Please describe your proposed solution.

We propose an open-source Agora Effect that stakes ADA in a DAO’s treasury to earn yield. We will make it easy for non-technical users to use this effect by creating a no-code mechanism to facilitate a community-wide vote that stakes ADA in the DAOs treasury to a chosen stake pool when passed.

So far, we have built a front end so non technical users can interact with the Agora Protocol (https://github.com/Liqwid-Labs/agora) which is in MVP state on testnet.

Here is a youtube playlist of what we have built so far:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_pBRKCC0S_qu0ujUQZ0wx-pUjsgdDM7TThis is where you can find and play with it to verify: https://www.testnet.clarity.vote/

Here is the documentation to interact with the dApp: https://docsend.com/content

as a result of this proposal we will create an open-source Agora Effect that stakes ADA in a DAO’s treasury to earn yield.

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Empowering DAOs to stake their funds directly to Stake Pools promotes further decentralization of the Cardano network. DAOs will eventually be some of the largest ADA holders in the Cardano ecosystem. By enabling DAO treasuries to participate in the staking process, we aim to allow these large treasuries to increase overall stake, 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.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Ability to Deliver:

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. 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>

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 been working in the Cardano governance niche since 2020, and have shipped multiple products that help Cardano communities.
• We have a deep understanding of the underlying technology and best practices, enabling us to make informed decisions and deliver reliable solutions. Our team includes core contributors to the Agora Protocol and Cardano domain experts who help ensure project delivery.

Transparent Communication:

• We provide weekly development updates, transparent progress reports, and hold interactive sessions to address questions, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with project goals.

Commitment to Documentation:

• Our team produces comprehensive documentation, including technical specifications, user guides, and project reports. These are all made public for streamlined user adoption and to make it easy for stakeholders to review and verify the project's progress.

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’s Project Catalyst serves as a testament to our ability to fulfill our commitments and achieve desired outcomes.
• Communities using our platform already can be found here (<https://www.clarity.vote/>), and are a great reference for our past work.

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

Validating our Approach is Feasible:

We have conducted initial research into the plausibility of such an Agora proposal. Our team of highly qualified smart contract developers have confirmed this functionality is feasible for Cardano by issuing DAO-owned staking keys to DAOs on the platform. These staking keys are controlled via DAO votes using Agora. We are confident this solution is technically possible, and it fits into the existing Agora governance framework.

What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone: Research and Analysis

• Tasks:
• Identify technical requirements and challenges (1 week)
• Analyze key generation and fund protection mechanisms (1 week)
• Conduct initial interviews with potential early adopters (1 week)
• Expected Timeline: 3 Weeks

>Milestone: MVP and Proof of Concept

• Tasks:
• Develop an MVP of the Stake ADA Agora Effect (2 weeks)
• Implement testing environment (1 weeks)
• Expected Timeline: 3 Weeks

>Milestone: Stakeholder Feedback and Engagement

• Tasks:
• Conduct follow-up user interviews with to get feedback on MVP (1 week)
• Iterate on design and implementation based on stakeholder input (1 weeks)
• Expected Timeline: 2 Weeks

>Milestone: Performance and Scalability Testing

• Tasks:
• Simulate various scenarios internally to evaluate performance (1 week)
• Assess scalability under increased stake delegation (1 week)
• Expected Timeline: 2 Weeks

>Milestone: Pilot Deployment and Evaluation

• Tasks:
• Monitor and evaluate the pilot deployment (4 weeks)
• Gather feedback and identify refinements (1 week)
• Expected Timeline: 5 Weeks

>Milestone: Finalize Implementation and Documentation

• Tasks:
• Implement refinements based on pilot feedback (1 week)
• Prepare comprehensive documentation and educational resources (1 week)
• Expected Timeline: 2 Weeks

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

• Logan Panchot: Logan is a recent graduate at Stanford University and has been part of the Catalyst community since Fund4. Logan is a deep believer in the potential of decentralized organizations to create a better world. At Clarity, Logan is responsible for business operations, community growth, and client adoption. (<https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-panchot/>)
• Justin Schreiner: Justin has a background in Computer Science and is a Plutus Pioneer. At Clarity, Justin is responsible for business operations, talking with users, and leading Product development. (<https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinschreiner/>)
• Matt Laux: Matt is an engineering graduate from Texas A&M with experience in full-stack development. Matt is responsible for full-stack development on the Clarity web platform. (<https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-laux/>)
• Chris Borders: Chris is a lawyer and advisor to blockchain projects. He has over 30 years of experience practicing law. His experience in the blockchain industry began in 2015 when he joined what would become Chainlink. He remained at Chainlink until 2018, eventually serving as their interim General Counsel. Currently, Chris spends most of his time in the Cardano ecosystem, advising other projects including Liqwid, Indigo, and SundaeSwap. (<https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherjborders/>)
• Paul Levine: Paul Levine spent the last 30 years shaping the payments industry. Previously, as the President of Planet Payment he directed its US Global eCommerce division. He also served as the President of an Intuit Company and has worked for industry leaders such as ATT Wireless, First Data and Chase. He currently resides in Brickell, Miami where he consults for leading payments and blockchain companies. (<https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-levine-26b2b28/>)
• Shannon Wu: Shannon is an investor and entrepreneur in the blockchain space. She love working with and investing in transformative technologies in Defi, Big Data, Blockchain, Automation and AI. She was an early team member of MakerDAO and part of the founding team for Bloom Protocol. For Clarity, Shannon advises on go to market strategy, fundraising, and strategic decision making. (<https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwu/>)

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Amount of hours estimated to complete 335 hours.

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Cost per hour $60

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335 x 60 = $20,100

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$20,100 / 0.24 = 83,750 ADA

Total cost of 83,750 ADA (Assuming ADA is $0.24)

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

Milestone: Research and Analysis

• Identify technical requirements and challenges (20 hours)
• Analyze key generation and fund protection mechanisms (20 hours)
• Conduct initial interviews with potential early adopters (10 hours)

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

Milestone: MVP and Proof of Concept

• Develop an MVP of the Stake ADA Agora Effect (50 hours)
• Implement testing environment (40 hours)

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

Milestone: Stakeholder Feedback and Engagement

• Conduct follow-up user interviews with to get feedback on MVP (10 hours)
• Iterate on design and implementation based on stakeholder input (40 hours)

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

Milestone: Performance and Scalability Testing

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

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

Milestone: Pilot Deployment and Evaluation

• Select organizations for pilot deployment (5 hours)
• Gather feedback and identify refinements (10 hours)

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

Milestone: Finalize Implementation and Documentation

• Implement refinements based on pilot feedback (40 hours)
• Prepare comprehensive documentation and educational resources (30 hours)

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

TOTAL HOURS: 335

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

This project provides value to the Cardano ecosystem through the following factors:

Enhanced Functionality and Features:

• The proposed Stake ADA Proposal Effect expands the capabilities of the existing Agora DAO infrastructure. DAOs would gain the ability to actively participate in Cardano Staking, which is one of the core value propositions of the Cardano ecosystem.
• 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.
• 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 via an on-chain Agora Proposal 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.

Sustainable Growth and Long-Term Viability:

• By integrating the Stake ADA Agora Effect 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):

• DAOs will end up being some of the largest asset holders in crypto. If Cardano is able to offer its attractive staking yield to large DAOs with large treasuries, this can be a big driver in adoption for the chain.
• The project will generate beneficial outcomes for Cardano, such as increased stake, more engaged communities, and ecosystem growth.