Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

There is a huge gap between rural and semi-urban retailers and the timely availability of products from the urban market. Existing businesses often overlook these potentially lucrative markets. At Hassab, we have made it our mission to bridge the gap.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Hassab Distributors Ltd specializes in the sales and distribution of fast-moving consumer goods, targeting rural and semi-urban retailers—a lucrative market often overlooked by competitors. By capitalizing on this niche, we ensure that retailers in these areas have timely access to products at reasonable prices. Our unwavering commitment has significantly improved the quality of life in these communities by enhancing product availability and affordability. To ensure seamless and reliable operations, our model includes a warehouse manager who oversees the staging and dispatching of all booked orders. We also employ a team of delivery agents who ensure goods are delivered to customers on time. Our sales force comprises sales representatives who physically visit customers at their premises. Orders are booked via an app, which reflects at the backend (warehouse) for processing. To boost our sales, we have a dedicated customer support team that engages with customers for order bookings.

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

We are solving the following problems in rural areas; Unavailability of Crucial Products: We ensure rural retailers have timely access to a wide range of products such as wheat flour, maize flour, rice, cooking oils, plastics, bottled water, milk products, sanitary ware, and more. Economic Imbalance Between Rural and Urban Markets: Through our reliable distribution channels, we ensure all rural markets are served promptly, fostering economic growth and empowerment of local retailers. We also offer credit services to our most frequent customers, significantly boosting their purchasing power over the past five months.

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

The primary advantages of utilizing our products include: Timely Availability: We are committed to ensuring the reliability of our supply chain, allowing rural retail customers to receive products promptly. Product Variety: Our extensive range of products has significantly enhanced the living standards of rural communities by providing easier access to diverse items. Competitive Pricing: Our market presence has enabled rural customers to access essential goods such as foodstuffs, painkillers, sanitary products, plastics, and bottled water at reasonable prices. Previously, these communities faced higher costs and significant inconveniences due to limited access, which adversely affected their quality of life. Since our entry into these markets, over 1,400 active customers have benefited from timely deliveries and fair pricing, reducing the exploitation by opportunistic businesspeople.

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

Our business targets rural and semi-urban retailers, addressing the significant disparity between them and their urban counterparts. Recognizing this niche, we decided to venture into it. The primary beneficiaries are the rural consumers who, thanks to our unwavering commitment to our mission, can now purchase a variety of products at affordable prices from the retailers.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-12-28

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

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.)

Abdi Hassan-CEO and founder- Creative, dynamic, and passionate sales leader with more than 5 years of experience with demonstrated skills and mastery in effective sales campaigns, developing strategic partnerships, and execution of high-level presentations. Marvels in the ever-changing, fast-paced micro and macro business environments. Unique ability to focus on details and handle situations and challenges with the end picture in mind. Versatile, careful product manager with proficiency in driving products and leading cross-functional teams that consistently meet key set deliverables. Develops and implements strategies that are guided by careful, intuitive customer needs analysis to drive product sales with a focus on end-user applications.

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?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Our commitment to providing a diverse range of goods at affordable prices in rural areas has created unique growth opportunities for local business owners. By extending credit facilities to retailers, we have enhanced their purchasing power. Consequently, many businesses have expanded their operations, resulting in increased employment opportunities for shop attendants.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Availability of wheat,maize,milk,sugar ,milk products among other products plays great role in food availability and improved nutrition in the rural areas.In future we plan to incorporate supply of seeds and fertilizers to the same market.

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

.Most of the products we distribute consist of consumables ranging from wheat,maize flour,bottled water,milk and milk products among very many others.This makes these igh mineral and vitamin yielding products easily accessible to rural dwellers. This has led to improved immunity and good health among the local consumers thus positively impacting the well-being of local consumers.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We supply stationery to shops and minimarts, along with providing essential foodstuffs to local schools. Our commitment to ensuring the accessibility of these critical products directly enhances the quality of education in rural areas.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We have 7 employees out which 3 are female gender. In our company we value gender equality and fair treatment.

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

We distribute bottled water and offer water purifying products, such as Water Guard and similar brands, designed to ensure continuous access to clean water. Our aim is to empower individuals to access clean water either through bottled options or by purifying water from wells, streams, or rivers.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We dont deal in energy provision but we do believe in the importance of affordable clean energy,it is part of our long term plan to partner with institutions that deals in safe energy saving products.

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

At our company, we prioritize the well-being of our workers. We ensure every individual, irrespective of gender, religious beliefs, or personal opinions, is treated with utmost respect and dignity. Additionally, we provide comprehensive training in financial literacy to empower our employees to effectively manage their finances, thereby enhancing their economic well-being.

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

We value innovation and infrastructure development as catalysts for success. To achieve this, we conduct weekly brainstorming sessions across departments to strategize on enhancing sales, distribution efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness. Additionally, we are actively upgrading our warehouse and logistical infrastructure to align with modern standards.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

At Hassab Distributors Ltd, we recognize that workplace inequality impedes company growth. We prioritize equality because we understand its profound benefits in fostering harmony and driving business growth. Regardless of tribe, race, religion, or gender, we treat everyone equally.

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

Our operations align with sustainable community goals. We ensure the whole community can access variety of products and at affordable rates at their convenience.

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

We sell products that are harmless to the people .Our activities directly influence responsible consumtion.We are however not involved in any production process.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

While certain products such as tissue papers are recyclable, contributing to environmental preservation, we are actively exploring eco-friendly solutions for our delivery fleet. Over the next 1-3 years, we aim to integrate eco-friendly mini vans to minimize carbon emissions from our transportation operations.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

While we are committed to advocating for marine life conservation, our geographical location in the semi-arid regions of Eastern Kenya limits our direct involvement in activities related to life below water.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

n.a

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

We believe our startup has all it takes too partake in the process of creating growth and sustainability in the rural areas

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.

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.

5

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

4

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

2

06.08 Justification for my startup

We believe that the services we are providing are an improvement of an already existing model except that we specialize in the rural market niche that are very lucrative.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main potential competitors include twiga foods,wasoko and a number of local distributors. What makes us different is the fact that we specialize in sales and distribution of fast moving consumer goods specifically to rural and semi-urban retailers unlike our competitors. We also do alot of community involvement in our operations and this has cemented growth and bond with the community. Additionally we provide a 2% credit fee to customers who purchase from us on a regular basis, something that our competitors don't give much attention to.

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