We propose launching "SoyPolkadot" (I'm Polkadot in spanish), a strategic initiative to significantly expand Polkadot&rsquo;s adoption in Latin America, focusing on end users rather than developers. 
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The project includes participation in three major fairs in Colombia (SOFA &mdash;&nbsp;Leisure and Fantasy Expo,&nbsp; Bogota international book Fair, and Colombia 4.0), meetings with chambers of commerce, entrepreneurs, and students in art and music, alongside a digital marketing campaign in Spanish and educational content on SoyPolkadot.com.
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We will incentivize participation with DOTs, memecoins, and exclusive NFTs. After the first year, we will evaluate and develop complementary projects in other countries across the region to further drive Polkadot adoption. This project not only benefits LATAM but also strengthens Polkadot&rsquo;s global ecosystem by increasing DOT demand and demonstrating the power of decentralized governance.
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Previous Experience in Blockchain Projects 
Our journey into the crypto world began in 2013, when we started mining smaller coins like Solarcoin, Memory Coin, and Anoncoin. The gains were modest but gave us valuable experience in the space.
In 2017, we converted our initial mining profits into Ethereum and expanded our mining operations using a couple of GPUs. We also mined Monero using CPU power and diversified our investments into tokens from emerging projects of that time, including Monaco (now Crypto.com) and Tezos, along with participating in several ICOs.
A few years ago, we joined the Helium Network project by installing the first four antennas in Bogot&aacute; to support the network's decentralized expansion. Around the same time, we began doing staking on Polkadot, and after learning about Polkadot 2.0 and JAM, we decided to convert 50% of our savings into DOT, showing our belief in the potential of the Polkadot ecosystem.
Currently, we operate a couple of validators on Ethereum and are supporting the EigenLayer project. We reinvest all our gains into more Polkadot, which we stake continuously. We are strong believers in the power of the Polkadot community and OpenGov, which is why we decided to get involved with this governance project to help spread the benefits of Polkadot and its parachains throughout Latin America.
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Project Team:
Pedro Sanabria Creative Strategist and Digital Solutions Architect 
Pedro is a renowned publicist and graphic designer, with a master's degree in Digital Business Management and a strong background in entrepreneurship. His career has been marked by leading high-impact digital projects, excelling as a project leader at the prestigious Casa Editorial EL TIEMPO and as a designer and publicist at Pearson Education. Pedro has demonstrated his expertise as a consultant and solution architect at Zalvadora, where he has guided the creation of innovative digital experiences. As Strategy Director at ArtMax and CEO of the startup Nursy, Pedro combines his creativity with a strategic approach, bringing a unique vision that drives projects to success.. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedrosanabria/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedrosanabria/</a>
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Horacio Reyes Visionary in AI, Blockchain, and Digital Business 
Horacio Reyes is a renowned expert in artificial intelligence, blockchain, eLearning, and digital business, with an impressive track record in leadership and technological development. As the founder of Zalvadora, he has been a pioneer in integrating emerging technologies to transform industries. His experience includes leadership roles such as VP for Latin America at the Ilumno network of universities, Director of Engineering and Design at Experian, and Project Manager at Alcatel-Lucent. Horacio has also led new technology initiatives at Emgesa and has been a prolific entrepreneur with multiple projects in the tech sector. His innovative approach and ability to lead cross-functional teams make him a key asset for the success of any project. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/horacio/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/horacio/</a> (28k followers)
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Iv&aacute;n Colmenares Cloud Computing and Blockchain Expert 
Iv&aacute;n is an expert in cloud computing, virtual machines, telecommunications, and blockchain, with a strong track record in the tech sector. As an entrepreneur and owner of Setcom, Iv&aacute;n has put his passion for technology into practice, building robust solutions for his clients. His professional experience includes prominent roles at leading companies such as Alcatel, Lucent, and Nokia, where he has managed complex projects and contributed to advancing technological infrastructure. The combination of his deep technical knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit allows him to offer innovative and scalable solutions that are essential to the success of the projects he leads. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-dario-colmenares-25b635230/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-dario-colmenares-25b635230/</a>
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Key Project Factors: 
<ul>
<li>Participation in 3 major fairs (Colombia 4.0, International Book Fair, SOFA Leisure and Fantasy Expo) in Colombia to promote Polkadot to end users.</li>
<li>Meetings with local entrepreneurs at chamber of commerce events.</li>
<li>Engagement with art and music students to demonstrate blockchain use cases in their projects.</li>
<li>Building a user community via social media. Creation of workshops and web tutorials to educate users on Polkadot.</li>
<li>Incentives with DOTs, memecoins, and NFTs to encourage participation.</li>
</ul>
Proposal Objectives:
<ul>
<li>Expand Polkadot&rsquo;s adoption among end users in LATAM and Spain, regions with high mobile and digital engagement but limited access to blockchain technology.</li>
<li>Increase the number of active users interacting with Polkadot&rsquo;s parachains.</li>
<li>Foster a decentralized culture that empowers users to participate in governance and decision-making.</li>
<li>Enhance Polkadot&rsquo;s visibility and engagement in emerging markets, creating a model for future expansions in other regions.</li>
</ul>
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Budget Request: 
USD 219,000 or 49,773 DOT (with an average DOT price of $4.4).
Detailed budget breakdown available in the full PDF proposal. 
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We&rsquo;re eager to hear your thoughts! Please take a look at our detailed proposal in the PDF and share your feedback, questions, or suggestions. Your insights can help us shape this initiative for greater success.
Links:
<a href="https://soypolkadot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SoyPolkadot_-Driving-Mass-Adoption-in-LATAM-and-Spain-with-Rewards-and-Real-Experiences-ver-1.1.pdf">https://soypolkadot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SoyPolkadot_-Driving-Mass-Adoption-in-LATAM-and-Spain-with-Rewards-and-Real-Experiences-ver-1.1.pdf</a>
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Project Website:
<a href="https://soypolkadot.com/">https://soypolkadot.com/</a>
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- **Problem Statement:** Launching "SoyPolkadot" to expand Polkadot's adoption in Latin America, targeting end users.
- **Significance:** Increasing Polkadot's adoption in regions with high digital engagement but limited blockchain access.
- **Proposed Solution:** Participation in major fairs, meetings with entrepreneurs, engaging with students, and a digital marketing campaign.
- **Expected Outcomes:** Increased active users on Polkadot, fostering decentralized culture, and enhancing visibility in emerging markets.

#1178 SoyPolkadot: Driving Mass Adoption in LATAM through Real Experiences and Rewards

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