diff --git a/Growwr.md b/Growwr.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..14462a88dfb --- /dev/null +++ b/Growwr.md @@ -0,0 +1,397 @@ +# Growwr: Building the Future of Work on Polkadot + +- **Team Name:** Growwr Inc. +- **Payment Details:** + - **DOT**: For the **DOT** compensation, DOT: 16AzsJCQCWsinV1RyBd3H4XRNE5XWUCWL9GfCZSt6u5vum8S + - **USDC**: For the **USDC** (Asset Hub Polkadot) compensation, USDC: 16BSWkFeXcAB32mPsMXgKcZu3GZWyAj71JKSTjfJLcAj6eGP +- **[Level](https://grants.web3.foundation/docs/Introduction/levels):** Level 2 + +## Project Overview :page_facing_up: + +### Overview + +**Tagline:** + +Empowering Africa’s workforce with AI and blockchain—building a transparent, trustless, and borderless future of work on Polkadot. + +**Description:** + +Growwr is an AI-powered work platform designed to connect verified African professionals with global businesses while ensuring trust, payment security, and transparency through blockchain technology. In 2021, I lost 17 international contracts simply because I am Nigerian, the deal breaker was losing a $50,000 contract because I could not receive my payment from Washington. This is still a systematic problem that over 300 million skilled professionals across emerging markets face - marginalization, payment insecurity, and bias. For many, the promise of the remote economy is overshadowed by delayed or lost payments—affecting more than 70% of freelancers. Today, 74% of freelancers across Africa experience payment delays of up to three months, and 16% never receive payment at all. Beyond that, millions remain excluded from financial systems—lacking access to credit, insurance, or even device financing. + +Growwr solves these systemic challenges by merging AI and Web3. Our platform uses AI engines for talent verification, chemistry-fit matching, and performance intelligence, while integrating Polkadot’s blockchain to ensure trustless payments, on-chain work credentials, and transparent work histories. Every transaction and verified contribution will be recorded on Polkadot, creating an immutable professional identity that eliminates fraud, bias, and opacity in the hiring process. +By integrating with Polkadot, Growwr benefits from interoperability, scalability, and low-cost transactions, enabling fast, secure micro-payments across borders. Our goal is to make Polkadot the trust layer for the future of work in emerging markets—powering verified identity, instant payments, and transparent reputation systems. + +**Why We’re Building This:** +Our journey is deeply personal. In 2021, Growwr’s founder lost 17 international contracts simply because of nationality—a reflection of the systemic bias and payment insecurity facing over 300 million skilled professionals across emerging markets. That experience inspired the creation of Growwr: a platform that restores trust, opportunity, and inclusion using AI and blockchain. + +Polkadot’s ecosystem provides the ideal foundation to scale this vision. Its interoperable and secure design allows Growwr to connect verified talent to global opportunities—ensuring trust, transparency, and borderless collaboration. + +### Project Details + +Growwr is building a trustless AI-powered work infrastructure on Polkadot, enabling verified identity, instant cross-border payments, and on-chain reputation for global talent. +We’re creating a decentralized layer that ensures freelancers and businesses across emerging markets can work and get paid instantly, securely, and transparently — powered by Polkadot’s scalability and interoperability. + +The final platform will consist of three main layers: + +**1. AI Work Intelligence Layer:** +Uses Growwr’s AI systems (TalentVerify™, SmartMatch™, and PerformanceIQ™) to verify talent, match them with projects, and predict reliability. + +**2. Blockchain Trust Layer:** +Integrates Polkadot for decentralized identity (DID), smart escrow payments using stable assets, and on-chain reputation tracking. + +**3. Application Layer:** +A seamless web and API interface enabling businesses and freelancers to hire, collaborate, and transact securely — fully powered by Polkadot. + + +**Mockups / UI Components** + +Our UI is currently live and under continuous improvement. +Key interfaces include: +- **Employer Dashboard** – post roles, manage contracts, and execute escrow payments. +- **Talent Dashboard** – manage verified profiles, proposals, and track payouts. + +**Links** + +- Live Product: https://growwr.co/ +- Web App (Beta): https://growwr.co/join +- Product Demo: https://growwr.docsend.com/view/vabmpt9hjxerpppc/d/ne2iiusuqqpaj23k +- Pitch Deck: https://growwr.docsend.com/view/ixaq66mzknrpx5ji +- Product Roadmap: https://growwr.docsend.com/view/vabmpt9hjxerpppc/d/rttfdy7d7ix3ctge +- Technology Stack: https://growwr.docsend.com/view/vabmpt9hjxerpppc/d/kyrw5v9nx3iambym +- Performance Dashboard: https://infogram.com/growwr-public-analytics-dashboard-1h0n25ow3lw7l4p + +**Data Models / API Specifications** + +- User DID Registry to store decentralized identity linked to Polkadot address +- Smart Contract Layer to define project milestones, dispute logic, and escrow release +- Reputation Engine to aggregate work outcomes into on-chain performance index + +All blockchain interactions are managed using the Polkadot.js API, integrating Polkadot’s identity and escrow standards for trustless verification and payments. + +**Technology Stack** + +- Frontend: Next.js, React, Tailwind CSS +- Backend: Java (Spring Boot), Node.js +- Blockchain: Polkadot, Ink! Smart Contracts, Polkadot.js +- AI: Python, Google Gemini API, Cursor +- Database: PostgreSQL, Redis, IPFS (for proof storage) +- Infrastructure: Google Cloud, Digital Ocean +- Payment: Cross-chain bridge to Polkadot stable assets + +**Proof of Concept / Prior Work** + +Growwr has already proven traction in Web2 and is now transitioning to Web3 infrastructure with Polkadot. + +**Web2 Traction:** + +- 19,000+ professionals vetted using Growwr AI +- 2,000+ global businesses served +- $1.5M+ processed in secure payouts +- Users across 13 countries, top markets include USA, Germany, South Africa, and Nigeria +- 0% payment failure rate + +**Milestones & Accomplishments** + +Despite receiving only $6,000 in grant funding to date, we’ve achieved significant recognition and validation: + +- Winner: $6,000 grant from GET Accelerated Program 2024 +- Selected for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Class of 2024 +- Shortlisted: VISA Accelerator Africa 2025 +- Top 5 Winner: AFRISE Challenge 2025 +- Finalist: Africa Fintech Summit, Washington DC 2025 +- Finalist: Pitchfest Nigeria 2025 +- 1st Runner-Up Winner: TERMII Conference Pitch Competition 2025 +- Finalist: Founders’ Connect Launchpad Competition 2025 +- Shortlisted: Verto Awards 2025 +- Finalist: Africa Ignite Competition, Cape Town +- Shortlisted: Startups Award at Moonshot + +These milestones highlight not just validation from African ecosystems but also recognition at global startup platforms. + +**What your project is not or will not provide/implement** + +- Growwr will not issue or manage tokens during the grant phase. +- The project will not handle decentralized exchanges or speculative financial products. +- We will not allocate grant funds to marketing, PR, or hosting overheads; all funds will be directed towards development and integration on Polkadot. + +### Ecosystem Fit + +**Where and how does your project fit into the Polkadot/Substrate/Kusama ecosystem?** + +Growwr is building a Web2-to-Web3 bridge for global work infrastructure — integrating Polkadot’s scalable, interoperable network to power trustless payments, verified digital identity, and on-chain reputation for African and global talent. + +We’re leveraging existing Polkadot primitives such as Asset Hub, and Proof of Personhood (PoP) for the following purposes: + +- Cross-border payments: Integrating USDC on Asset Hub for instant, low-cost, and borderless transactions between freelancers and clients. + +- Decentralized identity: Using Proof of Personhood to issue on-chain DIDs linked to verified Growwr profiles, enabling transparent work histories. + +This integration transforms Growwr from a centralized Web2 platform into a trustless, interoperable dApp, contributing directly to Polkadot’s ecosystem growth. By embedding Polkadot into our live product, we bring over 50,000 existing users (talent and businesses) into the DOT economy — increasing real-world DOT and stable asset utility. + +In summary, Growwr strengthens the Polkadot ecosystem by: + +- Driving user adoption (50k+ users and growing), + +- Increasing stablecoin and DOT-based transaction volume, + +- Demonstrating a high-impact real-world use case (cross-border work + identity verification), and + +- Serving as a reusable integration model for other Web2 platforms entering Web3. + + +**Who is your target audience?** + +Growwr serves two primary user groups within the Polkadot ecosystem: + +- Web3 Companies and DAOs – who require verifiable, bias-free access to global talent across roles such as developers, designers, marketers, and community managers. + +- Web3 Professionals – who need on-chain proof-of-skill, verified reputation, and trustless payouts to build transparent work histories and financial inclusion. + +Indirectly, Growwr also supports developers, dApp creators, and wallet providers by integrating their APIs for payments, identity, and analytics, helping expand real-world utility and interoperability across the Polkadot ecosystem. + +**What needs does your project meet?** + +Growwr addresses three critical gaps in the decentralized work economy: + +- Trustless Identity – Talent verification and credential validation on-chain, reducing fraud and bias. +- Secure Payments – Escrow-backed, automated payments for freelancers and employers across 180+ countries. +- On-Chain Reputation – Decentralized profiles showcasing verified work history, enabling transparent hiring and financing (credit, insurance, etc.). + +We are effectively building the decentralized LinkedIn + Upwork for Web3, powered by Polkadot. + +**How did you identify these needs?** + +Our team validated these problems through: +- First-hand experience: Our founders lost contracts due to regional bias and payment failure — a reality faced by millions. +- User data: 19,000+ talent applications and 2,000+ businesses onboarded in our Web2 MVP show deep demand for verifiable, borderless hiring. +- Market research: 70% of freelancers in emerging markets experience delayed or missing payments; 54% of employers report poor hiring accuracy (Source: World Bank & IFC 2023). +- Community signals: Web3 DAOs and remote-first teams repeatedly cite the lack of trusted work reputation and compliance tools as barriers to scaling decentralized hiring. + +**Are there similar projects in the Substrate / Polkadot / Kusama ecosystem?** + +To date, there are no direct equivalents of Growwr within the Polkadot ecosystem. However, partial analogues exist: +- TalentLayer (EVM) – a decentralized hiring protocol, but lacks integrated AI vetting and productivity management. +- Braintrust (non-Polkadot) – focuses on tokenized work, not verified identity or performance. +- Dock.io (credentialing) – provides decentralized credentials but not work matching or escrow. + +Growwr differs by offering an end-to-end AI + blockchain infrastructure covering: + +1. Talent verification +2. AI-based matching +3. Escrow-backed payments +4. Productivity and upskilling + +Verification systems were manual or non-scalable — Growwr’s AI engines automate that process. + +**Are there similar projects in related ecosystems?** + +Yes. In the broader Web3 space: +- Braintrust and TalentLayer target decentralized work but rely on self-attested data and don’t integrate AI. +- Deel and Remote.com solve cross-border payments but remain Web2, with no blockchain transparency. + +Growwr bridges both worlds, combining AI vetting + decentralized infrastructure, making it the first trustless, AI-powered, multi-chain hiring ecosystem. + +## Team :busts_in_silhouette: + +### Team members + +- Obinna Umeh - Co-founder & CEO +- Emmanuel Ajayi - Co-founder & CTO +- James Nottidge - Blockchain Engineer +- Caleb Okpahenom Okpaheifufue - Cybersecurity Engineer +- Opeyemi Jamiu - Product Designer +- Onuora Gaius - QA Engineer +- Oreoluwa Somuyiwa - Full-Stack Engineer + +### Contact + +- **Contact Name:** Obinna Umeh +- **Contact Email:** obinna@growwr.co +- **Website:** [Growwr Website](https://growwr.co/) + +### Legal Structure + +- **Registered Address:** 651 N Broad St, Suite 201, Middletown, Delaware, 19709, USA +- **Registered Legal Entity:** Growwr Inc. + +### Team's experience + +Growwr is built by an experienced team with strong backgrounds in fintech, blockchain, AI, and Web3 product development. Our core team has shipped products that scaled to 100K+ users, handled millions in payments, and integrated with crypto networks and financial APIs. +We have not previously applied for a Web3 Foundation grant. + +**Leadership:** + +- Obinna Umeh (CEO & Co-Founder) – Nottingham Law School alumnus with honors, Obinna is a growth and product marketing expert with deep expertise in crypto, Web3, and fintech. He previously scaled Breet, a Web3 crypto company in Africa, to over 100,000 users in less than 6 months, and has led growth for global fintech and Web3 companies including WPMU Dev, Web2 Ranker, Cardtonic, and Dandy Writers (which scaled to ₦20M revenue in 10 months). + +- Emmanuel Ajayi (CTO & Co-Founder) – First-class graduate of Covenant University, Emmanuel brings strong blockchain network and product expertise. He has built and scaled products for companies like Trove Finance and Flexip Group, and founded Product Kitchen, delivering high-impact software solutions. Emmanuel leads the architecture of Growwr’s blockchain integrations, ensuring robust scalability and Stellar network alignment. + +**Engineering & Design:** + +- James (Blockchain Engineer) – Ex-Software Engineer at Quidax (crypto fintech) and alumnus of Covenant University, James has deep blockchain and Web3 development expertise. He has contributed to projects with Headstart Lab and Google Developer Studio, building secure and scalable blockchain-based systems. +- Ore (Full-Stack Engineer) – Ex-Engineer with experience at First Bank, Sterling Bank, and MoniePoint (Africa’s latest unicorn), Ore specializes in payments and scalable Web2/Web3 integrations across fintech and banking. +- Opeyemi (Senior Product Designer) – With experience leading product design for Polaris Bank and First Bank, Opeyemi ensures Growwr’s user experience is seamless, intuitive, and scalable across devices. +- Caleb (Cybersecurity Engineer) – A cybersecurity engineer currently pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science & Cybersecurity at George Washington University, Caleb ensures that Growwr’s infrastructure, blockchain contracts, and payment systems are secure, compliant, and resilient. +- Gaius (QA Engineer) – QA engineer and alumnus of Covenant University, with prior expertise at SystemSpecs Group. Gaius drives quality assurance and testing to ensure reliable, bug-free deployments of Growwr’s Web2 and Web3 components. + +### Team Code Repos + +Source codes will reside in + +- https://github.com/Growwr + +Repos for further reference + +- https://github.com/Growwr/growwr-escrow-module (MIT License) +- https://github.com/Growwr/growwr-identity-adapter (Apache 2.0 License) +- https://github.com/emma-ajay + +### Team LinkedIn Profiles (if available) + +- Obinna Umeh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obinnaumeh/ +- Obinna Umeh (Work Portfolio): https://obinnaumeh.webflow.io/ +- Emmanuel Ajayi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-ajayi-aj + +## Development Status :open_book: + +Growwr’s core Web2 platform is fully developed and live with over 50,000 talents and 2,000 businesses across 13 countries. The next phase focuses on integrating Polkadot for decentralized identity, escrow payments, and verification — connecting our existing infrastructure to Web3. Support researches, blogs and articles can be found on the "Additional Information" section. I have sent proof of analytics and user base privately via email. + +## Development Roadmap :nut_and_bolt: + +**Overview** + +- Total Duration: 3 months +- FTE: ~3 full-time engineers + 1 product manager across a 3 month build cycle +- Total Costs: $22,000 +- DOT %: 60% + +**Milestone 1 — Cross-Border Payment Integration** + +Estimated duration: 1 month +FTE: 3 +Costs: $11,000 USD + +**Objective** + +Enable seamless cross-border payments using Polkadot’s Asset Hub and supported stable assets (e.g., USDC/USDT), integrated into Growwr’s escrow system. + +| Number | Deliverable | Specification | +| :----- | :------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| 0a. | License | MIT | +| 0b. | Documentation | Inline technical documentation explaining escrow and payment workflows. | +| 0c. | Testing Guide | Comprehensive test guide for deposit, release, and refund functions using Asset Hub assets. | +| 0d. | Docker | Provide a Dockerfile and container setup for running the escrow and payment integration module locally, including setup instructions and dependencies. | +| 1. | Asset Hub Integration | Integrate Asset Hub stable assets (DOT + USDC/USDT equivalents) for escrow funding and settlement. | +| 2. | Escrow Contract Connection | Connect existing open-source escrow contract (ink! based) for secure project payments. | +| 3. | Payment Flow Logic | Implement DOT-based and stablecoin-based transaction flows between clients and talent. | +| 4. | Demo Transaction | Complete 3 verified cross-border test transactions on Westend. | + + +**Milestone 2 — Web2-to-Web3 Connection** + +Estimated duration: 1 month +FTE: 2 +Costs: $6,000 USD + +**Objective** + +Connect Growwr’s existing Web2 infrastructure to Polkadot using the Polkadot.js API for user identity, payments, and verification. + +| Number | Deliverable | Specification | +| :----- | :---------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| 0a. | License | MIT | +| 0b. | Documentation | Guide detailing integration between Growwr backend and Polkadot.js API. | +| 0c. | Testing Guide | Include steps for testing DID creation, wallet connection, and API calls. | +| 0d. | Docker | Provide a Dockerfile and container setup for running the Web2-to-Web3 integration module locally, including Polkadot.js connection and API bridge configuration. | +| 1. | Polkadot.js Integration | Integrate wallet connection and transaction signing for escrow and identity operations. | +| 2. | DID Integration | Implement decentralized identity linking to user Polkadot address. | +| 3. | API Connection Layer | Build a lightweight API bridge connecting Growwr’s backend to Polkadot blockchain calls. | +| 4. | Web Interface Update | Enable end-users to trigger on-chain interactions directly from Growwr.co dashboard. | + + +**Milestone 3 — Production Deployment + Public Demo** + +Estimated duration: 1 month +FTE: 3 +Costs: $5,000 USD + +**Objective** + +Integrate Growwr’s AI engines (Gemini + Cursor) into the blockchain layer and deploy full Polkadot integration (payments, identity, verification) into Growwr’s live platform and showcase a working demo. + +| Number | Deliverable | Specification | +| :----- | :----------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| 0a. | License | MIT | +| 0b. | Documentation | Publish end-to-end implementation documentation and user guide. | +| 0c. | Testing Guide | Include mainnet test scenarios and validation checklists. | +| 0d. | Docker | Provide a Dockerfile and container setup for deploying the full Growwr-Polkadot integration stack (escrow, DID, and AI verification modules) in a reproducible environment for testing and demo purposes. | +| 1. | Mainnet Deployment | Deploy escrow, payment, and DID integration on Growwr.co production. | +| 2. | Public Demo | Launch live demo showcasing cross-border payment and identity flow on Polkadot. | +| 3. | User Migration | Onboard 50,000+ users to Growwr’s Polkadot-integrated infrastructure. | +| 4. | Report | Provide transaction data, analytics, and verification of DOT and asset usage. | + +## Future Plans + +**Long-Term Maintenance & Financing** + +Growwr’s long-term maintenance and development are structured around a hybrid sustainability model that blends revenue from our Web2 operations with decentralized growth incentives. +Currently, our Web2 platform already generates steady transaction-based revenue from client-talent escrow fees (20% blended take-rate). With over 19,000 vetted talents, 2,000 businesses, and $1.5M+ processed, this revenue supports ongoing operations and feature development. + +To sustain and scale our Web3 modules, we’re financing future development through three pillars: + +- Escrow and transaction fees on Polkadot will partially fund long-term maintenance. +- A developer bounty pool will be established, directing a fraction of transaction fees toward community contributors for bug fixes, security, and upgrades. +- Licensing and SDK revenue from Growwr’s AI engine and on-chain reputation layer, enabling other platforms to integrate our infrastructure through APIs. + +In parallel, Growwr is closing its pre-seed round to cover our current financial burn rate, extend runway, and accelerate growth. This raise will strengthen our developer pipeline, enhance product infrastructure, and increase revenue growth in preparation for our seed stage. + +Growwr’s long-term goal is to become the AI-powered trust and identity layer for the global future of work, built securely on Polkadot. + +Over the next 3 years, we aim to: + +- Expand into enterprise and DAO workforce management, enabling transparent, cross-border collaborations. +- Launch the Growwr SDK, allowing developers to embed AI-driven performance and milestone validation in any Web3 or traditional application. +- Progressively decentralize governance, empowering verified users, developers, and partners to shape roadmap decisions and funding priorities. + +Drive adoption at scale: onboard 1 million verified freelancers and 10,000 businesses, creating a measurable transaction footprint across Polkadot. + +Our vision is to make Growwr the decentralized standard for proof-of-work, proof-of-skill, and proof-of-payment — positioning Polkadot as the infrastructure powering the borderless digital economy of the future. + +## Referral Program (optional) :moneybag: + +You can find more information about the program [here](https://grants.web3.foundation/docs/referral-program). + +N/A + +## Additional Information :heavy_plus_sign: + +**How did you hear about the Grants Program?** I heard about you from an online search via [this article](https://rocknblock.io/blog/blockchain-ecosystem-grants-list). + +**Work Completed So Far** + +Growwr has already developed and deployed a functional Web2 platform, now serving as the foundation for our transition into a Web3-enabled infrastructure. +Key milestones achieved include: + +- 19,000+ vetted African professionals onboarded +- 2,000+ businesses actively hiring and managing teams +- $1.5M+ processed in transactions via secure escrow +- Core product built using Next.js, Java Spring Boot, PostgreSQL, Redis, and WebSocket real-time infrastructure +- Integrated with Stripe, Paystack, and Brex for local and global payments + +We are now extending this infrastructure onto Polkadot/Substrate, incorporating on-chain escrow, identity, and reputation modules to enable trustless collaboration globally. +Researches that helps: + +- [How Much Can Freelancers Make in 2025? - Upwork](https://www.upwork.com/resources/how-much-do-freelancers-make) +- [What is the gig economy and what's the deal for gig workers? | World Economic Forum](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/11/what-gig-economy-workers/) +- [Nigeria's Gig-economy: The Rise of Independent Workers](https://www.verivafrica.com/insights/nigerias-gig-economy-the-rise-of-independent-workers) +- [Freelancing in Africa: A Growing Trend On the Continent](https://africa.com/freelancing-africa-growing-trend-continent/) + +Just this week, I have connected with 2 Nigerians who suffered same issue: + +- [Read Ridwan’s story](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ridwan-akinfenwa_techjourney-software-engineering-activity-7369804640403488768-gJ5x?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADm9NOUB9nZSMXq6VmGJgcLXlWxbuEH3RxA) +- [Read the comments here to see more stories](https://x.com/EOEboh/status/1965144928113344569) + +**Supporting research articles:** + +- [9 of 10 Africans unqualified for Jobs apply to - Research - P.M. News](https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/12/13/9-of-10-africans-unqualified-for-jobs-apply-to-research/) +- [The 'wicked problems’ of talent management](https://www.edgecumbe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Wicked-Problems-FINAL-07-11-22.pdf) +- [New Report Finds 59% of Freelancers Are Owed $50,000 or More by Late Paying Clients](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/02/17/2387268/0/en/New-Report-Finds-59-of-Freelancers-Are-Owed-50-000-or-More-by-Late-Paying-Clients.html)