Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Perception:

Veterinary researchers lack a secure and private platform for sharing sensitive data selectively.

Approach:

We will develop a decentralized DApp using Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) on the Midnight Network, ensuring data privacy while enabling collaboration in the veterinary research space. The platform will allow selective data disclosure, maintaining researcher control over sensitive information.

Engagement:

The platform will target veterinary researchers, academic institutions, and data-driven research organizations seeking privacy in collaborative environments.

Impact:

We will measure success by adoption rates, research collaborations, and demonstrated data protection using ZKP technology. This aligns with Cardano's mission to foster decentralized, privacy-focused solutions.

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

Value to the Cardano Community:

This project will showcase the practical application of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) on the Midnight Network, increasing awareness and adoption of privacy-focused decentralized applications within the Cardano ecosystem. By providing a real-world use case in veterinary research, it will demonstrate how blockchain can solve sensitive data-sharing challenges.

Impact Measurement:

Impact will be measured through platform adoption rates, successful collaborations, and ZKP functionality in research.

Sharing Outputs:

The platform’s code will be open-source, fostering community contributions, and outputs will be shared via GitHub and the Cardano community channels.

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:

The project is led by a team with a mix of technical and veterinary expertise.

Mihai Bărbulescu has over 20 years of experience in various technology and digital marketing roles, with the last several years focused on blockchain technologies and decentralized governance. He has worked on a variety of projects, including serving as an advisor for VeterinaryDAO, where he helped implement blockchain solutions for veterinary services. His experience spans from marketing to project development, including metaverse and blockchain-related initiatives.

Sorina Urcan, a licensed veterinarian with more than 10 years of experience, is the Co-Founder and Chief Veterinary Officer of VeterinaryDAO. She brings extensive knowledge of veterinary practices, and her interest in blockchain allows her to explore innovative solutions for decentralized veterinary services.

Feasibility & Accountability:

With their combined experience, the team is well-positioned to deliver on this project. The project will follow a clear roadmap, and progress will be shared transparently through regular updates. By making the project open source, the team encourages community involvement and maintains accountability throughout the development process.

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

Milestone 1: Outputs: Initial research and architecture design for the Veterinary Research DApp using Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) and the Midnight Network.

Acceptance Criteria: Completion of the technical design document and selection of core technologies, with community review and approval.

Evidence of Completion: A detailed technical architecture document shared with the community.

Milestone 2: Outputs: Development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for the DApp, including core features like selective data disclosure and basic ZKP implementation.

Acceptance Criteria: Completion of the MVP with core functionality operational and passing internal testing.

Evidence of Completion: Demonstration of the MVP to the community with functional tests and logs.

Milestone 3: Outputs: Final development and testing phase, including integration with the Midnight Network and community feedback collection.

Acceptance Criteria: Successful integration and security testing, addressing any issues raised by the community during testing.

Evidence of Completion: Testing reports and community feedback, showing the DApp is secure and ready for broader use.

Final Milestone: Outputs: Project Close-out Report and Public Video, summarizing the project results, lessons learned, and next steps.

Acceptance Criteria: Final report and video presentation shared with the Cardano community.

Evidence of Completion: Submission of the report and video, available for review by the community.

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

Project Team:

1. Mihai Bărbulescu – Project Lead and Blockchain Developer

Mihai brings over 20 years of experience in technology and blockchain, focusing on decentralized applications and governance. His role in the project includes overseeing the DApp development, smart contract implementation, and integration with the Midnight Network.

LinkedIn Profile: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihaibarbulescu/>

1. Sorina Urcan – Chief Veterinary Officer and Domain Expert

Sorina has over 10 years of experience as a licensed veterinarian and co-founder of VeterinaryDAO. She will provide domain-specific knowledge, ensuring that the platform meets the needs of veterinary researchers. She will also manage community outreach and feedback.

LinkedIn Profile: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorina-urcan/>

Future Team Members:

We may subcontract additional developers and blockchain specialists to assist with the smart contract audits and final testing phases. Key skills we will seek include experience with Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) and blockchain security audits.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1) Development Costs

• Smart Contract Development: Building the core smart contracts for ZKP and selective data disclosure, including writing, testing, and refining contracts.

• Estimated Cost: ₳20,000

• Front-End Development: Creating the user interface and experience for the DApp, ensuring it's user-friendly for veterinary researchers.

• Estimated Cost: ₳10,000

• Back-End Development: Infrastructure setup, including databases and API integrations to support the DApp’s functionality.

• Estimated Cost: ₳10,000

2) Integration with Midnight Network

• Network Access and Middleware Development: Ensuring smooth integration with the Midnight Network, along with any middleware development necessary for ZKP functionality.
• Estimated Cost: ₳10,000

3) Security Audits

• Smart Contract and ZKP Audits: Engaging external auditors to review the security and privacy mechanisms, ensuring the DApp functions as intended.
• Estimated Cost: ₳7,000

4) Community Engagement and Testing

• Outreach and Feedback Incentives: Engaging the community for feedback on the DApp and offering bug bounties for identifying issues.
• Estimated Cost: ₳3,000

5) Miscellaneous and Administrative Costs

• Final Video Production: Producing a high-quality project close-out video.

• Estimated Cost: ₳2,000

• Documentation: Writing and maintaining technical documentation for the DApp.

• Estimated Cost: ₳3,000

Total Requested Funds: ₳65,000

Our project relies on the Midnight Network to provide Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology for secure and private data sharing. This dependency is essential for ensuring the selective disclosure feature of our DApp. We will monitor Midnight’s network developments to ensure compatibility and timely integration.

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

The budget for this project has been carefully considered to ensure maximum value for the Cardano ecosystem while maintaining a lean and efficient development process. The costs outlined are based on competitive industry rates for blockchain development, smart contract auditing, and community engagement.

Development Costs:

The rates for smart contract, front-end, and back-end development reflect average industry standards, especially considering the technical complexity of integrating Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) and the Midnight Network.

These are specialized skills, and the ₳40,000 allocated for development is proportional to the complexity of the DApp and comparable to the rates found in similar blockchain projects.

Security Audits:

Smart contract audits are critical for ensuring the security of decentralized applications. The ₳7,000 allocated for audits is in line with smaller auditing firms and tailored to the specific scope of this project. Given the importance of ZKP functionality, this is a necessary investment to maintain trust and security within the Cardano ecosystem.

Community Engagement:

A portion of the budget is dedicated to engaging the Cardano community through feedback and testing. This approach fosters collaboration and encourages the ecosystem’s growth by involving stakeholders in the development process. By allocating ₳3,000 for engagement and testing incentives, the project aims to increase adoption and receive valuable feedback that will improve the final product.

Miscellaneous Costs:

The administrative costs, including documentation and final video production, are kept to a minimum, with a total of ₳5,000, ensuring that most of the budget is allocated toward core development and security.

Overall, the total requested funds of ₳65,000 are proportionate to the project’s objectives, aligning with industry standards while ensuring that the Cardano community benefits from the successful delivery of an innovative and secure DApp.