks (Estimated time):
• Evaluate existing staking protocols and techniques (20 hours)
• Identify technical requirements and challenges (20 hours)
• Analyze key generation and fund protection mechanisms (20 hours)

===========================

Milestone: Prototyping and Proof of Concept

• Tasks:
• Develop a prototype of the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature (40 hours)
• Implement limited-scale testing environment (25 hours)

==============================

Milestone: Stakeholder Feedback and Engagement

• Tasks:
• Gather feedback and requirements from organizations within the DAO (10 hours)
• Conduct surveys or interviews with stakeholders (20 hours)
• Iterate on design and implementation based on stakeholder input (20 hours)

===========================

Milestone: Performance and Scalability Testing

• Tasks:
• Simulate various scenarios to evaluate performance (40 hours)
• Assess scalability under increased stake delegation (20 hours)

==========================

Milestone: Pilot Deployment and Evaluation

• Tasks:
• Select organizations for pilot deployment (20 hours)
• Monitor and evaluate the pilot deployment (10 hours)
• Gather feedback and identify refinements (10 hours)

===========================

Milestone: Finalize Implementation and Documentation

• Tasks:
• Implement refinements based on pilot feedback (40 hours)
• Prepare comprehensive documentation and educational resources (20 hours)

==========================

TOTAL HOURS: 335

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

The Clarity Protocol represents a collaboration between two esteemed entities, Clear Contracts and MLabs. Our team comprises talented individuals who possess a diverse range of expertise and a shared commitment to delivering on this proposal. Allow us to introduce the key members and outline their qualifications:

1. Logan Panchot: As a co-founder of Clear Contracts, Logan spearheads business development efforts. His deep-rooted belief in the significance of decentralized governance and finance fuels his dedication to creating transparent and resilient organizations operating on decentralized systems. Logan recently completed his studies at Stanford University, majoring in Science, Technology, and Society with a concentration in innovation and organization.
2. Justin Schreiner: Serving as a co-founder of Clear Contracts, Justin brings his extensive experience in UI/UX development to the team. With a full-stack development background, he possesses a solid track record of successfully delivering Cardano dApps over the past two years.
3. Matt Laux: Joining Clear Contracts as an Engineer, Matt assumes responsibility for smart contract and front-end integrations. His proficiency as a full-stack developer has been instrumental in various projects, including the creation of a lightweight snapshot voting app for Cardano Projects and the Clarity Protocol. Matt has been an invaluable addition to the team, contributing his expertise for the past eight months.
4. Tomasz Maciosowski: Leading the Plutus development efforts for the Clarity team, Tomasz boasts over a year of experience as the Plutus lead on the project. With a robust background in building on Cardano and two years of experience in the field, Tomasz plays a crucial role in ensuring the success and innovation of the Clarity Protocol.

Together, this skilled and dedicated team combines their expertise in business development, UI/UX development, smart contract integration, and Plutus development to drive the implementation and delivery of the proposed features. With their collective experience and passion for decentralized systems, the team is poised to bring the Clarity Protocol to fruition and advance the future of decentralized governance and finance.

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

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem through the following factors:

Enhanced Functionality and Features:

• The proposed DAO-Owned Staking Key feature expands the capabilities of the existing DAO infrastructure, allowing DAO treasuries to actively participate in stake pool operations.
• By enabling DAO treasuries to stake their funds, the Cardano ecosystem benefits from increased stake distribution, improved network security, and a more decentralized network.
• This added functionality enhances the overall value proposition of the Cardano ecosystem, attracting more participants and fostering a robust and inclusive network.

Increased Stakeholder Engagement:

• The project promotes active involvement of DAO treasuries in DeFi activities, enabling them to earn staking rewards and participate in the growth of the ecosystem.
• This engagement fosters a sense of ownership and incentivizes stakeholders to actively contribute to the Cardano ecosystem.
• By providing tangible benefits and opportunities for DAO treasuries, the project encourages greater participation, collaboration, and long-term commitment from stakeholders, further enhancing the value of the ecosystem.

Strengthened Governance and Decentralization:

• The ability for DAO treasuries to stake their funds aligns with the principles of decentralized governance, as it promotes a more inclusive decision-making process.
• With increased stakeholder participation and representation, the Cardano ecosystem benefits from a diverse range of perspectives, fostering more balanced and informed governance decisions.
• This strengthened governance framework enhances the resilience and adaptability of the ecosystem, ultimately delivering value by ensuring the network evolves in a sustainable and decentralized manner.

Sustainable Growth and Long-Term Viability:

• By integrating the DAO-Owned Staking Key feature, the project contributes to the sustainable growth and long-term viability of the Cardano ecosystem.
• The increased stake distribution and active participation of DAO treasuries contribute to network security, making it more resistant to attacks and manipulation.
• This enhanced security and stability attract new stakeholders, developers, and investors, fostering a thriving ecosystem that offers value for all.

Return on Investment (ROI):

• The project's cost should be evaluated in relation to its potential returns, such as increased stake, network effects, and ecosystem growth.
• By considering the long-term benefits and value generated by the proposed feature, the cost becomes an investment in the future success and sustainability of the Cardano ecosystem.

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by enhancing functionality, increasing stakeholder engagement, strengthening governance, fostering sustainable growth, and providing a positive return on investment. The project's impact on the ecosystem's long-term viability, decentralization, and stakeholder participation makes it a worthwhile investment, aligning with the overall goals and vision of the Cardano project.