Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution is to develop a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) on the Cardano blockchain for ride-hailing services. Current ride-hailing platforms are highly centralized, leading to several issues such as high fees for drivers, a lack of control for the community, and limited transparency. Our DAO will address these issues by creating a more equitable, transparent, and efficient platform for ride-hailing.

The core reason for our decentralized approach is to empower drivers and passengers, and put control back into the hands of the community. By leveraging Cardano's blockchain technology, our DAO will reduce transaction fees and ensure more earnings for drivers, and potentially lower prices for passengers.

Our project will engage ride-hailing drivers and passengers, tech enthusiasts, blockchain advocates, and anyone interested in equitable and innovative transport solutions. We will demonstrate our impact through various metrics such as the number of drivers and passengers using the platform, the volume of transactions, user satisfaction, and feedback.

Our solution is unique as it combines the benefits of DAOs with the demand for ride-hailing services. The main beneficiaries will be the drivers, who will retain more of their earnings, and the passengers, who will have a more affordable and transparent service. This project aligns with Cardano's vision of creating a more equitable and decentralized world, further demonstrating the real-world applicability and benefits of blockchain technology.

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

Our proposed solution directly addresses the challenge by leveraging our team's expertise in blockchain technology, software development, and quality assurance to contribute to the growth and enhancement of the Cardano ecosystem.

Here are the key impacts and benefits our project will bring to Cardano:

1. Enhanced User Experience: Our collective experience in software development and quality assurance enables us to deliver applications that are not just functional but also user-friendly
2. Software Quality and Reliability: Our project emphasizes rigorous software quality assurance
3. Community Growth: Our project, through its deliverables, aims to attract more developers and businesses to the Cardano ecosystem
4. Empowering the Ecosystem: By addressing existing challenges in a user-friendly and efficient manner, we strengthen the Cardano ecosystem

We are realistic in our expectations and foresee a gradual increase in usage as our project progresses and matures. Within a reasonable timeframe post-project completion, we aim to engage a significant number of users, thereby contributing to the overall activity and vibrancy of the Cardano ecosystem.

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

The success of our project will be gauged through a combination of both quantitative and qualitative measures.

Quantitative Measures:

1. Completion of User Stories: We will track the successful completion of each user story within our sprints, with a focus on meeting the clear acceptance criteria we have established
2. Project Milestones: We'll measure the successful delivery of the increment within its timeline
3. Code Quality Metrics: We will leverage software quality metrics to ensure the highest quality of our deliverable

Qualitative Measures:

1. User Feedback: We will collect and analyze feedback from our user
2. Community Engagement: We will gauge community engagement and sentiment via social media channels, discussion forums, and other platform

In terms of the project's impact on Cardano’s productivity and growth, in the short term, our project aims to deliver tangible, functional solutions that address existing challenges. The improvements we make will contribute to enhancing the overall efficiency of the Cardano ecosystem.

In the long term, our project aims to foster innovation within the ecosystem. By providing reliable and high-quality solutions, we'll encourage more developers and businesses to build on the Cardano blockchain. This can lead to an increase in dApps and other use cases for Cardano, ultimately contributing to the network's growth and the value of ADA.

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

Our plan is to openly share the progress, outputs, and results of our project with the Cardano community and beyond.

1. Community Engagement: We plan to share our progress updates, reports, and findings via social media, Cardano forums, and other online platforms to ensure that both the Cardano community and interested parties are well-informed.

2. Documentation: All technical documentation and guides will be made available openly for developers and others interested in replicating or learning from our project

3. Open Source Code: In line with Cardano's open source ethos, we will make our codebase accessible on platforms such as GitHub

4. Webinars and Workshops: We plan to host webinars and workshops to discuss our project, the technical challenges we've overcome, the impact of our work, and our future plan

As for using the results generated from the project in further research and development activities, we anticipate our project will generate significant data and insights on DAO operation, ride-hailing industry dynamics, and blockchain application in the transport sector. We hope these findings will fuel further innovation and research in the Cardano ecosystem and beyond, potentially inspiring new dApps and decentralized solutions on the Cardano platform.

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 ride-hailing DAO project are:

1. Design and Develop the DAO: Create a secure, efficient, and user-friendly DAO on the Cardano blockchain for the ride-hailing ecosystem.

2. Community Building and Engagement: Foster a vibrant, engaged community of drivers and passengers who participate actively in the DA

3. Promote Adoption: Ensure the DAO is widely adopted and used, demonstrating the feasibility of a decentralized alternative to traditional ride-hailing platform

To validate if our approach is feasible, we will rely on several qualitative and non-numerical indicators:

1. DAO Development: Successful deployment and stable operation of the DAO on the Cardano mainnet, along with positive feedback from initial users, would indicate the technical feasibility of our approach

2. Community Engagement: The growth of our community, as evidenced by increased participation in DAO governance and more discussions in our community channels, will serve as a measure of engagement and support for our project

3. Adoption Rates: A steady increase in the number of drivers and passengers using our platform will signify successful adoption and the practical feasibility of our decentralized ride-hailing service

Our approach will be implemented through a combination of software development, community-building activities, and strategic partnerships. Technical challenges will be addressed by our experienced development team, and we will work closely with the Cardano community for feedback, insights, and continuous improvement.

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 Setup and Design (Month 1): Set up the team, define project scope, and create detailed design specifications for the DAO and the ride-hailing platform.

Milestone 2 - DAO Development (Months 2-3): Code the DAO smart contracts and ensure they interact effectively with the Cardano blockchain

Milestone 3 - Ride-Hailing Platform Development (Months 4-5): Develop the user-facing ride-hailing platform (both web and mobile applications) and ensure seamless interaction with the DAO

Milestone 4 - Testing and Deployment (Month 6): Conduct thorough testing of the entire system, address bugs and issues, and finally deploy the system to the Cardano mainnet

Milestone 5 - Community Building and Promotion (Month 6): Engage with the community, gather feedback, and promote the platform in parallel to the deployment of the system.

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

Milestone 1 - Project Setup and Design:

• Deliverables: Detailed project plan, team setup, and design specifications for the DAO and ride-hailing platform.
• Intended Outcomes: A well-structured project foundation that aligns with Cardano's ecosystem and user needs.
• Progress Metrics: Completion of project plan and design specifications.

Milestone 2 - DAO Development:

• Deliverables: Functional DAO smart contracts.
• Intended Outcomes: A decentralized governance structure for the ride-hailing platform.
• Progress Metrics: Successful development and internal testing of DAO smart contracts.

Milestone 3 - Ride-Hailing Platform Development:

• Deliverables: User-facing ride-hailing platform (web and mobile applications).
• Intended Outcomes: An operational ride-hailing platform that seamlessly interacts with the DAO.
• Progress Metrics: Successful development, internal testing, and user acceptance testing of ride-hailing platform applications.

Milestone 4 - Testing and Deployment:

• Deliverables: Deployed DAO and ride-hailing platform.
• Intended Outcomes: A functioning, reliable ride-hailing service governed by a DAO on the Cardano network.
• Progress Metrics: Successful system-wide testing and deployment to Cardano mainnet.

Milestone 5 - Community Building and Promotion:

• Deliverables: A community engagement report, promotional materials, and feedback for ongoing improvements.
• Intended Outcomes: A robust user base for the platform and an engaged community driving the DAO's direction.
• Progress Metrics: Growth in user base, active community engagement, and tangible feedback for platform enhancements.

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

Project Setup and Design (150k ADA):

• The costs in this phase include project planning, team setup, research, and design of DAO and ride-hailing platform. This cost also covers the initial ideation and conceptualization phase.

DAO Development (250k ADA):

• This cost caters for the development of smart contracts for the DAO. It includes resources needed for development, testing, and documentation of the DAO smart contracts.

Ride-Hailing Platform Development (300k ADA):

• This budget caters to the development of the ride-hailing platform including frontend and backend development, testing, and documentation.

Testing and Deployment (100k ADA):

• The costs in this phase include system-wide testing, deployment to Cardano mainnet, and maintenance during the initial phase of launch.

Community Building and Promotion (100k ADA):

• This budget is for marketing and promotion activities to attract users to the platform, fostering a community around the DAO, and maintaining user engagement.

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?

Our project's cost offers significant value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to our team's expertise, our operational efficiency, and our strategic approach to resource utilization.

Our team comprises highly skilled professionals, with extensive experience in large-scale application development, software quality, and connected car projects. This high caliber of expertise might appear to increase the cost, but it also ensures that we deliver high-quality solutions that are designed to stand the test of time, resulting in long-term savings for the ecosystem.

In terms of operational efficiency, we, as PeakSoft GmbH, a Germany-based consulting company, have years of experience working with prominent clients and managing sizable projects. This experience enables us to streamline our operations, reducing overheads and eliminating unnecessary costs.

Furthermore, as a company, we have full-time employees dedicated to this project, ensuring a high degree of accountability, ownership, and commitment, which in turn leads to better cost management and enhanced output. This commitment also extends to the possibility of deploying external consultants, if necessary, to enhance our capabilities without significantly affecting our cost structure.

The budget for this project has been determined considering the average wages for software professionals in Germany, which is one of the higher wage countries in Europe, reflecting the high level of expertise and quality assurance that we bring to this project. However, we're confident that our team's unique combination of skills and experience in both Web2 and Web3 technologies offers exceptional value for the Cardano ecosystem.

Ultimately, our aim is to provide the Cardano community with solutions that not only solve existing problems but also open up new opportunities. By investing in our project, the community is investing in the potential for future growth and innovation within the ecosystem, making it a value-for-money proposition.