Please describe your proposed solution.

Our solution leverages Aiken's smart contract capabilities to redefine the utility of gift cards within the Magento ecosystem. By integrating these contracts, we enable a novel approach where gift cards purchased on one Magento storefront can be redeemed universally across any participating store. This not only solves the limitation of store-specific redemption but also broadens the scope and flexibility for customers.

We chose Aiken for its robustness and compatibility with Cardano, ensuring secure and decentralized transactions. Our focus is on Magento stores, engaging both retailers and customers in a more versatile and blockchain-empowered shopping experience.

The impact of this integration will be demonstrated through increased transactional flexibility and customer satisfaction. Stores will benefit from a new, innovative revenue stream, and customers will enjoy the convenience and added value of their purchases.

This project is unique as it combines the flexibility of blockchain technology with the practicality of everyday shopping, bringing a new level of utility and interoperability to gift cards. It represents a significant step forward for Cardano, showcasing its potential in transforming conventional retail practices and making blockchain technology a part of everyday transactions.

You can read about how Cardano based gift cards would work on Aiken's website: <https://aiken-lang.org/example–gift-card>

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

Our project's impact on Cardano and the wider eCommerce sector will be profound. By integrating a Cardano-based universal gift card system into Magento, a platform powering over 250,000+ storefronts with a Gross Merchandise Value of $225 billion in 2021, we position Cardano at the forefront of eCommerce. This integration not only enhances the utility of Cardano within a significant market but also introduces a vast audience to Cardano’s ecosystem.

The success of this project will be measured through adoption rates among Magento stores, the volume of transactions processed through these gift cards, and the influx of new users to the Cardano ecosystem. We plan to publish comprehensive reports on these metrics, share success stories from participating merchants and customers, and actively engage with the Cardano community to demonstrate real-world applications of Cardano’s blockchain technology.

By bridging Cardano with a major eCommerce platform, we anticipate a significant increase in liquidity and utility for ₳ ADA, ultimately reinforcing Cardano’s position as a leading blockchain solution in retail and beyond. This project will serve as a model for future blockchain integrations in various sectors, showcasing the practical and transformative potential of Cardano.

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?

Making Cardano and Adobe Commerce Magento Click:

Mitchell Robles Jr is not just another tech enthusiast. He's been in the trenches with Magento, so much so that Packt Publishing chose him as the sole technical reviewer for their Magento 2 Developer's Guide right after Adobe purchased Magento for $1.7 Billion. His skills are in print, and he has a biography on a dedicated page next to the authors biography. It’s proof that when it comes to Magento, Mitchell knows his stuff, and his hand picked team is very capable of delivering on our work.

Checking the Tech, Double-Checking the Approach:

As for making sure this whole thing works, our plan is to keep testing and adapting. We'll start small, get feedback, tweak things, and scale up. Think of it as continuous improvement – we're not just launching and hoping for the best. We're tweaking, refining, and making sure every step is solid.

Trust? We’ve Got it in Spades:

Managing funds? We plan on hiring number-crunching accountant who'll oversee the budget, make sure we’re sticking to it, and keep everything transparent. No smoke and mirrors here – just honesty and accountability.

Bottom Line:

You’re not just investing in a project; you’re backing a team that’s got the technical experience to make it happen. We're here to make Cardano shine not only in the Magento world but in all of eCommerce, and we've got the skills and the plan to do just that.

You can view one of our Adobe Commerce Magento extensions which is an integral part of this proposal on GitHub. This extension is a work in progress and showcase part of our Proof-Of-Concept.

• <https://github.com/veralidity/WalletBridge>
• There is also a Cardano Payment Method used in the Proof-of-Concept demo which will be made available on GitHub at a later date.

You can also view our Proof-of-Concept demo by visiting the link below:

• <https://catalyst.veralidity.com/aiken-gift-cards-proof-of-concept-demo>

You can read about how Cardano based gift cards would work on Aiken's website:

• <https://aiken-lang.org/example–gift-card>

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

Project Kickoff & Initial Framework:

• Output: Setting up the foundational framework for our Aiken Gift Card functionality that encompasses multiple custom Magento extensions.
• Acceptance Criteria: We will establish a new public code repository with code migrated from our proof-of-concept repositories with initial framework documented, and we'll have documentation on how to set up a development environment for the community. This repository will encompass multiple Magento extensions that will be the foundation for accomplishing our end result of our proposal

>Magento Universal Gift Card Extension:

• Output: Development of Magento extension that is the bare-bones foundation for creating and redeeming custom gift cards.
• Acceptance Criteria: Create a demonstrable Magento extension that facilitates the basics of creating and redeeming a custom gift card product type.

>Aiken Gift Cards:

• Output: Development of Aiken Gift Cards on Cardano testnet
• Acceptance Criteria: Create and redeem an Aiken gift card on the Cardano testnet

>Refining our Universal Magento Gift Card Extension:

• Output: Refining the functionality within our existing proof-of-concept extensions and tying them into our Universal Magento Gift Card extension.

Aiken Universal Magento Gift Cards Extension:

• Acceptance Criteria: Successful deployment of a MVP in a controlled development environment and documentation of identified issues. It’s test time, making sure the gears are turning smoothly.

>Security & Code Audits

• Output: Perform security & code audits for our Aiken smart contracts.
• Acceptance Criteria: Provide a detailed security report.

>Pre-Launch Preparation:

• Output: Feedback incorporation, Final adjustments pre-launch, marketing materials, and documentation.
• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of all pre-launch checklists, marketing content, and user guides. It’s all about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.

Project Completion Report and Video:

• Output: Comprehensive project report and a video demonstration.
• Acceptance Criteria: Detailed report outlining the project journey, challenges, solutions, and a video showcasing the final product. The grand finale, laying out our journey and showcasing what we’ve built.

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

Mitchell Robles, Jr.

• Roles: Bossman, Lead Engineer
• He was the sole technical reviewer for Packt Publishings Magento 2 Developers Guide book published in 2015. You can find a bio about Mitchell in the book on a dedicated page next to a bio about the author.
• Mitchell does not use social media except for the Veralidity Twitter account, but can and will have public interactions (discussions, interviews, speaking engagements, etc with the community to prove he is who he says he is

Matthew Olsen - (currently employed as a Software Engineer at Microsoft)

• Roles: Full stack developer, systems engineer, Haskell development
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-olsen-1180a833

Jose Maldonado

• Roles: Front-development, Dev-Ops
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/josejmaldonado

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

Development Costs (50%):

• Straight-up Coding: This chunk's for the tech wizards coding this magic. We’re talking salaries and any software they need.
• Hiring blockchain and Magento developers for smart contract creation and Magento integration – because world-class code doesn’t write itself.

Testing & Quality Assurance (5%):

• Comprehensive testing across Magento storefronts to ensure compatibility and security.

Security and Code Audit (25%):

• Hiring professionals for code review and security auditing, particularly for blockchain integration aspects.

Project Management (5%):

• Coordination, timeline tracking, and team collaboration.

Marketing and Community Engagement (5%):

• Promotional activities for awareness within Magento and Cardano communities.

Documentation and Reporting (5%):

• Detailed user documentation and regular progress reporting.

Contingency Fund (5%):

• Reserved for unforeseen expenses.

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

The proposed budget for integrating Aiken Gift Card functionality with Magento represents significant value for the Cardano ecosystem. Here's why:

<u>Development Expertise:</u>

The budget reflects market rates for skilled blockchain and Magento developers. By investing in top talent, we ensure a high-quality, secure product that enhances Cardano's utility in the eCommerce domain.

<u>Extensive Reach of Magento:</u>

With over 250,000+ Magento stores, the potential exposure and adoption of Cardano through this integration are substantial. The Gross Merchandise Value of Magento in 2021 was $225 billion, indicating the scale at which Cardano can be introduced and utilized.

<u>Security Assurance:</u>

The security and code audit budget ensures the reliability of the smart contracts, a critical aspect for user trust and adoption. This enhances Cardano's reputation for secure and robust blockchain solutions.

<u>Marketing and Community Engagement:</u>

The allocated budget for marketing and community engagement is designed to maximize visibility and user on-boarding, directly contributing to an increased user base and liquidity for ₳ ADA.

<u>Future Growth and Scalability:</u>

This project is not just a one-time development; it's an investment in Cardano's future in eCommerce. It opens up avenues for further innovations and integrations, continuously adding value.

<u>Cost-Effectiveness:</u>

The budget has been carefully planned to be cost-effective, ensuring that every ₳ ADA spent contributes to tangible outcomes and widespread adoption within the Magento ecosystem.

<u>In Conclusion:</u>

What we're building here isn’t just another piece of software. It’s a bridge between Cardano and the daily lives of countless online shoppers and sellers. It’s about long-term gains, reputation, and setting a new standard in eCommerce. Every ₳ ADA spent is an investment in Cardano's future, and we’re all about making sure it pays off.