Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Umeme Sense is an innovative smart metering solution designed to revolutionize how industries monitor and manage their electricity consumption. Our device aims to provide detailed insights, improve efficiency, and contribute to sustainability efforts.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Umeme Sense is an innovative industrial smart metering solution embedded with the following features: 1. Real-time and Remote Monitoring - Industries are able to monitor the exact power consumption of each piece of equipment in the industry in real-time. They can also receive this data remotely via a web app 2. Load Scheduling and Load Shedding - Industries are able to predetermine the exact time when machinery should be supplied with power and when they should be cut off to reduce standby power consumption 3. Historical Data Monitoring and Feedback Mechanisms - Industries have access to historical data powered by AI from the facility and can use it to draw meaningful insights into its performance. 4.Carbon Emissions Tracking - Industries can keep track of the amount of power consumed by each equipment and thus deduce their carbon footprint. 5.Renewable Energy Integration - Historical data available makes it easier to incorporate renewable energy in the industries.

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

Our analysis shows that industries typically waste around 10-15% of their energy due to inefficient machinery, stand-by operations, and lack of detailed real-time monitoring. Energy inefficiencies not only result in high electricity bills at the end of the month but also increase the industry's carbon footprint. These inefficiencies often go unnoticed as industries lack proper monitoring devices to help capture and inform of various energy wastage areas. Additionally, most industries still rely fully on grid power and are struggling to incorporate renewable energy sources due to a lack of adequate and reliable data.

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

With Umeme Sense, energy wastage can be reduced, ultimately resulting in energy savings of approximately 20-30%. Umeme Sense offers the following benefits: 1. Energy Efficiency and reduced operational expenses 2. Cost Savings and enhanced profitability 3. Environmental Impact and competitive edge 4. Cutting edge Technology and data-driven decisions.

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

Umeme Sense largest users are Industries. Unlike domestic households, industries consume more power, have more equipment, and are often affected by tariff rates proving the need for more robust and accurate monitoring devices to help keep track of industrial power consumption.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-02-10

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

4

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

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

1. Mercy Runo - Software Engineering background. Currently plays the role of UI/UX designer for the startup. 2. Sylvia Maina - Background in Sales and Marketing, Electrical Engineering. Currently serves as Sales and Marketing expert. 3. Nickson Kiprotich - Background in Mechatronic Engineering, Currently serves as part of the technical team. 4. Moses Mwangi- Background in Mechatronic Engineering. Currently serves as part of the sales and marketing team.

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

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/umeme-sense/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

The startup serves as a source of employment to Kenyans and thus is a source of income reducing the number of Kenyans living below the poverty line.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

6

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

Umeme Sense reduces the industry's footprint as they are able to monitor their energy consumption per equipment. Ultimately, this results in a greener ecosystem thus contributing to good health and well being.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Umeme Sense has 3 out of its 5 founders as women thus empowers all over women and girls to pursue STEM Careers or entrepreneurship at large. Moreover, half of the total employees at Umeme Sense are women and we intend to maintain that figure as the company grows.

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

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

One of Umeme Sense features is that it aids with renewable energy integration at the industry level by providing meaningful insights on power consumption based on industry operation.

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

With scaled production of the smart metering devices, Umeme Sense will offer decent work for Kenyans and thus promote the economic growth of the country.

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

Umeme Sense promotes sustainable industrialization by ensuring that industries are using energy efficiently. Moreover, the meter makes use of emerging technologies like the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence thus fostering innovation.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Umeme Sense offers third world African countries a chance to start their own industrial growth led by Africans for Africans. It helps countries that suffered from colonization catch up with the rest of the world.

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

Umeme sense promotes sustainable cities, especially those will numerous industries that tend to consume a lot of energy from the national grid. By ensuring that industries only consume what is needed cities and communities are more sustainable.

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

Umeme Sense ensures that industries are optimizing their energy consumption by reducing energy wastage from inefficient machinery and standby operations.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Umeme Sense helps with the following actions that are geared towards combating climate change and its impacts 1. Integration of renewable energy in industries 2. Monitoring of carbon footprint 3. Ensuring efficient energy consumption

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

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Umeme Sense helps industries watch their carbon footprint thus promoting more sustainable life on land.

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

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

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.

3

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

6

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.

6

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

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Umeme sense is built on traditional meter capabilities but offers more with it's cutting edge technology. At the moment, most Kenyan industries are using the traditional meters offered by the utility company which barely provide any insights on energy efficiency and wastage. Umeme sense combines the traditional metering foundation and cutting-edge technologies to develop a solution that is unique to its users and offers much more benefits.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are other industry meters manufacturing companies al over the world. Umeme Sense stands out as it offers a comprehensive solution that combines the following features: 1. While most meters only measure general power consumption of the industry, Umeme Sense offers per equipment power consumption. 2. Unlike the other meters which only monitor power consumption, Umeme sense has features such as load shedding and scheduling which make industry operations more efficient. 3. Other meters have web apps but Umeme Sense beats them with the incorporation of AI and feedback mechanisms to notify them of any anomalies in the industry. 4. Umeme Sense provides insights on renewable energy integration.

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

I am the co-founder a community based organization that works towards empowering women and girls in the community to achieve financial freedom through various economic activities. I am also actively involved in humanitarian projects that are geared towards promoting women and children financially. Finally, I also perform community mentorship programs for highschool girls that encourage them to join STEM careers.