Please describe your proposed solution.

Our solution aims to decentralize the taxi industry by creating a blockchain-based Taxi DAO, leveraging the Cardano ecosystem's functionalities.

The current taxi industry model is centralized, making it difficult for taxi drivers to have control over their revenue and decisions. Furthermore, passengers are often subject to exorbitant fare prices due to monopolistic practices.

We propose a unique solution of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) built on Cardano to give power back to the drivers and users. The Taxi DAO will enable drivers to participate in decision-making processes regarding fare prices, operating policies, and more, thus making them a vital part of the ecosystem rather than just service providers.

Additionally, users can benefit from transparent pricing and the opportunity to participate in governance via staking and voting. This not only ensures a democratic system but also contributes to increasing the overall value of the Cardano ecosystem.

Our approach is founded on Cardano's capability to handle complex smart contracts needed for DAO operations, its scalability, and its secure and energy-efficient framework. This solution also utilizes Cardano's native token (ADA), thereby increasing its utility and demand.

We believe our project will engage a broad audience, from Cardano enthusiasts to taxi drivers and passengers seeking a fairer, decentralized taxi platform. We plan to demonstrate our impact through active user participation, increased transaction volumes, and improved satisfaction among taxi drivers.

This project should be important to Cardano as it showcases the practicality of blockchain solutions in everyday services like taxi rides, ultimately helping to drive the mass adoption of Cardano.

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-friendl
2. Software Quality and Reliability: Our project emphasizes rigorous software quality assuranc
3. Community Growth: Our project, through its deliverables, aims to attract more developers and businesses to the Cardano ecosyste
4. Empowering the Ecosystem: By addressing existing challenges in a user-friendly and efficient manner, we strengthen the Cardano ecosyste

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 establishe
2. Project Milestones: We'll measure the successful delivery of the increment within its timelin
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?

We plan to disseminate the outputs and results of our project in various ways to ensure maximum reach and impact. These plans will take place over the six-month duration of our project and beyond.

1. Project Updates and Results Sharing: We will use different social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) and dedicated channels in popular Cardano and crypto communities to regularly share progress updates, insights, and result
2. Knowledge Sharing Webinars and Workshops: We will organize webinars and workshops to explain how the Taxi DAO operates, benefits of the system, and how users can participate
3. Documentation and Open-Sourcing Code: Our project's software code will be open-sourced and available on platforms like GitHub, thus encouraging transparency, community collaboration, and further development
4. Engagement with Stakeholders: We'll maintain an ongoing dialogue with taxi associations, drivers, and passengers to communicate the project's benefits, seek feedback, and make necessary improvements.

The results generated from the project will serve as a valuable resource for further R&D activities. Insights on DAO operations, governance, user participation, and more can inform the development of other DAOs in different sectors. Furthermore, we'll actively seek collaborations with academic and research institutions to conduct further studies on our DAO model's effectiveness and the social impact of blockchain-based solutions.

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?

Our project has several main goals:

1. Establish a DAO for taxi operations: We will build a decentralized platform that enables taxi drivers to organize, coordinate, and operate under a community-governed mode
2. Engage stakeholders:
3. Ensure smooth operations and user experience: We want to deliver an intuitive, easy-to-use platform for both taxi drivers and passenger
4. Demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of a DAO in the real world: Through this project, we aim to show that DAOs can bring tangible benefits to various sectors, including the traditional taxi industry

To validate our approach and measure our progress, we will use the following indicators:

• Successful deployment and testing of the DAO's smart contracts on the Cardano testnet and then mainnet.
• User feedback on the usability and functionality of the platform.
• The smoothness of operations, as measured by the number of completed rides, transaction volume, dispute rates, etc.
• Active participation in DAO governance, as indicated by voting rates on proposals.

Our project is primarily software development and community engagement. We will employ agile methodologies for software development, including regular sprints, constant testing, and iterative improvements. For community engagement, we will use a combination of online and offline methods, such as social media engagement, webinars, workshops, and in-person meetings.

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.

Here are the project's milestones, tasks, and timelines:

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Design Phase (1 month)

Tasks:

• Set up the project team and establish project management procedures
• Conduct research and interviews with taxi drivers and passengers
• Define technical specifications for the DAO and platform
• Design the UI/UX of the platform

Acceptance Criteria:

• Team and procedures in place
• Completed research and interviews
• Approved technical specifications
• Approved UI/UX design

Milestone 2: DAO and Platform Development Phase (3 months)

Tasks:

• Develop the DAO's smart contracts
• Develop the platform's frontend and backend
• Integrate the frontend with the smart contracts
• Test the DAO and platform on the Cardano testnet

Acceptance Criteria:

• Developed and tested smart contracts
• Developed frontend and backend of the platform
• Successful integration and testing on the Cardano testnet

Milestone 3: Community Engagement and Onboarding Phase (1 month)

Tasks:

• Develop and execute a marketing and engagement campaign
• Conduct webinars and workshops for taxi drivers
• Onboard taxi drivers to the platform
• Gather initial user feedback and make necessary adjustments

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful marketing and engagement campaign
• Conducted webinars and workshops
• Collected user feedback and made adjustments

Milestone 4: Platform Launch and Evaluation Phase (1 month)

Tasks:

• Launch the DAO and platform on the Cardano mainnet
• Monitor the platform's operations
• Collect and analyze user feedback
• Evaluate the project's impact and success against the set goals
• Prepare the final project report

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful launch on the Cardano mainnet
• Smooth platform operations
• Collected and analyzed user feedback
• Evaluated project impact
• Completed final project report

Throughout the project, we will use agile project management, allowing us to adapt and make changes quickly based on feedback and learnings. We'll also ensure open communication with the Cardano community, updating them regularly about our progress.

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

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Design Phase

Deliverables:

• Project team and procedures
• Research findings report
• Technical specifications document
• UI/UX designs

Outcomes:

• A fully prepared and motivated project team
• Insight into taxi drivers' and passengers' needs and challenges
• Well-defined technical blueprint for the DAO and platform development
• Attractive and user-friendly designs

Progress Measurement:

• Completion and approval of deliverables

Milestone 2: DAO and Platform Development Phase

Deliverables:

• Smart contracts codebase
• Platform frontend and backend codebase
• Integrated and tested system on the Cardano testnet

Outcomes:

• A functional DAO and platform ready for real-world testing

Progress Measurement:

• Successful code development and integration
• Successful system testing on the Cardano testnet

Milestone 3: Community Engagement and Onboarding Phase

Deliverables:

• Marketing and engagement campaign
• Webinars and workshops materials
• User feedback report

Outcomes:

• Increased awareness about the platform among taxi drivers
• Onboarded taxi drivers who are ready to use the platform
• Improved platform based on user feedback

Progress Measurement:

• Number of engaged taxi drivers
• Number of onboarded taxi drivers
• Quality of user feedback

Milestone 4: Platform Launch and Evaluation Phase

Deliverables:

• Launched DAO and platform on the Cardano mainnet
• User feedback report
• Project evaluation report
• Final project report

Outcomes:

• A live, operational, and user-friendly DAO and platform for taxi services
• Continued improvements based on user feedback
• Documented project's success and areas for improvement

Progress Measurement:

• Successful launch on the Cardano mainnet
• Smooth platform operations
• User satisfaction levels
• Achievement of project goals as documented in the evaluation report

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

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Design Phase (40k ADA)

• Conduct a comprehensive market research on the taxi industry and existing DAO models. Deliverable: Research Report.
• Develop technical specifications for the DAO structure and platform features. Deliverable: Technical Specifications Document.
• Create a detailed UI/UX design for the platform. Deliverable: Wireframes and Design Mockups.

Milestone 2: DAO and Platform Development Phase (100k ADA)

• Develop DAO governance smart contracts in Plutus. Deliverable: Smart Contracts Code.
• Develop the frontend and backend of the platform integrating with Cardano blockchain. Deliverable: Frontend and Backend Code.
• Deploy the developed DAO and platform on Cardano testnet for testing. Deliverable: Testnet Deployment.

Milestone 3: Community Engagement and Onboarding Phase (30k ADA)

• Launch a comprehensive marketing campaign to engage taxi drivers and passengers. Deliverable: Marketing Campaign Report.
• Organize webinars and workshops to educate potential users about the platform. Deliverable: Webinars and Workshop Recordings.
• Collect user feedback for further improvement of the platform. Deliverable: User Feedback Report.

Milestone 4: Platform Launch and Evaluation Phase (30k ADA)

• Deploy the platform on Cardano mainnet. Deliverable: Mainnet Deployment.
• Collect user feedback post-launch for evaluation. Deliverable: Post-launch User Feedback Report.
• Evaluate the project against the goals and prepare a final report. Deliverable: Project Evaluation Report.

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.