Data source and Stakeholder Map

Data-Source and External Stakeholder Map

This map identifies the external stakeholders and intended sources of evidence that will inform the development and validation of the Vertical-to-KPI Impact Framework. Milestone 1 establishes the planned research inputs and engagement approach; detailed vertical analyses and scenario modelling will be completed in later milestones.

“Planned” indicates an intended research activity, not a completed analysis or confirmed data-access arrangement. For completed discussions, we will maintain a dated engagement record and concise notes, subject to participant consent and confidentiality requirements. Discussions will not be described as formal validation unless that role was explicitly undertaken.

Governance

Type	Stakeholder / source	Role or evidence sought	Status and use
External stakeholder	Jess Fields’ planned interviews with US governance-sector experts outside Cardano	Perspectives on governance practices, incentives, and comparable approaches beyond the Cardano ecosystem	Planned. Participants and identifying details will be recorded subject to consent.
Data source	Public Cardano governance records and documentation, including relevant proposals, voting activity, and participation records	Identify observable governance activities and possible links to on-chain events and Cardano KPIs	Planned review. We will record the specific sources used and assess what activity can and cannot be attributed to particular actors.
Data source	Cardanoscan transaction data for identified governance-related projects or participants, where attribution is supportable	Examine observable on-chain activity associated with in-scope projects	Planned analysis. Project/address attribution and the analysis period must be established before interpreting counts. Transaction counts alone will not be treated as unique users or proof of impact.

Agricultural Supply Chain

Type	Stakeholder / source	Role or evidence sought	Status and use
External stakeholder	Intersect Growth & Marketing Committee	Ecosystem and vertical-research perspective; potential coordination with its agricultural research activity	Sessions held. We will seek to coordinate where relevant and avoid duplicating work. Committee participation does not by itself constitute endorsement of our findings.
External stakeholder	Agricultural supply-chain companies and practitioners working in the Cardano ecosystem	Understand current or planned company activity, adoption plans, data availability, and barriers	Initial calls have taken place; further company discussions are planned. We will distinguish reported plans from independently verified activity.
Data source	Cardanoscan transaction data for identified agricultural supply-chain projects or participants, where attribution is supportable	Examine observable on-chain activity associated with in-scope projects	Planned analysis. We will identify relevant projects and attributable addresses where possible, define the period reviewed, and state limitations.
Data source	Public agricultural-sector reports, datasets, and relevant company or project documentation	Establish sector context and inform activity descriptions, assumptions, and potential adoption pathways	Planned review. Specific sources will be recorded as they are selected and used; access and coverage will be noted.
Data source	Direct discussions with relevant companies	Gather information on company plans, current activity, expected adoption, and operational constraints	Planned and ongoing engagement. Company statements will be treated as reported information, not verified outcomes unless corroborated.

Bitcoin DeFi

Type	Stakeholder / source	Role or evidence sought	Status and use
External stakeholder	Bitcoin DeFi companies, builders, and practitioners in the Cardano ecosystem	Understand project plans, user or market assumptions, activity, and adoption barriers	Calls and further outreach are planned. We will distinguish project-reported plans from independently verified evidence.
Data source	Cardanoscan transaction data for identified Bitcoin DeFi-related projects or participants, where attribution is supportable	Examine observable Cardano-side activity associated with in-scope projects	Planned analysis. We will document the attribution method and avoid treating transaction counts alone as users or economic impact.
Data source	Public protocol documentation, project materials, and relevant technical or activity documentation	Understand user journeys, mechanisms, and observable activity relevant to the impact chain	Planned review. Specific documents and any limitations will be recorded when selected and used.

Cross-Vertical Engagement and Sources

Type	Stakeholder / source	Role or evidence sought	Status and use
External stakeholder	James Meidinger (Blockjock), DRep	Practitioner perspective on governance participation, incentives, and Cardano ecosystem activity	Discussion held. Relevant input will inform the cross-vertical research and identify assumptions requiring further evidence.
External stakeholder	Alex Maaza, Cardano Foundation	Ecosystem input that helped inform the initial work and define aspects of the framework	Discussion held. We will describe the input accurately and will not imply formal endorsement.
External stakeholder	James Dunseith, Andamio	Ecosystem and practitioner perspective relevant to the framework and its application	Discussion held. Relevant input will inform the research approach, subject to the scope of the discussion.
External stakeholder	Intersect Product Committee	Product-research and ecosystem perspective on the framework and its relevance to Cardano’s priorities	Discussions held. These are stakeholder inputs, not formal approval or validation unless explicitly confirmed.
External stakeholder	Intersect Growth & Marketing Committee	Cross-ecosystem perspective and coordination on related vertical research, including its agricultural work	Sessions held. We will coordinate where relevant and avoid duplication; participation does not by itself constitute endorsement.
External stakeholder	Cardano DReps, representatives of Cardano founding entities, and other relevant ecosystem participants	Perspectives on ecosystem coordination, adoption, and the practical usefulness of the framework	Further conversations are planned. Participants will be identified by name where appropriate and with consent; otherwise, roles will be described.
Data source	Relevant Catalyst-funded projects across Governance, Agricultural Supply Chain, and Bitcoin DeFi	Review proposals, public project updates, and outputs to identify prior approaches, stated goals, reported activity, and available evidence	Planned cross-vertical review. We will record the projects and materials reviewed. Funding or project-reported outcomes will not be treated as independent validation.
Data source	Public materials from adjacent ecosystems, including Polkadot, Ethereum ecosystem funds, and Cosmos	Compare approaches to vertical research, ecosystem funding, impact reporting, and KPI measurement	Planned benchmark review, consistent with the proposal. We will cite the specific materials used and explain their relevance and limitations.
Research method	AI-assisted desk research and synthesis	Support discovery and organisation of relevant public materials and cross-ecosystem themes	Supporting method, not an independent evidence source. We will verify material claims against identifiable sources, cite those sources, disclose AI use, and remain responsible for accuracy.

Interpretation and limitations. On-chain transaction data can indicate observable network activity, but does not on its own establish unique users, real-world adoption, economic value, or causal contribution to Cardano’s KPIs. We will state the attribution method, coverage period, and material limitations for each analysis. Interview and company inputs will be identified as qualitative or self-reported evidence unless independently corroborated.