Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Matrix Seedlings is a project that aims to provide a sustainable solution in the acquisition of quality seedlings for both agricultural exploits and/or forestry conservation measures.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The project seeks to establish a stable supply of seedlings for both agricultural exploits and forestry conservation aims; as required of by the region's market dynamics. We are a partnership entity located in the semi-arids of Kenya; Kiambu county in Thika-East. Our nursery manager is an undergraduate student of Business School at JKUAT, who works closely in liaison to the resident agronomist and relevant authorities that may concern to oversee the conduct of business. In the second year of our operations as at June 2024 our products catalog to the tune of 5,600 units is inclusive of; Pawpaws, Citrus fruits, Passion fruits, Sour Sop, Avocado, Acacia, Moringa, mango trees, Pomegranate, Silky Oak, Apples and Loquat. The project's recurrent expenditure mostly fall towards potting materials and seeds procurement alongside the potting labour that serves an income for the local community. With an operational BEP of KES100 for each unit, we seek to be competitive whilst being in business.

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

In line to COP-28 environmental conservative action; green coverage increment in particular, we aim to provide a sustainable model that caters for the provision of quality seedlings towards the effort. Being a one stop call solution for clientele satisfaction in respect to agricultural and/or forestry/environmental conservative goals is our core aim. In acknowledgement of the requisite for quality inputs to foresee successful tree planting exercises, our open communication lines link resident agronomists to equip clients with the technical necessities in the care and management of seedlings. A keen analysis of the market's feed back on our products helps us make informed decisions that impact both our beneficiaries and the business positively.

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

1. Quality Assurance - strict adherence to quality control measures at every step in the production of seedlings ensures our clientele are provided with the best that the industry offers. 2. Cost effectiveness- we offer competitive prices Vis a Vis market dynamics for our products making us an economical solution for our clients. 3. After Sale Support - our sales effort offers guidance on care and maintenance of procured seedlings.

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

A major of the clientele of the project is inclusive of local and regional farmers seeking to initiate fruit farming practices. Alongside working in liaison to non-governmental environment conservative groups, the project also caters the governmental effort in the wholesome approach by providing forestry trees seedlings; both native and non-native. Secondary vendors who seek to resell our products inclusive of landscapers are our fourth tier clients.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

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.)

The project's liaison agronomist is a partner at the start up. He is a managing director at the Swani Coffee Farm that also specializes in the production of avocados, fruits and horticultural products.

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

https://www.facebook.com/mungaimwangiw?mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Matrix Seedlings is a project that is a source of employment for a nursery manager, consultant agronomist. It impacts the community positively in regard to its economics by being a source of income for casual labourers who are required of; for the running of it's propagative operations.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

The start up seeks to establish sustainability in the provision of seedlings for agricultural exploits of farmers in the region and beyond.

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

The ripple effect of the availability of fruits for the community leads to a healthy living. In addition, the start up includes some but to mention; sour sop seedlings, whose products are medicinal both at a local traditional level and scientific.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Our open lines of communication with our beneficiaries in regard to management of seedlings, ensures inclusivity of all persons. The agronomist follows up on the progress of planted trees whilst offering the technical knowledge required of to acquire maximum outputs for each unit of seedling planted.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Majority of the project's casual labourers are women and youth from the community in which it is situated. Beside being a learning platform for them, the start up offers a mode of income.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Being a fact that the start up is situated in a semi arid area, water does pose a scarce input. The ripple effect of introducing forestry conservation measures by offering a solution to seedlings acquisition however does seek to rectify the situation.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

The start up utilises an electric power pump whose energy source is sustainable and affordable.

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

Matrix Seedlings is a source of employment for a nursery manager, consultant agronomist and a source of income for casual labourers when required of; for the running of it's propagative operations.

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

The start up recognises the current need for equating e-commerce in the agricultural space and employs said channels in the conduct of businesses.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

By offering a sustainable model of provision of seedlings. Our competitive prices and integration of the wholesome effort to the community ensures persons can provide for themselves economically.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

The start up maintains a zero tolerance policy on waste from the project. This is alongside being conscious of quality inputs that effect on the smooth flow of operations.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The start up basis is on the COP-28 Climate action as it seeks to provide a sustainable stable supply of seedlings to the region and beyond. The seedlings both for agricultural exploits means or forestry and/or otherwise, aim at increasing green coverage for the planet.

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

The start up utilises a well as it's main water source for the propagation of seedlings.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

The start up ensures that potting bags procured with the intent for propagating seedlings are bio-degradable.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

The start up maintains a clear record of operations for auditory purposes both at an external and internal level.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

The start up core value is quality products for our clientele having established regional nurseries tend to offers substandard seedlings. With a strict adherence to total quality management in our production process, we aim to be a one stop call solution for trees seedlings.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

The start up core value is quality products for our clientele having established regional nurseries tend to offers substandard seedlings. With a strict adherence to total quality management in our production process, we aim to be a one stop call solution for trees seedlings.

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

Yes. Matrix Seedlings nursery offers a learning platform for all in interest to pursue our portfolio.