Please describe your proposed solution.
Reaching a Bigger Demographic via Edu-tainment
If Cardano is to realize the vision of becoming a financial operating system that’s widely used across the African continent, then many more people in Africa eventually need to learn about the value of Cardano and project Catalyst.
Currently though, the vast majority of media featuring Cardano targets two demographics – cryptocurrency investors and technology enthusiasts – while many other groups are needed to grow use of the blockchain.
The development of key scaling upgrades to the Cardano network, including diffusion pipelining, asynchronous validation, input endorsers and Hydra are all likely to be deployed by mid-to-late 2023, if not sooner - enabling the network to remain performant and secure for many more projects and users. And the rapid debasement of fiat currencies globally, which could result in extreme, economic instability across parts of Africa over the next 1 - 2 years, could create much near-to-mid-term demand for a sound, inclusive financial system across the continent.
For these reasons, our team believes the time is now to start work on a media project that in the next 6 - 18 months can start educating a broader demographic of Africans about the potential of Cardano and Project Catalyst.
<u>The Solution</u>
Bringing entertainment to education, we propose the creation of a TV series about a young software developer whose adventure of self-discovery revolves around her discovery of the Cardano and Catalyst communities.
awo.AI seamlessly integrates elements of drama, suspense, sci-fi and magical realism with an introduction into the world of dApps, NFTs, ISPOs and DAOs. And it will educate African audiences about the power and potential of Cardano and Catalyst – not only for software developers, but for all kinds of people – especially young people in Africa.
What’s more, our approach to community building, development and production will embody the ethos of Catalyst and the potential of Cardano: We aim to fund the project via a combination of Catalyst funds, stakepool-based crowdfunding made possible by African SPO partners, and Cardano NFT collections inspired by, and integrated into, the series itself. Finally, we’ll endeavor to connect audiences in Africa with the global Cardano community by holding online events and documenting the making of the series on social media.
<u>The Story</u>
awo.AI is a cross-cultural series about Leylani Oweye-Smith, a programmer developing divination software based on AI, machine learning, and an African religion brought to the Americas in the form of Voodoo and Santería. Its practitioners are known as awos.
A college dropout living in the American midwest, securing a pitch with venture capitalists seems like a longshot for Leylani. Convincing them of her and her product’s potential seems impossible.
Searching for funding, she stumbles down the Web3 rabbit hole, which eventually leads her to Project Catalyst. This is where her real journey begins.
<u>Tech Integration: NFTs</u>
The series will include NFTs integrated into the storyline. Bringing our main character’s project to life, Cardano NFTs created within the series will be available to audiences.
These cNFT holders will gain access to special features and experiences like Q&A’s with the cast and creative team, and whitelist holders for a more innovative NFT drop to follow the conclusion of the first major part of the series.
<u>Community Integration</u>
The series will include references to and appearances of real-world Cardano projects (with permission), and feature cameos by prominent members of the Cardano community.
We’ll also explore partnerships with leaders from the Cardano community, Catalyst working groups, and projects that could foster Cardano adoption among audience members – with a focus on projects, platforms and initiatives that are well-positioned to create economic opportunities for African users in the short-to-mid-term.
Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.
<u>Education Aligns with Challenge KPIs</u>
Through our educational and entertaining series, we will grow the number of:
- Africa-based users on-boarded onto Cardano
- Africa-based Catalyst members
<u>Marketing Plan</u>
Our marketing plan isn’t an afterthought but an essential part of our project, commanding 45% of our project’s budget.
It social media strategy includes:
- Experienced social media lead (English language)
- French language social media outreach
- Kiswahili language social media outreach
- A Discord Server to include audience participation in storytelling process
- Gathering social media assets from cross-cultural team meetings, moodboard, and concept trailer.
- Highlighting Catalyst projects and Cardano influencers
What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?
Challenge: Boring content
Mitigation: Dynamic, professional storytelling team
Challenge: Unsuccessful social media campaign
Mitigation: Social media team with experienced lead
Challenge: High cost production for trailer
Mitigation: Stock photos and footage