Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Radishare Kenya Project is centered on innovation to empower small business owners. Via WhatsApp and AI it avails free courses informed by beneficiaries e.g. financial literacy. Radishare links registered beneficiaries to partners who accelerate growth.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Radishare Kenya, launched in late 2023, targets Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with educational content on financial literacy, digital marketing among others informed by target beneficiary. Utilizing platforms like WhatsApp, web-based and AI integration, Radishare leverages widespread mobile connectivity in Kenya, particularly with 47.3% using WhatsApp. Radishare recognizes the opportunity to continually empower MSMEs for accelerated growth especially women-owned who face unique hindrances. Partnering with Looku Hub, Radishare offers free courses like Financial Management for a Small Business, enhancing accessibility. Key features include AI for interactive learning, user-friendly navigators, and marketing via posters and social media. A PowerBI dashboard tracks course metrics for performance evaluation. Radishare also supports Looku Hub's branding and will expand with Jani AI Kenya, focusing on climate change through a social media campaign in July 2024.

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

MSMEs play a vital role in the economic and social development of emerging markets by generating incomes and creating employment opportunities. However, in order to remain meaningful contributors to their countries’ economies, MSMEs must continuously equip their staff with high-quality job skills, which requires a considerable investment in human capital. The Radishare Kenya Project aims to support MSMEs by addressing key challenges identified through literature review and evaluation from the current course sponsored by Looku Hub. These challenges include financial literacy gaps, digital marketing skills deficits, limited access to educational resources, and the need for operational efficiency. Radishare provides solutions such as financial management education, digital marketing skill enhancement, and accessible learning via platforms like WhatsApp. It also focuses on the use of PowerBI dashboards for performance tracking and facilitate informed decision making.

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

Radishare builds the capacity of MSMEs by leveraging user-friendly and familiar platforms like WhatsApp and web-based courses. This approach ensures that educational content is accessible, and intuitive thus facilitating effective learning and skill development. These platforms low-cost making it highly affordable for users, enabling widespread access to educational content. Radishare provides partners with robust marketing options to promote their products and offers. This dual approach not only amplifies the visibility and reach of their marketing campaigns but also empowers users by offering free educational content, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem. Radishare allows users to learn at their own pace and convenience, providing a flexible and personalized learning experience Enrichment of the learning experience with an AI feature that expands content based on users' questions, ensuring comprehensive understanding through personalized exploration.

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

The Radishare platform aims to serve corporate and individuals in its vision and mission. The following is a further breakdown of the target beneficiaries: MSMEs Corporates, and Brands Educational Institutions, Individual Professionals across Kenya and Africa. Each group stands to gain unique advantages tailored to their specific needs and challenges. For MSMEs, Radishare offers solutions to enhance financial literacy, digital marketing skills, and operational efficiency, crucial for their growth and sustainability. Corporates and brands benefit from innovative strategies to expand market reach and optimize operations. Educational institutions find accessible, technology-driven educational resources that support learning outcomes. Individual professionals gain access to skill development opportunities that bolster their career growth in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

5

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.)

1. MacAntony Munyae is a leader in Project Management and E-Learning. He's driven innovations in training via WhatsApp and led social media campaigns in programs funded by DFID etc. He supports Radishare as the CEO. 2. Patrick Okabinin, a seasoned Finance expert, excels in strategy development, budgeting and risk management. His expertise drives organizational success. He is currently the CFO at Radishare Kenya. 3. Francis is an experienced software engineer, with skills in coding & problem-solving. He enhances organizational success through tailored software solutions. He supports Radishare as Lead Systems Developer. 4. Rita Kogi is a software developer passionate in crafting innovative solutions that address real-world challenges. She channels her skills in supporting Radishare as a Software Developer 5. Harmon Momanyi is an experienced quantitative and qualitative researcher, M&E expert, skilled in STATA, SPSS, NVIVO, Power BI and Dedoose. He is the Director Research & Learning.

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadishareKenya?mibextid=ZbWKwL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radishare?igsh=cXo2N2UydTgwYmpn X: https://x.com/radishare?t=Fa7j8oJ1D5K-y_dv1LQJnQ&s=09 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/radishare-kenya/

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

SDG 1- No Poverty aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. The following are the Targets in line with and how Radishare contributes: 1)By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day By enhancing financial management skills, Radishare helps MSMEs make informed decisions, optimize resources, and sustain their businesses. This leads to increased incomes and economic stability, helping lift individuals out of extreme poverty. The use of widely available technologies like WhatsApp and web-based platforms democratizes access to valuable knowledge and skills. This accessibility helps MSMEs overcome barriers to learning, thereby enhancing their capabilities and competitiveness, which can lead to economic empowerment and poverty reduction.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

SDG 4 - Quality Education aims to Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The following are the Targets in line with and how Radishare contributes: 1) By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy Radishare offers free courses on financial literacy, making essential knowledge accessible to a wide range of learners, including MSME owners and their employees who may not have had formal access to such education. This accessibility ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds and economic statuses can benefit from learning about financial management, budgeting, and planning.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

SDG 5: Gender Equality aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The following are the Targets in line with and how Radishare contributes: 1)Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women The use of ICT platforms by Radishare ensures that educational resources are easily accessible to women, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status. This accessibility reduces traditional barriers to education and skill development, enabling more women to acquire the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in their careers or businesses. These skills are crucial for enhancing economic empowerment among women entrepreneurs and business owners, ultimately contributing to their social and economic independence.

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

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

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

SDG 8 aims to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth for all. The following are the Targets in line with and how Radishare contributes: 1) By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training 2) Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all Radishare addresses the challenge of youth unemployment by providing training and educational opportunities that improve employability. By reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), Radishare contributes to creating a skilled and adaptable workforce that supports sustainable economic growth. Radishare aims to collaborate with local businesses, banking & educational institutions. These partnerships strengthen the impact of Radishare’s initiatives by leveraging local expertise, resources, and networks to support MSMEs and promote economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

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

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

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.

5

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.

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

One of Radishare Kenya’s Project core values is Innovations and the team continues to aspire to build an improved system to capacity build target audiences. With the high penetration of the internet, usage of Smart/feature phones and utilization of WhatApp in Kenya, Radishare becomes easily understood and user friendly to the target audience. Radishare has introduced the use of AI through WhatsApp learning thus creating a whole new dimension of enabling users with endless content as compared to only tailored content. In the past, online/mobile learning has been through web-based courses, USSD and Short code SMS, however these systems where; costly to establish and use by users, inconvenient due to the use of laptops (PCs), fixed study times in some courses, and poor user experience assistance. Radishare through meaningful partnerships, is able to create a positive environment and affordable systems for learning.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Digital and AI new eras accelerated and have influenced the way people live, entertain, and learn. WhatsApp, web-based courses, teams, google meet, zoom etc, ventured into relaying education in a faster, effective and physically distant way. Radishare Kenya project utilizes the following unique competitive components. User Experience approach i) Precise and straight forward content ii) AI integrated feature for unlimited personalized exploration. iii) Keyword navigators and content triggers i.e Hi (start course), Menu, Progress, Certificate, Help iv) Auto download certificate option v) Course evaluation for feedback vi) User suggestion for next course topic at end of evaluation. Marketing approach i) Development of posters on the sponsoring Partner then placement on the platform and social media ii) Development of Partner marketing posters for advertising products & services on the platform. iii) Availing performance metric dashboard

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

Radishare Kenya Project aspires to support female entrepreneurs in the country especially with the significant rise of their role in owning or being employed by new MSMEs. Radishare builds the capacity of MSMEs without bias due to its inclusive platforms which do not discriminate due to gender or financial capability. The training available on whatsapp and website remains open to all MSMEs and free of charge. In Radishare partnership with Looku Hub, whose majority of the online shop owners are women, proves to be a meaningful venture which positively impacts the growth of businesses owned by women. In the future Radishare vision is to establish a pool of women-led MSMEs and avail capacity building opportunities as well as linkage to partnerships & financial services.