[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Problem:

Despite Dubai's rapid growth and its reputation as a crypto-friendly country, there is a lack of dedicated networking events and seminars specifically tailored to support the Cardano blockchain ecosystem. This gap hinders the realization of the full potential of Cardano's innovative technology and limits the opportunities for collaboration, development, and adoption within the Dubai crypto community.

Solution:

The establishment of a Cardano Hub in Dubai aims to address the aforementioned problem by providing a workspace for the Cardano blockchain ecosystem. The Cardano Hub will serve as a central hub for individuals, businesses, developers, and investors interested in Cardano, fostering a collaborative and thriving environment. The hub will offer the following solutions:

1. Technical Support and Education: The hub will offer technical support and educational resources to help developers and entrepreneurs understand and utilize the Cardano blockchain effectively.
2. Investment and Funding Opportunities: The Cardano Hub will connect entrepreneurs and startups with potential investors and funding sources, facilitating the growth of projects built on the Cardano blockchain.
3. Community Building: The hub will actively promote community engagement by organizing meetups, conferences, and forums centered around Cardano and its applications.
4. Partnerships and Collaboration: The Cardano Hub will actively seek partnerships with local government entities, academic institutions, and industry leaders in Dubai. By forging strategic alliances, the hub will enable the integration of Cardano into existing industries and sectors, driving innovation and economic growth in the region.

Overall, the establishment of a Cardano Hub in Dubai will provide a comprehensive solution to the lack of resources for the Cardano ecosystem in the MENA region. It will foster a supportive environment, encourage collaboration, and accelerate the adoption and development of Cardano projects in Dubai, positioning the city as a global leader in the blockchain space.

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

What Value Does This Proposal Bring To Cardano?

1. Accelerating Cardano Adoption: The establishment of the Cardano Dubai Hub in a fast-growing, crypto-friendly region will expedite the adoption of Cardano's technology not only in Dubai but also in the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
2. Fostering Innovation and Collaboration: The hub will create an environment that nurtures innovation and collaboration among entrepreneurs, developers, and industry experts, driving the development of novel solutions and attracting top talent to the region.
3. Supporting Local Entrepreneurs and Startups: By providing technical resources, mentorship, and investment opportunities, the hub will support local entrepreneurs and startups, encouraging the development of innovative applications and businesses on the Cardano blockchain.
4. Attracting International Investment: As a global business hub, Dubai's Cardano Hub will serve as a gateway for international investors, connecting them with local entrepreneurs and startups seeking funding for Cardano projects.
5. Showcasing Real-World Use Cases: The hub will focus on establishing partnerships and collaborations with local industries, showcasing practical use cases of Cardano's technology and encouraging wider adoption.
6. Establishing Dubai as a Blockchain Hub: The presence of the Cardano Dubai Hub will position Dubai as a leading hub for blockchain innovation and adoption, attracting global attention, fostering international collaborations, and contributing to the city's overall economic growth and reputation.

[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?

Our project is being managed the Kaizen Crypto team, a well-established brand with the Cardano ecosystem. The progress of the Cardano Dubai will be documented and publicly available for the community.

Our team has been previously funded in Catalyst funding rounds, and we continue to find new solutions to existing problems. Our efforts to build on Cardano demonstrate a strong desire to continue pushing the ecosystem forward.

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

Milestone 1: Host a Cardano Meetup at a shared co-working space in DIFC, Dubai (Month 1)

Acceptance Criteria: A clean and accessible facility will be available to all Cardano community members in DIFC, Dubai. Attendees can present their projects and take questions from attendees.

Budget: 50,000 ADA

>Milestone 2: Projects onboarding at shared co-working space in DIFC, Dubai (Month 2)

Acceptance Criteria:

Projects that are building in the Cardano community can present their progress to an in-person audience. The presentations will be recorded and available for playback on social media networks.

Budget: 50,000 ADA

>Milestone 3: Networking and Content Creation (Month 3)

Acceptance Criteria:

Cardano community members within the region will be able to share their ideas and experiences related to the growth and adoption of the ecosystem. An in-person networking event will give attendees an opportunity to create content related to various projects building in the ecosystem.

Budget: 50,000 ADA

>Milestone 5: International Project Attraction (Month 4)

Acceptance Criteria:

Develop marketing and outreach strategies to attract international Cardano projects to Dubai. Participate in international blockchain events and conferences to showcase the Cardano Dubai Hub. A project closeout report and video will be provided upon the successful implementation of this milestone.

Budget: 50,000 ADA

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

Pritesh Gosai - Kaizen Crypto

Pritesh is a long-time Cardano community member who has been contributing to the ecosystem since 2017. He began creating educational content for the Cardano ecosystem in 2019 and has operated Kaizen stakepools since the Incentivized Testnet. Since then, he has gone on to create one of the most well established brands in the Cardano community with a Youtube channel that has over 1M views and 30k subscribers. He operates several stakepools and contributes to charity in India and Sri Lanka with operator rewards from Krishna stakepool. The Kaizen Crypto brand is now supported by several community members who span across the entire globe to continue the ethos of continuous improvement for Cardano. The Kaizen Crypto team has previously been funded through Catalyst for Lovelace Saga, Cardano Calendar, and the Cardano 101 Course.

<https://twitter.com/KaizenCrypto>

The successful funding of this proposal will create employment opportunities for several Cardano community members. All positions which are outlined in our budget breakdown will be for-hire based on skills and desire to push the ecosystem forward.

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

The funding requested is needed to pay for the budget of building the platform. We also need to cover the costs of marketing, educational materials, onboarding content, and platform maintenance.

Proposed Budget:

Rent a Shared Co-working Space in Business Bay, Dubai - 100,000 ADA

Network Marketing - 25,000 ADA

Social Media Manager - 25,000 ADA

Expenses:

Utilities - 15,000 ADA

Computers and Camera Equipment - 15,000 ADA

Proposed Budget For Education and Marketing:

Educational Videos - 2,500 ADA

Marketing - 2,500 ADA

Miscellaneous:

ADA Valuation Contingency (Savings) - 10,000 ADA

Fees and Costs - 5,000 ADA

Total Cost: 200,000 ADA

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

The cost of this project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to our team's commitment to ecosystem growth and ability to deliver useful products that increase efficiency.

In order to create this platform, we have accounted for the average cost of booking a shared co-working space in DIFC, Dubai. The budget has also been determined considering the average wages for professionals in the United Arab Emirates, reflecting the high level of expertise and quality assurance that we bring to this project.