Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

IKNOWHER initiative is seeking to empower #GirlsInICT especially those from rural areas to become local #techInnovators while bridging the Gender Digital Divide among rural women. We train girls between the ages of 15 to 30 years old.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

As technology grows, their is need to engage in the digital economy especially among youths. However, ladies from marginalized and underserved communities are still experiencing gender digital divide. We are aim to identify, mentor and inspire #GirlsInICT to become self-sustainable and local #techInnovators while bridging the #GenderDigitalDivide among ladies in rural and marginalized communities. Ladies go through a 3-month training on ICT, Animation, Graphics design before they can be absorbed into business venture program in which they can own a small scale business to sustain herself. This program is anchored under Gonline Africa. Our aim is to impact 100 girls and teen mothers.

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

Unemployment and Reduced Gender Inequality

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

Our program provides an opportunity to ladies who could not make it to advanced traditional learning levels. We then prioritise on skills for job market. Our beneficiary get the best opportunity to engage in the digital economy and become job creators and innovators.

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

We are targeting young ladies between the ages of 15 to 30 years old and are coming from underserved communities in Kenya.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-05-15

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

3

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

Alphonce Odhiambo who is the founder is Telecommunications engineer by profession. Albert Migowa who is the program manager is an emotional intelligence expert by profession. Mary Martha is a mentor for girls in ICT

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

https://www.gonline.africa

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Community Based Organisation

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We are creating jobs for ladies to be able sustain their families.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Empowering girls who are the major breadwinners to become providers.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We are providing industry skills for employability

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We are giving ladies opportunities to participate in the gig economy. We reduce gender divide

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We are positioning our ladies to thrive in today's digital economy and workforce

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

We are shaping our ladies to become local #techInnovators

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We are giving ladies eqaul opportunities

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

We are seeking to partner and collaborate with other like-minded organizations and individuals to present these opportunities to our youths.

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

3

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.

5

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

4

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

We are positioning our locals to become local #techInnovators while bridging the Digital Divide.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

None

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

Yes. Through the IKNOHWER Initiative, I have supported 15 ladies from the marginalized and rural communities to become self-sustainable local tech entrepreneurs.