[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.
Background:
In fund 8 Smart Hubs had two proposals that were funded to perform and test a decentralised lead generation model:
Cross chain impact lead generation and Community lead generation
You can review the extensive work done with the process established and supporting presentations and documentation. The projects were a great success with 28 community members registered as lead generators, reaching over 40 leads and onboarding 10 companies to collaborate with the Cardano ecosystem.
However the process was manual which created some bottlenecks and required human administrative steps that were not efficient both for the lead generators as well as for the project team. While we piloted the model, we always considered how we could use Caradno technology to streamline the process and scale the service. This proposal is a summary of those next steps: to take the processes of the Lead Generator program and back it with a Cardano-powered platform using credentials, smart contracts, and on-chain governance.
This video includes an overview of the project as well as testimonials:
Overview of Decentralized Lead Generator
By using the technology infrastructure of Andamio, it will help us share and scale what we have learned.
Pgen Networks:
Pgen is short for Partnership Generation (and inline with Regen and Degen…). Pgen is also pronounced as Pigeon which fits well with our model of having Pigeons reaching out to companies with messages.
We are now incubating Pgen Networks on Catalyst and aim to grow it into a successful DAO
The opportunity:
We have spoken with numerous companies in the Cardano ecosystem including CF and Emurgo and they both were excited about the Partnership Generator service. "The Cardano ecosystem needs strong business development reach for investors and companies" was the common feedback.
While most companies in the ecosystem are technology driven, their success and growth depend on securing investment, clients and partners. Market Makers and companies invest significant amounts in business development teams, marketing activities and conferences. Introducing a community partnership generation solution could support the company's efforts and bring many additional business advocates to support the company needs.
The status quo is for every company to have its own biz dev team in house. With this proposal, we are demonstrating how this function can be shared across a distributed network of organisations, who can collaborate when it makes sense. (And PGen is a case where it really makes sense, as shown above!).
The Partnership Generation solution:
The partnership generation model aims to support companies in the Cardano ecosystem with creating a pipeline of leads to clients, partners and investors. The leads will be generated by a trusted network of community members who have a great network and/or are great connectors and networkers. Below are some key details regarding the process and solution.
Please review the ppt for further explanation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kaHIlTk8Og6yD_Ui7wHRcP2wUry9Ij-X/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117943321947299927794&rtpof=true&sd=true
Slides 8-9 in the presentation includes the process scheme
Onboarding Pgens (partnership generator):
Community members that are great connectors/communicators or have great networks, will onboard via a Pgen Project-Based Learning (PBL) course to guide them through the key principles of the model.
Here is some initial feedback we got on the model:
"As a PGen, I can learn about the value proposition and needs of (company) and be confident I can find leads to bring to them."
Vetted Pgens will include veterans on Cardano, Cardano ambassadors and newly onboarded lead generators that have experience with and are passionate about business connections.
Partnership requirements registration:
Enable companies to list their needs for business or investor leads and provide details such as target countries, industry, type of partner, key position at org they wish to reach and period of time for the project.
A simple example will be a company active on Cardano looking for seed funding of 500,000 USD from investors interested in Web 3 Refi projects.
The company will prepare a PBL course for Pgens to go through and better understand the company, key messages and the business needs.
Match between companies needs and Pgens:
The offer will be sent to a list of relevant vetted Pgens (partnership generators) from the community that will share their interest to support the company and will learn through the company PBL course. The company will make final approval for the match and work starts.
Compensation to Pgens:
The company will also add the compensation scheme for generating the lead and it is typically including:
- Amount of ADA when a call is generated with an approved lead
- Amount of ADA when there is an initial agreement between the company and the lead
- Revenue share based on success.
* Note: the compensation does not need to be in ADA only but could be in any token or even a combination of tokens per compensation (Djed, Gimbels….)
This model will enable a decentralised network of trusted people to earn revenue by supporting the growth of the Cardao ecosystem.
Business model for Pgen Networks:
A fixed admin fee for the process and % of the payment will be paid to Pgen Networks to support the team work and continue further development of the platform - our goal is to become self-sustaining while growing the services and impact in the Cardano ecosystem.
Once successfully implemented, the Pgen network will provide great business results for companies while making their business development budget more efficient.
The Andamio platform (by Gimbalabs)
Pgen Networks is partnering with Andamio to provide the core technology required.
The Andamio Platform:
- Provides a Learning Management System (LMS) for onboarding new contributors to your project/organization
- Is built on Cardano with Plutus smart contracts and UI components for treasury management, skill accreditation, project contribution, and emergent reputation
The Andamio MVP was built and tested around the Plutus PBL - for more info check https://plutuspbl.io/
You can find an introductory overview of the Andamio platform here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12VLfrZVaqLqzRCv_4ME78t4JERxeCLN8/view?usp=sharing
Project based learning courses (PBL):
Pgen networks will use the andamio platform to develop the following courses:
- An onboarding course for partnership generators (Pgens)
- An onboarding course for companies
- Each company can create a Project-Based Learning (PBL) module to help Partnership Generators learn about the company and required business leads.
Andamio features to be used by Pgen:
- Proof of Completion
- Register skills and knowledge acquired by completing PBL course module
- Register contribution generated by each partnership generator (partnership generated)
- Treasury management
- Companies can fund treasuries for generating leads and partnerships
- Smart contracts to manage payments based on contributions
This partnership has benefits for the ecosystem:
- Demonstrate how organisations can collaborate to build and use open source tools that both solve problems and open new opportunities.
- Reduce time to market and cost of development for Cardano startups by supporting founders to focus on building and delivering value and outsourcing partnership generation to a decentralised network
- Promote both the collaboration for the ecosystem and growth of companies
- Building on Cardano and showcasing real-world application of blockchain technology
Relationship between Pgen and Andamio:
This will be a long term partnership where Andamio will provide key elements of the technology and Pgen Networks will provide the business and revenue. Through this proposal some funding will go to the Andamio team for their support and development. In the future Andamio will receive a revenue share from Pgen Networks revenue.
The focus of this proposal:
The main objective is to build an MVP (minimum viable product) that will include Dapp that can already be offered as a service to the community. Our goal is to launch the platform and validate value to the companies/clients and to Pgen.
Future plans
We will offer the solution across the Cardano ecosystem and become a new way to generate leads/agreements while benefiting companies and community members. The scope of Pgen Networks could go beyond the Cardano ecosystem as an offering to any company, while the product is being built on Cardano becoming a successful dApp
Some future product developments will include:
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Emergent identity solutions
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Auto match website
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Scale number of Pgens
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Sales and promotions to companies
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Tokenomics
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Leads approval process
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Level of Pgens / based on skills and contributions (scaling governance of Pgen network)
[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?
The challenge state:
"Cardano needs innovations and solutions that help the ecosystem reach its potential and help improve the systems we use across the world."
Pgen Networks solutions will be built on Cardano and is helping the ecosystem to flourish through supporting the companies that are active on Cardano by bringing them partners, collaborators, and customers; creating a new source of revenue for community members; and reaching out to collaborate with companies through the Pgen Networks offering.
This is a new business Dapp built on Cardano and will integrate available solutions (ie. Andamio), and work together with ecosystem key actors (some alraedy showed an initial interest) such as IO, Emurgo, and the Cardano Foundation and it’s ambassador’s program.
The key objective is to provide growth for the ecosystem through generating successful business partnerships with companies.
[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?
Once successfully implemented, Pgen network will provide great business results for companies while making their business development budget more efficient.
A lot of value will be created for companies which will support the business model for Pgen networks.
We will be looking to measure the following KPIs
- Number of Pgens on boarded - trusted community members
- Number of companies using the service
- Growing treasury amount
- Number of leads & partnerships generated
- Revenue generated for companies
- Revenue generated by Pgens
In addition the partnership with Andamio has benefits for the ecosystem:
- combine forces with an open source mindset
- reduce time to market and cost of development
- promote collaboration on the ecosystem and growth of companies
- building on Cardano
Other metrics that will be measured:
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How many newcomers to the community will come as Pgen (several new members to the community came as lead generators)
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Number of onboarding information sessions (After townhall, Swarm, C4C, Gimbalabs) for the community
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Number of support sessions for Pgens
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Number of support sessions for companies
[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?
As already shown at our fund 8 reports and working process, all information is registered and the community can have access to it. As we go to commercial terms some privacy and commercial information will need to be approved by the companies and Pgens before sharing.
Pgen Networks will put forward any available information. We will also have multiple workshops and community meetings open to the community.
[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?
We consider fund 8 results as a great success. We are developing the platform based on the learning and feedback we received during those projects.
The team has been very active in the community for over 2 years, and has worked closely together on multiple projects and successful community initiatives. The fund 8 lead generation project (with the closing report above) is good evidence of it.
More members of the team can be found in the Team section.
The collaboration with the experienced Andamio team and Andamio already being functional and powering the Plutus PBL course at Gimbalabs, gives high confidence for the success of the project as we will be incrementally evolving Andamio, not writing it from scratch.
[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?
The main goal of Pgen is to build a new dApp on Cardano that will both create a great service for the companies operating in the ecosystem as well as showcase some core Cardano technology.
It is also a great example of collaboration between various initiatives in the ecosystem.
[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] 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.
Pre-funding activities:
Following to completion of Fund 8 projects we have continued the work with the following activities:
- Clients/Partners promotions - presentations and feedback from companies working on the Cardano ecosystem (i.e. CF, Emurgo, NMKR…)
- Presenting to the Cardano Ambassadors network as part of the Pgen trusted network
- Evaluation & Discussion for collaboration with Andamio
Work and Milestones for this proposal:
The Andamio platform enables the creation of an interactive educational process based on project-based learning methodology.
We have 3 unique PBL Modules to create for this proposal:
1. An Onboarding Module for Pgen contributors (introducing Pgen to anyone who wants to start generating leads)
2. An Onboarding Module for companies/Clients: "here's what Pgen is and how your company can benefit from it" + "here's how to create a PBL Onboarding Module for your organisation"
3. An Onboarding/BBK Module for each Client - each would be the result of point (2.) above. Some Clients will be able to create the Module for onboarding to their company with minimal support (ie, they can just work through what we provide with (2.) where the "Project" is to build an onboarding module for Pgens. Other clients might need more help with this step.
One of the core value props of Andamio is that we can use it to create distributed functional teams who serve projects across the ecosystem.
PBL framework scheme:
Milestone 1, 0-6 weeks
This phase will include:
- Setting up a Pgen Networks on the Andamio platform
- Creation of the website for the Pgen Network project
- An Onboarding Module for companies/Clients
- An Onboarding Module for Pgen contributors (introducing Pgen to anyone who wants to start generating leads)
The end of this PBL will have an ACTION item to generate agreements with companies to join the program. This is very important as it will be the first task of the Pgens and it will include also:
- Setting up a treasury
- Smart contract for approved leads to companies
- lead is approved when a company take the onboarding PBL for companies
- partnership is approved when a company creates and PBL
- This is working on-chain + can be implemented for each Partner company.
Milestone 2, 7-10 weeks
This phase will focus on onboarding Pgens and companies to take the PBL course
In this phase we will aim that:
- Pgens will take the PBL course. We will start with the already registered lead generators (from fund 8) as well as some Cardano ambassadors and other community members. (Again: The end of this PBL will have an ACTION item to generate agreements with companies to join the program. This will be the first task of the Pgens.)
- Companies to take the Onboarding Module for companies/Clients
Milestone 3, Week 9-12 (can start in parallel for previous Milestone)
This phase will focus on supporting companies with preparing PBL sessions for their business needs. An example process PBL could include:
Section – info provided by company
Learning action
Information about the company
Questions to verify understanding
Example use cases
Confirm readings
Lead definition
Suggest +2 leads
Agreement/partnership definition
Questions to verify understanding
Compensation model
Approve
Terms
Approve
Milestone 4, Week 11-14
This phase will focus on Pgens taking the companies PBL course and already suggesting leads to be approved by the companies (the suggestions of leads will be an ongoing process for the period of the project as defined by the company/client).
Milestone 5, Week 13-20
In this phase, Pgens that went through the Pgen PBL and than the companies PBL can start reachout to their network and creates initials leads and agreements
Milestone 6, Week 21-24
Project closing report, summary and confirmation of successful MVP. Ready for the next phase of onboarding more companies (clients) and community members.
[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.
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Deliverables Milestone 1
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Pgen Networks lending page/website
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PBL to onboard community members
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PBL for companies to get knowledgeable about the project and how to prepare a PBL for the community to present business opportunities
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Preparing the terms of use
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Deliverables Milestone 2
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Marketing and communication materials
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At Least 2 workshops for community members to become Pgens
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At least 2 workshops for companies
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Proof of skills/credentials/Stat for the companies and community members that went through the PBL
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Adjusting Andamio/Pgen platform based on feedback
The goal will be 10 Pgens and 5 companies as a start.
The first task for the Pgens will be to onboard companies and they will be
remunerated for it, completing their first contribution.
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Deliverables Milestone 3
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5 companies PBL courses
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Create smart contract based on the input from the companies
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Adjusting Andamio/Pgen platform based on feedback
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Deliverables Milestone 4
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Establish treasury per company
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Pgen, taking companies PBL courses
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Adjusting Andamio/Pgen platform based on feedback
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Deliverables Milestone 5
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Establish calls between companies, Pgens and leads
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Payments to Pgens through the smart contract, once successful leads/partnerships generated
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Adjusting Andamio/Pgen platform based on feedback
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Deliverables Milestone 6
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Plan, roadmap and business model for the growing operation of the service
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Closing report
[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.
*Each company will require support from the project manager for 1 hour x 25 days for the first 6 weeks and 1 hour X 40 days for the next 8 weeks. Total hours support per company PBL 65 hours x 3 companies = 195 hours. Plus additional support hours.
** 60 hours plus support hours per smart contract x 3 smart contracts
The treasury budget for Pgen first tasks will be 3500. Our goal is to Onboard 10 companies for 2000 ADA onto the Pgen platform. From these 10 companies we plan to generate 3 agreements where we will be onboarding them to the Andomio PBL and creating with them the material for onboarding Pgens with the right tools to generate partnerships for the businesses we create agreements with.
Total Budget ₳ 402,000
[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?
Nori Nishigaya, Project lead
Nori has 30 years of experience in software development, agile methodologies, management, and organizational systems design. Nori is dedicated to foster inclusiveness and community, building and exploring decentralized governance models, and enabling collaborative decision making in complex and emergent environments. He is also a co-founder of SANADA, Cardano Ambassador and stake pool operator (SAMON pool). Nori also served as a Member of the Catalyst Circle Admin Team, Cardano4Climate, and Rapid Funding Challenge Team. He is also a Cardano Ambassador, CA, and Funded proposer.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishigaya/
Yoram Ben Zvi, companies lead
Yoram has 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, management, and business development, working with multinational teams. Since 2018, he has focused on helping impact-driven companies adopt technology solutions for community engagement, new business models, and social and environmental impact. Yoram is a cardano ambassador, active at Cardano4climate, New member onboarding challenge team, CA/VCA and overall very active in creating partnerships and onboarding companies to the Cardano ecosystem.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoram-ben-zvi-446836/
Cole Bartlett, Content lead
Co-Author of "Recalibrating Value, Identity & Impact Through the Blockchain - Cardano Impact Report 2023", Bachelors in Economics & Sustainability, Founder of Sustainable ADA, Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher, & Social Entrepreneur, Ecoquest Education Foundation - Sustainability Research, B Impact Clinic part of UNH's Changemaker Collaborative - Kikori, Sustainability Splash Program Organizer, Bronze UNH Sustainability Award Winner
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-bartlett>
Jo Allum Community lead
Jo is a Designer, Impact Entrepreneur, Ecosystem builder, Co-founder of a community-led coworking space, Entrepreneur Support Organisation (including incubation, acceleration programs) and a country-wide network of ESO's for Impact entrepreneurs. Contracted to support Angel Association New Zealand's Investor network and member of the committee of New Zealand's Open Source Society. CA F7, F6 Funded Proposer, Challenge Team member at Improve and Grow Auditability.
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/joallum/>
Roberto Mayen-Hess, Andamio project lead
Roberto is a Business and Innovation Manager and brings a diverse skill set to the project encompassing software development, business, program management, and law. Roberto’s experience with early stage startups in Latin America allows him to offer a unique perspective on problem-solving and driving innovation. He’s also involved in leading efforts to bring Cardano to spanish-speaking communities through initiatives like Cardano Sin Tecnicismos and the Spanish translation of the Plutus Project-Based Learning program.
LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-mayen-hess/>
M.Ali Modiri, Andamio Smart Contract Developer
is a versatile individual with experience in Mechatronic studies and a background in the Iranian young mathematics association. With a cybersecurity background as a malwares analyst and penetration tester, he excels at addressing digital threats. Ali's programming proficiency spans from low-level languages like Assembly and C to high-level languages like Golang and JavaScript. As a proud student of Gimbalabs, he specializes in Plutus smart contract development for blockchain projects. He contributes to the Cardano community as a member of the Cardano Certification Group and an author of CIP 96, while his ultimate passion lies in helping humanity transcend its current struggles.
LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-a-modiri/>
James Dunseith, Project advisor
James is a Teacher, Coach, Smart Contract Developer and Facilitator with extensive experience in creating engaging learning experiences and facilitating problem-solving. James has successfully implemented project-based learning and mastery-based grading methodologies. Additionally, he has contributed to developing gimbalabs.com, creating resilient and reusable components. James leveraged his expertise in learning design and community engagement for this project.
LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dunseith-0135651/>
Twitter: <https://twitter.com/jamesdunseith>
[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?
Pgen networks is developing a dApp that will have multiple layers of impact on the community as described above and in summary:
- Collaborate with Andamio building the infrastructure for the project on Cardano
- supporting companies on the Cardano ecosystem to get business agreements
- providing another revenue income for community members (Pgens)
We understand that the requested amount is significant, although less than 5% of challenge budget) and we will make our best efforts to transform it to a successful and scalable dApp. Bear in mind that the Andamio team, while having many achievements, was working without payment to date as well as the Pgen team continuing to work on the project post closing report of Fund 8. It shows the commitment and belief we have on the value the project could bring to the ecosystem.
