Please describe your proposed solution.

Today, social networking presents a paradox: we're more connected than ever, yet our digital interactions are fragmented across multiple platforms, and our data is predominantly controlled by the platform owners, not by us. This fragmentation and lack of data sovereignty limit our control over our social interactions and the value we derive from them.

Our solution, the Self-Sovereign Social Graph (SSSG), tackles this problem head-on. In simple terms, we're creating a blueprint for a new kind of social network, one that restores control back to the users. We'll develop the SSSG specifications in consultation with the community, ensuring it aligns with the needs of its end-users.

Next, we'll develop the SSSG as an SDK using Atala PRISM. This SDK will serve as a toolkit for apps to integrate user-controlled social networking constructs, thus enabling a more unified social media experience.

Let's illustrate this with a couple of scenarios. Meet Alice, a typical internet user who wishes she could manage all her online connections seamlessly, retain control over her data, and switch between platforms without losing her social graph. The SSSG will make this possible. On the developer side, consider Bob, who's looking for a standardized framework to integrate social networking into his app. The SSSG will be Bob's solution.

Our proposed solution doesn't stop there. We plan to integrate SSSG into DAOGEN, a platform that combines AI, blockchain, and interactive storytelling. This will showcase the impact of SSSG, facilitating social interactions, enhancing user experiences, and laying the foundation for community building.

The uniqueness of our solution lies in its marriage of social networking and data sovereignty, addressing the critical need for user control and interoperability currently lacking in the social networking landscape. From everyday users like Alice seeking better control over their online interactions, developers like Bob searching for a standardized social networking framework, to platforms like DAOGEN that can leverage SSSG to enhance their service, the beneficiaries are vast and diverse.

Importantly, this proposal reinforces the Cardano ecosystem. By leveraging Atala PRISM for the SSSG SDK, we don't just promote Cardano's use, but also contribute to its vision of creating a more democratic, user-controlled digital world. By building a more open, interoperable, and user-governed social networking model, we are championing Cardano's ethos and strengthening its ecosystem.

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

Our solution directly addresses the heart of this challenge - creating a viable, open-source ecosystem owned by the community, reflecting Cardano's core ethos. The Self-Sovereign Social Graph (SSSG) stands as an open-source framework designed for the Cardano community, driving innovation, collaboration, and visibility within the ecosystem. By utilizing Atala PRISM for the development of the SSSG, we're not only showcasing the capabilities of Cardano but also promoting its wider adoption.

The SSSG project benefits Cardano in several ways:

1. Paves the way for future open-source initiatives by offering a robust, user-controlled framework for social networking.
2. Aligns with various community efforts by providing a standard platform for social interactions.
3. Stimulates experts to share and collaborate their work due to the open-source nature of SSSG.
4. Cultivates a sustainable ecosystem by fostering knowledge sharing, joint efforts, and a more interconnected digital world.

Our project promises substantial impacts on Cardano beyond just funding the project team:

Qualitatively, the SSSG helps strengthen Cardano's ecosystem by addressing a widespread problem - fragmentation and lack of sovereignty in digital social interactions. We're not just positioning Cardano at the forefront of solving crucial digital issues, we're also attracting more users and developers to the ecosystem.

Quantitatively, we predict a significant rise in Cardano adoption with our solution. The integration of SSSG within the DAOGEN platform will initially reach thousands of users, driving transactions and building a vibrant community. As the SDK expands, so will these numbers. As other applications adopt the SSSG SDK, we expect an exponential increase in adoption and transactions within the Cardano ecosystem.

In essence, we're fortifying the Cardano ecosystem by strengthening its open-source community, promoting adoption, spurring innovation, and staying true to Cardano's mission of democratizing social and financial systems.

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

We intend to measure the Self-Sovereign Social Graph (SSSG) project's success with both quantifiable metrics and qualitative feedback, focusing on the project's utility and value to its users and the Cardano community.

1. Adoption Rates: We'll monitor the number of applications incorporating the SSSG SDK. Rising adoption rates will signal the SDK's value within the Cardano community.
2. Developer Engagement: We'll track the number of developers participating in the SSSG project and their contribution significance, such as new features or bug fixes.
3. Community Involvement: We'll observe community participation in our events, such as forums, webinars, and meetings, indicating the community's value and interest in the project.
4. User Opinions: We'll collect anonymous feedback from users and developers, providing crucial insights into the project's reception and areas for improvement.
5. Use Case Diversity: We'll document the variety of use-cases where the SSSG SDK is used, indicating our solution's adaptability.
6. Educational Content: We'll follow the creation of educational resources (blogs, tutorials, video guides) around the SDK, indicating the community's interest and engagement.

This approach respects user privacy and aligns with decentralized identity principles, true to Cardano's ethos.

In terms of Cardano's productivity and growth:

Short-term, the SSSG promises a more integrated, secure, and user-friendly Cardano experience. This enhancement will likely attract more users and developers to Cardano applications that utilize the SSSG, boosting adoption rates and developer contributions.

Long-term, we foresee the SSSG becoming the go-to framework for social networking in Cardano and broader blockchain ecosystems. This standardization will elevate Cardano's reputation and growth, making it the preferred blockchain for applications that require social networking features.

These measures are realistic, considering Cardano's growth trajectory, the demand for secure digital interactions, and the potential value that a unified, open-source social graph brings to developers and users.

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

Our plan to share the Self-Sovereign Social Graph (SSSG) SDK and project results involves a multi-pronged approach to reach and engage the widest audience, encouraging the SDK's broad use and ongoing improvement.

1. Open-Source Repository: We'll host the SSSG SDK on DJ Squircle's GitHub, granting global developers easy access to the source code and fostering a collaborative improvement environment.
2. Comprehensive Documentation: We'll develop and make readily available detailed documentation, including technical details, setup guides, use cases, and best practices, to assist developers in effectively using the SDK.
3. Community Engagement: We'll host webinars, workshops, and meetings to introduce the SDK, demonstrate its uses, and gather feedback, encouraging collaborative development and shared learning.
4. Partnerships: We'll collaborate with application development companies, particularly those within the Cardano ecosystem, to promote SDK integration and gain real-world feedback on its effectiveness.
5. Educational Content: We'll produce and share articles, blog posts, and video tutorials about the SDK, its development, and its impact, through various channels like Medium, YouTube, and relevant forums.
6. Social Media Updates: We'll maintain community engagement by regularly sharing project updates, achievements, and news on social media platforms.
7. Integration with DAOGEN: Implementing the SSSG within DAOGEN will allow developers and users to explore the SDK's potential, providing valuable feedback for continuous development.

Beyond the project's completion, we plan to continuously enhance the SSSG based on the feedback and insights from these initiatives. We see this project as a catalyst for future research and development activities, driving the advancement and widespread adoption of decentralized identity solutions.

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

Our team combines technical expertise, project management skills, and deep knowledge of blockchain technology and the Cardano ecosystem to deliver this project. Our project leader, Tony Rose, has decades of experience in emerging technology sectors, a record of driving product commercialization, and delivering business value.

His past roles include leading the architecture and deployment of Apple Pay in the US, serving millions of merchants, and collaborating with industry giants like Apple, Google, and Samsung. More recently, Tony led product development for Atala PRISM at IOHK, demonstrating his dedication to the blockchain and digital identity fields. He also co-founded the Covid Credentials Initiative (CCI) and contributed to key industry working groups.

These experiences equip Tony with the leadership skills and industry knowledge to guide our project to success.

To uphold high levels of trust and accountability in fund management, we will:

1. Share a Detailed Project Plan: We'll provide a project plan outlining milestones, tasks, timelines, and budget allocations at the project's onset.
2. Regularly Update the Community: We'll provide regular updates about the project's progress and fund utilization.
3. Maintain Open-Source Approach: All development work will be conducted in a public repository, ensuring process transparency. Community members can review our work, contribute, and provide feedback.
4. Engage with the Community: We'll actively engage with the community, inviting feedback, answering queries, and incorporating suggestions.

We understand the importance of managing community funds responsibly and are committed to using them efficiently and transparently to realize our project.

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

The Self-Sovereign Social Graph (SSSG) project aims to accomplish the following main objectives:

1. Develop a Comprehensive SSSG Specification: We aim to design a detailed blueprint that will facilitate data sovereignty and interoperability within social networking applications. The completion and community acceptance of the specification document will confirm the achievement of this goal.
2. Construct an SSSG Software Development Kit (SDK): Our next objective is to create an SDK based on the approved specification and Atala PRISM. The SDK will enable applications to integrate core social networking features. The successful creation and rigorous testing of the SSSG SDK, and its functional integration within the DAOGEN platform will validate this goal.
3. Integrate and Test SSSG on DAOGEN: We aim to demonstrate the SSSG's utility by integrating it within the DAOGEN platform. The successful integration and operation of the SSSG within the DAOGEN platform, along with positive user feedback, will verify the achievement of this goal.

Our project is technical and innovative in nature. To execute it, we plan to:

• Assemble and consult with experienced engineers to develop the specification and the SDK.
• Implement agile methodologies for iterative development and continuous improvement.
• Actively engage with the community throughout the process, welcoming feedback on the specification, updates during SDK development, and collecting user feedback post-integration with DAOGEN.
• Collaborate closely with the DAOGEN team to ensure the successful integration and testing of the SSSG SDK.

Although our goals aren't numerically quantifiable, they can be measured by the completion of each phase (specification, SDK development, integration) and the feedback from the community and DAOGEN users. This approach aligns with our aim to provide data sovereignty and interoperability to social networking applications.

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.

Our project has been organized into the following key milestones, each with specific tasks, expected timeline, success criteria, and projected costs:

Milestone 1 - Development of SSSG Specification:

• Tasks: Conduct research, design architecture, identify use cases, and outline functions.
• Timeline: 3 months.
• Success Criteria: Completion and publication of the SSSG specification document.

Milestone 2 - Community Review and Specification Iteration:

• Tasks: Collect community feedback, revise specification based on feedback, finalize specification.
• Timeline: 1 month.
• Success Criteria: Finalized SSSG specification that incorporates community feedback.

Milestone 3 - SSSG SDK Development:

• Tasks: Design SDK based on finalized specification, code the SDK, conduct internal testing.
• Timeline: 5 months.
• Success Criteria: Completion of the SSSG SDK as per the finalized specification.

Milestone 4 - Integration with DAOGEN Platform:

• Tasks: Integrate SSSG SDK into DAOGEN, conduct user experience testing, fix bugs.
• Timeline: 2 months.
• Success Criteria: Successful operation of the SSSG within the DAOGEN platform.

Milestone 5 - Community Feedback and SDK Iteration:

• Tasks: Collect feedback from community and DAOGEN users, revise SDK based on feedback, finalize SDK.
• Timeline: 1 month.
• Success Criteria: Finalized SSSG SDK that incorporates feedback from community and DAOGEN users.

The total projected cost for the project is $130,000 / 442,026 ADA

We will adopt an agile project management approach to implement the project. A major emphasis will be placed on community engagement, transparency, and feedback-based iterations.

We understand the need to submit a Statement of Milestones post-funding, validating the milestones detailed in our proposal. We are fully prepared to comply with this requirement.

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

Milestone 1 - Development of SSSG Specification:

• Deliverable: A comprehensive SSSG specification document.
• Intended Outcome: A robust roadmap for the SSSG, detailing its architecture, use cases, and functionality.
• Progress Measurement: The completion and publication of the SSSG specification document.

Milestone 2 - Community Review and Specification Iteration:

• Deliverable: A revised SSSG specification document incorporating community feedback.
• Intended Outcome: A refined and community-approved SSSG specification.
• Progress Measurement: The publication of the revised specification document which includes community feedback.

Milestone 3 - SSSG SDK Development:

• Deliverable: A working SSSG SDK as per the finalized specification.
• Intended Outcome: An accessible SDK for developers to incorporate self-sovereign social graph functionality into their applications.
• Progress Measurement: The successful development and internal testing of the SSSG SDK.

Milestone 4 - Integration with DAOGEN Platform:

• Deliverable: A DAOGEN platform updated with the integrated SSSG SDK.
• Intended Outcome: A DAOGEN platform that serves as a real-world testing ground for SSSG features.
• Progress Measurement: The successful integration and operation of SSSG within the DAOGEN platform.

Milestone 5 - Community Feedback and SDK Iteration:

• Deliverable: A refined SSSG SDK incorporating feedback from the community and DAOGEN users.
• Intended Outcome: An SDK optimized based on real-world feedback, ready for broader application and usage.
• Progress Measurement: The completion of the final SSSG SDK, reflecting necessary feedback and improvements.

Throughout the project, we will ensure continuous engagement with the community, soliciting feedback and suggestions. This proactive interaction will enable us to promptly identify and address potential issues, thereby guaranteeing adherence to our project goals and timelines.

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

Specification Development - $20,000: Costs related to research, analysis, drafting, and finalizing the SSSG specification. It includes remuneration for technical writers and analysts, and technical expert consultations.

Community Engagement (Specification Stage) - $5,000: Expenses for community feedback management tools or platforms, processing, and incorporating community feedback during the specification phase.

SSSG SDK Development - $60,000: Expenditure for software development, including developers' remuneration, quality assurance testing, and necessary software or tools.

Integration with DAOGEN - $15,000: Cost of integrating the SSSG SDK into the DAOGEN platform, including development work, testing, and quality assurance checks.

Community Engagement and SDK Iteration - $5,000: Costs associated with receiving and processing community and DAOGEN user feedback post-integration, and subsequent SDK iterations.

Project Management - $15,000: Expenses for overall project management, including project leaders' remuneration and any required project management tools.

Documentation and Reporting - $10,000: Costs for creating comprehensive SDK documentation and periodic reports to keep the community informed.

Total Project Cost - $130,000 / 442,026

These costs are estimated and could vary depending on the project's progress and complexity. The project team is committed to efficient fund management, maximizing resource utilization and ensuring value for money. If extra funding becomes necessary, we will explore alternative sources and maintain complete transparency with our community.

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

Tony Rose – Project Lead, Architect, and Interim Lead Developer

Tony Rose is a seasoned technology professional with over 20 years of experience in emerging technologies. He has a deep-rooted understanding of product and business development, coupled with an exceptional grasp of blockchain technology. His track record boasts of driving product commercialization and delivering significant business value.

Tony holds a Computer Science degree from UC Berkeley. His professional journey includes a stint as a Senior Software Engineer at Danger, INC, where he integrated the company's product with carrier billing gateways for SMS and MMS mobile applications. He also led the architecture and deployment of Apple Pay in the US at Vantiv, serving millions of merchants and collaborating with major players like Apple, Google, and Samsung.

Notably, Tony served as the Head of Product for Atala PRISM. During his tenure, he created and executed a strategic vision for a top-tier enterprise software for decentralized identity, Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), and Verifiable Credentials.

In this project, Tony will initially play a dual role as the project lead and interim lead developer. His responsibilities will include:

1. Leading the development of the SSSG Specification
2. Developing the initial SDK prototype
3. Guiding the team towards achieving project milestones
4. Managing overall project execution
5. Serving as the primary liaison with the Cardano community

As the project progresses, we will hire a dedicated Lead Developer. At this stage, Tony will focus more on project management, architecture refinement, and quality assurance testing.

LinkedIn: Tony Rose LinkedIn

Lead Developer (To be recruited)

For the position of Lead Developer, we're seeking an individual with:

1. A strong background in blockchain development
2. Extensive experience in SDK creation
3. Familiarity with Atala PRISM

The Lead Developer will drive the technical development of the SSSG SDK, and will also be actively involved in its subsequent testing and refinement. We are confident about identifying and onboarding a suitable candidate at the appropriate project stage. We've already initiated the recruitment process and have been engaging with potential candidates.

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

The cost of the project has been thoughtfully estimated, taking into consideration industry standards, the complexity of the work, and the expertise required to successfully deliver on our objectives. Our budget allocation is based on careful assessment and justifiable factors.

Tony's extensive experience in blockchain and software development serves as a benchmark for our cost structure. We have aligned the budget with the average senior software developer salary in the United States, which was reported as $110,140 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2020. Considering Tony's added responsibilities as the project lead and interim lead developer, our budget reflects the expertise and value he brings to the project.

The budget allocated for hiring a Lead Developer also aligns with industry standards, taking into account the specialized nature of blockchain development and the specific skills required. The costs associated with this role are justified by the value it brings to the project, particularly the expertise in Atala PRISM, which is essential for the successful implementation of our solution.

Additionally, our budget includes expenses for community engagement, project management, marketing, and legal considerations. These elements are crucial for the project's success and have been carefully calculated to provide the best value for the resources invested.

In terms of value for the Cardano ecosystem, our project offers an easily integratable solution for leveraging self-sovereign identity in blockchain applications. By creating an open-source Self-Sovereign Social Graph SDK on top of Atala PRISM, we enable developers to build Cardano-based applications more efficiently. This will attract a larger developer community to the Cardano ecosystem, leading to increased application development and broader adoption of Cardano. The exponential value generated relative to the project's cost demonstrates the impact and value proposition of our project.

In summary, the proposed costs reflect the true value that our project brings to the Cardano ecosystem by empowering developers to create on the Cardano blockchain and driving its growth and adoption. The careful consideration of costs and the value delivered validate the project's ability to provide value for money and contribute to the long-term success of Cardano.