Please describe your proposed solution

Node HUB Web3

At the end of 2023, we realized that the Brazilian Web3 ecosystem was promoting a narrative that failed to drive real adoption of blockchain technologies in the national market. Although Brazil is the 6th largest global market for cryptocurrency adoption (source: Triple A), the country still does not produce businesses or blockchain startups on the same scale.

The innovation and technology market remains focused on the Web2 environment, and many blockchains become frustrated with Brazil due to approaches disconnected from our reality.

In March 2024, we founded Node HUB Web3 in Rio de Janeiro, with the goal of connecting the Web2 and Web3 markets, adapting blockchains to the Brazilian context, promoting the education of devs and biz devs, and bringing corporations and government agencies closer to this technology. Located at Arca Hub, an innovation space in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, we re ready to run any event ou educational journey. We hosted the Cardano event to select representatives for the delegate election event, here in Rio de Janeiro, for the Constitution vote in Argentina.

Our Facilities

The Open Innovation Program

Our approach with blockchains has been to offer an innovation ecosystem, based on approximately 100 startups, to create solutions that engage with the traditional market. For this market, we adopted the "invisible technology" solution, as we believe companies should focus on solving problems, while users seek services that truly deliver value.

In the first seven months of operation, we achieved the following milestones, generating significant benefits for our partners:

• We presented an educational project to Polkadot, which was approved by its governance. Currently, we are running a training program on its technology, lasting approximately eight months, serving around 500 online students and 25 in person, despite the original proposal being for 100 online students and 25 in person. [link to Polkadot project]. Today, we have a community of approximately 800 members on Discord, including devs, biz devs, crypto researchers, and traders. (<https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/referenda/568>)

In Person Class

Online Class

• We connected with the Cosmos Blockchain and structured a two-month educational program, from which a DePIN project with Akash emerged. We are currently in discussions with Cosmos Hub to develop an Open Innovation project.

• We currently have maintainers such as Transfero Group (<https://transfero.com/>), Klever Chain (<https://klever.io/en-us>), and ICP (<https://internetcomputer.org/>), in addition to partners from the crypto sector, national financial market associations, and around 10 Web3 startups participating in our hub.

• We established educational partnerships with the city governments of São Paulo and Curitiba.

• We took our partners and maintainers to the stage of Rio Innovation Week (<https://rioinnovationweek.com.br/en/>), an innovation event attended by 185,000 people over four days in Rio de Janeiro.

• Our verticals (DEFI, DEPIN, Games, Education, and REFI) are generating business opportunities for our partners.

• We hold monthly onboarding events for the public and C-level executives of companies.

• We are partnering with three universities in Rio de Janeiro to identify and attract talent. The second space is at our partner university, Fiurj (<https://fiurj.edu.br/>), where we conduct training sessions, seminars, and workshops. In March 2025, we will expand to São Paulo, where we will operate in both Web2 and Web3 markets. Finally, to demonstrate our impact on the ecosystem, we recommend reading our first semester 2024 report, which provides a more detailed understanding of our actions and results.

Our ecossystem today

The Cardano Open Innovation Brazil Project: Bringing Brazilian Startups and Corporates to the Cardano Ecosystem

Open Innovation is an approach where companies and organizations collaborate with external partners, such as startups, universities, and other businesses, to accelerate innovation by leveraging ideas and technologies beyond their internal boundaries. In Web3, this practice can have profound impacts by integrating decentralized solutions with traditional sectors, fostering the creation of new business models, products, and services based on blockchain.

Additionally, the use of Open Innovation in Web3 can speed up the adoption of technologies such as DEFI, NFTs, and DAOs, facilitating the development of collaborative ecosystems and driving interoperability between different blockchains and traditional industries.

An Open Innovation program with the Cardano blockchain in Brazil has the potential to generate significant impacts across various sectors. By connecting Cardano with the local market, this program promotes the adoption of innovative solutions in areas like DEFI, DEPIN, REFI, and education, creating real opportunities for transformation.

The program would enable the development of new blockchain-based products and services, increasing competitiveness and boosting the digital economy. It would involve startups, businesses, government, and public institutions.

Another key impact would be in professional training. The program could train developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs specializing in blockchain, creating a talent ecosystem prepared to work with Cardano and expand its use in Brazil.

By combining open innovation and blockchain technology, Cardano could become a catalyst for technological development in Brazil, driving the growth of new businesses, promoting digital inclusion, and strengthening the country's presence in the global blockchain economy. The program would last for three months, presenting challenges based on the Cardano ecosystem to solve real-world problems.

Cardano Open Innovation Ideathon: 3-Month Program for Web2 and Web3 Integration

Objective:

The Cardano Ideathon aims to foster collaboration between Brazilian Web2 businesses, startups, and the Cardano blockchain ecosystem to create innovative solutions that leverage blockchain technology in real-world applications.

Target Audience:

• Web2 startups and companies
• Developers and entrepreneurs
• Universities and educational institutions
• Public institutions and government agencies

Program Duration:

• 3 months

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

Project Impact on the Cardano Ecosystem

Our Open Innovation project aims to connect the Cardano ecosystem with Brazilian startups, companies, and institutions, promoting the adoption of innovative blockchain-based solutions. With our extensive experience in education and innovation, we believe we can generate significant impact for the Cardano community, driving real and sustainable adoption. We have over 3 years of experience in the Web3 market and more than 10 years in the education and innovation sectors.

How we will measure the project impact (quantitative and qualitative):

1. Number of partnerships established: We will evaluate the number of startups, companies, and institutions involved in the program, as well as the quality of these collaborations.
2. Projects developed: We will measure the quantity and quality of solutions, products, and prototypes created, as well as their implementation feasibility.
3. Community building: We will track the growth of the Cardano developer, biz dev, and enthusiast community in Brazil and abroad.
4. Social impact and inclusion: We will monitor Cardano's contribution to social projects, aiming to leverage the technology to address social inequalities.
5. Return on Investment (ROI): We will assess the financial impact, including new businesses, revenue generated, and cost savings.
6. Participant feedback: We will conduct satisfaction surveys with startups, companies, and participants to evaluate their experience and learning.
7. Publications and visibility: Reports, events, and publications will be used to share results and opportunities with the Cardano community.

How success will bring value to the Cardano community:

The project will create a sustainable innovation ecosystem, with startups developing Cardano-based products and traditional corporations adopting blockchain as a Web3 solution. Building a solid community of developers and entrepreneurs will expand Cardano's reach both in Brazil and globally. Additionally, the creation of open-source educational materials will enhance knowledge about Cardano, further strengthening its adoption.

Sharing results and opportunities:

Results will be shared through open reports, events, presentations, and publications in specialized media. Business and innovation opportunities will be shared with the Cardano community, allowing other participants to adopt successful solutions from the program.

Example Case: Polkadot Brazil

With our hub and the education and innovation projects that stem from it, we are transforming the national market in terms of Web3. In terms of positive impact, we can highlight the results we achieved with the educational program from Polkadot, which was supported by our HUB and led to the following outcomes:

• Partnerships with the city governments of Curitiba and São Paulo in the education sector, freely distributing the generated educational material.
• Formation of a community of around 800 people on Discord.
• Business partnerships with companies such as Petrobras.
• Presence at events like Blockchain Rio and Rio Innovation Week.
• Four events held at our HUB for companies and startups.
• Creation of 500 developers using the technology.

We can do much more for Cardano, and that’s why we are committed to promoting its adoption in our country, generating business opportunities and scaling its presence in the market.

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?

Projects carried out in Brazil that I participated in as part of Código Brazuca:

2023 - Selarón Pedaços do Mundo (https://selaronpedacosdomundo.com.br)

2023 - Arcology Brazil - Metaverse Game with The Sandbox (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sTVmiMJ46k)

2023 - 4 Metaverses in Spatial for projects and companies (2 under NDA)

Código Brazuca Space - https://www.spatial.io/s/Space-Codigo-Brazuca-640029353aa2f200e9720e72?share=248998534784895085

Brazuca Gallery - https://www.spatial.io/s/Brazuca-Gallery-640fc247f40f414f260387e1?share=4390257892464318142

Praça Paris - https://www.spatial.io/s/Praca-Paris-Gloria-RJ-Codigo-Brazuca-643b3aa107adc62740c4bc1d?share=6499233989676524379

2023 - Código Brazuca Academy - Solidity training lasting 8 months with a KPI of 85% of students employed after the course, sponsored by Transfero Group

2023 - Numerous lectures on blockchain technology at the largest events in the Brazilian market

2023 - Extension courses for universities on blockchain technology and new markets

2024 - Creation of the Node Hub Web3 by Código Brazuca to promote the Brazilian ecosystem around blockchain technology and innovation, reaching not only new entrants but also companies looking to provide blockchain technology solutions

2024 - 15 events on blockchain technology with entrepreneurs and business owners, fostering the web3 ecosystem and introducing new entrants to blockchains monthly

2024 - Numerous lectures at web3 and web2 events across Brazil

2024 - Node Summit at the Rio Innovation Week, the largest innovation and technology event in LATAM with 185,000 attendees, where we brought blockchain technology to direct contact with the public, entrepreneurs, and companies with an exclusive stage for 2 days

2024 - Código Brazuca Academy with active classes and a community of 850 developers, always introducing new opportunities for blockchain projects

2024 - Liga Carioca de Blockchain, representing the league of students in Rio de Janeiro at each college and university, promoting blockchain technology within educational institutions

2024 - Partnerships with traditional companies seeking blockchain solutions and web3 companies

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

Milestone 1: Phase 1: Kickoff &amp; Program Start (Month 1)

Objective:

Introduce Cardano's ecosystem and educate participants on the potential of blockchain technology, with a focus on integrating it into traditional markets. The final outcome will be 10 projects created by startups for the market using Cardano's technology.

Activities:

Week 1 and 2

Call for Proposals: We will launch a 15-day campaign, promoting the program within the main innovation communities in Brazil, universities, companies, and web3 communities. This phase will include:

• A landing page hosted on our hub's website, explaining the program
• A registration form for participants
• Internet page on air

Week 3 and 4

Kickoff Event: A large-scale online and in-person event introducing the Cardano ecosystem, the objectives of the Ideathon, and real-world blockchain use cases in DEFI, REFI, DEPIN, and education. (Suggested topics; Cardano could specify to help us be more precise.)

10 day Ideathon: An ideathon in the form of a seminar where we will have our mentors, blockchain experts, innovation specialists, and Cardano representatives explain the technology, focusing on Cardano's unique strengths and how it can be applied to Web2 businesses.

Pitch Day 2: Two days of pitches for all startups enrolled in the program.

Match Day: Announcement of the final results to all participants, selecting the 20 startups for the program.

Final Event: A preparatory event for the selected startups, introducing the next phase of the program.

Mentorship: Participants will be paired with mentors from both the blockchain and traditional industries to explore potential use cases and refine project ideas.

Deliverable:

By the end of this milestone we will have 20 startups with projects for Cardano Ecossystem and our Innovation Program

Acceptance Criteria:

• Report with pics, videos and iniital costs
• An Internet page with selected startups with description of your projects and ideas

Milestone 2: Phase 2: Prototyping (Month 2)

Objective:

Encourage participants to develop detailed concepts and prototypes of their proposed solutions, focusing on practicality and scalability.

Activities:

Week 1

Web3 Business Workshop: A workshop to guide participants through problem-solving strategies, focusing on how Cardano can address current Web2 challenges.

Week 2 and 3

Prototyping Bootcamps: Technical sessions for developers and startups to start creating early-stage prototypes of their solutions using Cardano’s technology stack.

Week 4

Day 1

Pitch Workshop: A workshop on how to deliver a pitch to the evaluation panel.

Days 2 and 3

Pre-presentation: Presentations to mentors for final adjustments to prototypes.

Day 5

Free day for final adjustments.

Day 6

Selection Session: On this day, startups will present their solutions to six jurors, and 10 startups will be selected for the final phase of the program.

Day 7

Announcement Event: Finalists will be announced during a celebration event to kick off the next phase.

Deliverable:

By the end of this phase, each team will present a functional prototype or detailed mockup of their blockchain-based solution, ready for refinement and validation.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Report with pics, videos and operational costs
• An Internet page with 10 selected startups with your solutions and first MVP stage

Final Milestone: Phase 3: Refinement &amp; Pitch (Month 3 - Final)

Objective:

Help participants refine their solutions, prepare business cases, and pitch their projects to potential investors, partners, and the Cardano community.

Activities:

Weeks 1,2,3

• Refinement Workshops: Sessions focused on polishing prototypes, developing go-to-market strategies, and ensuring the scalability and sustainability of the projects.

Week 4

• Pitch Preparation: Training on how to deliver impactful pitches to investors and stakeholders, with personalized feedback from market experts.

• Demo Day: Participants present their final projects to a panel of judges from both the blockchain and traditional industries, along with potential investors and partners.

Deliverable:

• Participants will deliver a final pitch with a working prototype, clear business strategy, and a path for implementation within Web2/Web3 businesses or public institutions.

• Presentation for VCs

• Final report of all activities

Acceptance Criteria:

• Final report of all activities and costs
• An Internet page with winner startups with your projects

Extra

Collaboration Space: Creation of virtual (discord e whatsapp) and physical spaces (hub) where teams can collaborate, test ideas, and receive ongoing feedback from mentors and experts.

Post-Program Support: (suggested)

• Follow-up Mentorship: Selected projects will receive continued mentorship from the Cardano ecosystem and partner organizations to help with implementation.
• Funding Opportunities: Top projects will have the chance to secure funding or partnerships with Cardano’s ecosystem and other investors.
• Integration Support: Assistance in scaling the winning solutions, with a focus on expanding their reach in the Brazilian market and beyond.

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

Antônio Marcelo - Technical Coordinator - https://www.linkedin.com/in/antfonseca/

CEO of Código Brazuca and Node Hub Web3. He has been working with Linux since 1996, focusing on infrastructure and education. He is the author of approximately 11 books on Linux, Apache, Linux Security, Squid, Postfix, and System Administration in Brazil. He worked in information security from 1999 to 2006.

He has been involved in various web3 projects since 2022, serving as an advisor on metaverse projects, tokenization, and setting up infrastructure for Blockchain. He ran two nodes for 10 months on Kusama and Polkadot. He is a speaker and biz dev at the Blockchain Festival.

He is responsible for Código Brazuca, an education project that has been operating since 2021, training developers and devops in web3 technologies. He is currently an ambassador for CESS (a project based on Polkadot technology) and Akash Insider project from Cosmos Ecosystem.

Priscilla Baeta - Operations Coordinator - https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscillabaeta/

COO of Código Brazuca, COO of Node Hub Web3 and a project development specialist. She has worked in project development, education, and research for over 10 years for YouTube Brazil and Ubisoft (in various game franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Watch Dogs, and Tom Clancy). She has been giving lectures and classes on the Web 3 and Blockchain market since 2021.

She is the lead Voxel artist and research manager for Arcology Brazil, launched by The Sandbox in September 2023, and several metaverses on SPATIAL for business, networking, and gaming purposes. She also works with NFTs and Blockchain games since 2021. She serves as a BizDevOps in Blockchain and web 3 projects in the Brazilian ecosystem. She got a bachelor's degree in Design and Fashion at Veiga de Almeida University. She is a Cripto Researcher and specialist in cripto market.

Fabricio Boechat - Innovation Manager - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabricioboechat/

Mentor, professor, and journalist, Fabricio Boechat holds a degree in Information Systems and a postgraduate degree in Education, with over 20 years of experience in e-learning, active methodologies, open innovation, and audiovisual production. In recent years, he has been dedicated to developing projects and providing mentorship for startups, contributing to the Web2 innovation ecosystem through the creation and leadership of startup communities in the state of Rio de Janeiro and across Brazil.

His entry into the crypto world occurred in 2022 with the founding of Código Brazuca, focusing on integrating the Web3 ecosystem. Fabricio is also a content producer related to blockchain, hosting Blockcast, a TV show about Web3, broadcast on MARKKET Channel (VIVO TV, CLARO TV, and other platforms). Additionally, he conceived and directed the documentary "WEB3 Brazilian Visions," in partnership with NODE HUB WEB3, where he is a founder and partner. Currently, he is co-creating NODE's REFI vertical, exploring the intersection of cyberculture with RERE. Fabricio is highly qualified to lead projects seeking funding and grant approvals in the blockchain sector, combining his expertise in innovation with his connections in the ecosystem.

Armando Iazzetta - Governance and Compliance - https://www.linkedin.com/in/armandoiazzetta/

CFO of Código Brazuca and governance specialist. Armando has over 20 years of experience in the infrastructure sector, 15 of them among the energy industry, leading and participating in more than 4 GW of hydroelectric, wind, solar and biomass projects in Brazil and abroad, throughout the entire project life cycle, from greenfield until disinvestment, and was part of the team whose worked with Aneel developing DG regulation in 2012.

Armando has worked also in Infrastructure Construction and Real Estate industries. He has worked for two of the biggest construction companies in Brazil, for a Private Equity Fund, a Generation Facility and as a consultant.He got a bachelor’s degree as a Civil Engineer at Mackenzie University, with MBA in Business Management (FGV), Specialization in Regulation and Business in the Electricity Sector (FGV), Board Member Preparation (Fundação Dom Cabral), Specialization in Controllership and Finance (FIPECAFI), MBA in PPPs and Concessions (FESPSP), Financial Modelling and Valuation Analysis (CFI), Specialization in Bankruptcy Trustee (TJ-RJ), and Advanced English and Spanish.

Rafael Castaneda - Educational Coordinator - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-castaneda-66776829/

Cryptologist and Techno-philosopher; Castaneda graduated with a Master's degree in Systems and Computing from IME-RJ and has more than 20 years of experience as a software engineer, technical leader, and teacher/researcher at various educational levels. He dedicated 15 years of service to the public sector as a tenured professor at CEFET/RJ, where he published more than 30 papers and supervised several student projects.

His crypto journey began in 2021, since then, he has been active in the market as a crypto asset analyst and content producer in the form of videos, news, articles, reports, podcasts, and workshops. Today, besides offering consultancy in the sector, he founded his own channel "Casta Crypto," where he works on a new way to understand the blockchain phenomenon, by integrating crypto technology with philosophical, sociological, and economic concepts.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Costs for 3 months Program

Ada Market Value: US$ 0,3424 value by Coin Market Cap Binance - 01/02/2024

Cost Breakdown

Technical Coordinator – Responsible for technical aspects, as well as selecting startups, companies, or universities that wish to join the program. They will act as a technical liaison between the program and Cardano specialists. They will oversee the technical progress of the selected projects and the professionals involved. Total Funds : 12510 ADAS

Operations Coordinator – Responsible for the entire operation, execution, and troubleshooting of the program. They will coordinate schedules, professionals involved, resources, and activities related to the program. Additionally, they will be in charge of selecting mentors and market professionals who can assist and create opportunities for the startups. Total Funds : 12510 ADAS

Innovation Manager – An innovation manager will act as a facilitator between startups, companies, universities, and research centers. They will identify external opportunities, manage collaborations, integrate new ideas and technologies, and coordinate projects that accelerate innovation, reducing development time and increasing competitiveness. They will be responsible for coordinating and executing the program together with the Technical Coordinator and Operations Coordinator. Total Funds : 8340 ADAS

Governance and Compliance – Responsible for guiding startups to develop projects that comply with crypto regulatory frameworks and data protection laws, in accordance with Brazilian legislation and the central bank. They will also develop and assist the business aspects of these startups. Total Funds : 8340 ADAS

Educational Coordinator+3 Mentors – Will develop the educational journeys necessary for the program, in collaboration with the Innovation Manager and Technical Coordinator. Additionally, three mentors will be brought in to follow the workshops and clarify doubts for startups throughout the program process. Total Funds : 8340 ADAS

Administration – Handles all accounting tasks, including the issuance of invoices, certificates, support materials, and service quotations such as catering, etc. Total Funds : 10719 ADAS

Marketing – Reserved for the promotion campaigns of the call for applications and publicity throughout the program, as well as generating marketing material for Cardano. Total Funds : 3360 ADAS

Events – Costs related to the organization of three events, including

Swags (500 stickers and 40 T Shirts) - 1658 ADAS

Coffee breaks and space rent - 4122 ADAS

Total Funds : 8538 ADAS

Contingency Fund – Due to the volatility of the crypto market, this fund was created to accommodate potential devaluations of currencies or unforeseen issues during the course of the program. Total Funds : 14000 ADAS

Brazilian Taxes – Taxes charged by the Brazilian government for financial and business operations in the country.Total Funds : 13041,5 ADAS

Total Costs: 99989,05

No dependencies

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

This is the Brazil Size

Brazil has strategically positioned itself in the global crypto market, becoming one of the largest centers for cryptocurrency adoption in Latin America (6th posiiton in world market). With a growing base of users and investors, the country stands out for creating regulations that aim to balance innovation with consumer protection and fraud prevention. The Central Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) have been working to create a regulatory environment that encourages the use of technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies, while also maintaining control over illicit practices.

Additionally, Brazil has been a fertile ground for the implementation of blockchain-based solutions in sectors such as finance, agribusiness, logistics, and energy. Major international exchanges have expanded their operations in the country, while local companies are also developing innovative initiatives focused on crypto assets. The size of the Brazilian economy and the growing interest in decentralized technologies make Brazil a key market for the development and expansion of the crypto ecosystem on the global stage.

The proposed open innovation program allows Cardano to connect with local startups, companies, universities, and research centers, creating a collaborative innovation ecosystem. This type of program can accelerate the creation of solutions on top of the Cardano blockchain, generating new use cases, smart contracts, and decentralized applications (dApps). Through this project, Cardano can gain access to local talent, strengthen strategic partnerships, boost its adoption, and at the same time contribute to the development of the Web3 economy in Brazil, one of the markets with the greatest potential for growth on the global stage.

The professionals involved have extensive experience in Web3 projects, with a team consisting of educators, entrepreneurs, developers, specialists in local crypto regulations, and important contacts with key players in the local market, both in the corporate and governmental sectors. These professionals have been working in the traditional market for over ten years and for at least 4 years in the Web3/crypto space. All are recognized and highly influential within the local ecosystem.

This investment should be seen as a great opportunity to open the doors to Brazil and definitively put Cardano in the spotlight. Today, various blockchains are becoming increasingly active in our country, seeking their place in the market and forging partnerships with companies and the Brazilian government. We hope that Cardano considers this and does not stay out of it.