Problem Statement

Current social media platforms have become predominantly focused on passive content consumption and interaction farming for revenue sharing. This has led to a decline in genuine social interactions and has fostered a toxic environment where users are more concerned with gaining followers and subscribers rather than engaging meaningfully. The traditional concept of social media, where users simply consume content without active participation or positive engagement, has rendered these platforms less enjoyable and more harmful.

Solution Statement

Zero is a social sharing  platform that emphasises meaningful interactions and collaborative content sharing through the creation and management of boards. These boards can be public, private, or group-based, serving as dedicated spaces for users to interact, share, and engage with content in a more meaningful and collaborative manner. Zero eliminates the traditional concepts of followers and subscribers, focusing instead on friend connections and board interactions to cultivate genuine social engagement.

How the Product Works

• Board Creation: Users create boards to share and interact with content. These boards can be categorised into Public, Private, or Group boards.

  • Public Boards: Accessible to all users for broader interaction and discovery.
  • Private Boards: Restricted to specific users for more personal and intimate interactions.
  • Group Boards: Designed for group activities and discussions, limited to invited members.

• Content Sharing: Boards can host a variety of content, including posts, pictures, videos, and embedded links from other social media platforms, providing a versatile space for interaction.

• Interactions: Users engage with content on boards through comments, reactions, and discussions, fostering a sense of community and active participation.

• Co-Play: Users in private and group boards can simultaneously play content, comment on it in real-time, and use universal media controls, enhancing collaborative viewing experiences.

• Direct Message Interface: Every board post doubles as a direct message interface, fostering more personalised and direct interactions among users.

• Super Likes and Gifting: Users can express appreciation through Super Likes and gifting, rewarding individuals based on their boards or content. Gifts can be sent to specific users or entire boards, adding a layer of engagement and recognition. Super Likes are facilitated through the purchase of Zero tokens, which can then be used to Super Like board content. Board owners can cash out their Super Likes, as well as gifts, to receive real value from their board interactions.

• No Followers/Subscribers: The platform eliminates the traditional metrics of followers and subscribers, focusing instead on friend connections and board interactions to cultivate genuine social engagement.

• Positive Social Interactions: The design and functionality of Zero are centered around promoting positive and meaningful social interactions, making social media a more enjoyable and enriching experience. Zero is designed to be a far more private social media for close friends and family

How Zero Uses Stellar:

Stellar USDC Integration: Zero leverages Stellar's USDC to power the financial transactions within the platform. Users purchase Zero tokens  and Zero gifts using Stellar USDC, ensuring fast, secure, and low-cost transactions(zero fees). Stellar's blockchain technology enables seamless conversion of Super Likes and gifts to real value, allowing board owners to cash out their earnings efficiently.

Users can purchase Zero tokens which can be used to super like boards, buy zero gifts , pay for verified badge using their zero tokens

also for board post creators that have been super liked or  gifted on zero, they can convert their super likes to USDC and offramp it to fiat or send it out for offramp.

[Deliverable 1]

Deliverable goal: To enable Zero platform to connect to the Stellar network, allowing for account creation, sending and receiving Stellar USDC, and connecting to a Stellar anchor partner for onramp.

Activities:

• Stellar Network Integration:

  • Set up and configure the connection to the Stellar network.
  • Implement functionalities for creating and managing Stellar accounts within the Zero platform.

• Account Creation:

  • Develop user interfaces and backend systems for seamless Stellar account creation.
  • Ensure secure handling and storage of account keys and credentials.

• Send and Receive Stellar USDC:

  • Implement features for sending and receiving Stellar USDC within the Zero platform.
  • Integrate transaction tracking and notification systems for real-time updates.

• Connect to Stellar Anchor Partner for Onramp:

  • Identify and integrate with a Stellar anchor partner to facilitate the onramp process.
  • Develop interfaces for users to convert fiat to Stellar USDC through the anchor partner.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and implement necessary KYC/AML procedures.

Completion Measurement:

• Reviewer will create a Stellar account, send and receive Stellar USDC, and perform an onramp transaction using a Stellar anchor partner. A comprehensive report on the integration process, account management, transaction handling, and onramp functionality will be provided.

Estimated date of completion: 21/06/2024

Budget: 12,000

[Deliverable 2]: USDC onramp and offramp

Target: To allow users to purchase Zero tokens and gifts using Stellar USDC, and to enable users who have been gifted to withdraw their earnings via USDC.

Activities:

• Purchasing Zero Tokens and Gifts:

  • Develop functionalities for users to purchase Zero tokens using Stellar USDC.
  • Create user interfaces for the transaction process, ensuring a smooth and secure experience.
  • Implement backend systems to manage token balances and transaction histories.

• Gift Transactions:

  • Enable users to purchase and send Zero gifts using Stellar USDC.
  • Develop interfaces for selecting, purchasing, and sending gifts to other users or boards.

• Withdrawal of Earnings:

  • Implement functionalities for users to convert their Super Likes and gifts to Stellar USDC.
  • Integrate with the Stellar network to facilitate the withdrawal process.
  • Ensure secure and efficient offramp for users to convert USDC to fiat or send it to external wallets.

Completion Measurement:

• Reviewer will purchase Zero tokens and gifts using Stellar USDC, and then test the conversion and withdrawal process of Super Likes and gifts to USDC. A report detailing the transaction functionalities, user experience, and security measures will be provided.

Estimated Date of completion: 08/07/2024

Budget: 18,000

[Deliverable 3]: Legal and compliance

Target: To ensure that all financial transactions within Zero, especially those involving token onramp and offramp, comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including AML policies.

Activities:

• Legal and Regulatory Review:

  • Conduct a thorough review of applicable financial regulations, including AML (Anti-Money Laundering) policies.
  • Develop a compliance framework for token transactions, focusing on onramp and offramp processes.

• Policy Development:

  • Create comprehensive AML policies, KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures, and user agreements to ensure compliance with legal standards.
  • Develop protocols for monitoring and reporting suspicious activities.

Estimated date of completion: 28/07/2024

Budget: 10,000

Team

Muritala David - Backend Engineer

Highly skilled Backend Engineer with  experience in building and maintaining scalable and secure backend systems for consumer applications. Specialised in integrating Web 3 technologies to enhance application functionality and security. Demonstrated expertise in database management, API development, and cloud services. Committed to delivering robust backend solutions that drive performance and user satisfaction.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/muritala-david-ab8019189/

Abdullahi Hussein- Frontend Engineer

Experienced Mobile/Frontend Engineer with years of expertise in developing robust and user-friendly frontend applications and mobile apps. Proven ability in integrating cutting-edge Web 3 systems and APIs, such as Horizon, to enhance application functionality and user experience. Adept at leveraging modern technologies and frameworks to create seamless, high-performance applications for both web and mobile platforms.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahi-hussein

Abdul Oluwaseyi- founder/ Team Lead

Dynamic and results-driven Product Engineer and Head of Finance with years of comprehensive experience in developing consumer applications and managing financial operations. Expertise in integrating Web 3 technologies to create innovative, decentralised financial solutions. Proven track record in leading product development, financial strategy, and operational efficiency to drive growth and enhance user experience.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oluwaseyi-abdul-735ba0169?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

We initially built zero as an experiment for a new social experience just for ourselves more like reimagining what the social experience can be like, it started as a cool fun project but has expanded to over 50,000 users in private Beta with literally zero market spend we started with first building the app and sharing with friends and it exploded into 1000 people and now over 50,000 beta testers over 8 months!