Please describe your proposed solution

As new protocols launch within the Cardano ecosystem, it can be challenging for community members to stay informed and fully understand the opportunities each protocol presents. To address this, Waffle Capital proposes a solution focused on producing comprehensive reports for each new protocol launch. Our solution has four key components:

• Engage with Protocol Teams and Community Members

We will work closely with protocol teams to gather relevant information on each new project. This collaboration ensures that our reports are accurate and insightful, providing a clear picture of each protocol’s goals and potential. By working with those directly involved, we help protocol teams effectively communicate their value proposition and alleviate the burden of addressing all questions themselves.

• Develop Clear, Structured Reports

Each report will provide a clear snapshot of the protocol’s purpose, functionality, and potential impact, making it accessible for all community members, regardless of their level of expertise. The reports will be structured to highlight key aspects on a project-to-project basis. By maintaining consistency in format and clarity, we aim to create easy-to-digest resources that serve both community members and external stakeholders.

• Support Projects and Facilitate Ecosystem Growth

Our reports will not only educate the community but also serve as a valuable tool for the projects themselves. By offering structured information about each launch, we help projects bootstrap and build momentum during the crucial launch phase. This support allows project teams to focus on growth and development while ensuring the community remains well-informed.

• Empower the Community Through Education and Accessibility

Our goal is to create resources that foster growth and collaboration within the Cardano ecosystem. By providing these reports openly and ensuring they are easily accessible, we aim to build a knowledge base that empowers community members to engage with and support new projects. Our approach will be adaptive, allowing us to respond to feedback and refine our methods to best meet the evolving needs of the community.

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

• Increase Awareness and Understanding of New Protocols

By providing detailed, structured reports on each new protocol launch, we aim to enhance the community's understanding of the latest developments within the Cardano ecosystem. This initiative will make it easier for members to stay informed and engage with new opportunities, ultimately leading to a more knowledgeable and active community.

• Support and Empower Projects at Launch

Our reports will act as a vital tool for new projects, helping them build momentum and reach a broader audience during their critical launch phase. By relieving protocol teams of the burden of educating and addressing all questions themselves, we empower them to focus on their growth and development, contributing to the overall success of the ecosystem.

• Foster Community Engagement and Collaboration

The information provided through these reports will not only inform but also inspire community discussions and collaborations. By offering accessible and comprehensive insights, we enable community members to connect, share knowledge, and collectively support new initiatives, strengthening the overall ecosystem.

• Attract New Participants and Investors

By making information about new protocols easily accessible, we create an inviting environment for external stakeholders, including potential investors, developers, and new users. Our efforts to showcase the innovation and growth within Cardano will help attract more participants, enhancing the ecosystem's expansion and development potential.

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?

Waffle Capital has a proven track record of engaging with the Cardano community and supporting its growth, as demonstrated through our past events and consistent presence shared via social media. Our commitment to building platforms that allow the community to shine and provide learning opportunities for those outside of Cardano is evident, and we will continue this effort to ensure more Cardano projects can access and capitalize on business opportunities.

With over two years of experience operating within the Cardano blockchain, we have developed a deep understanding of the ecosystem and its key sources of information. Our long-standing presence enables us to identify and aggregate the most relevant updates, metrics, and developments from trusted sources. This expertise ensures that we can produce comprehensive, accurate, and timely reports that reflect the evolving state of the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Milestone 1: Objective: Establish a solid foundation for the project by setting up the necessary infrastructure, assembling the team, and defining project management practices.

Activities:

• Confirm core team members and advisors.
• Establish project management tools.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Public announcement on core team members and advisors.
• Project management tools and systems set up.

Milestone 2: Objective: Create a comprehensive framework for the reports by researching and defining the key topics to be covered for each protocol launch.

Activities:

• Research different aspects that are critical to understanding new protocols (e.g., Problem, Solution, Team, Tokenomics, Audit).
• Develop a standardized report structure that will be used as a template for future reports.
• Engage with the community and protocol teams to gather feedback and ensure the structure covers the most relevant information.

Acceptance Criteria & Evidence:

• A comprehensive and flexible report structure finalized and ready for use.
• Documentation of topics to be covered, including Problem, Solution, Team, Tokenomics, and other relevant areas.
• Community and protocol team feedback (via Twitter/X) incorporated into the final structure.

Milestone 3: Objective: Complete and release the first report for a protocol launch using the newly established report structure while collaborating with the team.

Activities:

• Identify an upcoming protocol launch suitable for the first report.
• Gather information directly from the protocol team and other reliable sources.
• Compile and finalize the report according to the defined structure.
• Share the report publicly via Waffle Capital’s channels (e.g., website, social media, GitHub).

Acceptance Criteria & Evidence:

• The first protocol report is completed and publicly released.
• Evidence of community engagement and feedback on the first report.

Final Milestone: Objective: Consistently produce and publish reports for protocol launches over a 9-month period, with a maximum of 3 reports per month.

Activities:

• Monitor upcoming protocol launches within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Select protocols based on their relevance and potential impact on the ecosystem.
• Collect information, compile, and finalize each report following the established structure.
• Publish reports consistently and seek community feedback to improve quality and relevance.

Acceptance Criteria & Evidence:

• Up to 27 reports published over a 9-month period, with no more than 3 reports per month.
• Documentation of community engagement and feedback for continuous improvement.
• Flexibility to adapt the report structure based on evolving needs and community input.

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

Monish Iyer is a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Waffle Capital. As the COO, Monish is responsible for the management of the Fund, as it relates to the day to day administrative and financial operations. He will be in charge of coordinating and overseeing the implementation of this proposal, ensuring that all milestones are met and that the project's outcomes are in line with the initial objectives.

Raphael Brauner is the CTO at Waffle Capital. Through his technical expertise, Raphael will be able to look at smart contracts and audit reports in order to determine the soundness of the protocols infrastructure/coding.

Roshan Golani is a Decentralised Finance analyst at Waffle Capital. As a DeFi analyst, Roshan plays a pivotal role in identifying and evaluating emerging decentralised applications: understanding their mechanics and crafting insightful research reports. For this proposal, Roshan will conduct the research, write the reports, and collaborate with Monish, Raphael, project teams, and the community to refine and improve the reports, ensuring they align with the needs and interests of the Cardano ecosystem.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Preparation and Organization Setup

Activities:

• 5,000 ADA -Confirm core team members and advisors.
• 10,000 ADA - Establish project management tools.
• 10,000 ADA - Project management tools and systems set up.
• Total Budget: 25,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Research and Define Report Structure

Activities:

• 5,000 ADA - Research different aspects that are critical to understanding new protocols (e.g., Problem, Solution, Team, Tokenomics, Audit).
• 5,000 ADA - Develop a standardized report structure that will be used as a template for future reports.
• 5,000 ADA - Engage with the community and protocol teams to gather feedback and ensure the structure covers the most relevant information.
• 10,000 ADA - A comprehensive and flexible report structure finalized and ready for use.
• Total Budget: 25,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Deliver the First Report

Activities:

• 5,000 ADA - Identify an upcoming protocol launch suitable for the first report.
• 5,000 ADA - Gather information directly from the protocol team and other reliable sources.
• 10,000 ADA - Compile and finalize the report according to the defined structure.
• 5,000 ADA - Share the report publicly via Waffle Capital’s channels (e.g., website, social media, GitHub).
• Total Budget: 25,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Ongoing Protocol Coverage for 9 Months

Activities:

• 25,000 ADA - Publish reports consistently (up to 27 reports over 9 months) and seek community feedback to improve quality and relevance.
• Total Budget: 25,000 ADA

No dependencies

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

This project supports the Cardano ecosystem by offering clear and reliable reports on new protocol launches. These reports help the community stay informed and engaged with the latest developments, fostering greater understanding and involvement.

By educating the community and giving new projects the visibility they need, we aim to build momentum for these protocols at launch. This approach ensures that both community members and new projects have access to essential information, creating a positive impact that supports the ecosystem's growth and development as a whole.