Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Heriwork means "Dignified Work". We provide a web platform to connect underprivileged college students to paid, off-campus opportunities like tutoring, data entry, event support etc, helping them to earn some income for upkeep and fees.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Heriwork is an impact-driven startup dedicated to connecting underprivileged college students with paid off-campus work opportunities. Our web platform allows students to find ad-hoc but dignified and fulfilling work-study jobs and internships. By partnering with corporate and individual impact employers to paid tasks, we help students earn the income they need for their education and living expenses. Key milestones include securing a partnership with Strathmore University and onboarding 110 students from the Financial Aid Office. We have expressions of interest from 45 industry partners and are actively training students to prepare them for these roles. Our platform not only provides job opportunities but also offers skill-building resources, ensuring that students are well-equipped for their future careers. The benefits are tangible: students gain financial independence, employers access a pool of motivated talent, and the overall educational experience is enriched.

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

The Heriwork aims to address the scarcity of on-campus work-study opportunities for financially disadvantaged students by connecting them with impact employers offering off-campus paid tasks and internships. This initiative targets students who need additional income to support their education and living expenses, as well as socially responsible employers seeking to make a positive impact. In regions developing countries like Kenya where Heriwork is based, many students face significant financial challenges that impede their academic success. Traditional on-campus roles are insufficient to meet the diverse financial needs of students, leaving many without necessary support. Heriwork fills this gap by providing a broader range of paid opportunities, alleviating financial burdens and allowing students to focus on their studies.

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

Heriwork is a transformative platform designed to empower underprivileged college students by providing access to paid off-campus work-study and internship opportunities. Through our web-based service, students can earn income to support their academic journey while gaining valuable real-world experience. We partner with impact employers who prioritize social responsibility, offering students a diverse range of roles from event support to data entry. By facilitating these connections, Heriwork not only addresses financial challenges but also enhances students' skills and employability, paving the way for future career success.

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

Heriwork's primary beneficiaries are underprivileged college students seeking financial support to cover their educational expenses. These students often face challenges in accessing traditional on-campus work-study opportunities. By connecting them with paid off-campus work and internship roles through our platform, we aim to empower them financially and enhance their employability skills. Additionally, our service benefits impact employers who value social responsibility and seek meaningful ways to contribute to student empowerment and academic success. These employers provide the work opportunities that directly benefit the students enrolled on our platform.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-03-01

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.)

Anne Gitau MSc. IT, CMU-Africa, Class of 2019 Head of Growth - Kenyan _______ Edwin Mukhebi MSc. ECE, CMU-Africa, Class of 2020 Head of AI - Kenyan

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

https://heriwork.com

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

Heriwork contributes to the "No poverty" Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 1) by providing underprivileged college students with access to paid work opportunities. By facilitating off-campus work-study and internship placements, Heriwork enables students to earn income, thereby reducing their financial constraints and helping them cover their educational expenses. This economic empowerment directly addresses poverty by providing sustainable pathways for students to support themselves financially while pursuing their education, ultimately contributing to breaking the cycle of poverty within communities.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

Heriwork promoting economic stability among college students. By connecting them to paid work-study and internship opportunities, Heriwork helps students alleviate financial stressors, which can positively impact their mental and physical well-being. Access to income through meaningful work also enhances students' ability to afford healthcare services and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Thus, Heriwork supports SDG 3 by fostering economic empowerment that correlates with improved health outcomes and overall well-being for students.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Heriwork enhances access to quality education by offering paid work-study and internship opportunities that help students finance their educational expenses. This supports SDG 4's goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education by reducing financial barriers and enhancing students' learning experiences through practical work placements.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

This initiative ensures that both female and male youths access equal opportunity as they get jobs on the basis of their qualifications and without discrimination.

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

Heriwork contributes to decent work and economic growth by creating opportunities for meaningful employment and skills development among underprivileged students. By connecting students with paid work-study opportunities, Heriwork supports inclusive economic growth and fosters entrepreneurship within disadvantaged communities. Through capacity building and career readiness programs, Heriwork equips students with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in the job market and contribute to economic development.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Heriwork leverages innovative technology and digital infrastructure to connect students with employers, promoting industry innovation in workforce development. By enhancing digital literacy and access to digital platforms, Heriwork supports the development of robust infrastructure for inclusive economic growth. Through strategic partnerships with technology providers, Heriwork facilitates innovative solutions that address infrastructure gaps and promote sustainable development.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Heriwork reduces inequality by providing equal access to economic opportunities and skills development for underprivileged students. By addressing barriers to employment and education, Heriwork promotes social inclusion and reduces disparities based on socioeconomic status. Through advocacy and partnership initiatives, Heriwork aims to create a more equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to sustainable development.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

2

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

3

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

The approach we took introduces a new way of engaging students on work-study. Instead of the traditional on-campus roles, now we also include off-campus opportunities thereby extending the services and enhancing available workstudy jobs. It borrows from traditional freelance platforms that have millions of users, only that our platform has a niche market.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Heriwork excels by specializing in off-campus work-study opportunities tailored for financially disadvantaged students, unlike competitors focusing on generic platforms. It connects students with diverse paid tasks and internships, addressing their unique needs for income and skill development beyond traditional on-campus roles. Heriwork stands out further by partnering with impact employers dedicated to social impact, not just service provision. This niche approach attracts socially responsible organizations looking to make a meaningful difference in students' lives, fostering empowerment and academic success. This focus on impactful engagement distinguishes Heriwork in the marketplace, offering purpose-driven opportunities for employers to contribute while accessing high-quality services.

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

For example, I've been intentionally looking for female co-founders to join me.