Zambia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Manja is a platform that connects people who want to outsource tasks to people with the skill and the talent to perform those tasks.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Users who are service providers, create accounts on the platform and create offers for services that they can offer to potential clients, alternatively clients can post services that they need help with and the service providers can bid to take on the requests.

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

High unemployment is a major challenge. Manja tackles this by creating a platform for graduates with skills and students to find flexible work and earn money.

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

1.This can ease financial burdens and potentially lead to future freelance careers, reducing overall unemployment rates. 2.Clients gain access to affordable talent, while students earn income and build skills. 3.Manja can generate income through transaction fees on completed tasks.

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

1.Unemployed graduates 2.Students 3.Freelancers looking to create awareness for their services/products

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-08-17

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

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.)

1.The founder(myself) has 6 plus years working in finance, before working in finance he was a self taught freelance website designer, website design is his side business 2.Second founder is a Computer networking engineer, with 10 plus years of experience.

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

https://www.manja.pro

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

j) Public services

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Manja can connect individuals with income-generating opportunities through freelance work and microtasks, allowing them to earn a living and escape poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

We can partner with NGOs or government initiatives to facilitate tasks related to food production, distribution, or meal preparation for those in need.

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

5

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

Manja can connect users with freelance tasks related to health and wellness, such as transcription for medical professionals, research assistance for health initiatives, or even online fitness coaching.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Manja can connect students with tutors, mentors, and project collaborators, promoting better learning outcomes and bridging the educational gap. Students from low-income backgrounds can also find freelance work to finance their studies.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

By providing a platform open to all genders and skillsets, Manja can promote equal access to work opportunities and empower women to participate in the gig economy.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Manja fosters entrepreneurship and innovation by creating a platform for freelancers and businesses to connect and offer services. This can contribute to economic growth and infrastructure development.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

While I mentioned this earlier in relation to economic growth, it's worth noting that Manja can directly contribute to innovation by creating a platform for skilled freelancers to offer services related to product development, design, and prototyping. This can help bridge the gap between ideas and real-world implementation.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Manja can connect students with tutors, mentors, and project collaborators, promoting better learning outcomes and bridging the educational gap. Students from low-income backgrounds can also find freelance work to finance their studies.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Manja can facilitate tasks related to urban planning, maintenance, or community development projects, promoting the creation of more sustainable and livable cities.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Manja can encourage the sharing economy by connecting people with resources and services they need instead of buying new. This can promote a more sustainable consumption model.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Tasks related to remote sustainability consulting, data analysis for environmental projects, or content creation for climate awareness campaigns can be facilitated through Manja.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Manja can promote peace and social justice by providing economic opportunities for all and fostering collaboration across backgrounds.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Manja can partner with NGOs, government bodies, and educational institutions to achieve the SDGs by connecting them with a skilled workforce and facilitating project-based collaborations.

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

5

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

4

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

4

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

5

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

5

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

5

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

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our platform is not necessary new, its an idea that we have seen work in other parts of the world of which we have created our own to address the challenges affecting which is unemployment and financial inclusion.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There are marketplace platforms in Zambia, but most focus on product based ecommerce, but we constantly on the look out on social media and the internet to find a direct competitor to our service.

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