Quadrant Protocol (ICO analysis)

Quadrant Protocol

A blueprint that provides an organised system for the utilisation of decentralised data

The problem: data authenticity - fake data reduces analytical algorithms + there's a widening gap between those who have the resources to collect/store their own data and those who don't. Therefore, no fair revenue distribution for both data producers and vendors.

The solution: mapping disparate data sources to produce authentic data. Quadrant Protocol aims to to find linkages between different constellations and, in turn, create mega Constellations that can be used by Data Consumers to solve real-world problems. According to their whitepaper, the market is lacking a solution to organize big data and make it available to everyone.

Pros:

• In the area of big data, the topic of authentic data will grow the fastest in the future. Without authentic data, the results of data-driven decision-making are poor
• Usually, data consumers would buy from multiple aggregators, which may result in duplicate data as these aggregators may have similar sources. Hence it's a waste of money
• Interesting solution to avoid cross pollination of the aggregated data
• Empowering SMEs and other small data consumers by creating a sustainable ecosystem where producers are incentivised to provide authentic data and buyers are willing to pay for it.
• Fair pay for data vendors, motivating them to enrich their data even further
• already a first user with DataStreamX with 18 billion record transactions

Cons:

• Key role of the blockchain/protocol is to stamp & verify data. Could be accomplished off chain as well?
• IMO: looks like to me that they are pivoting from DataStreamX to Quadrant, all team members stem from DSX
• not specified whether team members will continue working for DSX as well
• The blockchain is only necessary to provide proof of data authenticity; not many other key functions of it
• Business aspects not at all addressed. How are they going to make money?
• Team is not really sure whether or not they will convert their ERC-20 token ones main net is launched
• ridiculous look up of up to four years (if more than $7 million is raised). Definitely good for long-term holders, however
• Only 40% of the tokens distributed for the crowd sale. 30% for company and team
• allocation of contributions: no allocation for marketing at all
• proposed solution is more attractive to SMEs than large corporations they have the resources to collect
  and store the volumes of data necessary for their AI activities
• privacy and data security not at all addressed in the whitepaper. That's pretty ludicrous in times of the EU's data protection law
• 7 members; most of the team's background does not lie at big data. One data engineer who switched from being a software engineer to this area two years ago
• no key advisors
• look up period for team and advisors not specified; appears as if only unsold tokens will be locked up
• roadmap for Q3 2018 - Q1 2020 is not at all detailed with only four milestones

Verdict:

I'm going to pass this one. It's an interesting solution to a big problem. However, there are many issues that discourage me from investing.

This is not financial advice. I'm just sharing my opinion. Always do your own research.