SPARK-IT
The SPARK-IT project is a trustworthy open-source platform for growing ideas, projects and business plans in an environment with specialists in various fields that share their knowledge to enhance innovation. The goals of the project are to accelerate startup growth, to facilitate consultancy from experts in different areas, and to provide a gateway for potential investment opportunities or crowdfunding campaigns. Leveraging the advantages of blockchain technology, SPARK-IT fosters a culture of trust and transparency, shielding one’s intellectual property and empowering innovators to find mentorship and collaborate confidently. An artificial intelligence based matching solution and a reputation system using reputation tokens enhance the democratizing access to valuable expertise, while reward tokens with monetary value incentivize specialists to contribute their knowledge, ultimately advancing a thriving ecosystem of innovation and collaboration. The design of the data transfer protocols, and the storage policies provide security, and ensure that only the intended actors can access the information. This is achieved using blockchain technology for traceability, and a decentralized storage system with encrypted data for providing secure access control over the proposals, the obtained feedback and other intellectual property. SPARK-IT paves the way to developing the innovator’s business models into ground-breaking solutions that can have a significant impact in the industry.
- Motivation for the project: The SPARK-IT solution is essential for the TrustChain software ecosystem as it enhances secure and transparent collaboration, leverages AI for expert matching, and employs blockchain for data integrity, fostering innovation and democratizing access to expertise while protecting intellectual property.
- Generic use case description: SPARK-IT enables a startup founder to securely submit a business proposal, matched by AI to industry experts. Experts provide feedback and are rewarded with tokens with monetary value, while security is ensured using blockchain technology.
- Essential functionalities: A custom storage policy with blockchain and decentralized storage is used. AI matches innovators with experts, whose profiles are confirmed by scraping third-party sites. Proposals are submitted using business model canvas, with reputation and reward tokens incentivizing quality and collaboration.
- How these functionalities can be integrated within the software ecosystem: The secure data storage module, AI for matching innovators with experts, APIs for verifying expert profiles, smart contracts for collaboration protocol, a token-based reward system for incentives and a reputation system form the building blocks for our SPARK-IT software platform.
- Gap being addressed: The gap addressed by SPARK-IT is the lack of a secure, transparent platform for innovators to collaborate with verified experts, protecting intellectual property, ensuring efficient matching, and incentivizing contributions through a token-based reward system, enhancing innovation and trust.
- Expected benefits achieved with the novel technology building blocks: The novel technology building blocks of SPARK-IT are expected to enhance secure collaboration, protect intellectual property, provide relevant matchmaking, incentivise experts to help innovators develop their ideas, which leads to the democratization of innovation, all in a trusted and secure environment.
- Potential demonstration scenario: The potential demonstration scenario involves initially launching SPARK-IT in the local business ecosystem, onboarding innovators and experts from various fields within TUIASI and the ROStartup ecosystem, while also considering expanding the platform’s reach across borders.
Team
Adrian Alexandrescu
Assistant professor at TUIASI, Ph.D. in Computers and information technology with expertise in distributed architectures, cloud computing, web technologies and cybersecurity.
Cristian Nicolae Buțincu
Assistant professor at “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iaşi, Romania, Ph.D., with expertise in parallel and distributed computing, high-performance computing, cybersecurity, self-healing systems, dynamic systems, big data, and blockchain technologies.
Delia-Elena Bărbuță
Blockchain Developer and Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Engineering, Iasi, with expertise in designing and developing innovative decentralized solutions.
Mircea-Ștefan Tăune
IT Business Analyst & CEO at Sigmatic with over 10 years of experience, specializing in business process modelling, project management, and web technologies, ensuring alignment between client needs and business development strategies.
Cristian Grăunte
With over 20 years of experience in developing digital products for businesses ranging from startups to corporations, I assist teams in improving communication, managing relationships effectively, achieving clarity, and enhancing performance.
Gabriel-Alexandru Scînteie
Software Engineer and Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Automatic Control & Computer Engineering, with a passion for Mathematics and Machine Learning.
Silviu-Dumitru Pavăl
Assistant professor at “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iaşi, Romania, Ph.D., with expertise in mathematical modelling, image analysis, parallel and distributed computing, and cryptography.
Simona Caraiman
Assoc. Prof. with a PhD in Computer Science, coordinates the digital transformation & innovation at TUIASI as Vice-Rector for IT&C and also supports the similar endeavors of SMEs and public institutions as coordinator of the Digital Innovation Zone EDIH.
Gheorghiță Butnaru
Tech Enthusiast & Catalyst for Change – blending hands-on expertise with a passion for continuous self-improvement.
Cătălin Mironeanu
Assistant professor at TUIASI, Ph.D. in Computers and information technology with expertise in cybersecurity, data mining, security policies, databases and GDPR. Over 11 years’ experience in INFOSEC.
Alexandru Archip
Assistant professor at “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iaşi, Romania, Ph.D. with expertise in Data Mining, Machine Learning, Cyber security and parallel and distributed systems.
Entities
Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi (TUIASI)
NTUIASI is among the oldest higher education institutions in Romania, with an important tradition in engineering, scientific and cultural education, and a thriving presence on the international scene.
Website: https://www.tuiasi.ro
Sigmatic (SIGMA APPDEV SRL)
Sigmatic empowers companies to navigate the digital landscape with confidence. We eliminate common pitfalls like information gaps and ill-fitting solutions through a personalized, flexible approach.d data integrity, privacy, and efficiency.
Website: https://sigmatic.ro
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigma-appdev/
