Zcash Community Grants Proposal: Sponsorship for Muay Thai Fight in Daytona Beach, August 2025
Proposal Title: Promoting Zcash Through a High-Profile Muay Thai Fight
Applicant: Daniel Dorrough (@_tm3k on X)
Team Members:
- Daniel Dorrough - Fighter, Crypto Influencer, Zcash enthusiast
- Ian Kincade - Head Coach, Corner
- Charles McClain - Coach, Corner
Proposal Summary:
This proposal seeks funding from the Zcash Community Grants program to sponsor my participation in a Muay Thai fight in Daytona Beach, Florida, in August 2025, aiming to elevate my record to 3-0. The sponsorship will cover training and travel costs, leveraging my established presence in the crypto community (via Twitter and other platforms) to promote Zcash’s privacy-focused mission. By featuring Zcash branding on my walk-out shirt, my cornermen’s shirts, and a post-fight banner, this project will increase Zcash’s visibility among my high-profile crypto followers and fight audiences, fostering adoption and awareness in a unique, high-energy context.
Here’s an example of what we did for my last fight:
Project Description
Problem Statement:
Despite Zcash’s superior privacy features through zk-SNARKs, its adoption lags behind more transparent cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin due to limited mainstream awareness and misconceptions about privacy coins. The crypto community, particularly on platforms like Twitter, craves authentic, engaging content to drive interest and trust. Additionally, Zcash struggles to penetrate non-technical audiences, such as sports fans, who could benefit from its privacy-preserving technology.
Proposed Solution:
This project will use my Muay Thai fight in Daytona Beach, August 2025, as a platform to promote Zcash. As a crypto influencer with a significant following in the cryptocurrency space (including high-profile figures), I will showcase Zcash’s branding during a high-visibility event. The sponsorship will:
- Feature Zcash’s logo and name as the main (largest) sponsor on my walk-out shirt, my three cornermen’s shirts, and a post-fight banner displayed for cameras.
- Amplify Zcash’s visibility through my Twitter posts, reaching thousands of crypto enthusiasts, including thought leaders and investors.
- Create engaging, authentic content (e.g., training updates, fight highlights) that ties Zcash’s mission to the grit and discipline of Muay Thai, appealing to both crypto and sports audiences.
- Counter skepticism about privacy coins by associating Zcash with a credible, community-driven event, emphasizing its role as a tool for financial freedom.
This initiative aligns with ZCG’s wishlist for user education and adoption, using a non-traditional marketing approach to demystify Zcash and highlight its real world relevance.
Project Goals:
- Increase Zcash’s brand visibility among crypto and sports audiences.
- Drive engagement with Zcash through social media posts (Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) tied to the fight.
- Educate audiences about Zcash’s privacy features via authentic, value-driven content.
- Foster community trust by aligning Zcash with a high-energy, community-supported event.
Project Impact
Benefits to the Zcash Ecosystem:
- Enhanced Exposure: My Twitter following, which includes prominent crypto figures, will amplify Zcash’s reach. For context, my previous fight promotions have garnered significant engagement (e.g., [reference past metrics, if available, or general crypto Twitter traction]). Fight-related content will be shared pre-event, during the event, and post-event, ensuring sustained visibility.
- Community Engagement: By tying Zcash to a compelling narrative (my journey to 3-0), we’ll engage both crypto enthusiasts and new audiences, such as sports fans, who may explore Zcash’s wallet (e.g., Zashi) or shielded transactions.
- Countering Misconceptions: Associating Zcash with a transparent, community-driven event counters negative perceptions of privacy coins, emphasizing its role in financial autonomy.
- Decentralized Advocacy: As an independent influencer, this project supports Zcash’s ethos of decentralization, showcasing community-driven efforts over corporate marketing.
Metrics for Success:
- Social Media Reach: Target 20,000+ impressions on Twitter posts featuring Zcash branding (based on past fight-related posts we hit 18k, I think we can do more this time).
- Engagement: Aim for 1,000+ likes, retweets, or comments on Zcash-related fight content.
Potential Risks and Mitigation:
- Risk: Limited in-person audience reach.
- Mitigation: Amplify exposure through social media and potential livestreams, leveraging my crypto network.
- Risk: Getting hurt
- Mitigation: Will sign whatever waiver ZCG requires.
- Risk: Fight Cancelled / Doesn’t happen
- Mitigation: Funding will go towards my next fight if something happens to this one.
Timeline
Total Duration: 3 months (June 2025 – August 24, 2025)
Funding Structure: The total grant of $3,250 (in ZEC, based on market price at disbursement) will be requested upfront to cover all project costs, including training, travel, branding materials, and marketing. Upfront funding ensures seamless execution of preparation, promotion, and post-fight deliverables, maximizing Zcash’s visibility and impact.
Budget
Total Funding Requested: $3,250 (in ZEC, based on market price at disbursement)
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Training Costs: $400 per month
- Gym fees, coaching, nutrition, and equipment for intensive pre-fight training (8 weeks).
- Rationale: Ensures peak performance, maximizing the likelihood of a win and strong Zcash visibility.
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Travel Costs: $600
- Gas, hotel, and meals for myself in Daytona Beach.
- Rationale: Covers logistics to ensure team presence and branding execution.
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Branding Materials: $250
- Design and production of Zcash-branded walk-out shirt, three cornermen shirts, and a post-fight banner.
- Rationale: High-quality materials ensure professional presentation and visibility.
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Marketing and Content Creation: $2000
- Professional photos/videos of training and fight for social media.
- Rationale: Enhances digital reach and engagement with Zcash branding.
Applicant Background
I am an amateur Muay Thai fighter with a 2-0 record, aiming for 3-0 in August 2025. As a crypto influencer with a strong Twitter presence, I have a track record of promoting Zcash and other cryptocurrencies, emphasizing privacy and decentralization. My previous fight promotions have driven significant engagement. I am passionate about Zcash’s mission to protect financial privacy and have advocated for its superiority over transparent blockchains like Bitcoin. This project combines my athletic and crypto advocacy skills to deliver unique value to the Zcash ecosystem.
Community Engagement
- I am posting to the Zcash Community Forum under the Grant Applications section, tagged with @ZcashGrants, for at least one week of community feedback, as required.
- I will engage with community questions and refine the proposal based on input.
- Monthly progress updates will be shared on the forum during the project, with a final report post-fight.
- Twitter posts will invite community input, ensuring transparency and alignment with Zcash’s decentralized ethos.
Alignment with Zcash Mission
This project supports Zcash’s mission to advance financial privacy by:
- Promoting Zcash to a diverse audience (crypto enthusiasts and sports fans) through a high-energy, authentic event.
- Educating audiences about Zcash’s privacy features via social media and post-fight content.
- Demonstrating Zcash’s community-driven spirit through independent, non-corporate promotion.
