turash/funding/FUNDING_GAP_ANALYSIS.md

# Funding Application Gap Analysis

**Date**: November 2025  
**Last Updated**: November 2025  
**Purpose**: Identifies gaps between funding application requirements and existing project documentation

---

## Overview

This document identifies gaps between **funding application requirements** (from `APPLICATION_REQUIREMENTS_REPORT.md`) and **existing project documentation** in the `concept/` directory and `funding/applications/` directory. Use this to identify what needs to be prepared for funding applications.

**Selected Priority Programs**:
1. EIC Accelerator (EU)
2. ZIM (Germany)
3. DBU Environmental (Germany)
4. LIFE Programme SNaP (EU)
5. Berlin Innovative (Germany)

---

## ✅ COMPLETE - Ready for Funding Applications

### 1. ✅ Project Description (100% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **COMPREHENSIVE** - Well documented
- **Location**: Multiple files covering all aspects
- **Technical Details**: `concept/03_core_concept_resource-matching_engine.md`, `concept/10_matching_engine_core_algorithm.md`
- **Innovation Focus**: Extensive documentation on graph-based matching, industrial symbiosis
- **Project Scope**: `concept/00_introduction.md`, `concept/05_system_overview.md`
- **Gap**: None - comprehensive project description exists

**Files**:
- `concept/00_introduction.md` - Executive summary
- `concept/03_core_concept_resource-matching_engine.md` - Core innovation
- `concept/05_system_overview.md` - System overview
- `concept/10_matching_engine_core_algorithm.md` - Technical innovation
- Multiple technical architecture files

---

### 2. ✅ Budget Breakdown (100% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **COMPLETE** - Program-specific budgets created
- **Location**: Program-specific directories with CSV and justification files
- **Details**: 
  - EIC Accelerator: €1.815M (18 months) - `funding/eu/eic-accelerator/budget/`
  - ZIM: €465k (6 months) - `funding/national/germany/zim/budget/`
  - DBU: €152.5k (3-6 months) - `funding/national/germany/dbu-funding/budget/`
  - LIFE Programme: €1.815M (18 months) - `funding/eu/life-programme/budget/`
  - All budgets include CSV files and detailed justifications
- **Gap**: None - program-specific budgets ready

**Files Created**:
- `funding/eu/eic-accelerator/budget/budget_breakdown.csv`
- `funding/eu/eic-accelerator/budget/budget_justification.md`
- `funding/national/germany/zim/budget/budget_breakdown.csv`
- `funding/national/germany/zim/budget/budget_justification.md`
- `funding/national/germany/dbu-funding/budget/budget_breakdown.csv`
- `funding/national/germany/dbu-funding/budget/budget_justification.md`
- `funding/eu/life-programme/budget/budget_breakdown.csv`
- `funding/eu/life-programme/budget/budget_justification.md`
- `funding/applications/budget/` - Master budget files and templates

**Action Needed**: ✅ **Complete** - Ready for funding applications

---

### 3. ✅ CVs of Team Members (100% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **COMPLETE** - CV files created for all programs
- **Location**: Program-specific team directories
- **Details**:
  - Founder & CTO CV (Damir Mukimov) - EU format
  - Team expertise summary document
  - CVs placed in all program directories
- **Gap**: None - CVs ready for applications

**Files Created**:
- `funding/eu/eic-accelerator/team/team_cvs/CV_Damir_Mukimov.md`
- `funding/national/germany/zim/team/team_cvs/CV_Damir_Mukimov.md`
- `funding/national/germany/dbu-funding/team/team_cvs/CV_Damir_Mukimov.md`
- `funding/eu/life-programme/team/team_cvs/CV_Damir_Mukimov.md`
- `funding/applications/team_cvs/CV_Damir_Mukimov.md` - Master CV
- `funding/applications/team_cvs/TEAM_EXPERTISE_SUMMARY.md` - Team summary

**Action Needed**: ✅ **Complete** - Ready for funding applications

**Note**: Additional team member CVs needed when team is assembled (currently documented team composition in `TEAM_EXPERTISE_SUMMARY.md`)

---

### 4. ✅ Market Analysis (86% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **COMPREHENSIVE** - Excellent coverage
- **Location**: `concept/01_market_analysis.md`
- **Details**:
  - TAM/SAM/SOM analysis
  - Target customer segments
  - Geographic focus
  - Competitive landscape
  - Market validation framework
- **Gap**: None - comprehensive market analysis exists

**Files**:
- `concept/01_market_analysis.md` - Complete market analysis
- `concept/02_competitive_analysis.md` - Competitive landscape
- `concept/monetisation/competitive-analysis.md` - Detailed competitive analysis

---

### 5. ✅ Business Plan (86% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **WELL DOCUMENTED** - Comprehensive business model
- **Location**: `concept/monetisation/` directory
- **Details**:
  - Revenue model (`monetisation/revenue-model.md`)
  - Pricing strategy (`monetisation/pricing-strategy.md`)
  - Go-to-market strategy (`monetisation/go-to-market.md`)
  - Financial projections (`monetisation/financial-projections.md`)
  - Unit economics (LTV/CAC)
- **Gap**: May need consolidated single document format for some applications (optional)

**Files**:
- `concept/22_output_monetization.md` - Overview (references monetisation/)
- `concept/monetisation/revenue-model.md` - Revenue streams
- `concept/monetisation/financial-projections.md` - Financial model
- `concept/monetisation/go-to-market.md` - Market strategy

**Action Needed**: Optional - Create consolidated business plan document (10-20 pages) if required by specific applications

---

### 6. ✅ Project Timeline & Milestones (86% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **DETAILED** - Comprehensive roadmap
- **Location**: `concept/28_project_roadmap.md`
- **Details**:
  - 18-month roadmap with monthly milestones
  - Phase-by-phase breakdown
  - Deliverables per milestone
  - Success metrics
  - Technical dependencies
- **Gap**: None - detailed timeline exists

**Files**:
- `concept/28_project_roadmap.md` - 18-month detailed roadmap
- `concept/24_prototype_roadmap.md` - High-level phases
- `concept/monetisation/implementation-roadmap.md` - Business implementation timeline

**Action Needed**: Optional - Create Gantt chart visualization for funding applications (helpful but not critical)

---

### 7. ✅ Innovation Documentation (100% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **EXTENSIVE** - Well documented
- **Location**: Multiple technical files
- **Details**:
  - Graph-based matching engine innovation
  - Multi-resource matching algorithm
  - Hybrid Neo4j + PostGIS architecture
  - Technical novelty clearly described
  - Technology readiness level (TRL 5-8 mentioned)
- **Gap**: May need formal TRL assessment document (helpful but not critical)

**Files**:
- `concept/03_core_concept_resource-matching_engine.md` - Core innovation
- `concept/10_matching_engine_core_algorithm.md` - Algorithm details
- `concept/09_graph_database_design.md` - Technical innovation
- `concept/11_technical_architecture_implementation.md` - Implementation details

**Action Needed**: Optional - Create formal TRL (Technology Readiness Level) assessment document (currently TRL 5-8 range mentioned, specific assessment helpful but not critical)

---

### 8. ✅ Financial Projections (50% Required)
**Status**: ✅ **DETAILED** - Comprehensive financial model
- **Location**: `concept/monetisation/financial-projections.md`
- **Details**:
  - Year 1-3 revenue projections
  - Unit economics (LTV/CAC)
  - Cost structure
  - Profitability timeline
  - Cash flow projections
- **Gap**: None - comprehensive financial projections exist

**Files**:
- `concept/monetisation/financial-projections.md` - Complete financial model
- `concept/28_project_roadmap.md` - Budget breakdown

---

### 9. ✅ Environmental Impact Assessment (29% Required - for DBU, LIFE Programme)
**Status**: ✅ **COMPLETE** - Comprehensive environmental impact assessment created
- **Location**: `concept/impact/ENVIRONMENTAL_IMPACT_ASSESSMENT.md`
- **Coverage**:
  - ✅ **Quantified CO₂ emissions reduction**: 100,000 t CO₂ (Year 1) → 1,200,000 t CO₂ (Year 3)
  - ✅ **Waste reduction methodology**: 50,000 t → 600,000 t diverted from landfill
  - ✅ **Water conservation metrics**: 2.5 M m³ → 30 M m³ reused
  - ✅ **Sustainability KPIs**: Material circularity rate, waste diversion rate, resource efficiency index
  - ✅ **DBU #DBUcirconomy alignment**: Closing material loops, resource-efficient design, new circular business models
  - ✅ **EU Green Deal alignment**: 1.8M t CO₂ avoided (3-year cumulative), supporting 55% emissions reduction target
  - ✅ **Measurability plan**: Real-time tracking, monthly/quarterly reporting, annual assessments
  - ✅ **Verification framework**: GHG Protocol compliant, ISO 14064 aligned, CSRD ready

**Files Created**:
- `concept/impact/ENVIRONMENTAL_IMPACT_ASSESSMENT.md` - Comprehensive assessment (detailed methodology, calculations, projections)

**Action Needed**: ✅ **Complete** - Ready for funding applications (DBU, LIFE Programme)

---

## ⚠️ PARTIALLY DOCUMENTED - Needs Attention

### 10. ⚠️ Proof of Concept/Prototype (43% Required)
**Status**: ⚠️ **CONCEPTUAL** - Architecture defined, no working prototype
- **Location**: Technical architecture files
- **Existing Coverage**:
  - Detailed technical architecture
  - Schema definitions
  - Algorithm descriptions
  - Roadmap includes MVP plan
  - References to prototype in roadmap
- **Gap**:
  - ❌ **No working prototype exists yet** (planned for Month 1-3)
  - ❌ **No proof of concept results/demo**
  - ❌ **No test results/validation data**
  - ❌ **No demo video or screenshots**

**Where Mentioned**:
- `concept/28_project_roadmap.md` - MVP planned for Months 1-3
- `concept/24_prototype_roadmap.md` - Prototype phases
- Technical architecture extensively documented

**Action Needed**:
- Build MVP/prototype before funding applications (or emphasize strong technical foundation)
- Document proof of concept results
- Create demo video/screenshots
- Gather preliminary test results
- **For early applications**: Emphasize strong technical foundation and detailed architecture

**Priority**: 🟡 **HIGH** - Strengthens all applications significantly

---

## ❌ MISSING - Needs to be Created

### 11. ❌ Company Registration Documents (100% Required)
**Status**: ❌ **UNCLEAR** - Status unknown
- **Gap**:
  - ❌ **Company registration status unclear** (planned in Month 1 roadmap)
  - ❌ **No proof of Berlin location documented**
  - ❌ **No company registration certificate**
  - ❌ **No business registration number**

**Where Mentioned**:
- `concept/28_project_roadmap.md` - "Legal entity formation and seed documents" mentioned in Month 1
- `concept/00_introduction.md` - References Berlin-based company but no proof

**Action Needed**:
- Register company in Germany (if not done)
- Obtain company registration documents
- Document Berlin location/address
- Create `COMPANY_REGISTRATION.md` with all registration documents
- Place documents in `funding/applications/company_registration/` directory

**Note**: This is mentioned as Month 1 deliverable, so may be pending if company not yet formed.

**Priority**: 🔴 **CRITICAL** - Blocks all applications if missing

---

### 12. ❌ Partnership/Consortium Agreements (50% Required - for Horizon Europe, CBE JU)
**Status**: ❌ **NOT DOCUMENTED** - Partnerships mentioned but no agreements
- **Gap**:
  - ❌ **No consortium agreements documented** (needed for EU collaborative programs)
  - ❌ **No letters of intent from partners**
  - ❌ **No partnership agreements**
  - ❌ **No research partner agreements**

**Where Partnerships Mentioned**:
- `concept/28_project_roadmap.md` - Strategic partnerships planned
- `concept/monetisation/go-to-market.md` - Utility partnerships mentioned
- Various files mention municipal partnerships, facilitator marketplace

**Action Needed** (For EU collaborative programs only):
- Identify partners from different EU countries (if applying to Horizon Europe, CBE JU)
- Establish partnership agreements
- Get letters of support/intent
- Create `PARTNERSHIP_AGREEMENTS.md` document
- Place in `funding/applications/partnerships/` directory

**Note**: 
- **Not needed** for single SME programs (EIC Accelerator, ZIM, DBU, Berlin Innovative)
- **May be needed** for LIFE Programme if consortium required (check specific call requirements)

**Priority**: 🟡 **HIGH** (only if applying to collaborative programs like Horizon Europe, CBE JU)

---

## 📊 SUMMARY TABLE

| Requirement | Required By | Status | Gap Level | Priority |
|------------|------------|--------|-----------|----------|
| **Company Registration Documents** | 100% | ❌ Missing | **Critical** | **HIGH** |
| **Project Description** | 100% | ✅ Complete | None | - |
| **Budget Breakdown** | 100% | ✅ **Complete** | None | - |
| **CVs of Team Members** | 100% | ✅ **Complete** | None | - |
| **Innovation Documentation** | 100% | ✅ Extensive | Minor (TRL assessment) | Low |
| **Market Analysis** | 86% | ✅ Complete | None | - |
| **Business Plan** | 86% | ✅ Well documented | Minor (consolidate) | Low |
| **Project Timeline** | 86% | ✅ Detailed | Minor (Gantt chart) | Low |
| **Financial Projections** | 50% | ✅ Detailed | None | - |
| **Partnership Agreements** | 50% | ❌ Not documented | **High** (for EU collaborative) | **HIGH** (if EU collaborative) |
| **Proof of Concept** | 43% | ⚠️ Conceptual | **High** | **HIGH** |
| **Environmental Impact** | 29% | ✅ **Complete** | None | - |

---

## 🎯 ACTION PRIORITIES

### 🔴 CRITICAL (Must Prepare Before Applications)

1. **Company Registration Documents** (100% required)
   - ✅ Register company in Germany (if not done)
   - ✅ Obtain registration certificate
   - ✅ Document Berlin address
   - ✅ Create registration document folder: `funding/applications/company_registration/`
   - **Status**: ❌ **BLOCKING** - Blocks all applications if missing

### 🟡 HIGH PRIORITY (Strengthen Applications)

2. **Proof of Concept/Prototype** (43% required, but strengthens all applications)
   - Build MVP/prototype (or emphasize strong technical foundation)
   - Document proof of concept results
   - Create demo video/screenshots
   - Gather preliminary test results
   - **Status**: ⚠️ **Strengthens** - Not blocking but significantly strengthens applications

3. **Partnership Agreements** (Required only for EU collaborative programs)
   - Identify partners if applying to Horizon Europe, CBE JU
   - Get letters of support/intent
   - Establish partnership agreements
   - **Status**: ❌ **Not needed** for selected priority programs (EIC, ZIM, DBU are single SME programs)
   - **Note**: LIFE Programme may need partners - check specific call requirements

### 🟢 MEDIUM PRIORITY (Enhancement - Optional)

4. **Consolidated Business Plan** (Optional enhancement)
   - Create single 10-20 page business plan document
   - Pull from all monetisation documents
   - Format for funding applications
   - **Status**: ✅ **Optional** - Individual documents exist

5. **Gantt Chart** (Optional visualization)
   - Create visual Gantt chart of project timeline
   - Show dependencies and milestones
   - Useful for funding applications
   - **Status**: ✅ **Optional** - Timeline exists in text format

6. **TRL Assessment** (Optional formal document)
   - Create formal Technology Readiness Level assessment
   - Document current TRL (likely 5-7)
   - Show path to TRL 8-9
   - **Status**: ✅ **Optional** - TRL 5-8 mentioned in documentation

---

## 📝 CURRENT DOCUMENT STRUCTURE

### ✅ Completed Application Files

```
funding/
├── applications/
│   ├── budget/                           # ✅ Master budget files
│   │   ├── budget_by_category.csv
│   │   ├── budget_by_workpackage.csv
│   │   ├── budget_personnel_detailed.csv
│   │   ├── BUDGET_VARIANTS_BY_PROGRAM.md
│   │   ├── BUDGET_CALCULATION_SUMMARY.md
│   │   └── BUDGET_README.md
│   │
│   ├── team_cvs/                        # ✅ Team documents
│   │   ├── CV_Damir_Mukimov.md
│   │   ├── TEAM_EXPERTISE_SUMMARY.md
│   │   ├── CV_PREPARATION_CHECKLIST.md
│   │   └── CV_TEMPLATE_EU_FORMAT.md
│   │
│   └── company_registration/             # ❌ NEEDS CREATION
│       └── [Company registration documents]
│
├── eu/
│   ├── eic-accelerator/                 # ✅ Complete application
│   │   ├── budget/
│   │   │   ├── budget_breakdown.csv    # ✅ Created
│   │   │   └── budget_justification.md # ✅ Created
│   │   └── team/
│   │       └── team_cvs/
│   │           └── CV_Damir_Mukimov.md # ✅ Created
│   │
│   └── life-programme/                  # ✅ Complete application
│       ├── budget/
│       │   ├── budget_breakdown.csv    # ✅ Created
│       │   └── budget_justification.md  # ✅ Created
│       └── team/
│           └── team_cvs/
│               └── CV_Damir_Mukimov.md # ✅ Created
│
└── national/germany/
    ├── zim/                              # ✅ Complete application
    │   ├── budget/
    │   │   ├── budget_breakdown.csv    # ✅ Created
    │   │   └── budget_justification.md  # ✅ Created
    │   └── team/
    │       └── team_cvs/
    │           └── CV_Damir_Mukimov.md # ✅ Created
    │
    └── dbu-funding/                      # ✅ Complete application
        ├── budget/
        │   ├── budget_breakdown.csv    # ✅ Created
        │   └── budget_justification.md  # ✅ Created
        └── team/
            └── team_cvs/
                └── CV_Damir_Mukimov.md # ✅ Created
```

### ✅ Concept Documentation

```
concept/
├── impact/
│   └── ENVIRONMENTAL_IMPACT_ASSESSMENT.md  # ✅ Complete
├── monetisation/                           # ✅ Business plan documents
└── [Technical documentation files]         # ✅ Comprehensive
```

---

## 🚀 NEXT STEPS

### 1. **Immediate** (Week 1) - 🔴 CRITICAL

1. **Company Registration Documents**
   - Verify if company is already registered in Germany
   - If registered: Gather all registration documents
   - If not registered: Start registration process (may take 1-4 weeks)
   - Document Berlin address/proof of location
   - Create `funding/applications/company_registration/` directory
   - Place all registration documents there

### 2. **Short-term** (Week 2-3) - 🟡 HIGH PRIORITY

2. **Proof of Concept/Prototype** (if time permits)
   - Build minimal prototype/demo for proof of concept
   - Document proof of concept results
   - Create demo video/screenshots
   - **OR** Emphasize strong technical foundation and detailed architecture for early applications

### 3. **Before Applications** (Week 4+) - Preparation

3. **Final Review**
   - Review all program-specific documents
   - Ensure all budget files are formatted correctly
   - Verify CVs are complete and formatted properly
   - Format for specific funding program requirements
   - Submit applications

---

## 📈 READINESS STATUS BY PROGRAM

### EIC Accelerator
- ✅ Project Description: Complete
- ✅ Budget Breakdown: Complete (€1.815M)
- ✅ Budget Justification: Complete
- ✅ CVs: Complete
- ✅ Market Analysis: Complete
- ✅ Business Plan: Complete
- ✅ Innovation Documentation: Complete
- ❌ Company Registration: Missing (CRITICAL)
- ⚠️ Proof of Concept: Conceptual (strengthens application)

**Overall Readiness**: 🟡 **90%** - Ready except company registration

### ZIM (Germany)
- ✅ Project Description: Complete
- ✅ Budget Breakdown: Complete (€465k, 6 months)
- ✅ Budget Justification: Complete (R&D focus)
- ✅ CVs: Complete
- ✅ Market Analysis: Complete
- ✅ Business Plan: Complete
- ✅ Innovation Documentation: Complete (R&D component highlighted)
- ❌ Company Registration: Missing (CRITICAL)
- ⚠️ Proof of Concept: Conceptual (strengthens application)

**Overall Readiness**: 🟡 **90%** - Ready except company registration

### DBU Environmental (Germany)
- ✅ Project Description: Complete
- ✅ Budget Breakdown: Complete (€152.5k, 3-6 months)
- ✅ Budget Justification: Complete (environmental focus)
- ✅ CVs: Complete
- ✅ Environmental Impact Assessment: Complete
- ✅ Market Analysis: Complete
- ✅ Business Plan: Complete
- ✅ Innovation Documentation: Complete
- ❌ Company Registration: Missing (CRITICAL)
- ⚠️ Proof of Concept: Conceptual (strengthens application)

**Overall Readiness**: 🟡 **90%** - Ready except company registration

### LIFE Programme SNaP
- ✅ Project Description: Complete
- ✅ Budget Breakdown: Complete (€1.815M, 18 months)
- ✅ Budget Justification: Complete (environmental focus, SNaP alignment)
- ✅ CVs: Complete
- ✅ Environmental Impact Assessment: Complete
- ✅ Market Analysis: Complete
- ✅ Business Plan: Complete
- ✅ Innovation Documentation: Complete
- ❌ Company Registration: Missing (CRITICAL)
- ⚠️ Proof of Concept: Conceptual (strengthens application)
- ⚠️ Partnership Agreements: May be needed (check specific call requirements)

**Overall Readiness**: 🟡 **85%** - Ready except company registration (partnerships TBD)

---

## 📝 SUMMARY

### ✅ **COMPLETE** (9/12 requirements)
1. Project Description ✅
2. Budget Breakdown ✅
3. CVs of Team Members ✅
4. Market Analysis ✅
5. Business Plan ✅
6. Project Timeline ✅
7. Innovation Documentation ✅
8. Financial Projections ✅
9. Environmental Impact Assessment ✅

### ⚠️ **NEEDS ATTENTION** (2/12 requirements)
10. Proof of Concept/Prototype ⚠️ (conceptual, strengthens applications)
11. Partnership Agreements ⚠️ (only if needed for collaborative programs)

### ❌ **MISSING** (1/12 requirements)
12. Company Registration Documents ❌ (CRITICAL - blocks all applications)

---

*This analysis was conducted on November 2025, comparing funding requirements from `APPLICATION_REQUIREMENTS_REPORT.md` against existing project documentation. Most application documents are now complete and ready for funding applications.*