Proposal: SaaS Development Initiative (SDI) for Building a Zcash Economy

Community Grants Applications
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Hi Zcash Community,

Emmanuel here from SafeGuard. This initiative is a direct response to ongoing discussions, including this one, about building a real-world economy around ZEC—where people actually use it as cash for buying and selling goods and services.

The goal is to implement Zcash in a real business and demonstrate its practical use. I haven’t submitted the proposal to the GitHub RFP yet, so I’d love to hear your feedback before moving forward, looking forward to your thoughts!

Summary

Despite its technological advantages, the adoption and real-world use of Zcash (ZEC) remain limited. This proposal outlines the development of a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) initiative designed to create a robust payment economy around everyday transactions. Our approach focuses on improving or creating alternatives to costly, poorly rated tools, offering enhanced versions at discounts for payments made with ZEC. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive, step-by-step video guide to facilitate smooth adoption, similar to an in-game coin purchase system, where users convert fiat to Zcash to pay for services.

The first phase of this initiative, with a $50,000 budget, will develop a minimum viable product (MVP) that includes one or two alternative SaaS tools, a basic platform for ZEC payments, and educational resources to drive early adoption.

Problem Statement

While Zcash offers strong privacy protections, it lacks mainstream adoption due to:

  • Lack of easy-to-use business tools
  • Limited Merchant Acceptance: Few businesses accept ZEC, reducing its utility.
  • Integration Complexity: Businesses and individuals face technical barriers when integrating Zcash into their operations.

To address these challenges, we propose a SaaS initiative that simplifies Zcash adoption for businesses and individuals while building a SaaS economy around it.

Solution

Our SaaS initiative will address these challenges by:

  • Offering Improved or Alternative Tools: We will develop enhanced or alternative versions of popular SaaS tools, available at discounts of up to 80% for payments made with ZEC.
  • Simplifying Adoption: Comprehensive step-by-step video guides will make it easy for users to convert fiat to ZEC and use it to pay for services.
  • Building a Zcash Ecosystem: The platforms will include merchant tools, invoicing, payroll processing, and other features to encourage ZEC adoption.

Objectives

  • Increase Zcash Adoption: Provide a compelling reason for businesses and individuals to use ZEC by offering affordable, high-quality alternative SaaS tools.
  • Develop Business-Friendly Features: Offer tools such as invoicing, payroll processing, and merchant solutions tailored for ZEC.
  • Create a Sustainable Economy: Foster a self-sustaining ecosystem where users need to earn, spend, and reinvest ZEC.
  • Make ZEC Practical for Everyday Transactions: Integrate ZEC into widely used tools, making it a viable payment option for daily use.

Unique Value Proposition

Our initiative stands out by:

  • Offering Discounts for ZEC Payments: Significant discounts incentivize users to adopt ZEC.
  • Simplifying Adoption: User-friendly guides and seamless integration make it easy for businesses and individuals to start using ZEC.

Implementation Plan

  1. Market Research: Identify the most in-demand SaaS tools and prioritize development based on user needs.
  2. Tool Development: Build improved or alternative versions of popular SaaS tools, starting with widely used categories (e.g., project management, CRM, accounting).
  3. Platform Launch: Develop a user-friendly platform where users can browse, purchase, and manage tools using ZEC.
  4. Pilot Program: Launch a pilot program with a select group of tools and users to test and refine the platform.
  5. Scaling: Expand the platform based on user feedback and demand, adding more tools and features over time.

Solution (Phase 1 – MVP)

With a $50,000 budget, we will:

  • Develop 1–2 Alternative SaaS Tools: Build simplified, privacy-focused versions of popular tools (e.g., invoicing or project management) and offer them at a discount for ZEC payments.
  • Create a Basic Platform: Develop a user-friendly platform where users can purchase and manage these tools using ZEC.
  • Produce Educational Resources: Create step-by-step video guides and tutorials to help users convert fiat to ZEC and use it to pay for services.
  • Launch a Pilot Program: Test the MVP with a small group of early adopters to gather feedback and validate the concept.

Objectives

  • Validate the Concept: Demonstrate that businesses and individuals are willing to adopt ZEC for SaaS tool payments.
  • Lay the Groundwork for Scaling: Use insights from the pilot to refine the platform and prepare for future expansion.

Budget Breakdown

Category Estimated Cost Details
Research $5,000 Market research to identify the most in-demand SaaS tools and user needs.
Software Development $30,000 Build/improve 1–2 alternative SaaS tools (e.g., invoicing or project management).
Design and UX $5,000 Ensure the tools and platform are user-friendly and visually appealing.
Content Creation $1,000 Produce step-by-step video guides and tutorials for ZEC adoption.
Marketing and Outreach $9,000 Promote the MVP to attract early adopters and gather feedback.
Contingency (10%) $1,000 Buffer for unexpected expenses or scope adjustments.
Total $50,000

Deliverables

  • Research Report: Identify the most in-demand SaaS tools and user pain points to guide development.
  • 1–2 Alternative SaaS Tools: Simplified, privacy-focused versions of popular tools, available at a discount for ZEC payments.
  • Basic Platform: A functional platform where users can purchase and manage tools using ZEC.
  • Educational Resources: Step-by-step video guides and tutorials to simplify ZEC adoption.
  • Pilot Program: A small-scale launch with at least 100 users to validate the concept.

Why $50,000?

  • Focused Scope: The budget is sufficient to build an MVP and validate the concept without overextending resources.
  • Measurable Impact: The pilot program will provide concrete data on user adoption and platform viability.
  • Foundation for Growth: A successful MVP will make it easier to expand future phases.

Conclusion

By offering improved or alternative versions of popular SaaS tools at discounted rates for ZEC payments, this platform provides immediate value to users while driving Zcash adoption. This approach creates a win-win scenario: users gain access to affordable, high-quality tools, and the Zcash ecosystem grows stronger. We strongly believe this proposal can unlock the full potential of ZEC and build a thriving Zcash economy.

Update:
The proposal is to create a brand-new business application that directly competes with existing solutions, rather than just integrating ZEC payments into existing platforms. ( Using this as just an example since the actual tool will be decided by researching a tool like output.ws which sells packages priced between $490-$1290 per month) The goal is to offer a compelling alternative by delivering high-value tools at a significant discount for ZEC payments, making adoption financially appealing.

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This idea is great and exactly what zcash needs. :fire:

But this must to be implemented from the beginning in a highly professional manner from the frontend to the backend and the implementation in the merchants existing system.The costs for this may be set too low. Which does not mean that should be an obstacle. Quite the opposite. As a first goal, an MVP is certainly worthwhile, but let’s implement the whole project in full and also talk about the total costs so that there is planning security.

I would be very pleased if the best of the best zcash developers would work with you and together on this in a collaborative effort.

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Cool ideas. Other ecosystems have venture capital partners that run accelerators for their communities. For profit-generating projects like this, I’d love to see an option for founders to pitch “Zcash-bullish VCs” for funding, or our own internal accelerator, rather than using grant money.

Crank out a prototype and let’s see what you can do! You don’t need funding for an MVP today, grab an AI coding tool :slight_smile:

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You pay for the knowledge behind it, not the tool with which you implement it.

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Can you clarify, is your intention to build integrations to existing business applications? Or create brand new business applications with ZEC payments embedded?

Based on our experience with ZGo, having a merchant switch their entire point-of-sale system is not a feasible ask. It is costly and often they are locked in a walled garden by their current providers (like Toast providing online ordering for restaurants). This is why we pivoted towards integrations.

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Moved ZGo discussion to ZGo thread, this thread is about SaaS.

7 posts were merged into an existing topic: Z-Go! New app

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Thank you for your support, HHiroshima. Like you, I believe that developing services and fostering demand around Zcash is the most effective way to bring new users into the ecosystem. If we truly want Zcash to be used as cash, this is the path forward. I’m open to collaborating with other devs in the ecosystem to make this work.

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I’m not talking about the kind of app you can quickly churn out using an AI tool. With my 8 years of experience in software development, the app I have in mind is far more sophisticated and tailored, an app built with proper research to make sure it’s solving a need. it’s not one of those generic solutions, otherwise it falls into the pitfalls of the existing ones that we are trying to replace.

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The goal is to build a better tool (brand new business application) that competes with existing solutions and offer discounts in exchange for payments made in Zcash. Using this as just an example since the actual tool will be decided by research a tool like output.ws which sells packages priced between $490-$1290 per month Rather than asking merchants to switch their entire point-of-sale systems, the focus would be on creating easy integrations that add value without disrupting their current workflows. This approach aligns with your highlighted challenges, such as the high cost and complexity of replacing existing systems. By embedding ZEC payments to enhance their business—through incentives like high discounts. offering significant saving to offset the cost. We can make Zcash adoption more appealing and practical

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“Business solutions”, it seems you have it developed it in your mind further.
I also see it as a win-win situation for zcash merchants and its users, especially when it comes to adoption. Thank you for taking the time for this. :muscle: :clap:

As an incentive, I would not only create an expanded or new system/solution for the merchants, but a significantly better one so that there is no way around not using it.

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I am still not clear if you’re proposing creating a new app that clones an existing one and adds Zcash payments, or if you’re proposing to create integrations to existing apps.

Good luck with your proposal.

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As I understand it, that is not what you are asking for here. It is a completely new system. I think one concept could be that it can be integrated into the merchant’s existing payment, merchandise management and accounting system to complement or even replace the existing system.The whole thing could be modular with the option of expansion. Either as a complete solution or as individual modules.

All modules together would form a unit that can be used together or as a stand-alone extension for the existing system.

Let’s assume the module payment system would be developed.
Payment customer to merchant:

           zec to usd
           zec to zec
           usd to zec to usd (in this case zec would protect the usd payment)
           usd to zec
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The proposal is to create a brand-new business application that directly competes with existing solutions, rather than just integrating ZEC payments into existing platforms. The goal is to offer a compelling alternative by delivering high-value tools at a significant discount for ZEC payments, making adoption financially appealing. That said, the application will also be designed with ease of integration in mind, allowing businesses to incorporate it into their existing workflows without requiring a full switch from their current systems.

Please let me know if this answers your question. I want to get as much feedbacks on this as possible.

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Yes, that’s exactly the direction I’m thinking. The goal is to build a completely new system, but designed in a modular way so businesses can either adopt the full solution or integrate specific parts into their existing setup. This lowers adoption friction while still offering a better alternative to current tools.

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You’re welcome. :slightly_smiling_face:

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If this gets approved, perhaps we could collaborate on a strategic level. If you’re open to it.

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In fact, I had the same thought to answer your question.

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Perfect! If this moves forward, I’ll reach out to discuss how we can align strategically. Let’s keep in touch.

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Very gladly, on this type of project I would like to work. You can contact me at any time.

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Hate to rain on the parade, but this proposal should absolutely not pass.

If anyone has ever built SaaS tools, this will cost far more than 50k for anything that people would actually want to use.

Adoption won’t come from random SaaS tools built without proper teams, vision, and execution. This is like angel investing in a startup that has no clear goal or direction and giving them funding that will amount to nothing.

Have we not learned from years of this same pattern.

What are the metrics for success, what is the product scope, where are the low fidelity wireframes?
Charging for “Research” is idiotic. If someone is requesting 50k, they should be doing the research beforehand to propose something of substance.

I expect everyone here to behave as if these grants are coming from your pocket. There is no way any sophisticated (even a completely green) investor would seed this.

If this passes, is says more about the lack of experience and knowledge of the people approving. The cycle of poor funding needs to stop, and frankly, the people who make decisions on grants should be individuals who have either actually built things (successfully and adopted at a large scale) or people who have successful seed investing records.

People will not use an invoicing tool that was made for 30k, there is no product market fit. It will lack functionality, there is no budget for post-go live modifications (is this going to be another grant? Where is the money coming from?). No good SaaS product, ESPECIALLY project management/invoicing can be built within 2 months. $9k for marketing gets you nothing.

Speaking from experience, this WILL be a waste of money.
I can write a complete post about why this should not funded.

I appreciate someone trying to build something and I appreciate the proposal, but this is just not going to cut it.

Just because there aren’t many proposals at the moment, doesn’t mean we should fund things that have a 0% chance of bringing value. Sub 5% chance if we’re being EXTREMELY generous. Fast forward 1 year, what do you even see for this product, where is adoption, what is even the best case scenario?

This isn’t it.

The bar needs to be lifted, or we continuously burn cash.

Funds that make poor capital allocation decisions cease to exist.
The same is the case here, there needs to be accountability.

I expect a pitch deck with clear vision, direction, differentiation, etc…
Exactly as the rest of the market expects before dishing out capital.

4fun investing needs to stop.

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