Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Net Zero is an AI-Powered Environmental Waste Management Solution which leverages Drone technology and AI capabilities such as predictive analytics, optimization algorithms and IoT sensors to enhance waste detection, segregation, collection and recycling.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Net Zero is an AI-Powered Environmental Waste Management Solution which leverages Drone technology and AI capabilities such as predictive analytics, optimization algorithms, and IoT sensors to enhance waste detection, monitoring, segregation, collection, and recycling for environmental sustainability. It uses smart sensors installed in community waste bins to enable real-time waste detection, and volume monitoring to enhance dynamic response to waste accumulation and prevention of overflow. It also deploys AI-powered waste sorting systems to automatically segregate recyclables from non-recyclables, which shall reduce landfill waste and improve recycling rates. It uses predictive collection scheduling algorithms to analyze waste generation patterns and optimize collection schedules, ensuring timely drone waste pickups and delivery to recycling plants, and deploys an AI powered Chabot to educate communities on waste management best practices and ensure inclusive management.

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

Underserved communities including low-income neighborhoods, rural areas, and marginalized populations, often lack access to efficient waste collection services, recycling facilities, and proper disposal infrastructure as a result of technological infrastructure deficiencies, financial constraints, conflicting priorities, limited technical expertise, language barrier and cultural differences among others. This impedes awareness creation, effective communication and collaboration between technology service providers, waste management agencies, and community members, thereby hindering the adoption of drone and AI-driven waste management systems that often rely on real-time data collection, analytics, and IoT sensors for optimal performance. This ends up being detrimental to socioeconomic equity, exacerbating environmental pollution, increasing the risk of health hazards, and contributing to the proliferation of illegal dumping sites.

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

The benefits of Net Zero are multi-faceted, including its ability to leverage Artificial Intelligence and Drone technologies to revolutionize waste management in underserved communities by enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in waste detection, monitoring, segregation, collection and recycling processes, reducing operational costs through optimized routing and resource allocation. The Net Zero Chatbot will promote data driven decision making by providing actionable insights through data analytics, community engagement in decision making processes, and awareness creation regarding sustainable waste management practices. Net Zero will improve waste segregation and recycling rates which will facilitate a reduction in environmental pollution and health risks associated with improper waste disposal. Its implementation will result in a significant reduction in waste sent to landfills through enhanced operational efficiencies, reducing the environmental footprint of waste collection.

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

Net Zero’s targeted beneficiaries are municipalities and Local Governments who will be facilitated with tools and knowledge to efficiently manage waste collection and recycling programs, optimizing resources and improving service delivery; Private Waste Management Companies who will enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction by optimizing Net Zeros collection routes and schedules; Industrial facilities and commercial complexes who will be aided in effective waste management, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and maximizing recycling efforts; and Environmental organizations that Net Zero will partner with to support conservation efforts by providing data-driven insights into waste patterns and environmental impacts, enabling targeted interventions and advocacy.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-01

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.)

Sheilla Ayot Nyeko is a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science graduate and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Information Systems at Makerere University. She has worked with Government, Non-Governmental and Private Sector players, enabling her experience to traverse across areas of research, planetary health and sustainability, big data analysis, information systems, project planning and management, IT applications functionality, enterprise resource planning, climate change, strategic communication and branding, to mention but a few. Sheilla is a great team player, dynamic, focused and ably completes tasks independently. Additionally, she is able to deliver qualitatively on assignments even under pressure. With the global climate crisis escalating over the years, she ardently feels the need to use technology to raise awareness and enable climate change adaptation and mitigation practices while positively contributing to social and economic development.

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

https://x.com/sheillaayot?lang=en

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

It will employ members of the community hence providing a source of livelihood

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Proper waste management reduces pollution and promotes good health and wellbeing.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Educating the masses on climate change and its impact.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Eliminating pollutants.

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

Employment opportunities

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

2

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

AI and Climate change innovation

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Combating climate change

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

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

3

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

4

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

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

None

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

Yes, through this initiative, I will be able to enhance the following areas: Education and Training Programs: Develop workshops, courses, and mentorship programs specifically tailored to female entrepreneurs interested in AI and waste management. These programs could cover technical skills, business development, and leadership; Networking Events: Organize networking events, conferences, or webinars where female entrepreneurs can connect with industry experts, potential collaborators, and investors in the AI and waste management sectors; Funding Opportunities: Create funding initiatives or grants specifically targeted at female-led startups or projects focused on AI-powered solutions for waste management. Provide support in navigating funding processes and accessing capital; Visibility and Recognition: Showcase successful female entrepreneurs and their innovations in AI-powered waste management through media features, awards, and speaking engagements.