Please describe your proposed solution

The proposed solution is to develop a decentralized self-service digital ads platform and a blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform that leverages Cardano’s blockchain technology to deliver transparency, efficiency, and flexibility to advertisers within OYA's ecosystem and the wider Cardano community. The platform will allow advertisers to place ads across OYA's ecosystem, including ticketing platforms, apps, and digital displays, using smart contracts to facilitate seamless and secure ad placements and payments.

How the Problem is Perceived

Current ad-serving platforms often lack transparency, leading to inefficiencies in payment processing and making it difficult for advertisers to verify ad placement and performance. Additionally, the centralized nature of these platforms results in high costs, payment inefficiencies, limited control, and restricted access for small and medium-sized businesses.

Why This Approach?

By leveraging Cardano's smart contracts and blockchain capabilities, the platform ensures transparency in every ad transaction, automates revenue distribution, and provides immutable records of ad placements. The use of blockchain reduces the risk of fraud, increases advertiser confidence, and eliminates intermediaries, leading to reduced costs.

Additionally, the development of the blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform will enable advertisers and users to utilize ADA seamlessly for ad payments and other transactions within the ecosystem. This exchange and wallet solution, developed by OYA, will facilitate the conversion of various cryptocurrencies to ADA, promoting ADA as the primary currency while also catering to other crypto users. This enhances Cardano's mass adoption and scalability beyond the transportation sector.

Engagement and Beneficiaries

The project will engage advertisers, content creators, businesses, and users looking for a reliable, decentralized platform to promote their products and services. Cardano developers and community members will also benefit from contributing to the development of smart contracts and technical components. The blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform will additionally serve users interested in cryptocurrency conversions, making it easier for them to participate in the ecosystem.

Demonstrating Impact

Impact will be measured through key metrics such as the number of ads placed, total ad spend through the platform, adoption rate of the blockchain-based wallet, and community feedback. By adopting Cardano's blockchain technology, the project will bring more use cases to the Cardano ecosystem, driving adoption and demonstrating the value of decentralized solutions.

Unique Value Proposition

This solution is unique because it development will provide a transparent and decentralized advertising platform that operates without intermediaries, ensuring cost efficiency and secure transactions. It also features a blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform that drives ADA adoption and facilitates broader participation in the ecosystem. This project benefits Cardano by showcasing its capabilities in real-world use cases while enabling OYA to expand its digital service offerings, ultimately contributing to the growth and scalability of the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community

The proposed decentralized self-service ads platform is designed to leverage Cardano’s blockchain infrastructure, including a blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform, to disrupt traditional digital advertising by introducing transparency, efficiency, and security. This solution will position Cardano as a leader in driving decentralized innovations beyond finance and into the realm of marketing technology (MarTech). Key positive impacts include:

Expansion of Cardano’s Utility and Adoption

By developing a decentralized self-service ad and blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform, the project will showcase Cardano’s capability to support diverse business models and use cases. The platform will handle automated ad placements, payment settlements, and performance tracking using smart contracts, thereby demonstrating Cardano’s technical versatility and reliability. This project can serve as a reference for other developers and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to build on Cardano and explore its blockchain capabilities for non-financial applications.

Boost to the Cardano Ecosystem and Token Utilization

The platform will require advertisers to pay for ad placements in ADA, which will drive demand for the Cardano token. This increased ADA usage will benefit the ecosystem by promoting more transactions and liquidity. Additionally, by building this platform on Cardano, the project will contribute to the growing list of decentralized applications (dApps) on the network, which in turn increases Cardano’s value proposition.

Additionally, OYA will build a blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform within its existing platform. This platform will streamline ADA as the primary currency for transactions, while also catering to other cryptocurrencies. The exchange and wallet platform has the potential to scale beyond the transportation sector and become a comprehensive solution for digital payments, increasing ADA adoption, enhancing Cardano’s financial growth, and driving on-chain activity.

Transparency and Fairness in Advertising

Traditional ad platforms often suffer from issues like fraud, lack of transparency, and centralized control. The proposed solution addresses these concerns by utilizing Cardano’s transparent ledger system, where every transaction, ad placement, and payment is recorded and immutable. This transparency will foster trust between advertisers and content publishers, setting a new standard for ethical advertising.

Economic Opportunities for Community Members

The platform will create new revenue streams and economic opportunities within the Cardano community and the African economy. Developers can contribute to the open-source platform, while businesses and influencers can engage with new revenue models. Additionally, community members who participate as validators or data providers can earn ADA through platform activities, thereby increasing economic participation and engagement.

Showcasing Cardano’s Competitive Advantage in Blockchain Advertising

Cardano’s low transaction fees, high throughput, and secure smart contract capabilities provide it with a competitive edge over other blockchain networks when it comes to building scalable and cost-effective solutions. By delivering this ads platform, the project will highlight how Cardano’s features can be applied to solve real-world problems, attracting more developers and enterprises to adopt Cardano for their projects.

Measuring the Impact

To quantify and demonstrate the impact of the project, the following metrics will be tracked and reported:

Adoption Metrics

• Number of Advertisers: Measure the number of advertisers using the platform and the frequency of their ad placements.
• Number of Publishers: Track the number of content publishers adopting the platform to monetize their content and reach advertisers.
• Total ADA Spent on Ads: Monitor the cumulative ADA spent on ads to gauge economic activity on the platform.

Platform Performance Metrics

• Transaction Speed and Efficiency: Measure the speed and efficiency of smart contract executions for ad placements and settlements.
• Uptime and Reliability: Track the uptime of the platform to ensure it is operating without disruptions and meeting user expectations.

Community Engagement Metrics

• Open-Source Contributions: Track contributions to the platform’s open-source repository, including code enhancements, bug fixes, and feature requests.
• Community Workshops and Training: Measure the participation and engagement levels in educational workshops, training sessions, and webinars.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

The project outputs, including code, documentation, and learnings, will be shared with the Cardano community through the following channels:

Open-Source Repository on GitHub All code and documentation will be made available on a publicly accessible GitHub repository. This will allow developers and community members to contribute to the project, review the code, and suggest improvements.

Workshops and Webinars The project team will host workshops and webinars to onboard developers, advertisers, and publishers onto the platform. These sessions will cover the technical details of the platform, how to use it, and how to contribute.

Regular Blog Updates and Reports The team will provide regular updates on the project’s progress through blog posts, social media, and community forums. Detailed reports on platform usage, community engagement, and feedback will also be shared to keep stakeholders informed.

This structured approach ensures that the project not only delivers value to the Cardano community but also facilitates widespread adoption and continuous improvement through community involvement.

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?

Capability to Deliver with High Levels of Trust and Accountability

The project team possesses a strong track record in delivering blockchain and software solutions, ensuring trust and accountability in project execution. Below are the key capabilities and experiences that validate the team’s ability to deliver this project successfully:

Technical Expertise and Proven Experience

The development team has extensive experience in building decentralized applications (dApps) and blockchain-based solutions, with a focus on delivering scalable and secure platforms. Previous projects include successful implementations in the transportation, digital fuel management sectors, where smart contracts and decentralized systems were used to streamline operations and enhance transparency.

The team’s expertise covers multiple programming languages, blockchain technologies (including Cardano’s Plutus and Marlowe), cloud infrastructure management, and data analytics. This diverse skill set ensures that the project will be built using best-in-class technologies and will be robust enough to handle real-world usage.

Experience in Handling Large-Scale Projects

The project management team has experience managing large-scale projects, from conceptualization to deployment, including planning, resource allocation, and risk management. This experience is backed by successful project completions in transportation and logistics management, which involved coordination with multiple stakeholders and integration with external systems.

The team has managed projects with budgets ranging from ₳100,000 to over ₳1,000,000, showcasing the ability to handle financial resources efficiently and deliver on budget and on time.

Financial Transparency and Accountability

The project team adheres to rigorous financial management practices, including maintaining transparent financial records, periodic audits, and detailed financial reporting. This ensures that funds are utilized as planned, and all expenditures are accounted for accurately.

The team uses industry-standard tools for project tracking and financial management, ensuring that every ADA is allocated efficiently. The team will provide comprehensive reports on fund usage, project milestones, and outcomes to the Cardano community.

Robust Governance and Compliance Framework

The team has established a governance framework that includes clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes. Compliance with data protection regulations and blockchain governance standards is a priority, and the team has experience working with legal and compliance experts to ensure adherence to applicable laws and guidelines.

Community Engagement and Support

The project team has a history of engaging with the Cardano community through workshops, webinars, and forums. This engagement ensures that the project aligns with community needs and benefits from community feedback. The team’s commitment to open communication and transparency will continue throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Approach to Validate Feasibility

The following steps and processes will be implemented to ensure the project’s feasibility and successful delivery:

Prototyping and Proof of Concept (PoC)

A detailed prototype and proof of concept will be developed early in the project to validate the technical feasibility of the solution. This will include building a basic version of the decentralized self-service ads platform and blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform on the Cardano testnet and validating key functionalities, such as smart contract execution and ad placement processes.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

A comprehensive risk assessment will be conducted to identify potential technical, operational, and financial risks. Mitigation strategies will be developed and implemented to minimize these risks. This process includes setting up a contingency plan for each risk factor.

Agile Development Methodology

The project will adopt an Agile development methodology, allowing for iterative development and continuous feedback from stakeholders. This approach ensures that any issues or bottlenecks are addressed promptly, and the project remains aligned with its goals.

Stakeholder Involvement and Feedback

Key stakeholders, including the Cardano community, advertisers, and publishers, will be involved throughout the project. Their feedback will be solicited at various stages, and necessary adjustments will be made based on this feedback to ensure the platform meets user expectations and requirements.

Regular Reporting and Community Updates

The team will provide regular updates on the project’s progress through blog posts, community forums, and detailed project reports. This transparency will build trust with the community and keep everyone informed about the project’s milestones and achievements.

Demonstrating Trustworthiness and Accountability in Fund Management

Detailed Budget Allocation

The project’s budget will be allocated based on specific milestones and deliverables. Funds will be disbursed only upon the successful completion of these milestones, ensuring that spending is controlled and aligned with the project’s objectives.

Periodic Financial Audits and Reports

External financial audits will be conducted at key stages to validate fund usage and ensure compliance with the project’s budget plan. The results of these audits will be shared with the Cardano community to demonstrate financial integrity.

Compliance with Cardano’s Funding Guidelines

The project team will adhere to all Fund 13 rules and guidelines set by Project Catalyst, ensuring that all requirements for fund management and reporting are met. This compliance framework will further reinforce the project’s accountability.

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

Milestone 1: Milestone 1: Research & Development Planning

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Finalize a detailed project plan and architecture for the decentralized self-service ads platform and blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform.
• Develop a technical specification document outlining the integration points with Cardano’s blockchain and APIs needed for smart contract implementation.
• Prepare a proof of concept (PoC) for the initial phase of the platform development.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion and approval of the technical specification document by the project team and stakeholders.
• Successful PoC demonstrating basic ad placement and tracking using a simple smart contract on the Cardano testnet.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Documented project plan, technical specifications, and PoC results shared with the Cardano community.
• Screenshots or video recordings of the PoC smart contract execution and functionality testing.

Milestone 2: Milestone 2: Smart Contract Development & Testing

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Develop and deploy the initial set of smart contracts for ad placement, budgeting, and automated reporting on the Cardano testnet.
• Implement mechanisms for ad validation and payment processing using Cardano native tokens.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful deployment and testing of smart contracts on the Cardano testnet with full functionality for ad placement and payment execution.
• All smart contracts pass internal code review and security tests.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Links to deployed smart contracts on the Cardano testnet.
• Test reports, including logs and screenshots of successful contract execution and payment processing.

Milestone 3: Milestone 3: Front-End Development & Integration

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Develop the front-end interface for advertisers and publishers, enabling them to interact with the smart contracts.
• Integrate front-end and back-end systems for seamless interaction and user experience.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion of UI/UX design and implementation.
• Successful integration and communication between front-end and smart contracts deployed on the testnet.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Screenshots or video demonstration of the UI/UX interface.
• Functional test results showing seamless interaction between the front-end and smart contracts.

Milestone 4: Milestone 4: Pilot Testing & Community Feedback

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Launch a pilot version of the decentralized self-service ads platform for a select group of users.
• Gather feedback from pilot users to identify and address any issues, bugs, or areas for improvement.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• At least 10 pilot users test the platform and provide feedback.
• Implementation of necessary improvements and adjustments based on user feedback.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• User feedback reports and action items for improvement.
• Updated version of the platform reflecting improvements based on pilot testing.

Milestone 5: Milestone 5: Full Deployment & Marketing Campaign

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Deploy the full version of the decentralized self-service ads platform on the Cardano mainnet.
• Launch a marketing and awareness campaign targeting advertisers, publishers, and the wider Cardano community.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Full functionality of the platform is accessible on the Cardano mainnet.
• Marketing campaign results show an increase in user registrations and platform engagement.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Mainnet deployment documentation, including smart contract addresses and platform URLs.
• Marketing campaign performance reports showing metrics like reach, engagement, and user growth.

Final Milestone: Final Milestone: Project Close-Out Report & Community Presentation

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Prepare and submit a comprehensive project close-out report, including technical achievements, financial summary, and community impact.
• Conduct a community presentation to share project results and insights.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Project close-out report is approved by the project team and shared with the Cardano community.
• Successful community presentation with positive feedback from attendees.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Final project report published on Cardano forums and shared via community channels.
• Recording of the community presentation and attendee feedback.

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

Project Team and Roles

Ampadu Ebenezer – Project Lead & Strategy Development

• Role: Ebenezer Ampadu is responsible for overseeing the overall project strategy, managing stakeholder engagement, and ensuring project alignment with the broader goals of the Cardano community. He brings extensive experience in digital solutions, product management, and strategy implementation. His role includes coordinating team activities, tracking project progress, and reporting to stakeholders.

Precious Jahlom – Lead Blockchain Developer

• Role: The lead blockchain developer will be in charge of designing and implementing the smart contracts, integrating the ADA payment system for ticketing, and ensuring the security and scalability of the solution on the Cardano network. The developer will also oversee the setup and maintenance of blockchain nodes, including validating and testing all deployments on the testnet and mainnet.

Cosman – Software Engineer (Frontend & Backend)

• Role: This software engineer will be responsible for developing the user interface and backend system that interacts with the smart contracts. The engineer will focus on creating a seamless user experience for customers using the digital ticketing and payment systems, ensuring interoperability with other modules of the OYA BusRide service.

Adjoa Maison – Product Manager

• Role: The product manager will be responsible for defining the product roadmap, prioritizing features, and ensuring that all development activities align with user needs and project objectives. The product manager will liaise with stakeholders to gather requirements, manage documentation, and oversee the project’s delivery.

Benjamin Nimako – Security Auditor

• Role: The security auditor will be responsible for performing security assessments and vulnerability testing of the smart contracts and blockchain nodes. The auditor will ensure compliance with security best practices and provide recommendations for mitigating any identified risks.

Nannah Aba de Graft – Marketing & Community Engagement Lead

• Role: This team member will be responsible for driving community engagement, promoting the project within the Cardano ecosystem, and managing communications and partnerships. This role includes organizing outreach events, creating content for marketing campaigns, and building strategic alliances to support the project's success.

Precious Jahlom – Data Analyst

• Role: The data analyst will be responsible for analyzing transaction data, user engagement metrics, and performance data. The role will include generating insights that help optimize transaction throughput and adoption, as well as creating reports for stakeholders to measure project success.

Kwabena Adusei – Compliance & Legal Advisor

• Role: The compliance and legal advisor will ensure that the project adheres to all regulatory requirements, particularly with respect to blockchain-related laws, data privacy, and ADA payment transactions. This role includes reviewing and approving all project documents, advising on legal implications, and ensuring full compliance with relevant laws and standards.

Recruitment Plan

We intend to recruit additional team members to strengthen our technical and marketing capabilities:

Smart Contract Developer

• Skills Required: Proficiency in Plutus, Haskell, or Marlowe with experience in developing and deploying smart contracts on Cardano’s blockchain. Knowledge of integrating digital payments into decentralized applications is essential.

Business Development Specialist

• Skills Required: Proven track record in business development and sales, preferably within the blockchain or tech space. Capable of identifying potential partnerships and managing client relationships to drive the adoption of ADA payments across various channels.

Engagement with the Team

All listed team members have been engaged prior to submitting this proposal, and we have confirmation of their availability and commitment to the project. Discussions would be held with technical experts in the Cardano ecosystem, including active participation in developer communities via Whatsapp, and Telegram, to ensure alignment with Cardano’s standards and expectations.

Our team has also engaged with local organizations to understand market demands and assess the feasibility of ADA integration within the transportation industry. This background work has equipped us with the necessary insights and connections to execute the project effectively.

By assembling a team with both technical and non-technical expertise, we are confident in our ability to deliver a high-quality solution that meets Cardano’s standards and achieves the proposed outcomes.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Total Budget: ₳150,000

The project cost breakdown is designed to cover the end-to-end development and deployment of the decentralized self-service ads platform. Each component is carefully calculated to ensure value for money while covering all necessary stages of the project, including design, development, deployment, and community engagement.

1. Blockchain Integration & Smart Contract Development: ₳50,000

• Blockchain Integration: ₳25,000
• Integration of Cardano’s blockchain infrastructure with the self-service ads platform.
• Setting up smart contract logic to automate ad purchases, placements, and payments.
• API development and testing for seamless data exchange.
• Smart Contract Development: ₳25,000
• Development of smart contracts to manage ad placements, bidding mechanisms, and revenue sharing among stakeholders.
• Includes deployment and testing on the Cardano testnet and mainnet.

2. Infrastructure & Technology Costs: ₳30,000

• Cloud Hosting & Storage: ₳15,000
• Cloud hosting for decentralized data storage and content delivery.
• Infrastructure to support the platform's web servers and blockchain nodes.
• Software Licenses & Tools: ₳15,000
• Software licenses for development tools and blockchain testing environments.
• Tools for smart contract auditing and performance testing.

3. Project Management & Operations: ₳20,000

• Project Management: ₳10,000
• Project manager to oversee development, milestones, and coordination with stakeholders.
• Includes operational costs and logistics for team management.
• Operations & Coordination: ₳10,000
• Administrative support, logistics, and coordination for cross-functional teams.
• Regular meetings and communications for project updates and stakeholder engagement.

4. Legal, Compliance, & Audit Services: ₳15,000

• Regulatory Compliance & Legal Services: ₳10,000
• Legal services to ensure compliance with Cardano’s governance standards.
• Drafting agreements with advertisers and regulatory bodies.
• Smart Contract Audit: ₳5,000
• Comprehensive third-party audit of smart contracts to ensure security, accuracy, and compliance.

5. Marketing, Community Engagement, & Stakeholder Training: ₳20,000

• Marketing & Community Outreach: ₳12,000
• Promotion of the platform’s benefits to potential advertisers and the Cardano community.
• Marketing campaigns to drive adoption and stakeholder engagement.
• Workshops & Training: ₳5,000
• Conduct training sessions for advertisers and partners on using the blockchain-based ads platform.
• Develop training materials and host workshops for community members.
• Community Engagement & Feedback: ₳3,000
• Gather community feedback, document best practices, and share project insights with the Cardano ecosystem.

6. Platform Security & Maintenance: ₳10,000

• Security Enhancements: ₳6,000
• Implement platform-wide security protocols to safeguard user data and ad content.
• Continuous monitoring for security vulnerabilities and implementing necessary updates.
• Maintenance & Upgrades: ₳4,000
• Regular maintenance to ensure the platform’s optimal performance.
• Upgrades based on user feedback and new technological developments.

7. Reporting, Documentation, & Community Updates: ₳5,000

• Documentation: ₳3,000
• Document project outcomes, challenges, and learnings.
• Develop user guides and documentation for advertisers and community members.
• Project Report & Close-out: ₳2,000
• Final project report and video documentation summarizing the project’s achievements.

Comprehensive Coverage: The breakdown ensures all aspects of the project are covered, from development and testing to marketing and compliance, providing a holistic approach for successful project delivery.

Dependencies:

Technical Integration with Cardano’s Blockchain:

• Description: Integration with Cardano’s blockchain infrastructure is required to deploy smart contracts and facilitate the decentralized ad-serving platform, as well as the development of a blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform. This dependency ensures that all ad placements, payments, and wallet transactions are verified on-chain, providing transparency and security.
• Reason for Dependency: Without this integration and development, the decentralized nature of the project cannot be realized, and essential functions such as ad verification, payment settlement, and wallet operations cannot occur.

Partnership with the OYA Platform:

• Description: Close coordination with the OYA development team is required to align the development of the ad-serving platform as well as the development of the blockchain-based exchange and wallet platform with the existing OYA ecosystem, ensuring a seamless user experience and compatibility.
• Reason for Dependency: The microservice needs to be developed and integrated with the existing OYA infrastructure to capture the relevant user data, ad placements, wallet transactions, and reporting capabilities, making this partnership critical for project success.

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

The proposed budget of ₳150,000 is structured to ensure maximum efficiency and strategic allocation for the successful development of the Decentralized Self-Service Ads Platform. The requested funding reflects the scope of the project at the concept stage, while still being competitive and aligned with industry standards.

1. Proportional Costs Based on Industry Standards:

• Development & Smart Contract Integration (₳70,000): The allocated amount for initial development and smart contract integration is set in line with industry rates for blockchain developers, which can range between $50 to $150 per hour depending on expertise and location. Considering the complexity of developing a decentralized ad-serving platform, this cost is justified to cover approximately 6 months of development efforts with a team of experienced blockchain and smart contract developers.
• Testing, Security Audits, and Compliance (₳30,000): Blockchain security audits are typically resource-intensive, with reputable auditors charging between $20,000 to $50,000 per audit depending on the scope. Allocating ₳30,000 ensures the project adheres to high security standards, reducing risks associated with blockchain vulnerabilities.
• Community Engagement & Marketing (₳30,000): Early engagement and feedback collection from users and advertisers are critical at the concept stage. Costs for running initial pilot campaigns, creating educational content, and organizing training sessions are factored in, ensuring that the platform is developed with direct user input and engagement.
• Project Management & Documentation (₳20,000): Effective project management ensures timely delivery and adherence to milestones. Allocating resources towards project management at this stage helps maintain accountability, track progress, and provide transparency to the Cardano community.

2. Long-Term Value for the Cardano Ecosystem:

• Enhanced Adoption of Blockchain-Based Advertising Solutions: By developing this platform on Cardano, the project contributes to the broader adoption of decentralized applications and encourages new use cases within the ecosystem.
• Strengthening the Cardano Brand: The success of this project will demonstrate the potential of Cardano as a platform for innovative decentralized applications, attracting more developers, advertisers, and users.
• Scalability & Future Growth: The concept stage of this project will serve as the foundation for further growth and feature expansion, allowing the project to scale into a full product offering over time. This staged approach mitigates risks and ensures that funds are used efficiently to build a viable solution before further investment.

3. Justification Based on the Ghanaian Market Context:

• The average hourly wage for a skilled software developer in Ghana ranges between GHS 60 and GHS 150, which translates to approximately $10 to $25 per hour. Our budget allocation is competitive in this market and ensures we can attract and retain top talent while staying within budget.

With these considerations, the project’s budget allocation of ₳150,000 represents value for money, as it supports critical development, testing, and community engagement activities at the concept stage. This ensures that the project can move forward with a strong foundation, increasing the likelihood of success and benefit to the Cardano ecosystem.