Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

A community-driven platform leveraging technology to streamline waste collection in urban ghettos, creating jobs and promoting recycling.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

A community-driven waste management platform that connects neighbors in ghetto neighborhoods to collect and recycle household waste. Users can join the initiative, nominate ambassadors, and receive notifications when neighbors have specific waste types to collect. The platform consolidates waste and sells it to waste management companies, generating income for community members. By leveraging various technology and communication channels ie SMS, Whatsapp, USSD, emails etc, WasteConnect promotes sustainable waste management, creates jobs, and empowers communities to take control of their environmental impact.

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

The main problem being solved is the lack of a streamlined system for household waste management and collection in ghetto neighborhoods, leading to littering and environmental degradation. More so, in managing the waste collection, the community driven initiative will enable participants get access to self employmeny and generating income when they sell some of the reusable household wastes to waste management companies.

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

The major benefits and advantages of using WasteConnect's platform include: 1. Improved Waste Management: WasteConnect's platform helps to streamline waste collection and management, ensuring that waste is properly sorted, processed, and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. 2. Increased Efficiency: By leveraging technology and communication, WasteConnect's platform reduces the time and effort required for waste collection and management, allowing for more efficient use of resources. 3. Job Creation: WasteConnect's platform creates job opportunities for community members, providing a source of income and empowering them to take control of their environmental impact. 4. Sustainability: WasteConnect's platform promotes sustainability by reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and minimizing the environmental impact of waste disposal.

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

The startup's product/service, WasteConnect, is aimed at serving individuals and families living in ghetto neighborhoods who are in need of a streamlined system for household waste management and collection. The targeted beneficiaries include: 1. Low-income families: WasteConnect aims to provide a convenient and affordable solution for low-income families who struggle to manage their household waste effectively. 2. Senior citizens: Elderly individuals who may have difficulty collecting and disposing of waste due to physical limitations or lack of mobility can benefit from WasteConnect's services. 3. People with disabilities: Individuals with disabilities who face challenges in managing their waste due to physical or cognitive impairments can rely on WasteConnect for assistance. 4. Busy professionals: Working professionals who have limited time to manage their household waste can use WasteConnect's services to simplify their lives.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-08-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

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

The startup co-owner is a greater community mobilizer with skills in community management, digital spaces management, business development and human interactions

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

https://infopromo.digital/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Through the community driven waste collection and management mobilizing efforts, partcicipants get to have a knowledge of various waste collection opportunities and in that they can in turn sell the reusable waste to waste management companies and generate revenue.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

We are not directly involved in zero hunger since there is no a direct corelation between our waste management efforts to sustainable agriculture but improvement of our neighbourhoods

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

Through the waste collection and management efforts, the neighbourhoods will be void of littering and be clean and free of dumpings which may pose as a potential health risks and promote well being.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Through sensitization of the community driven waste management efforts, we will also be sensitizing participants on the various waste management tips, hazards, and various knowledge touch points in turn impact their knowledge on waste collection

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

This initialive doesnt discriminate as its open to all genders. Female are highly encouraged to apply as community participants since the even poses adequate knowledge of handling other personal effects wastes such as sanitary towels disposal.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Sanitation is fully realised since through waste collection, water thats used in the neighbourhood stays contamination free since the waste collection is handled in an efficiant way making the neighbourhood clean.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Through the collection of the reusable waste, solme of the waste can be converted into biodegrable fuels that can be used to make clean energy.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Through the community driven approach of waste collection, the participants get to generate income when they submit the waste to waste collection companies, also some wastes can be used to create other products that can be reused in the neighbourhoods; therby creating work through the sale of these products and enhance economic growth even to a personal growth.

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 startup's innovative approach to waste management and collection can be seen as a strong example of industry innovation and infrastructure development. By providing a streamlined system for household waste management and collection, the startup is promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste in urban areas.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

The startup's focus on providing a streamlined waste management system for low-income families and individuals can help reduce inequalities by providing equal access to essential services. This aligns with the goal of promoting sustainable development and reducing social and economic inequalities.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

The startup's efforts to promote sustainable waste management practices and reduce waste in urban areas align with the goal of creating sustainable cities and communities. By reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices, the startup is contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

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 startup's approach to reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption patterns aligns with the goal of promoting responsible consumption and production. By reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices, the startup is helping to reduce the environmental impact of human activities.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The startup's efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices can contribute to climate action by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices, the startup is helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

The startup's focus on waste management and reduction does not directly address the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. However, its efforts to reduce pollution and promote sustainable practices can indirectly contribute to this goal.

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 startup's focus on reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices can contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, including land and water. By reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices, the startup is helping to preserve the natural environment and promote sustainable development.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

The startup's collaborative approach to waste management and reduction, involving community members, volunteers, and local organizations, aligns with the goal of promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. By working together with community members and local organizations, the startup is promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility for waste management and reduction, and is helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

The startup's collaborative approach to waste management and reduction, involving community members, volunteers, and local organizations, aligns with the goal of promoting partnerships for sustainable development. By working together with community members and local organizations, the startup is promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility for waste management and reduction.

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

4

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

6

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.

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.

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

The startup is an improvement of how waste management has been done previously. Its a revolutionalized way of combining technology and human resource to combat waste management as opposed to how its been done previously.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are the waste collection who majorly use collection tracks and have previously handled the waste management in the neighbourhoods in the past and dispose them in major dumping sites. We are coming with new idea to use people as 'green ambassadors' and connect them to different waste management companies who in turn exchange the waste for cash if the wastes are reusable.

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

Yes, by giving them an opportunity to collaboaret in my startup ventures