Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We wish to venture into the internet service provision business by offering hotspot services to residents within Nyanza region. Our main focus will be the low income earners, whereby we will endeavor to provide hotspots within the informal settlements.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

We wish to also venture into the hotspot business within Nyanza region. We have endeavored to come up with a solution that will enable even the low income earners residing in the informal dwellings enjoy reliable and affordable internet access, thereby connecting them to opportunities available in the world wide web. The hotspot service as described above will be subscription based offering various tariffs depending on the needs of the client. The service will be automatically managed by a billing software which will be integrated with our Mpesa Paybill number such that all access vouchers and connections will be automatically controlled by software making the system efficient and economical. Additionally as part of our marketing strategy, we plan on building the website/hotspot landing page in such a way that local businesses residing within our LAN can be able to advertise on our website

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

Rural areas face significant challenges in accessing reliable internet services due to the lack of traditional infrastructure such as cable or fiber optic networks. As a result, there is a substantial unmet demand for high-speed internet among rural residents and businesses especially in the Muhoroni area which currently as it stands there is no local internet service provider leaving a big deficit in the market for the service. Currently, within the proposed areas there is no service provider offering this type of hotspot service thus leaving Tarabdi Network Solutions as the sole monopoly in this sub sector thereby giving us an edge and head start.

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

Low income earners residing in the informal dwellings within our area of operation (rural ) will enjoy reliable and affordable internet access, thereby connecting them to opportunities available in the world wide web thereby linking the residents to new job opportunities available on the web. Additionally, we plan on building the website/hotspot landing page in such a way that local businesses residing within our LAN can be able to advertise on our website e.g. farmers can post their produce on the site thereby reaching the wider market, Also local schools within our area of operation will get internet access at a subsidized rate so as to enhance the quality of education delivered within the rural area. .

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

the main target market shall be the market areas around the town centers and the informal dwelling units located within the urban centers where the population is densely populated. We also plan to target the low income earners residing within the informal settlements with pocket friendly subscription vouchers as low as 0.15 dollars a day. Additionally the startup plans on offering its services to local businesses, local schools, hotels and restaurants situated within the locality whereby it will be situated

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-04-16

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.)

● Brian Mbatha - Founder and CEO: ● Brian is the visionary behind Taraji Networks. Brian as the CEO, his responsibilities include setting the strategic direction of the company, overseeing day-to-day operations, and driving growth initiatives. Abdullah Amin- Founder and Chief technical officer; ● Abdullah is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the company's wireless infrastructure

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

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

i) Communication services (telecommunications, media, interactive services)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Internet access opens up opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Individuals can access online job portals, skill development courses, and freelance work, which can significantly improve their income and economic status.

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

Access to health information and telemedicine services can improve health outcomes. Individuals can access important information about diseases, treatments, and preventive care, which is particularly vital in underserved areas.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Providing internet access enables students and lifelong learners to access a wealth of online educational resources, from basic schooling to advanced courses. This can lead to better educational outcomes and, consequently, higher earning potential.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Providing internet access to women and girls can empower them with information, educational resources, and employment opportunities. This helps in reducing gender inequalities and promoting gender equality.

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

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

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

Internet access opens up opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Individuals can access online job portals, skill development courses, and freelance work, which can significantly improve their income and economic status. By offering advertising space on your hotspot landing page, local businesses can reach a broader audience, potentially increasing their customer base and revenue. This supports local economic growth and job creation.

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

By providing reliable and affordable internet access in the Nyanza region, we are directly enhancing the digital infrastructure. This is particularly important in underserved areas where connectivity is limited. Internet access empowers individuals to learn new digital skills and innovate. Access to online courses, tutorials, and resources can foster a culture of innovation and creativity.

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 affordable internet access, we enable low-income earners to connect to the digital world. This reduces the digital divide and ensures that more people can benefit from online opportunities. Offering various tariffs tailored to different needs and budgets ensures that everyone, regardless of their economic status, can afford internet access. This inclusivity helps bridge the gap between different socioeconomic groups.

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

Offering affordable internet services ensures that all community members, regardless of their economic status, can access information, education, and digital services. This inclusivity is crucial for sustainable urban development.

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

Invest in energy-efficient routers, access points, and servers to minimize energy consumption. Using energy-efficient technology reduces our overall carbon footprint and operational costs.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

By providing reliable internet access, we enable remote work and e-learning, which can reduce the need for commuting and lower transportation-related emissions. Encourage digital transactions and communications to reduce the need for paper, contributing to less deforestation and waste.

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

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Partnerships for the Goals by fostering collaborations, engaging in multi-stakeholder partnerships, and leveraging shared resources to achieve greater impact. Here’s how your initiative addresses this goal:

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

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

3

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.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

significantly lower than the standard rates offered by traditional ISPs. Flexible Payment Options: The pay-as-you-go model allows users to choose tariffs based on their immediate financial situation and internet needs, providing greater flexibility compared to monthly subscription models.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Affordability: Tarabdi offers extremely competitive pricing, with flexible tariff options tailored to the financial capabilities of low-income users. Accessibility: By focusing on underserved rural and low-income urban areas, Tarabdi addresses a significant gap in the market. Ease of Use: The automated billing system integrated with Mpesa simplifies the payment process and makes internet access straightforward for users. Community Focus: Tarabdi’s community engagement strategies and support for local businesses through the advertising platform set it apart from competitors.

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