Please describe your proposed solution.

The proposal is a two-pronged solution: token-gated access and a rewards system, both embedded within the Shopify platform via Cardano blockchain integration. Token gating will enable merchants to offer exclusive access to customers owning specific tokens. This innovative approach will give rise to a personalized shopping experience with customers enjoying privileged access based on their token ownership.

The rewards system will incentivize customer loyalty and engagement, offering token rewards for specific actions such as purchases, referrals, or content engagement. Such a system will foster customer retention and boost user interaction.

This solution will be achieved through technical integration involving API development, smart contract deployment, and user-friendly interfaces.

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

The solution directly addresses the challenge by empowering Shopify merchants to adopt Cardano for token gating and customer rewards. This integration will fuel ADA usage, driving its value and stability. It will also usher a new user base into the Cardano ecosystem, boosting its adoption rate. Furthermore, it will showcase Cardano's adaptability and potential to disrupt traditional e-commerce, acting as a blueprint for future integrations with other platforms.

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

The success of this project will be evaluated through several key metrics. These include the number of Shopify stores adopting the solution, the volume of token transactions, increased ADA usage, and the customer retention rate among participating stores. Customer feedback and user experience analysis will also be crucial in determining the solution's success and scope for improvement.

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

We plan to share our project outputs through comprehensive documentation, blog posts, video demonstrations, and community webinars. A dedicated GitHub repository will house the codebase for open-source contributions. We also intend to conduct workshops for Shopify merchants, educating them about leveraging this integration. The results and insights gathered from the project will guide our future R&D efforts and will be shared with the community to drive further innovations within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Our team brings together experienced blockchain developers, eCommerce experts, and professionals with a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem. We have successfully delivered numerous projects, demonstrating our ability to manage resources effectively and meet project milestones. We commit to a transparent workflow, with regular updates to the community about our progress and how funds are utilized. Our project lead has a decade of experience in managing technical projects, ensuring accountability and trust throughout the project.

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

The main goals of our project are:

1) To develop a technical solution integrating the Cardano blockchain with the Shopify platform, enabling token gating and native asset payments. We'll validate this goal by successfully deploying the solution and conducting rigorous testing to ensure seamless functionality.

2) To establish a reward system that incentivizes customer loyalty and engagement on the Shopify platform. We'll validate this through user feedback and by tracking the increased engagement and repeat business on the platform.

3) To onboard new users to the Cardano ecosystem. We will measure this by the number of new ADA wallets created and the volume of transactions processed through our solution.

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.

Phase 1 (Month 1): Creation of the development team and initial planning.

Phase Objective: Establish a capable development team and initiate project planning.

Phase Tasks:

1. Assemble a skilled and dedicated team for the project.
2. Define roles and responsibilities within the team.
3. Conduct initial project planning, including timeline and resource allocation.
4. Begin the system architecture and technical specifications definition.

Phase 2 (Months 2-3): Development of the Cardano-Shopify integration.

Phase Objective: Establish seamless integration between Cardano and Shopify.

Phase Tasks:

1. Continue system architecture and technical specifications definition.
2. Develop the backend integration, API, and smart contracts.

Phase 3 (Months 4-5): Development of the rewards system.

Phase Objective: Create a robust rewards system for users.

Phase Tasks:

1. Define the structure and rules of the rewards system.
2. Develop the smart contracts and user interfaces for the rewards system.

Phase 4 (Months 6-7): Testing and deployment.

Phase Objective: Ensure the stability and functionality of the entire system.

Phase Tasks:

1. Conduct rigorous testing of the entire system.
2. Deploy the solution on the Shopify platform.

Phase 5 (Months 8-9): User onboarding and community engagement.

Phase Objective: Attract and engage users and merchants effectively.

Phase Tasks:

1. Implement a marketing and user onboarding strategy.
2. Collect feedback from users and merchants, making necessary improvements.

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

Milestone 1 (Months 1-2): Creation of the development team and initial planning.

Deliverables:

1. Established a development team with defined roles and responsibilities.
2. Project plan outlining the timeline, resource allocation, and key milestones.

Outputs:

1. Assembled team of skilled professionals ready to commence work.
2. Clear understanding of the project scope, goals, and requirements.
3. Detailed project plan for efficient execution.

Intended Outcomes:

1. A cohesive and capable development team ready to tackle the project.
2. Well-defined project plan to guide the subsequent phases.
3. Alignment and understanding among team members regarding their roles and responsibilities.

Milestone 2 (Months 3-4): Development of the Cardano-Shopify integration.

Deliverables:

1. System architecture and technical specifications document.
2. Backend integration module.
3. API for seamless communication between Cardano and Shopify.

Outputs:

1. Detailed system architecture and technical specifications guiding the integration development.
2. Functional backend integration module connecting Cardano and Shopify.
3. Robust API facilitating smooth communication between the two platforms.
4. Deployed smart contracts ensuring secure and reliable transactions.

Intended Outcomes:

1. Successful integration of Cardano and Shopify platforms.
2. Seamless exchange of data and transactions between Cardano and Shopify.
3. Enablement of secure and efficient operations for users and merchants.

Milestone 3 (Months 5-6): Development of the rewards system.

Deliverables:

1. Rewards system structure and rules documentation.
2. Smart contracts for implementing the rewards system.
3. User interfaces for accessing and interacting with the rewards system.

Outputs:

1. Well-defined structure and rules governing the rewards system.
2. Deployed smart contracts handling the rewards distribution and management.
3. User-friendly interfaces allowing users to participate in and benefit from the rewards system.

Intended Outcomes:

1. Implementation of a functional and fair rewards system.
2. Motivation for users to engage with the platform and earn rewards.
3. Enhanced user experience through the rewards system.

Milestone 4 (Months 7-8): Testing and deployment.

Deliverables:

1. Testing documentation with test cases and results.
2. Deployed Cardano-Shopify integration on the Shopify platform.

Outputs:

1. Comprehensive testing documentation demonstrating the system's reliability and functionality.
2. Successfully deployed Cardano-Shopify integration accessible on the Shopify platform.

Intended Outcomes:

1. Ensured system stability and performance through rigorous testing.
2. Availability of the Cardano-Shopify integration for users and merchants.
3. Seamless user experience while utilizing the integrated solution.

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

Priced in $USD

Development of Cardano-Shopify integration: This phase requires a budget of $37,500. It focuses on creating a seamless connection between the Cardano blockchain and the Shopify platform, enabling secure and efficient transactions and data exchange.

Development of rewards system: The budget allocated for this phase is $31,250. The goal is to design and implement a robust rewards system that allows users to earn rewards within the integrated solution, enhancing user engagement and incentivizing participation.

Audit and Testing: An amount of $50,000 is allocated for the audit and testing phase. This step ensures the stability and functionality of the entire system through thorough testing processes, aiming to identify and resolve any potential issues before the deployment.

Marketing and user onboarding: This phase requires a budget of $31,250. The focus is on implementing effective marketing strategies to attract and engage users and merchants, as well as providing a seamless onboarding experience to ensure successful platform adoption.

Administration and project management: The budget allocated for administration and project management activities is $18,750. This includes overseeing the project's execution, managing resources, and ensuring effective coordination among team members for a smooth project delivery.

*A contingency budget of $23,750 (10% of the total budget) is also included to address any unforeseen challenges or additional requirements that may arise during the project, providing flexibility and ensuring a successful outcome.

Development of Cardano-Shopify integration: $37,500

Development of rewards system: $31,250

Audit and Testing: $50,000

Marketing and user onboarding: $31,250

Administration and project management: $18,750

Contingency (10% of total budget): $23,750

Total Budget (excluding contingency): $169,000

Contingency: $23,750

Total Budget (including contingency): $192,750

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

The project team consists of:

John Valdez - Project Lead: As the CEO of Unscroll and with extensive experience within Cardano, John is responsible for overseeing the project, providing strategic direction, and managing team collaboration.

Alejandro Almanza - Community Manager: As the COO of Scapegoat Media, Alejandro brings industry knowledge and a passion for innovation. His role involves engaging with the Cardano community, managing communications, and ensuring the project's success.

Alexa Kuk - UI/UX Designer: With expertise in design, branding, and UI, Alexa brings their innovative skills to create user-friendly and visually appealing experiences. They collaborate closely with the team to deliver outstanding UI/UX designs for the project.

Marcus - Lead Developer & CTO: Marcus, currently serving as the CTO of Unscroll, brings his technical expertise and leadership to the team. With his strong background in development and a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem, Marcus leads the development efforts of the project.

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

The costs are justified considering the high expertise needed for the development, deployment, and successful operation of the integration. The budget ensures we can attract and retain the necessary talent to deliver a high-quality solution.

The proposed project represents value for money because it will drive significant adoption of the Cardano blockchain within the eCommerce sector, providing a robust use-case for Cardano and stimulating economic activity in the ADA token. By integrating with Shopify, one of the world's largest eCommerce platforms, we expect to bring millions of potential users to the Cardano ecosystem, leading to a significant return on investment for the Cardano community.