Zambia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Project 'Up-Scale' is a vision for Ellipsis that centres around working with large organizations or minitries to offer our services on a larger scale to entrepreneurs and project leads that require help in creating direction for their endeavor.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Ellipsis is driven by the need to transform Zambian businesses and projects through robust Planning and most of all Execution. For start-up businesses, New Projects, SMEs and MSMEs etc , we plan and create structure for what their business, organization or project will look like. With timelines from 3 months to 2 years, Ellipsis works with them to ensure that what they envision in their mind is put on paper; and from paper executed in reality through simplified unique planning and strategy techniques. "Our goal is to create a platform where young or inexperienced Zambian entrepreneurs can have an equal chance to see their businesses flourish even if they don’t have the know how. Our aim is to be the go to for driven individuals, smes and projects all around Zambia." Focusing on 3 main areas; Business Structuring and Planning, Himan Resources, and Collaborations. This we believe creates a win formula for any business or project idea to flourish in Zambia.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Did you know that since the inception of the Youth Empowerment fund, the default rates have been upwards of 90%? With over 1,300 businesses registered since it was instated, these statistics reveal a HUGE gap. A knowledge gap. We believe that at the core, a new entrepreneurs needs more knowledge, mentorship, handhlding, planning and learning to start a business. Once this has been established, funds can be introduced into the picture as they have a clear picture of placement. Ellipsis was created to bridge this gap. By working directly with individuals, or through ministries such as the CEEC or organizations that directly impact entrepreneurs, we can be the go between to provide the adequate information, strategy, planning, organizing and support to entrepreneurs as they embark on a very important journey.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Human Resources: According to Law, it is mandatory that every company uses a registered Human Resources Practitioner to conduct any Human Resources work in their companies. By providing the basic HR needs for an entrepreneur, we eliminate the high cost of hiring a specific individual to do this. This drastically reduces their costs. Business Strategy: After understanding the needs of a specific entrepreneur or project, we provide a robust strategic plan that clearly lays out what they should do on a daily, weekly and monthly in order to achieve the goal or vision that they see for themselves. Working with them and guiding them through the process is a set up for success Collaborations: Many entrepreneurs have set it all up, but they need clients. Through our network, we link entrepreneurs to firms, organizations or individuals who can purchase products from them, market them or even boost their visibility. At the core, using us guarantees these diverse groups an edge for success.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our services are aimed at the following: The idea stage entrepreneur; The established SME who feels stuck and doesn't know their next steps; The project manager who is hands on but does not have the knowhow in planning and strategizing the success of their project. The Product creator who has not reached thw right customer yet. These are our ideal customers.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-01-24

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

N/A

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

www.linkedin.com/in/vera-ndumba-8909b86a

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

g) Financial services

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

I believe Ellipsis does not provide fish, rather we are teaching people to fish. (very cliche but true) At the heart of ending poverty is a successful entrepreneur. If the stage is well set for an entrepreneur to succeed, it's only a matter of time until everyone is earning a living and living above the poverty line.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

3

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

For businesses to work (especially in our Zambian setting), not everything will be learned in a classroom. Experience is a highly skillful teacher. And sometimes this experience does not have to be their own. Ellipsis hand holds the entrepreneur through the different stages of entrepreneurship so that the entrepreneur is better able to interpret and use to their best ability the drawbacks and wins that they experience. Because of experience and research, we offer sound strategies and advice to these diverse groups that when applied, yields valuable results.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Economic growth for Zambia can be exponentially achieved if every entrepreneur is armed with the required business thriving skills. With each driven entrepreneur achieving their business goals, Zambia as a whole is growing both economically and from an employment point of view. Each entrepreneur we work with in most cases wants to build a better life not only for themselves but for those around them. To be part of each and every success story through any of our services used is seen as a huge contribution for us.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

An idea is one thing. If Ellipsis can help an innovative individual bring their ideas to life through our business planning and execution techniques, further innovation is inevitable. When we help an idea stage entrepreneur, seeing them finally conceptualize their idea fully, think of more innovative ways to make it work and finally start to run their own firm is our main goal.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

With a huge fixation on the Female entrepreneur, our aim is to have specialised training for females to empower them in the art of Public Speaking and resilience through their entrepreneurship journey. Whether it is an acceptable topic or not, our culture insists on practices that in the long diminish a woman's confidence and ability to stand her ground. Through Ellipsis, providing a fighting chance for females (through sought after skills ike public speaking) will reduce inequalities faced in business and in the workplace as well.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

N/A

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

N/A

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

While the conventional way is to prepare a business plan and be on your way, we create an action plan for your business based on your vision, stregths, available time, goal period etc There is no 1 size fits all guide to founding a successful endeavor but by sitting with each entrepreneur we establish what works well for them and simplify it for them to follow through our step by step plans. This method is a twist on what conventional business planning and strategy currently looks like. The demographic that we have chosen for this business model is not conventionally ideal as it does not yield a high monetary benefit. The twist here is to work with various organizations or ministries that spearhead these causes and through them reach thousands of youth and change lives from an exponential angle.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Strategic Visions Limited MJ Consultants

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

I am currently engaging people within my network who have stages on which I can provide talks on Public Speaking and Personal confidence for women. I have provided 1 Masterclass with the Organizatio - BeRelevant Africa - current cohort. I provide talks at my local church as well. By the end of 2024, I would love to have reached at least 500 women in this area alone.