Zcash Open Learning Lab Space

Community Grants
1

Good day all, please check out my grant application via the link below.
Thank you.

4 Likes
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Hi @ogasky - Thank you for submitting your grant proposal! We will review it in the upcoming weeks and reach out if we have any questions.

In the meantime, if you have any questions for us, you can post them to this thread or DM us at @ZcashGrants.

Zcash Community - We want to hear your feedback on this grant! You can post your comments to this thread or DM us at @ZcashGrants if you’d like to provide feedback in private.

Thanks!

3 Likes
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Good day all, Please I beg you to take your time to go through this proposal and comment on it as your comment is very key to this project grant application. Thank you.

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it’s a nice initiative

1 Like
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Good day all,

I have noticed that, up until now, after my post about this grant, we are yet to receive your comments. Please take the time to review the proposal to understand its deliverables and the positive impact this project aims to achieve, and kindly share your thoughts.

I sincerely appeal to you to believe in me and this project, as everything outlined in the proposal is highly feasible within the Nigerian ecosystem, especially in the city where this project will be based. The building facility is already in place, as shown in the attached photo within the grant application. This facility is strategically located near a federal university and the city of Warri, a thriving hub for Web3 and crypto activities.

It is important to note that this building will be fully branded with Zcash designs and logos, and a Zcash signage/signpost will be placed at strategic locations to improve visibility and create greater awareness about Zcash.

Additionally, providing essential resources and high-quality workspaces for blockchain developers plays a critical role in increasing productivity in blockchain project development in Nigeria. Given the country’s challenging economic conditions, such support acts as a major catalyst for the success of Web3 initiatives. I speak from experience, as I own a hub in Nigeria called WittyHub.

Furthermore, ZecHub and Zcash documentation will serve as key reference points for project development utilizing Zcash Technology. My funding request is not excessive, as my passion for this project is my primary motivation. I am deeply committed to contributing to the advancement of the Zcash protocol in Nigeria.

All I ask for is this opportunity. If I fail, I do not expect to receive any further Zcash grants in the future—though I am confident that I will not fail.

Beyond what is outlined in the proposal, I will ensure that two completed projects leveraging Zcash Blockchain Technology are developed during the Zcash Developers Contest, scheduled for Month 4 in Phase 4.

Please take the time to thoroughly review the grant proposal, support it, and leave your comments to help make the “Zcash Open Learning Lab Space” a reality.

Thank you.

1 Like
6

wow…just seeing this. Thank you

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Having studied this interesting and fascinating proposal, I must confess that it should be look into by Zcash due to it numerous benefits to the community and protocol, the people and the nation. Such an idea is imperative to be supported.

1 Like
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Again, I want to emphasize that this project has the potential to enhance Zcash’s value, particularly through the Month 2 - Zcash conversation with an influencer, which is a key step in driving adoption.

Additionally, this initiative will boost Zcash’s market presence, as the Zcash Wallet and ZEC usage will be consistently promoted to everyone visiting the Lab space. I encourage you to view this from a broader perspective.

I assure you that this project will lead to more people owning Zcash wallets and actively using ZEC for transactions. Furthermore, I have access to influencers and will leverage them to push the Zcash narrative for massive adoption within my city.

Please help make this a reality. Thank you.

2 Likes
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I think this is neat and encourage others to check out the proposal in that github link as well. I like the idea of setting up a lab irl for people.

1 Like
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I think that in general, allocating at least modest funds to projects (if they can be confirmed to have clear, definite activity and some level of engagement or publicity) in various parts of the world is a very good, low cost way to plant seeds in the long term.

If, in the opinion of the board, this project can demonstrate the above, I support funding at some level–balanced of course with the potentially urgent priorities of the overall grant landscape.

2 Likes
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wow…thank you for this awesome comment.

1 Like
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wow…Thank you for commenting your thought on this.

13

Appeal for Support & Key Justifications

Good day all,

I appeal to members to take the time to review this project proposal in detail and share their thoughts. Your support is crucial in making this initiative a reality.

I want to highlight key areas—Community Engagement & Partnerships, Measurable Outcomes, Infrastructure Justification, and Sustainability—to further address concerns.

Measurable Outcomes for Zcash Development & Adoption

The primary goal of this initiative is to drive real-world adoption of Zcash through education, developer onboarding, and ecosystem expansion. To ensure measurable outcomes, we will:

(a) Track Zcash wallet downloads and active usage within our community.
(b) Host structured developer training programs, providing hands-on mentorship to onboard builders into the Zcash ecosystem.
(c) Organize a Zcash Developers Contest (Month 4 milestone in Phase 4)—resulting in at least two tangible projects built on Zcash.

It is key to note that I have already done this successfully before. When I hosted Taking Zcash to Schools at WittyHub in 2023, we had seven verified Zingo wallet downloads from just a single event. You can see the Medium post here:
:link: Taking Zcash to Schools - Maiden Event

That was just one event—now, imagine the exponential impact of running the Zcash Open Learning Lab Space consistently for one year. If one event produced 7 downloads, then a structured year-long initiative will easily surpass 200+ downloads. I’ve done it before, and I will do it again—at a much larger scale.

Justification for Infrastructure & Logistics Funding

I understand the concerns about infrastructure costs, but it is important to clarify that these resources are not just operational expenses—they are critical enablers for Zcash development and adoption.

(a) Nigeria’s infrastructural challenges: Without these basic resources (laptops, internet service, branding, etc.), blockchain education and developer onboarding are severely limited.
(b) A dedicated learning space with essential tools will significantly boost productivity and increase engagement with Zcash.
(c) Strategic location & branding: The lab will be positioned near a federal university in Warri—a growing hub for Web3 activity—ensuring continuous exposure and adoption of Zcash.

Additionally, we are not requesting excessive funding. Our total budget is comparable to what some individuals request for community events alone, yet we are establishing a permanent, structured lab alongside community initiatives.

Key difference? This new building is fully owned by us, meaning:
(a) No ongoing rental costs or risk of losing access
(b) Long-term sustainability of Zcash activities in Nigeria
(c) Zcash will have a permanent hub for education, onboarding, and real-world use cases

Because we own the building, this initiative will stand the test of time—and we are deeply committed to making it a success.

Long-Term Sustainability of the Lab

I fully agree that the lab should not depend solely on continuous grants. That’s why we have built a sustainability model to ensure its long-term viability:

(a) Strategic Partnerships: We will collaborate with local & global blockchain communities to secure additional funding and partnerships.
(b) Paid Blockchain Training Programs: A portion of revenue from advanced training courses will support the lab’s operations.
(c) Zcash Ecosystem Integration: By onboarding developers and startups to build real-world applications on Zcash, we ensure sustained engagement with Zcash technology.

This is not just a one-time project—we are creating a framework that will grow and sustain itself over time.

Proven Experience & Track Record

I also want to address the concern that I have not built something like this before. In reality, I have been doing this since 2019 with WittyHub, a co-working space and training hub, which is still active today.

Through WittyHub, I have successfully:

(a) Organized blockchain and tech-focused training programs, empowering developers and increasing adoption of various technologies.
(b) Led Polygon’s expansion in Nigeria: Our event helped launch Polygon’s Community Guild Program, which later expanded across all states in Nigeria.
(c) Founded GitLab Nigeria Community (2019): This initiative grew into a nationwide movement, leading to my recognition as a GitLab Hero. See my name here GitLab Contributor Platform
(d) Hosted Zcash-focused events: The “Taking Zcash to Schools” event alone led to 7 verified Zingo Wallet downloads, proving our ability to drive Zcash adoption.

These are not just ideas—I execute and deliver measurable results. Given my experience with WittyHub and blockchain community building, I am confident that the Zcash Open Learning Lab Space will be a success.

I deeply appreciate your time and consideration. I look forward to your support in making this vision a reality.

Thank you!

1 Like
14

Thank you for your submission. After careful consideration by @ZcashGrants and allowing sufficient time for community feedback on the forum, the committee has decided to reject this proposal.

We appreciate your efforts in submitting a grant and encourage you to stay engaged in the Zcash community. Continue building your community, share your progress with the broader Zcash ecosystem, and connect with other Zcash communities to strengthen your impact.

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Acknowledged. Thank you.