Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

FixIt is the app connecting thousands of skilled artisans (plumbers, electricians etc.) with customers needing home services. It empowers artisans to earn more & simplifies finding reliable help for home services. FixIt is based on the sharing economy.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

In Cameroon, thousands of skilled artisans - plumbers, electricians, cleaners, handymen, and more - struggle to find consistent work. This keeps them underemployed and limits their earning potential. Meanwhile, many people find it difficult to locate reliable and available service providers for their homes. FixIt is a user-friendly mobile app that bridges this gap. Here's how it works: For Artisans: Find consistent work, manage schedules, get secure payments, and build a reputation. For Customers: Easily find vetted professionals, schedule appointments, get quotes, and pay securely. Our goal is to create a platform for skilled artisans to thrive, leading to increased income and economic activity within communities FixIt is more than just an app; it's a platform for empowering Cameroonians artisans and simplifying home services for everyone. It's a win-win for skilled professionals, busy families, and the local economy as a whole. We believe in the power of the sharing economy

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

The core challenge FixIt addresses is the limited earning potential for skilled artisans in cameroon. This is due to a lack of consistent work opportunities and potentially unfair traditional service arrangements. Imagine Awa, a talented plumber in Yaounde. She's highly skilled but relies on word-of-mouth referrals or finding customers through informal means. This often leads to: Unpredictable Work: AWA might go days or even weeks without a job, leading to financial insecurity. Limited Growth Opportunities: Awa lacks a platform to showcase her skills, build a reputation, and attract new clients. FixIt tackles this by connecting AWA directly with customers through a mobile app, creating a sharing economy that empowers artisans to earn more.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

For the customers : Reliability: Access a network of pre-approved professionals, ensuring peace of mind about service quality For Artisans : Greater earning potential : Capture a larger share of the service fee by bypassing middlemen in the traditional system For the Cameroonian economy: Formalizes the Informal Sector: Brings skilled artisans into a more formal economy, potentially increasing tax revenue and providing a clearer picture of the service sector's contribution to the economy

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Skilled Artisans (Serviceprenurs): This includes plumbers, electricians, cleaners, handymen, and anyone offering skilled home services. Customers: Anyone in Cameroon needing home services like maintenance, cleaning, or repairs.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-07-10

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

i have no partner

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: On-Demand Home Services

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By connecting skilled artisans with more work opportunities and allowing them to capture a larger share of the service fee, FixIt directly contributes to poverty reduction. This empowers them to generate a more stable income, improve their livelihoods, and support their families.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The platform is open to all skilled artisans, regardless of gender. Women with relevant skills can access work opportunities and build their businesses, contributing to greater economic participation.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth: Increased income for artisans translates to more spending power within communities, stimulating local economies.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

2

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

FixIt empowers skilled artisans, particularly those who may have been underemployed or underpaid in traditional systems. This can help narrow the income gap within Cameroon.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The platform connects artisans and customers, creating a mutually beneficial partnership. Additionally, FixIt can potentially collaborate with government agencies or NGOs to further empower artisans and promote sustainable development initiatives.

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

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

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

5

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

2

05.08 Justification

My project is unique and innovative because it will the first real, well-designed example of the power of sharing economy in the growth. The

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Klin Up Premier cleanins FixIt's Competitive Advantages: Convenience and Accessibility: FixIt provides a user-friendly mobile app for both artisans and customers, offering a more convenient and accessible way to connect compared to traditional methods. Vetted Professionals: FixIt can implement a system to verify artisans' qualifications and experience, offering customers peace of mind compared to relying on unknown referrals or informal networks. We offer three categories of services : - cleaning services - Handy man Services - Shopping and delivery services

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

no