Hello! This is my first ever ZCG Grant Application. Please let me know what you think!
Organization Name
ZD Models
How did you learn about Zcash Community Grants
Zcash Community
Requested Grant Amount (USD)
$25,700
Category
Community
Project Lead
- Name: @MoneyKnowledge0 (On the X platform)
Role: Project Lead
Background: Long-time Zcash community member actively promoting ZEC and privacy awareness for over five years on X. Hosted a few shielded transaction bounty hunts designed to educate users about private payments and Zcash usability. Experienced in 3D printing, product design, and community engagement, with a strong focus on bridging digital privacy tools with physical representation.
Responsibilities: Work directly with Zcash Global Ambassadors and affiliated event organizers to distribute a variety of Zcash and Zashi-branded 3D-printed products, some featuring NFC technology for interactive engagement. Manage inventory tracking, production costs, and international shipments.
Additional Team Members
- Name: @ashblank00
Role: Production Lead
Background: Experienced hobbyist specializing in 3D modeling, laser engraving, and 3D printing. Has spent several years refining hands-on skills in 3D printing design, assembly, and material finishing, developing a strong understanding of how to bring digital models into durable, physical form.
Responsibilities: Creations for Zcash/Zashi branded 3D Printed products. Ensuring consistent quality for finished 3D models. Maintain and calibrate all 3D printing and laser engraving equipment. Also assist with packaging and preparation for ambassador and community distribution.
Project Summary
ZD Modes will create and distribute high-quality, 3D-printed collectibles and NFC-enabled items that bring Zcash’s identity into the physical world. Unlike existing Zcash merchandise, which primarily consists of t-shirts and stickers, these are interactive, tangible products that users can hold, scan, and share to promote Zcash’s privacy mission. Our team will also collaborate with Global Ambassadors to design and tailor new 3D Products that fit their regional communities and event niches if needed.
Project Description
This project aims to globally distribute a line of 3D-printed Zcash trinkets like physical coins, keychains, fidget collectibles, and collaborated designs.
Many trinkets will include QR codes or NFC tags that link to verified Zcash educational resources, such as the official website, educational pages or Zashi wallet download page.
Proposed Problem
Currently Zcash in-person events and giveaways lack interactive, tangible outreach materials that help people engage and connect with its mission of financial privacy. The community relies heavily on stickers, t-shirts, and online posts to spread awareness. These items offered by ZD Models brings a new level of awareness. Enhancing Zcash’s visibility and onboarding users at conferences, meetups, and ambassador events, with physical interactions leaving a stronger, more memorable impression.
Proposed Solution
To address this gap, ZD Models will design, produce, and distribute a collection of 3D-printed collectibles and NFC-enabled trinkets that showcase the Zcash brand while also functioning as educational and onboarding tools. Some items such as coins, keychains, or fidget collectibles will feature a QR code or NFC tag that connects users to verified Zcash resources, such as wallet downloads, tutorials, or community hubs. These interactive pieces transform Zcash’s message of privacy into something users can see, hold, and share, creating a stronger emotional and visual connection. Also by working with Global Ambassadors, the project will also deliver customized designs that fit local events and cultures, ensuring the materials are meaningful and widely adopted across different regions of the Zcash community.
Solution Format
- Physical Deliverables: 3D-printed coins, fidgets, keychains, and customized collectibles
- Interactive Functionality: QR/NFC links to verified Zcash educational pages, app store pages, official websites.
- Distribution Channels: Zcash Ambassadors, Zcon, and other ZCG affiliated group events
- Educational Media: Short videos showing the making and purpose of the trinkets
Dependencies
- 3D printing hardware and materials (Different fillament types and machinery)
- NFC tags
- Communication and Distribution support from Zcash Ambassadors, ZCG funded groups and events.
- Reliable shipping and packaging services
Technical Approach
- Design & Modeling: Create detailed 3D models using Bambu Studio, Shapr3D, optimized for printability with Bambu Labs Hardware.
- Printing: Produce trinkets using Bambu Labs H2D printers with multi-material capability for texture and color accuracy.
- Integration: Encode NFC tags using NFC Tools Pro with safe, verified URLs and URIs.
- Finishing: Optional laser engraving for branding and surface texture.
- Distribution: Ship finished trinkets globally and in a timely manner.
Upstream Merge Opportunities
N/A
Hardware/Software Costs (USD)
$6,200.00
Hardware/Software Justification
1 Bambu Lab H2D w/ 10W laser function (AMS Combo for Multi-Color Print) - $3,200.00
- We will accompany this machine with our personal equipment if volume exceeds expectation we will address it in future grants.
Production Materials (Different types of Filament, NFC Tags, miscellaneous parts) - $2,500.00
- These materials are essential in order to create the products we aim to provide globally if there’s a surplus or volume exceeds expectations we will address it in future grants.
Printer Maintenance Parts/Tools (Grease, PTFE Tubes, Nozzles, miscellanouse spare parts) - $500
- These Parts/Tools are essential in order to maintain production at max performance there’s a surplus or volume exceeds expectations we will address it in future grants.
Service Costs (USD)
$6,000
Service Costs Justification
Global Shipping / Distribution - $1,000 monthly for 3 months (1,000 * 3 = 3,000)
- We are unsure how much we’d be spending for global shipping/Distribution but if surplus or volume exceeds expectations we will address it in future grants.
Packaging, Inserts, and Materials: $1,000 monthly for 3 months (1,000 * 3 = 3,000)
- We are unsure how much we’d be spending for global shipping/Distribution but if surplus or volume exceeds expectations we will address it in future grants.
Compensation Costs (USD)
$13,500
@MoneyKnowledge0 - $2,500 monthly for 3 months - $7,500
@ashblank00 - $2,000 monthly for 3 months - $6,000
This will be treated as full-time roles and are heavy labor oriented roles.
Total Budget (USD)
$25,700
Previous Funding
No
Previous Funding Details
No response
Other Funding Sources
No
Other Funding Sources Details
No response
Implementation Risks
Supply Chain Delays: Mitigated by sourcing from multiple suppliers.
Printer Downtime: Backup parts/tools and proactive maintenance plan.
Shipping Delays: Flexible distribution scheduling coordinating with Global Ambassadors and other ZCG funded entities to ship in a timely manner.
Potential Side Effects
Some users may assume trinkets are wallets. Mitigated by clear labeling and educational slip inserts.
High demand may outpace production
Some products have the possibility of being damaged during shipping process. Which can be mitigated with experience and feedback on how products arrive.
Success Metrics
Distribution of a minimum 1,000 products each quarter.
Integration of products at every ambassador or zcash related event campaigns going forwarded if funded.
Verified engagement (savideos of QR/NFC scans working, increased wallet downloads, social media presence).
Evidence of community leaders utilizing our products via videos or photos at their hosted events or online giveaways.
Startup Funding (USD)
$10,450.00
Startup Funding Justification
These funds will cover the 3D printing equipment, material and shipping costs/material. Also half of the 1st month compensation cost.
Milestone Details
- Milestone: 1
Amount (USD): $2,250
Expected Completion Date: 2025-11-30
User Stories:
- As a Zcash Ambassador, I want to receive high-quality, branded 3D-printed collectibles that I can hand out at meetups, so that new attendees have something tangible to connect with the Zcash mission.
- As a new Zcash user, I want an interactive trinket that lets me scan or tap to learn about Zcash wallets and shielded payments, so that I can better understand and engage with the technology.
- As a community organizer, I want visually appealing, portable outreach materials that make my event more memorable and spark curiosity about Zcash privacy.
Deliverables:
- 300-350 products successfully delivered.
- Some trinkets includes QR or NFC functionality linking to verified Zcash apps, sites or educational content.
- Quality control documentation for production process and shipment tracking.
Acceptance Criteria: Feedback collection from ambassadors and early recipients to inform the next batch and design refinements.
- Milestone: 2
Amount (USD): $6,500.00
Expected Completion Date: 2025-12-31
User Stories:
- As a Zcash Ambassador, I want to receive high-quality, branded 3D-printed collectibles that I can hand out at meetups, so that new attendees have something tangible to connect with the Zcash mission.
- As a new Zcash user, I want an interactive trinket that lets me scan or tap to learn about Zcash wallets and shielded payments, so that I can better understand and engage with the technology.
- As a community organizer, I want visually appealing, portable outreach materials that make my event more memorable and spark curiosity about Zcash privacy.
Deliverables:
- 300-350 products successfully delivered.
- Some trinkets includes QR or NFC functionality linking to verified Zcash apps, sites or educational content.
- Quality control documentation for production process and shipment tracking.
Acceptance Criteria: Feedback collection from ambassadors and early recipients to inform the next batch and design refinements.
- Milestone: 3
Amount (USD): $6,500
Expected Completion Date: 2025-01-31
User Stories:
- As a Zcash Ambassador, I want to receive high-quality, branded 3D-printed collectibles that I can hand out at meetups, so that new attendees have something tangible to connect with the Zcash mission.
- As a new Zcash user, I want an interactive trinket that lets me scan or tap to learn about Zcash wallets and shielded payments, so that I can better understand and engage with the technology.
- As a community organizer, I want visually appealing, portable outreach materials that make my event more memorable and spark curiosity about Zcash privacy.
Deliverables:
- 300-350 products successfully delivered.
- Some trinkets includes QR or NFC functionality linking to verified Zcash apps, sites or educational content.
- Quality control documentation for production process and shipment tracking.
Acceptance Criteria: Feedback collection from ambassadors and early recipients to inform the next batch and design refinements.
