European Kendama Championship 2025 - NOUNS PROPOSAL

INTRODUCTION

Our goal

Through engagement with the kendama community, we aim to expand Nouns’ presence in popular culture and onboard this diverse subculture to blockchain. Kendama fosters perseverance, creativity and personal growth; and is emerging as a major force in urban sports culture. Its dedicated players continue to develop both the sport and its tight-knit community.

We plan to grow Kendama DAO and increase Nouns’ presence within this subculture, extending its reach and impact. This partnership allows us to shape our messaging and connect directly with an eager audience through an activity they already love.

Kendama is Nounish!

The kendama community has shown enthusiasm for Nouns and is eager to deepen its engagement. EKC presents an opportunity to further solidify that connection and expand Nouns’ influence within this dynamic space.

We will build on past Nouns kendama ventures, including collaborations with Mindfulness Through Play, activations at ETH Denver and the Blockchain Futurist Conference. Nouns has partnered with a kendama event recently: the North American Kendama Open, in 2024. This was a major step forward, as it was the scene of the creation of Kendama DAO. At NAKO 2024, Nouns was successfully introduced to the kendama community, and we aim to build on that momentum.

• ETH DENVER Recap

  

• Blockchain Futurist Conference Toronto First Spikes Recap

  

• Kendama is Nounish Highlight 1 and Highlight 2

  

• NOUNS at NAKO 2024

  

What can Nouns gain from this partnership?

Nouns has a unique opportunity to onboard the kendama community into web3 in an exciting and non-intrusive way. By blending the fun of kendama with accessible blockchain technology, we can show how anyone can meaningfully contribute to Nouns, use these tools to fund public goods, and create something impactful. The goal is to build up the Kendama DAO and introduce them to web3 through their passion.

Key Benefits of a Nouns Partnership with EKC:

• Introduce attendees to web3, crypto, and Nouns through interactive experiences with kendama
• Onboard new members onchain and increase usage of Nouns platforms
• Bring in key Kendama DAO figures to amplify Nouns’ visibility
• Showcase Nounish art and provide new opportunities for artists
• Support the production team and give them new tools to better present kendama to the masses
• Support the young players in the scene and help build a stable future for kendama culture

Overview

About the European Kendama Championship (EKC)

The EKC is the largest kendama competition in the EU and the fastest-growing kendama event worldwide. It is organized by Teodore Fiorina, a professional kendama player and ambassador of European kendama culture. It stands out as the only major kendama event operated independently rather than by a company.

Teodore Fiorina is a professional kendama player and a rising entrepreneur in the community. He has represented kendama globally, appearing on television multiple times, including France has Talent. Over the years, he has taught kendama to thousands, at events like the Japan Expo in Paris, Outdoormix in the Alpes, and Simple Session in Estonia—two of Europe’s largest urban sports events. He has used EKC to unite the community and elevate kendama’s status worldwide.

The event is streamed live to thousands by Sweets Kendamas, with 2024 marking their most successful broadcast yet. It attracts the best kendama players worldwide and hosts the premier Freestyle Competition, an electrifying event akin to a concert or dance battle, with an engaged crowd and a unique atmosphere.

Beyond the competition, EKC fosters cultural exchange and self-expression. With two competition days and four additional days for community-building activities. It has become the world’s most prestigious kendama event.

Here’s a peak of what it looks like!

🌍 Location: Utrecht, Netherlands 🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍📅🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍 Dates: May 28 - June 2, 2025 🌍 Attendees: Competitors from 33 different countries

Event Partnership

A Nouns partnership would amplify the reach and impact of our initiatives. Funds will be allocated to prize money, gallery setup, marketing, and community engagement initiatives.

Partnership Benefits:

• Marketing Exposure: Educational marketing campaign including specialized Instagram posts, branding throughout the venue, exposure through Sweets Kendamas Twitch Stream and video promotion
• Community Engagement: Direct interaction via Discord, Twitch Q&As prior to the event, and workshops
• Exclusive Access: VIP entry for Nouners, venue space for a Nouns booth and Nounish art gallery
• Stage Time: Opportunity to present Nouns and web3 to a high-energy audience

A Nouns Booth, Workshop and On-Stage Presentation

We propose bringing Joshua Grove, a kendama professional, Kendama DAO associate, and founder of Mindfulness Through Play, to represent Nouns at EKC.

Workshop:

• Held one day before the event, covering how to create a successful kendama after-school program while introducing Nouns
• Small groups ensure meaningful interactions and bridge the gap between kendama and web3
• The session will showcase real-world blockchain applications in education, creativity, and community-building

Nouns Booth:

• Features educational materials on Nouns and its impact
• Highlights past activations in Esports, Skateboarding, and Kendama
• Includes onboarding opportunities for attendees to explore web3 tools
• Joshua Grove will engage with attendees and appear on the Sweets Twitch stream

On-Stage Presentation:

• Teodore Fiorina & Joshua Grove will present Nouns’ role in EKC
• A fun kendama mini-game will onboard attendees
• Live stream integration will expand reach to online audiences

Onboarding Attendees Onchain

We will introduce attendees to web3 in a seamless, engaging way that sparks curiosity without pressure. By distributing Kendama DAO tokens, POAPs, and onchain prizes, Nouns will leave a lasting impression, providing attendees with digital keepsakes to explore beyond EKC.

Through Kendama DAO tokens, we aim to create a natural entry point for attendees to engage with web3 and decentralized communities. By linking this initiative to Kendama DAO, Nouns fosters continued interaction, encouraging participants to explore the ecosystem long after the event.

Attendees will receive a POAP upon registration and be introduced to the scavenger hunt. Throughout the event, we’ll collect wallet addresses to airdrop Kendama DAO tokens to, giving them an immediate opportunity to participate in an onchain movement upon distribution.

The Nouns x Kendama Art Gallery

We will showcase kendama and Nounish art at EKC through a curated gallery featuring both digital and printed works. Using Warpcast and Rounds, Kendama DAO will host an open submission round for artists, selecting top entries to display at the event. This will encourage kendama artists to join Warpcast and explore the Nouns ecosystem while allowing existing users to participate. The initiative will be promoted via Instagram, Discord, and Twitch, with Teodore personally inviting top kendama artists.

The gallery will also be a key element of the POAP scavenger hunt, encouraging attendees to engage with the art and interact with the platform.

POAP Scavenger Hunt

Our POAP scavenger hunt will add a fun and exploratory element to the event. It invites attendees to discover different areas of the venue while engaging with Nouns branding and content in a playful, interactive way. Those who collect all the POAPs will be entered into a raffle, promoting engagement without bombarding participants with technical terms or crypto complexity.

We would utilize some of the displayed NOUNish art and kendama art as scannable POAPs. Instead of placing the POAPs on posters throughout the venue, we will place them at key interaction points around the venue. They would be placed at booths where we will set kendama themed games for the attendees to be challenged before being able to scan the POAP.

The Nouns x Sweets Kendamas x EKC Twitch game

By partnering with Sweets and EKC on the Twitch stream, we will broaden the reach of the project and multiply onboarding opportunities. Sweets will host a Twitch game encouraging viewers to interact with the platform and learn about NOUNS.

To further people’s understanding of Nouns and the Kendama DAO, we will host a trivia game where the host will be asking questions about Nouns and the Kendama DAO. The answers will be found on multiple websites like Nouns World or Kendama DAO. Bringing people to these websites will give them the opportunity to learn more about Nouns and check out the Kendama DAO.

There will be multiple question about Nouns, the Kendama DAO and EKC throughout the stream. The people who find the answers the fastest will be entered in a raffle, where the winner will ultimately win the prize!

Production

The EKC has set the stage for some of kendama’s most legendary moments, reshaping how the community experiences competitions. Its energy—now known as "EKC energy" has spread across events worldwide, elevating the atmosphere of kendama culture. Our goal is to harness that momentum and push it even further.

Key Production Upgrades:

• Enhancing the live show with high-end lighting, a full-time operator, and an LED screen for real-time stage playback.
• Upgrading the Twitch streaming to improve future kendama broadcasts by investing in cameras, a control board, and a mobile streaming unit.
• Bringing in top cinematographers to capture the event at the highest level.
• A Sweets x EKC x Nouns-branded streaming booth

These investments will ensure a next-level experience for both in-person and online audiences. All streaming equipment will be purchased by EKC and consigned to Sweets Kendamas, benefiting not just this event but future kendama competitions. A Sweets x EKC x Nouns-branded streaming booth will serve as a hub for engagement, featuring giveaways and games to further integrate Nouns into the experience.

To capture the event at its best, we will bring in Matthew Ballard as Director and Cinematographer. Alongside him will be Brett Walters (BIRL) and Oscar Ealand, two experienced kendama players and videographers who have helped shape kendama’s visual culture.

Ongoing Engagement through Rounds

To keep the momentum going after EKC, we will host weekly rounds throughout the month following the event. These rounds are designed to onboard the global community into Nouns and maintain engagement as participants earn rewards and spread the word to their friends. We would promote them through Instagram and Discord, ensuring more participation.

The round themes will include:

• EKC Weekend: Share any content or moments captured during EKC.
• Tell a story: what was your favorite EKC 25 moment? What did you find meaningfull at the event?
• Kendama Haul: Share pictures of your haul for the weekend. What did you go home with?
• Nouns Feedback: Share what your experience with Nouns was. And how your perception of the web3 world and crypto may have changed

Summary

Team

• Kendama DAO: Joshua Grove and Teodore Fiorina
• EKC: Teodore Fiorina, Matthew Ballard, Matt Sweets, Cody Griz, Brett Walters, Oscar Ealand

Budget

• Partnership: $9,000
  • Sponsorship Fee: $1,000
  • Prize money: $2,000
  • Scavenger Hunt and Stream Game:
    • Scavenger Hunt: $500
    • Stream Game: $500
  • Marketing and associated materials: : $2,000
  • Art commissions, printing and displays, shipping,…: $2,000
  • Travel Cost for Joshua Grove: $1,000
• Rounds: 1 ETH
  • Rounds Prizes: 1 ETH
• Production Costs: $13,000
  • Streaming Equipment: $5,000
  • Travel for Streaming Team: $1,500
  • Film Staff: $2,000
  • Travel for Videographers: $1,500
  • Gear/general production costs: $2,000
  • Streaming booth: $1,000
• Noggles: $2,000
• Legal and Accounting: $2,000
• Project Management: $6,500

Total: $31,500 USDC + 1 ETH