[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is a digital identity verification module built on Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, specifically designed to enhance car-sharing platforms. We perceive a critical problem in the car-sharing industry as the lack of secure and efficient identity verification systems. This deficiency not only compromises user security but also limits the scalability and accessibility of car-sharing services.

Our approach is to leverage the power of blockchain technology and decentralized identities. We will create a component that can be integrated into existing and emerging car-sharing platforms. This module will enable users to verify their identities in a secure, seamless manner, thereby enhancing user experience, security, and trust.

Our project will engage car-sharing platforms and their users. For platforms, we offer an efficient, secure solution for identity verification, thereby improving their operational efficiency and customer trust. For users, we provide a secure and private way to verify their identity, improving their experience and safety.

We will demonstrate our impact through pilot integrations with car-sharing platforms, tracking metrics such as user adoption rates, reduction in identity fraud incidents, and user satisfaction levels. Our ultimate goal is to see our module become a standard component of car-sharing platforms globally.

Our solution is unique in its focus on leveraging decentralized identity for car-sharing services, which is a first in the industry. The beneficiaries are car-sharing platforms and their users, but the impact extends to the broader Cardano ecosystem. It showcases the practical, real-world utility of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, driving adoption, and demonstrating the transformative power of decentralized technologies in everyday life. This, we believe, is crucial to Cardano’s mission of democratizing finance and empowering individuals through decentralization.

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

The positive impact of our project on the wider Cardano community can be summarized in three key areas:

1. Enhancement of Cardano’s Ecosystem and Reputation: By successfully implementing a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) solution for car-sharing systems using Atala PRISM, our project will showcase the practical applicability and versatility of Cardano’s technologies. This real-world use case will enhance Cardano’s reputation as a robust platform capable of solving complex, real-world challenges.
2. Attracting New Stakeholders: The project’s success will likely attract new users, developers, and businesses to the Cardano ecosystem. By demonstrating how Cardano can be used to solve specific industry problems like identity verification in car-sharing, it can inspire similar applications in other sectors, fostering broader innovation and adoption.
3. Setting Industry Standards: Our project can set a precedent for leveraging blockchain technology in identity verification, influencing other industries to consider similar solutions, thereby contributing to Cardano’s growth and productivity.

Measuring Impact:

Our impact will be assessed through:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Tracking the level of engagement and collaboration from stakeholders, including car-sharing companies, users, government entities, and policy makers.
• Technical Achievement: Evaluating the successful development and deployment of the SSI solution.
• Contribution to Cardano Ecosystem: Assessing how the project enhances Cardano’s reputation and fosters community growth.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• GitHub Repository: We will make all technical outputs, including code, documentation, and architecture diagrams, publicly available on GitHub.
• Regular Updates: Progress reports will be shared with the Cardano community through social media channels, blog posts, and the Cardano Forum.
• Webinars and Q&A Sessions: To ensure transparency, we plan to host webinars and Q&A sessions at key project milestones.
• Engagement with Stakeholders: Maintaining close communication with key stakeholders to gather feedback and refine our solution.
• Comprehensive Reports: Writing detailed reports and blog posts to share our findings, achievements, and future prospects with the wider community.

Our approach ensures that the project’s impacts and learnings are widely disseminated, fostering a collaborative and informed Cardano community.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] 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?

As PeakSoft GmbH, a Germany-based consulting company, we bring an extensive range of skills and experiences to the table, making us uniquely positioned to deliver this project.

• Company Reputation and Track Record: Over the years, we have established ourselves as a trusted entity, working with large-scale applications and big clients. Our projects’ success, including partnerships with leading German automakers, underscores our ability to deliver high-quality results and manage large-scale projects efficiently.
• Solid Team Foundation: Our company boasts six full-time employees, each bringing their expertise in diverse disciplines such as software development, quality assurance, project management, and blockchain technology. This strong internal structure will ensure that all aspects of our project are managed effectively.
• Extended Resources: Beyond our internal team, we have access to an extensive network of external consultants. Should the need arise, we can swiftly deploy additional resources to ensure our project progresses without disruption.
• Web2 and Web3 Expertise: Our team members are pioneers in both web2 and web3 technologies. We have in-depth experience in large-scale software quality assurance and application development. Furthermore, our involvement as Plutus Pioneers and Atala PRISM Pioneers showcases our deep-rooted understanding and commitment to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Transparency and Accountability: We prioritize maintaining clear communication with the community. Regular progress reports and periodic webinars and Q&A sessions will be organized to keep stakeholders updated. Our stringent budgeting and auditing procedures will ensure that funds are managed appropriately and used as intended.

While our current budget allows for the completion of our proposed project, we may consider seeking additional funding in future Catalyst rounds. This would enable us to introduce new features and expand our project’s scope. Any additional funding required will be detailed in a separate, new proposal.

To track the progress of our project, we’ll implement Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, and set clear acceptance criteria for each project component and deliverable. We’ll also make use of Scrum boards and product backlogs to provide a transparent and constantly updated view of our progress.

For us, success is not merely about reaching milestones. It also involves accomplishing our established acceptance criteria and user stories within our sprints, and successfully delivering the first product increment within the proposed timeline. In essence, success means delivering a product that meets our high-quality standards and offers real value to the Cardano ecosystem.

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

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Planning

• Brief Description: In this phase, we’ll define project scope, finalize the project plan, and conduct a kickoff meeting with all key stakeholders. We’ll also complete the initial analysis of regulatory requirements and the specific needs of carsharing platforms.

• Key Tasks: Define project scope, develop project plan, conduct kickoff meeting, perform regulatory analysis and stakeholder needs assessment.

• Timeline: 1 month

>Milestone 2: Development of SSI Module

• Brief Description: Development of the SSI module based on Cardano’s Atala PRISM will begin. This involves building the module to handle digital identities, verify driving licenses, and facilitate secure, privacy-preserving interactions.

• Key Tasks: Design SSI module, develop functionalities, conduct unit and integration testing.

• Timeline: 4 months

>Milestone 3: Pilot Integration and Testing

• Brief Description: In this phase, we’ll integrate the SSI module into a carsharing platform for testing purposes. This will provide us with valuable insights into its real-world functionality and allow us to fix any bugs or issues that may arise.

• Key Tasks: Integrate SSI module with a carsharing platform, conduct user acceptance testing, address bugs and issues.

• Timeline: 3 months

>Milestone 4: Stakeholder Engagement and Education

• Brief Description: Conduct stakeholder workshops to gather feedback, create awareness about the solution, and promote adoption.

• Key Tasks: Organize workshops, gather feedback, and use feedback to refine the SSI module and governance framework.

• Timeline: 1 month

>Milestone 5 Governance Framework Development and Review

• Brief Description: The final stage will involve developing a governance framework that will guide the structure, coordination, and overall management of the project. The framework will then be reviewed internally and externally.

• Key Tasks: Develop governance framework, review internally and externally, make necessary revisions.

• Timeline: 1 month

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

• Oussama Benmahmoud: As CEO and Co-Founder of PeakSoft GmbH, Oussama is a Certified PMP, ITIL, Professional Scrum Master, and Product Owner, and holds an ISTQB Advanced Level Certification. His key roles include Project Management, Software Quality Assurance, and Blockchain Development. His extensive Connected Car Projects experience and achievements as a Plutus Pioneer and Atala PRISM Pioneer make him a valuable asset to the team. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oussama-benmahmoud-43693926/

• Habib Mokni: Habib is our Software Engineer and Frontend Developer. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habibmokni/

• Mohammed Abdelali: Mohammed is an Electronic and Communication Engineer, focusing on Software Quality Assurance. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-abdelali-290b7b101/

Our team roles and responsibilities for the project are:

1. Blockchain Development - Abderrahim Issaoui, Oussama Benmahmoud (Both Plutus Pioneers)
2. Frontend Development - Habib Mokni
3. Mobility Integration - Mohammed Abdelali, Oussama Benmahmoud

The team is prepared to engage external consultants if necessary, as we are always open to bringing in more expertise. We remain committed to active engagement with the Cardano community and technical-group channels and understand the expectations of proof of life verifications and public proposal availability. Our team’s combined skills and experience make us well-suited to execute this project and contribute significantly to the Cardano ecosystem.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Planning - 15,000 ADA

• Costs in this phase will go towards activities related to project planning, stakeholder identification and engagement, and the initial analysis of regulatory requirements.

Milestone 2: Development of SSI Module - 40,000 ADA

• This allocation is primarily for the design and development of the SSI module, which includes costs associated with coding, testing, and initial debugging.

Milestone 3: Pilot Integration and Testing - 15,000 ADA

• This budget allocation will be used to cover the costs of integrating the SSI module into the carsharing platform for testing, addressing any arising issues, and user acceptance testing.

Milestone 4: Stakeholder Engagement and Education - 15,000 ADA

• These funds will be used to organize stakeholder workshops, gather feedback, and use the feedback to refine the SSI module and governance framework.

Milestone 5: Governance Framework Development and Review - 15,000 ADA

• The final allocation will cover costs associated with developing, reviewing, and refining the governance framework based on internal and external feedback.

Each budget allocation is inclusive of any associated third-party costs, community engagement, project management, documentation, and reporting back to the community. The project team will manage the funds responsibly, ensuring that the project stays within budget while achieving its key milestones.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The budget for our project is set at 450,000 ADA, and while this may seem substantial, the value that it can bring to the Cardano ecosystem, in terms of both technological advancements and the community growth, justifies this cost.

The project focuses on developing a digital identity solution using Atala PRISM, an essential component in the blockchain industry, particularly in the context of decentralized identity and data privacy. The cost associated with the development of such an application reflects the complexity and sophistication of the task. It considers the requirement for skilled blockchain developers and experts who are often in high demand and, therefore, command higher than average compensation rates.

Furthermore, the project doesn’t just develop a solution but also aims to incorporate it in a real-world context, i.e., carsharing platforms, which includes the integration and testing cost. The project also focuses on engagement with stakeholders and community, the development and refinement of a governance framework, all of which are critical for the project’s long-term success and sustainability but require resources to be executed effectively.

The costs have been estimated based on the standard rates for software development projects, considering both the time needed and the skill level required for each phase. We’ve also taken into account the potential costs of unforeseen complications or delays that could arise during development and testing.

In terms of the value to the Cardano ecosystem, this project will not only add a functional and tested application to the suite of available tools on Cardano but it will also foster increased adoption and innovation. By demonstrating the practical use case of Atala PRISM, we’ll attract more users and developers to the ecosystem, leading to increased network activity and transaction volumes, which benefit the entire ecosystem.

In summary, the project aims to deliver significant value by enhancing the Cardano ecosystem’s functionality, driving adoption, and demonstrating a practical implementation of decentralized identity, all of which significantly outweighs the initial cost outlay.