Hello everyone,
This is a proposal to create a gamified learning app for Zcash - ZEC Quest.
The full grant proposal: Grant Application - ZEC Quest - Issue #120
I look forward to comments and feedback from the community!
Organizational Details
How did you learn about Zcash Community Grants?
I entered crypto as a privacy enthusiast and have worked full time in the industry since 2020. I’ve been a ZEC hodler for many years and currently work as the content marketing lead at ShapeShift DAO.
Project Overview
Requested Grant Amount: $13,600
Category: Education
Team Information
Name: T Wells
Role: Project Lead/Instructional Designer
Background:
- M.S. Learning Design, 10+ years in education
- 5 years crypto content marketing
Responsibilities:
Oversee all phases of ZEC Quest’s development—from content creation and module design to user experience and community rollout. Structure learning flows, write educational copy and quizzes, and design the app’s gamified progression system. Manage localization, testing, and quality assurance to ensure accessibility across devices, while coordinating with Zcash community channels for beta testing, promotion, and post-launch feedback.
Project Overview
Project Summary
ZEC Quest is a gamified learning app designed to onboard new Zcash enthusiasts.
The project description and details below are a reflection of the MVP concept and can be changed/modified with community feedback.
Project Description
ZEC Quest will contain 7 learning modules:
- Privacy Fundamentals
- History of Zcash
- Zero-Knowledge Proofs
- Shielded vs Transparent ZEC
- Zcash Wallets
- Unified Addresses
- Zcash Community
Each learning module has a corresponding quiz.
For every quiz passed, learners are awarded points towards a total of 315.
Achievement Badges are also available for learners to earn:
- First Steps (first module completed)
- Quick Learner (module completed in under 10m)
- Scholar (3 modules completed)
- Perfect Score (100% on a quiz)
- Zcash Master (all modules completed and quizzes passed)
Proposed Problem
ZecHub provides a vital, comprehensive knowledge base for the Zcash ecosystem - an invaluable resource for research, documentation, and technical reference.
However, for new users and learners, the sheer breadth and structure of ZecHub can be overwhelming. It’s designed for reference, not for guided learning, making it difficult for beginners to know where to start or how to build foundational understanding step by step.
Proposed Solution
ZEC Quest is designed as a learning pathway, not a reference library.
It translates ZecHub’s depth into structured, gamified modules that guide learners through the key concepts, from privacy principles to practical use cases.
Once users complete a Quest, they’re naturally ready and motivated to explore ZecHub with purpose and confidence.
A complimentary comparison:
| ZecHub | ZEC Quest | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Wiki-style documentation | Gamified, modular learning experience |
| Audience | Developers, researchers, advanced users | New users, students, privacy-curious individuals |
| Purpose | Reference & archiving | Onboarding, motivation, and comprehension |
| Interaction | Reading & searching | Quizzes, badges, progress tracking |
| Learning Flow | Non-linear (choose your own) | Narrative-driven, guided sequence |
Together, ZEC Quest and ZecHub form a complete learning funnel for the Zcash ecosystem — from first contact to deep expertise.
ZEC Quest focuses on activation and engagement; ZecHub supports depth and sustainability.
Solution Format
An initial version of the ZEC Quest app has been launched under a registered domain, featuring a functional framework and three draft learning modules. This early build demonstrates proof of concept, app functionality, and user progression through gamified educational content.
Grant funding will support the completion all learning modules, user interface polish, localization in Spanish and Chinese, user testing, and ecosystem-wide rollout — transitioning ZEC Quest from a working prototype into a complete educational platform for Zcash.
Dependencies
- Web hosting & CDN for the app and assets.
- Database for user progress, points, and badges (anonymous or light auth).
- Analytics (privacy-preserving) to track completions and engagement.
- Localization tooling for EN → ES/zh-CN.
- Design assets (icons, badges) and basic illustration support.
- QA & accessibility testing across common browsers/devices.
- Community coordination (Zcash Foundation/ECC/ZecHub) for launch amplification and beta testers.
Technical Approach
ZEC Quest is designed as a lightweight, browser-based learning app built in JavaScript/React. The platform runs entirely in the browser, optimized for both desktop and mobile users.
Educational content and quizzes are stored as structured text (JSON/Markdown), allowing for simple updates and modular expansion as new Zcash topics are introduced. User progress, points, and badges are tracked through a lightweight database layer.
All code will be open-source on GitHub, allowing future hosting migration or integration with other Zcash educational platforms if desired.
Upstream Merge Opportunities
N/A
Budget
Hardware/Software Costs: $1,500
Justification:
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting & deployment tools | $500 | Annual cost for web hosting, database storage, and domain connection for the ZEC Quest app. |
| Design & creative software | $300 | Tools for UI design, asset creation, and content layout. |
| Analytics & feedback tools | $200 | Privacy-respecting analytics (e.g., Plausible, Simple Analytics) for user engagement tracking. |
| Testing devices / browser compatibility | $500 | Device/browser testing access to ensure cross-platform reliability. |
| Subtotal: | $1,500 |
Service Costs: $2,100
Justification
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility & usability review | $500 | Ensure app meets accessibility standards and performs smoothly on multiple devices. |
| Copy editing & educational review | $500 | Refine module content for clarity and accuracy. |
| Community launch / media assets | $600 | Create promotional visuals and copy to drive user adoption. |
| Localization / translation | $500 | Translate key content into Spanish and Simplified Chinese. |
| Subtotal: | $2,100 |
Compensation Costs: $10,000
Justification
| Role | Estimated Cost (USD) | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Project Lead / Instructional Designer | $9,000 | Responsible for all content creation, UX writing, gamification design, and project management. |
| Contingency (10%) | $1,000 | Buffer for unexpected costs or software needs. |
| Subtotal: | $10,000 |
Total Budget: $13,600
Previous Funding?
No
Other Funding Sources?
No
Risk Assessment
Implementation Risks
- Content development pacing: As a solo-led project, delays could occur if content writing or testing takes longer than expected.
Mitigation: Development will follow a milestone schedule, allowing incremental releases (module-by-module) to maintain steady progress. - User adoption and visibility: Initial engagement may be limited without strong community promotion.
Mitigation: Early coordination with Zcash community channels will ensure visibility at launch. - Technical refinement: Minor issues could arise from browser or device compatibility differences.
Mitigation: Allocate dedicated QA and testing time across devices and maintain a contingency budget for quick fixes.
Potential Side Effects
- Information accuracy: As the Zcash ecosystem evolves, some educational content may require updating to reflect new technology or community developments.
Mitigation: All content will be written modularly, allowing quick updates without altering the core structure. - Perception overlap with ZecHub: Users may view ZEC Quest as duplicative rather than complementary.
Mitigation: Clear messaging will position the app as a beginner-friendly learning gateway that complements deeper ZecHub materials. - Long-term maintenance: If the app gains significant traction, ongoing updates may be needed.
Mitigation: Source code and content will be released openly so future contributors can easily maintain or expand the project.
Success Metrics
| Category | Metric | Target / Goal | Measurement Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption & Reach | Unique visitors | ≥ 1,000 within 3 months of launch | Web analytics dashboard |
| Active learners | ≥ 300 users completing at least one module | App usage data | |
| Community visibility | Featured by Zcash Foundation, ECC, or ZecHub | Ecosystem engagement tracking | |
| Engagement & Completion | Module completion rate | ≥ 70% among active users | Progress tracking database |
| Average session duration | ≥ 5 minutes per learner | Aggregated analytics | |
| User satisfaction | Positive qualitative feedback | In-app survey responses | |
| Educational Impact | Knowledge retention | ≥ 80% average quiz accuracy | Module quiz scores |
| Ecosystem readiness | Learners able to identify and use key Zcash concepts | Post-quiz self-assessment | |
| Transparency & reporting | Publish public “Launch Report” with usage metrics | Final milestone deliverable |
Project Schedule
Startup Funding: $4,000
Justification:
Startup funding will enable app hosting and deployment setup, UI polish, and completion of the first three modules.
Milestone 1 - Prototype Finalization & Module Development
Timeline: Weeks 1-4
Funding: $0 (Startup funding covers)
Deliverables:
- Finalize app structure and navigation
- Expand and polish existing modules
- Draft remaining modules (4-7)
Outcome: User-friendly foundation and 7 fully functional modules.
Milestone 2 - Final Module Development & User Testing
Timeline: Weeks 5-7
Funding: $3,000
Deliverables:
- Expand and polish modules 4-7
- Implement badge unlocks
- Begin limited user testing within Zcash community
Outcome: Fully functional app and early user feedback.
Milestone 3 - Localization & Analytics
Timeline: Weeks 8-11
Funding: $4,000
Deliverables:
- Translation into Spanish and Chinese
- Establish analytics dashboard and feedback collection system
- Continue community testing and feedback for improvement
Outcome: Polished beta release with multilingual support
Milestone 4 - Community Launch & Reporting
Timeline: Weeks 11-13
Funding: $2,600
Deliverables:
- Official launch via Zcash channels
- Report on engagement metrics and user feedback
Thank you for your time and consideration!