Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

ChromaLens: Revolutionizing art sales with AR and AI, bridging Ugandan talent with worldwide markets for sustainable growth.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

ChromaLens is an innovative AR and AI-powered mobile app that revolutionizes the way Ugandan artists connect with art enthusiasts globally. It allows users to virtually place art in their space before purchase, ensuring a perfect fit. The app's AI provides personalized art recommendations based on user preferences and color extraction technology. This not only enhances the buyer's experience but also gives artists a platform to reach broader markets, overcoming geographical and economic barriers, and fostering sustainable economic development through art.

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

ChromaLens is designed to overcome the barriers faced by Ugandan artists in accessing the global art market. It addresses the challenge of visualizing how artwork will look in a buyer’s personal space, a significant hurdle in art sales, especially as economic instability remains a top concern for art dealers worldwide.

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

Immersive Visualization: ChromaLens uses AR to enable buyers to see how art pieces would look in their own spaces, enhancing confidence in purchase decisions. Personalized Discovery: The app's AI analyzes user preferences and room aesthetics to recommend artwork, simplifying the search process and tailoring options to individual tastes. Global Reach for Artists: By providing a virtual platform, ChromaLens empowers Ugandan artists to showcase their work to an international audience, bypassing traditional market barriers and expanding their customer base.

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

ChromaLens primarily serves two groups: Ugandan artists seeking global exposure and art enthusiasts looking for unique pieces. Artists benefit from a platform that showcases their work to a wider audience, overcoming geographical limitations. Art buyers, on the other hand, gain access to a diverse range of artwork they might not encounter locally, along with tools to visualize how these pieces would enhance their personal spaces. This symbiotic relationship fosters cultural exchange and supports the livelihoods of artists in Uganda.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-06-14

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

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

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

Mayanja James: Graduate at Makerere University with a Bachelor Of Science in Computer Science. He is a Virtual Reality Developer at the Infectious Diseases Institute (African Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics). Nabirye Julian : Graduate at Makerere University with a Bachelor in information Systems and technology. She is currently an IT On Site Analyst at SLB.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mumbere-collins-347693241

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

ChromaLens contributes to the goal of No Poverty by providing Ugandan artists with a platform to sell their artwork to a global audience. This can significantly increase their income, helping to lift them and their communities out of poverty. By facilitating access to international markets, the app enables artists to earn a fair price for their work, supporting economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

While ChromaLens is not directly involved in food security, its impact on income generation for artists can indirectly contribute to Zero Hunger. By enabling artists to earn more through global sales, they have better means to purchase food and support their families, potentially reducing hunger issues within their communities.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

ChromaLens promotes good health and well-being by providing a stress-free, enjoyable art buying experience. The immersive AR visualization can also be therapeutic, offering a form of digital escapism that can enhance mental well-being.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

ChromaLens indirectly supports Quality Education by providing artists with a sustainable income, which can enable them and their families to access better educational resources. Additionally, the app itself can serve as an educational tool by exposing users to diverse cultures and art forms, promoting lifelong learning and appreciation for the arts.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

ChromaLens fosters gender equality by offering an equal opportunity platform for all artists, regardless of gender, to showcase and sell their work. It empowers women artists by providing them with visibility and access to a global market, which can contribute to their economic independence and recognition in the art world.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

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

ChromaLens directly contributes to Decent Work and Economic Growth by creating new opportunities for Ugandan artists to engage in fulfilling work and generate income through global art sales. The platform promotes sustainable economic growth by opening up international markets, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting the creative economy.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

ChromaLens embodies Industry Innovation and Infrastructure by leveraging cutting-edge AR and AI technologies to create a novel platform for art commerce. It fosters innovation in the creative industry and contributes to building digital infrastructure that supports sustainable industrialization in Uganda.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

ChromaLens aids in reducing inequalities by democratizing access to the global art market. It levels the playing field for Ugandan artists, allowing them to compete internationally regardless of their location or economic background, thus contributing to reduced income and opportunity disparities.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

ChromaLens supports Sustainable Cities and Communities by fostering a vibrant cultural ecosystem within cities. It encourages the integration of art into daily life, enhancing the social fabric of communities. Moreover, by promoting economic growth for artists, it contributes to urban resilience and inclusivity.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

ChromaLens encourages responsible consumption by allowing art buyers to make informed decisions through AR visualization, reducing the likelihood of returns and waste. It also promotes the production of art in a manner that respects the environment and cultural heritage, aligning with sustainable practices.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

ChromaLens fosters global partnerships by connecting Ugandan artists with international buyers and art communities. It serves as a bridge between diverse stakeholders, promoting collaboration and shared goals in the art industry, thus contributing to a stronger global partnership for sustainable development.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

6

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

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

3

05.08 Justification

ChromaLens is a pioneering service that integrates AR technology with e-commerce to revolutionize the art buying experience. It’s not just an improvement but a new paradigm, allowing users to visualize art in their space before purchase, which is a novel approach not widely available in the market.

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

Potential competitors could be traditional online art marketplaces, but ChromaLens stands out due to its AR feature that enhances customer experience and its AI-driven personalized art suggestions based on room colors, which are unique selling points that competitors do not offer.

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

Yes, ChromaLens is committed to promoting the role of female entrepreneurs by providing a platform that empowers women artists to showcase and sell their work, offering mentorship programs, and collaborating with organizations that support women in technology and the arts.