Please describe your proposed solution.

SPOPatrons.io is a transformative platform designed to tackle the prevalent issue of stake pool underutilization in the Cardano ecosystem. Recognizing that small-scale Cardano Single Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) struggle to attract and retain delegators, we have developed a system that fosters transparent and efficient stake pool patronage. We approach the problem by enabling SPOs to manage their patron programs seamlessly, bolstering their visibility and appeal to potential delegators.

The primary beneficiaries of our platform will be SPOs who need an efficient means to grow their delegator base, and by extension, Cardano's decentralization vision. Delegators also benefit by gaining insight into well-managed, promising stake pools they can support.

Our impact will be demonstrated through the increasing number of SPOs using our platform, and the growth in their delegator count. By providing these valuable tools, SPOPatrons.io not only aids SPOs but also strengthens Cardano's decentralization, making it crucial to Cardano's long-term success.

How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

SPOPatrons.io aims to address the critical challenge of stake pool underutilization in the Cardano ecosystem. Our solution directly targets the issue by enabling Single Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) to manage their patron programs more efficiently, thereby promoting their stake pools to potential delegators in a more appealing, transparent manner.

This solution will strengthen the Cardano ecosystem by promoting greater decentralization. By supporting smaller stake pools and helping them attract delegators, we foster diversity in the Cardano staking landscape. This diversity is a key facet of robust decentralization, enhancing the resilience and security of the Cardano network.

Quantifying the impact, we anticipate that our platform could significantly increase the number of active delegators for participating SPOs within the first 6 months post-launch.

In terms of users, we estimate a 10-30% rise in the number of SPOs leveraging our platform within the same period.

How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of Spopatrons.io will be gauged through a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures.

On the quantitative side, key performance indicators will include:

• Number of SPOs adopting our platform
• Growth in participating SPOs delegator counts
• Growth in participating SPOs active stakes

From a qualitative perspective, we will seek feedback from our users to understand their experience better. User satisfaction, gathered through regular surveys and direct communication channels, will be a crucial success measure.

We believe these measures are realistic, given our solution's alignment with the existing needs of many SPOs and the platform's user-friendly nature.

Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Once delivered the Spopatrons project outputs will be visible in these locations:

• SPOPatrons.io: the platform itself
• CardanoBI Github (https://github.com/cardanobi)

The project outputs will be shared with a diverse audience, including existing and potential Cardano SPOs, delegators, and the wider Cardano community. We'll also be looking to connect with industry influencers and media outlets to enhance our reach and attract a broader audience to the platform and the Cardano ecosystem as a whole.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

We've successfully built and launched CardanoBI, the first Fully Open-Source Business Intelligence API for Cardano.

The proposed solution will be built by the same team.

We are stake pool operators ourselves (ADACT) and know this issue faced by tiny SPOs very well!

We have 23+ years' experience in software development for the financial industry and we'll be as transparent in our project reporting as we have been for the CardanoBI project.

What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals for the project are as follows:

1. Build a platform allowing SPOs to manage their Patrons program in a transparent, reliable and trustworthy fashion.
2. Increase the visibility of our participating SPOs by advertising their Patrons program.
3. Promote a more diverse stake pool landscape where SPOs have a real advantage over multi-pools and exchange backed pools.

The project is primarily software development oriented, and we'll employ an agile methodology for implementation. This approach allows for iterative development, regular testing, and adjustments based on user feedback and platform performance, ensuring the feasibility and effectiveness of our solution.

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.

Milestones Breakdown for the Project:

1.Platform user registration & authentication:

Implement a system that verifies user control over the declared pool.

2.Patrons program definition and setup:

Develop a framework for SPOs to define the specifics of their patrons program, including the number of slots, associated stake ranges, additional rewards, address for rewards distribution, and epoch duration.

This stage will also include the ability for SPOs to test their program in preview and preprod.

3.Patrons program management:

This phase includes creating a comprehensive system for managing the patrons program from initial setup to epoch management and monitoring, and evaluating the SPO against their declared program. We'll also implement features to allow SPOs to promote their programs directly from the platform and facilitate automated social media highlights of the SPOs' patrons programs.

4.Testing in preview/preprod

Conduct a thorough testing phase, including gathering end-user feedback and making necessary adjustments to the user interface and functionalities based on this feedback.

5.Beta deployment on mainnet:

Roll out the platform in a beta version on the mainnet to gather user feedback and ensure stability and functionality in a live environment.

6.Full launch on mainnet:

After extensive testing and feedback, the platform will be fully deployed on the mainnet. At this point, it will be open to all users and actively supporting the Cardano ecosystem.

Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Here are the expected deliverables for each of our milestones:

1.Platform User Registration & Authentication:

The deliverable for this phase is a secure user authentication and registration system. The intended outcome is to have a robust system that reliably verifies if a user has control over the declared pool. Progress will be tracked through successful user registrations and the absence of unauthorized access incidents.

stack: nextjs 13, next-auth, nodejs, mongodb, cloud native, light wallet connectivity

2.Patrons Program Definition and Setup:

The deliverable here is a comprehensive framework that allows SPOs to customize their patrons program. The intended outcome is a user-friendly interface that SPOs can use to define program parameters, enhancing their pool attractiveness. We'll track progress by measuring the number of programs set up and their associated parameters.

stack: nextjs 13, nodejs, mongodb

3.Patrons Program Management:

The deliverables for this phase are a management system for the patrons program and social media promotion tools. The intended outcomes are a seamless user experience for SPOs in managing their programs and increased visibility for their programs on social media. Progress will be measured by tracking the usage of management tools and the reach of social media promotions.

stack: nextjs 13, nodejs, mongodb

4.Testing in Preview/Preprod:

The deliverable for this phase is a detailed report on the system's performance in the pre-production environment, including user feedback and proposed adjustments. The intended outcome is a refined platform ready for beta testing. We'll measure progress by tracking bug reports, user feedback, and implemented adjustments.

5.Beta Deployment on Mainnet:

The deliverable here is the beta version of the platform live on the mainnet. The intended outcome is a fully functional beta version for users to explore and provide feedback. Progress will be tracked by monitoring user interaction, gathering feedback, and identifying any issues for resolution.

6.Full Launch on Mainnet:

The final deliverable is the fully operational Spopatrons.io platform on the mainnet. The intended outcome is a platform widely used by SPOs and beneficial to the Cardano ecosystem. Progress will be measured by tracking the number of active users, the growth of delegator counts for SPOs using the platform, and overall transaction volume.

Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Here are the expected resources and budget for each of our milestones:

1.Platform User Registration & Authentication:

1x Solution Architect @ $50/h for 16h (2 days)

1x Frontend Developer @ $30/h for 80h (2 weeks)

2.Patrons Program Definition and Setup:

1x Solution Architect @ $50/h for 16h (2 days)

1x Frontend Developer @ $30/h for 120h (3 weeks)

3.Patrons Program Management:

1x Solution Architect @ $50/h for 40h (1 week)

1x Backend Developer @ $30/h for 200h (5 weeks)

4.Testing in Preview/Preprod:

1x Backend Developer @ $30/h for 40h (1 week)

5.Beta Deployment on Mainnet:

1x Backend Developer @ $30/h for 40h (1 week)

6.Full Launch on Mainnet:

1x Backend Developer @ $30/h for 8h (1 day)

The total ask in USD is $18,240

With ADA @ 0.29 USD the total ask in ADA is: ₳62,896

Actual execution time is estimated to 5 months because the team works FIAT jobs too!

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

The same team that delivered CardanoBI REST API will deliver SPOPatrons.io:

1.Lead, architect, backend/frontend dev: Thomas Langlois

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/langloisthomas>

2.Data architect, event-driven architect, backend dev: Ahmed Abouelnour

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-abouelnour-91828b8/>

We will onboard a UX designer on a contract basis as we did for Cardanobi.io.

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

The cost of SPOPatrons.io primarily covers development, testing, deployment.

The reference hourly rates are highly competitive when you consider the level of expertise of these resources.

While these costs may seem substantial at first glance, it's important to consider the significant benefits the platform will bring to the Cardano community:

• By supporting single stake pool operators (SPOs) to attract more delegators and manage their patrons effectively, the platform aids in the decentralization of the Cardano ecosystem, a core vision of the Cardano community. Additionally, a more balanced and distributed staking landscape will contribute to the overall security and robustness of the Cardano blockchain, benefiting all who interact with it.
• The cost is justified when compared to the potential financial returns for SPOs. By facilitating SPOs in increasing their delegator count and stake, the platform can help them to earn more in staking rewards, far exceeding the initial investment in the platform.

Therefore, considering the significant contributions Spopatrons.io will make towards decentralization, security, and financial viability of SPOs, the project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem.