Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution aims to conduct a thorough and meticulous research study in partnership with top-tier research institutions. We aim to investigate the potential benefits, practicality, and impact of implementing blockchain technology within the realm of car insurance. The main areas of focus for this research project are:

1. Digitizing insurance claims with blockchain to increase transparency and expedite settlement
2. Developing a blockchain-based driver insurance rating system to fairly calculate premiums based on individual driving behavior
3. Investigating the implementation of smart contract-based insurance policies to automate policy issuance and claims management
4. Assessing the feasibility and efficacy of a blockchain system for detecting and preventing insurance frau
5. Evaluating the potential of a decentralized identity (DID) solution for insurance customers to secure and preserve privacy in identity management

These areas of investigation were selected based on the perceived challenges the mobility insurance sector currently faces, such as lack of transparency, slow claims process, and high incidence of fraud. Our research approach involves collaborating with experts in the field to ensure a holistic and informed view of these issues.

Our project will primarily engage the academic and research community, insurance industry professionals, and the Cardano community. Our findings will be documented and published online on a dedicated website specifically designed for dissemination to the Cardano community. This will provide a space for information sharing, discussion, and further exploration of the research topics.

What sets our solution apart is its academic rigor and commitment to unveiling the potential of blockchain within a vital industry. We believe that our research could provide valuable insights that could pave the way for future innovations in car insurance and beyond. It will also highlight Cardano's capability to address real-world problems, thereby adding value to the Cardano ecosystem.

The beneficiaries of our research would be the Cardano community, who would gain access to a wealth of knowledge, and the broader insurance industry, which could benefit from the insights and applications discovered. This should be important to Cardano as it demonstrates the practical use of blockchain technology in solving complex industry problems, further positioning Cardano as a leader in blockchain innovation.

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

Our proposed research study addresses the challenge of exploring real-world use cases of blockchain technology and improving the functionality and usability of the Cardano ecosystem. The following are some of the key benefits that our study brings to the Cardano community:

1. Knowledge Creation: Our study will generate comprehensive insights about the potential application of blockchain in the car insurance industry
2. Promotion of Cardano: The project will serve as an advertisement for Cardano’s potential in transforming industries and solving complex real-world problem
3. Attracting New Stakeholders: The findings of the study could attract new stakeholders to the Cardano ecosystem, including insurance companies, researchers, and developers interested in leveraging blockchain technology to innovate within the insurance industry
4. Building a Stronger Ecosystem: The project will enhance the Cardano ecosystem's strength by fostering a culture of rigorous research and exploration

In terms of impact, it's difficult to quantify at this stage as the project is research-oriented, and its immediate effect might not directly translate into users or transactions. However, the knowledge and insights generated can potentially influence future applications on Cardano, lead to improvements in existing systems, and drive the development of innovative solutions that could attract more users and transactions in the long term. The project will also enhance Cardano's reputation as a leader in blockchain research, which could indirectly contribute to growing the community.

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

Given the nature of our project, which is fundamentally a research endeavor, traditional metrics such as KPIs might not be fully applicable. However, we have identified several qualitative and quantitative measures to assess the success of our project:

1. Quality of Research Output: The success of the project will primarily be judged by the quality and depth of the research produce
2. Impact on the Cardano Community and Beyond: We'll gauge the extent to which our research findings are disseminated and used within the Cardano community and in broader academic and industry context
3. Engagement Levels: The success of the project can also be measured by the level of engagement it generates
4. Influence on Policy and Practice: If our research leads to changes in how the insurance industry or regulatory bodies perceive and use blockchain technology, this would be a significant measure of success

In the short term, the innovation is expected to increase Cardano's reputation as a thought leader in the blockchain space and attract more researchers and developers to the ecosystem. In the long term, the insights generated could lead to the development of innovative solutions on Cardano, driving growth and strengthening its ecosystem.

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

Our plan for sharing the outputs and results of our project involves a multi-faceted approach:

1. Publication of Research Findings: We will publish our research findings on an open-access platform
2. Project Website: We will create a dedicated project website where we will regularly update progress, findings, and discussion point
3. Presentations and Meetups: We will present our findings at blockchain meetups, and Cardano community event
4. Engagement with the Cardano Community: We will actively engage with the Cardano community through forums, AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions), and social media
5. Partnerships with Industry and Academia: We plan to partner with relevant academic institutions and industry stakeholder

As for the utilization of the results from this project, we see several potential pathways:

1. Further Research: The results of this project will undoubtedly raise new questions and open up new areas of research
2. Development of Blockchain Solutions: Insights from our research could inform the development of blockchain solutions in the insurance sector
3. Policy Recommendations: Our research could inform policy recommendations for regulators and industry bodies
4. Educational Material: The results could also be used to develop educational materials to further knowledge and understanding of blockchain in the insurance sector

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

As PeakSoft GmbH, a Germany-based consulting company, we bring an extensive range of skills and experiences to the table, making us uniquely positioned to deliver this project.

• Company Reputation and Track Record: Over the years, we have established ourselves as a trusted entity, working with large-scale applications and big clients. Our projects' success, including partnerships with leading German automakers, underscores our ability to deliver high-quality results and manage large-scale projects efficiently.
• Solid Team Foundation: Our company boasts six full-time employees, each bringing their expertise in diverse disciplines such as software development, quality assurance, project management, and blockchain technology. This strong internal structure will ensure that all aspects of our project are managed effectively.
• Extended Resources: Beyond our internal team, we have access to an extensive network of external consultants. Should the need arise, we can swiftly deploy additional resources to ensure our project progresses without disruption.
• Web2 and Web3 Expertise: Our team members are pioneers in both web2 and web3 technologies. We have in-depth experience in large-scale software quality assurance and application development. Furthermore, our involvement as Plutus Pioneers and Atala PRISM Pioneers showcases our deep-rooted understanding and commitment to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Transparency and Accountability: We prioritize maintaining clear communication with the community. Regular progress reports and periodic webinars and Q&A sessions will be organized to keep stakeholders updated. Our stringent budgeting and auditing procedures will ensure that funds are managed appropriately and used as intended.

While our current budget allows for the completion of our proposed project, we may consider seeking additional funding in future Catalyst rounds. This would enable us to introduce new features and expand our project's scope. Any additional funding required will be detailed in a separate, new proposal.

To track the progress of our project, we'll implement Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, and set clear acceptance criteria for each project component and deliverable. We'll also make use of Scrum boards and product backlogs to provide a transparent and constantly updated view of our progress.

For us, success is not merely about reaching milestones. It also involves accomplishing our established acceptance criteria and user stories within our sprints, and successfully delivering the first product increment within the proposed timeline. In essence, success means delivering a product that meets our high-quality standards and offers real value to the Cardano ecosystem.

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

The main goals for our project include:

1. Conducting In-Depth Research: Our main goal is to deeply explore the potential applications of blockchain technology in the car insurance sector and understand its implication
2. Investigating Specific Use-Cases: We aim to investigate specific use-cases such as digitalization of insurance processes, blockchain-based driver insurance rating system, smart contract-based insurance policies, fraud detection, and decentralized identity solutions for insuranc
3. Assessing Feasibility and Implications: We plan to assess the feasibility and potential impacts of these applications, identify challenges, and propose potential strategies to address these challenges
4. Disseminating Research Findings: Our final goal is to disseminate our research findings in a clear and accessible way to the Cardano community, stakeholders in the insurance sector, and the wider public

Our approach to validating the feasibility of our research includes:

1. Literature Review: We will extensively review existing academic and industry literature on the use of blockchain in insurance to ensure our research is grounded in the latest finding
2. Stakeholder Consultations: We will seek inputs and feedback from key stakeholders including insurance companies, blockchain experts, and policyholders to guide our research
3. Research Analysis: We will utilize rigorous research methodologies to analyze our findings and draw conclusions about the feasibility and implications of using blockchain in the car insurance sector

The success of our project will be validated through the completion of our in-depth research and the dissemination of these findings to the Cardano community and wider public. The quality of our research will also be demonstrated through the feedback and engagement we receive from the community and other stakeholders in the insurance sector. Our goal is to provide valuable insights that could potentially guide future initiatives in applying blockchain technology in the car insurance sector.

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 1: Project Kickoff and Literature Review (1 month)

Tasks:

• Formulate detailed research questions and objectives.
• Conduct an extensive literature review on blockchain in insurance.
• Prepare a literature review report summarizing the findings.

Milestone 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Research Design (1 month)

Tasks:

• Identify key stakeholders for consultation (insurance companies, blockchain experts, policyholders).
• Design research methodology, including data collection and analysis methods.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations and refine research design based on feedback.

Milestone 3: Research Execution (1 months)

Tasks:

• Conduct research based on the designed methodology.
• Analyze data and interpret findings.
• Draft initial research report.

Milestone 4: Development of the Research Publication Platform (1 month)

Tasks:

• Design and develop a platform for publishing research findings.
• Test the platform functionality and fix any issues.
• Prepare the platform for launch.

Milestone 5: Research Review, Refinement, and Publication (1 month)

Tasks:

• Review research findings with stakeholders and gather feedback.
• Refine research report based on feedback.
• Publish the final research report on the newly developed platform.

Milestone 6: Dissemination and Community Engagement (1 month)

Tasks:

• Develop a dissemination plan to share research findings with the Cardano community and wider public.
• Engage with the community through the platform, online discussions, webinars, or other formats.
• Collect feedback and insights from the community to inform future research.

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

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Literature Review

Deliverables: Detailed research objectives and a comprehensive literature review report.

Intended Outcome: A clear understanding of the current state of blockchain application in insurance and identification of the research gaps our project will address. Progress will be tracked by the completion of the literature review and the formulation of research questions and objectives.

Milestone 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Research Design

Deliverables: A list of key stakeholders, notes from consultations, and a detailed research design document.

Intended Outcome: A robust research design and methodology that considers the perspectives of various stakeholders. Progress will be measured by the completion of consultations and the finalization of the research design.

Milestone 3: Research Execution

Deliverables: Raw data, analysis results, and an initial draft of the research report.

Intended Outcome: Concrete insights and findings on the application of blockchain in insurance, derived from the executed research. Progress will be tracked based on the completion of data collection, analysis, and the drafting of the research report.

Milestone 4: Development of the Research Publication Platform

Deliverables: A fully functional online platform for publishing research findings.

Intended Outcome: A user-friendly platform that facilitates easy access to our research findings by the Cardano community and the public. Progress will be monitored by the completion of platform development, testing, and preparation for launch.

Milestone 5: Research Review, Refinement, and Publication

Deliverables: Revised research report based on stakeholder feedback, and the final research report published on the platform.

Intended Outcome: High-quality, peer-reviewed research findings made available to the Cardano community and the public. Progress will be tracked by the publication of the final research report on the platform.

Milestone 6: Dissemination and Community Engagement

Deliverables: A dissemination plan, records of community engagement activities (such as webinars, online discussions), and feedback from the community.

Intended Outcome: An engaged and informed Cardano community, contributing their insights and perspectives on the research findings. Progress will be measured by the level of community engagement and feedback received.

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

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Literature Review (1 month, 25k ADA)

Tasks:

• Formulate detailed research questions and objectives.
• Conduct an extensive literature review on blockchain in insurance.
• Prepare a literature review report summarizing the findings.

Milestone 2: Stakeholder Consultation and Research Design (1 month, 25k ADA)

Tasks:

• Identify key stakeholders for consultation (insurance companies, blockchain experts, policyholders).
• Design research methodology, including data collection and analysis methods.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations and refine research design based on feedback.

Milestone 3: Research Execution (1 months, 30k ADA)

Tasks:

• Conduct research based on the designed methodology.
• Analyze data and interpret findings.
• Draft initial research report.

Milestone 4: Development of the Research Publication Platform (1 month, 30k ADA)

Tasks:

• Design and develop a platform for publishing research findings.
• Test the platform functionality and fix any issues.
• Prepare the platform for launch.

Milestone 5: Research Review, Refinement, and Publication (1 month, 20k ADA)

Tasks:

• Review research findings with stakeholders and gather feedback.
• Refine research report based on feedback.
• Publish the final research report on the newly developed platform.

Milestone 6: Dissemination and Community Engagement (1 month, 20k ADA)

Tasks:

• Develop a dissemination plan to share research findings with the Cardano community and wider public.
• Engage with the community through the platform, online discussions, webinars, or other formats.
• Collect feedback and insights from the community to inform future research.

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

• Oussama Benmahmoud: As CEO and Co-Founder of PeakSoft GmbH, Oussama is a Certified PMP, ITIL, Professional Scrum Master, and Product Owner, and holds an ISTQB Advanced Level Certification. His key roles include Project Management, Software Quality Assurance, and Blockchain Development. His extensive Connected Car Projects experience and achievements as a Plutus Pioneer and Atala PRISM Pioneer make him a valuable asset to the team. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oussama-benmahmoud-43693926/
• Abderrahim Issaoui: As the CTO and Co-Founder of PeakSoft GmbH, Abderrahim brings over a decade of experience e as a Software Engineer. He is Atala PRISM Pioneer. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abderrahim-issaoui-b3149227/
• Habib Mokni: Habib is our Software Engineer and Frontend Developer. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habibmokni/
• Mohammed Abdelali: Mohammed is an Electronic and Communication Engineer, focusing on Software Quality Assurance. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-abdelali-290b7b101/
• Neyla Issaoui: Neyla is part of the Project Management Office, handling Administration, Accounting, and Coordination tasks. LinkedIn
• Ramla Mahjoub: Ramla works in Software Quality Assurance and some project coordination duties, and she is also ISTQB certified. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramla-mahjoub-25a1843b/

Our team roles and responsibilities for the project are:

1. Project Management - Oussama Benmahmoud (Certified PMP, ITIL, Professional Scrum Master, Product Owner)
2. Blockchain Development - Abderrahim Issaoui, Oussama Benmahmoud (Both Plutus Pioneers)
3. Frontend Development - Abderrahim Issaoui (Lead), Habib Mokni
4. Mobility Integration - Mohammed Abdelali, Oussama Benmahmoud
5. Software Quality Assurance - Mohammed Abdelali, Oussama Benmahmoud, Ramla Mahjoub (All three are ISTQB certified, Oussama at Advanced Level)
6. Administration, Accounting, and Coordination Tasks - Neyla Issaoui, Ramla Mahjoub

The team is prepared to engage external consultants if necessary, as we are always open to bringing in more expertise. We remain committed to active engagement with the Cardano community and technical-group channels and understand the expectations of proof of life verifications and public proposal availability. Our team's combined skills and experience make us well-suited to execute this project and contribute significantly to the Cardano ecosystem.

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

The proposed budget for this project is a reflection of the complexity and depth of the research required to fully explore blockchain applications in the car insurance industry. The cost is primarily driven by the need to hire experienced researchers, form partnerships with relevant institutions, develop and maintain an online platform for community engagement, and ensure comprehensive dissemination of the research findings.

We have calculated the budget based on the average salaries for research staff in the blockchain industry, as well as typical costs for platform development and maintenance, marketing, and administrative expenses.

1. Research Staff Compensation: A significant portion of the budget is allocated for research staff salaries
2. Partnerships with Institutions: Partnerships with research institutions come with certain costs, which can include access to resources, joint research efforts, and validation of the research methodology and finding
3. Platform Development and Maintenance: The costs here are based on average rates for developing and maintaining an online platform, including expenses for hosting, security, and potential enhancements based on community feedback
4. Dissemination of Findings: Costs associated with marketing and promotion are based on average rates in the industry

By investing in this research, the Cardano ecosystem will gain valuable insights into potential applications of blockchain in the car insurance industry. The findings could inspire further innovation, attract new developers and partners, and position Cardano as a leader in applying blockchain technology to real-world problems. This strategic positioning and the potential for attracting new collaborations represent a significant return on investment for the Cardano community.