Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Hosty is a comprehensive platform that provides students with safe and affordable accommodation options. It's not just about the students, it also provides platforms to help custodians/hostel owners manage the hostels.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Hosty is poised to transform the student accommodation landscape in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and beyond. By addressing the critical need for safe, affordable, and convenient housing, Hosty not only improves students' living conditions but also contributes to their academic success and overall well-being. With a clear mission, strong values, and a robust growth strategy, Hosty is set to become a leader in the student accommodation market in East Africa. Hosty offers a comprehensive platform that connects students with quality hostels. By leveraging technology, Hosty simplifies the accommodation search process, ensuring a seamless experience for both students and hostel owners.

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

1. Limited Access to Information: Students often struggle to find comprehensive and reliable information about available hostels, including location, pricing, amenities, and safety. 2. Quality and Safety Concerns: Ensuring that accommodation meets certain quality and safety standards is a significant challenge. Students frequently end up in substandard or unsafe living conditions due to the absence of verified and trusted accommodation options. 3. Risk of Scams and Fraud: The process of finding accommodation can expose students to scams and fraudulent listings. 4. Inefficiency in the Booking Process: The traditional methods of finding and booking student accommodation are often time-consuming and inefficient. 5. Affordability Issues: Finding affordable accommodation that meets students' needs and budget constraints is a major challenge. 6. Lack of Reviews and Recommendations.

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

Comprehensive Listings. Hosty provides a centralized platform with detailed and verified listings of available hostels, including photos, descriptions, pricing, and amenities. This transparency helps students find suitable accommodation more easily. Verified Listings. Hosty ensures that all listings are verified for accuracy and reliability, reducing the risk of scams and fraud. This builds trust and confidence among students using the platform. Secure Booking Process. The platform offers a secure and efficient booking process, allowing students to reserve their accommodation online without the need for extensive paperwork or in-person visits. Quality Assurance. Hosty includes ratings and reviews from previous tenants, helping students make informed decisions based on the experiences of their peers. This encourages hostel owners to maintain high standards of quality and safety. Affordability Filters: Hosty allows students to filter accommodation options based on their budget.

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

1. Students. (International & Local students) International: They often have limited knowledge about local housing options and need a reliable platform to find suitable accommodation. Local: These students often face significant challenges in finding safe, affordable accommodation. 2. Accommodation Providers: Hosty provides hostel owners a platform to manage their students/rooms and financials. 3. Universities and Colleges: Educational institutions benefit indirectly as Hosty helps ensure that their students have access to safe and reliable accommodation. 4. Parents and Guardians: Hosty provides them with assurance that their children can find safe and affordable accommodation, reducing the stress and worry associated with housing their children in a new environment. 5. Local Communities: The presence of a well-organized student accommodation platform can enhance community stability.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-02-16

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

4

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

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

Zainab Idris: She is a UI/UX designer, and she contributes to the user interface, and also helps with doing more research and finding out the number of users that are facing issues in the industry so that we can try and solve. Samuel Sekinvu: He is a software developer that's well-motivated and have a strong mindset. Samuel has currently reached on the MVP phase of the product and we're trying to scale up as we speak. Abasifreke Edet: She is a content creator, virtual assistant, and studying a BA. in Pharmacy. She helps around with most of the project management, and plays a big role in the company

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/company/101378723/admin/feed/posts/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Hospitality

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By providing affordable and transparent accommodation options, Hosty helps students and their families save money that would otherwise be spent on overpriced housing and transport costs to search for hostels. Hosty would also provide job opportunities to students that are well-trusted by the hostel owners to manage their platforms. This also helps parents on the other hand and not worry about sending pocket money to them. The growth and operation of Hosty create direct employment opportunities within the company, including roles in technology, customer service, sales, and administration.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Stress Reduction: Finding reliable accommodation can be a significant source of stress for students. By simplifying and streamlining the process, Hosty helps reduce this stress, contributing to better mental health. Academic Focus: Stable and reliable accommodation allows students to concentrate on their studies without the distraction and stress of housing issues. Academic success is closely linked to mental well-being and future opportunities, which can impact long-term health outcomes Verified Listings: Hosty ensures that all accommodation listings are verified for safety and security. This reduces the risk of students living in unsafe or substandard housing conditions, which can have detrimental effects on their physical and mental health. Reduced Risk of Scams: By minimizing the risk of fraudulent listings, Hosty provides students and their families with peace of mind, reducing stress and anxiety associated with finding accommodation.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Providing Safe and Reliable Accommodation: By offering safe and reliable accommodation options, Hosty alleviates the stress and anxiety associated with finding a place to live. This allows students to focus more on their studies and academic goals. Cost-Effective Solutions: Hosty provides a range of affordable housing options, ensuring that students from diverse economic backgrounds can access quality accommodation. This helps reduce the financial burden on students and their families, allowing more students to attend and stay in school. Diverse Accommodation Options: Hosty offers a variety of accommodation types to cater to different needs and preferences, ensuring that every student can find suitable housing. Collaboration with Universities: Hosty collaborates with universities and colleges to ensure that the accommodation needs of their students are met. These partnerships can also lead to the creation of on-campus housing options managed through the Hosty platform.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Hosty ensures that there are safe and secure housing options specifically for women, providing an environment where female students feel protected and comfortable. Safety Measures: Accommodations listed on Hosty’s platform are vetted for safety features such as secure locks, well-lit common areas, and emergency contact systems to protect women and girls from potential harm.

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

Direct Employment: Hosty creates direct employment opportunities within its organization, hiring staff for roles in technology, customer service, sales, and administration. Indirect Employment: By facilitating a network of hostels, Hosty indirectly creates jobs in the hospitality sector, including roles for hostel managers, maintenance staff, cleaners, and security personnel.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Leveraging Technology: Digital Platform & Mobile App: Simplifies finding and booking student accommodation with advanced algorithms and user-friendly interfaces. Data-Driven Insights: Analytics: Uses data to refine services and offer personalized recommendations. Continuous Improvement: User Feedback & Agile Development: Implements user suggestions and quickly adapts to market changes. Collaboration and Partnerships: Academic & Industry Partnerships: Integrates with universities and partners with tech firms to enhance offerings.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Hosty helps reduce inequality within and among countries through the following initiatives: Affordable Accommodation: Offers cost-effective housing options and partners with financial aid programs to support students from lower-income backgrounds. Inclusive Access: Ensures all students, regardless of socio-economic status, gender, or nationality, have equal access to accommodation options and support services. Educational Opportunities: Provides stable housing to help students focus on their studies, improving educational outcomes and future employment prospects. Economic Empowerment: Creates job opportunities and supports local economies through its network of hostels. Global Collaboration: Partners with educational institutions globally to promote cross-border educational opportunities and cultural exchange. Technological Accessibility: Ensures its user-friendly platform is accessible to all students, including those in remote areas.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Affordable Options: Provides cost-effective accommodation for students, ensuring inclusivity across different income levels. Non-Discriminatory Practices: Ensures equal access to housing regardless of background, promoting diversity in urban areas. Security Features: Incorporates advanced security systems in accommodations, including surveillance cameras, secure entry points, and emergency response protocols. Safety Standards: Ensures all accommodations meet high safety standards to protect residents.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

4

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

Hosty contributes in the following ways; Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Hosty partners with universities and colleges globally to provide affordable and accessible accommodation, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can pursue higher education without financial strain. Technological Innovation: By leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics, Hosty enhances the efficiency and sustainability of student housing. This includes smart energy management, security systems, and maintenance protocols that reduce environmental impact and operational costs. Global Network Expansion: Hosty expands its reach by establishing a presence in multiple countries, creating a global network of student accommodations. This facilitates cross-border educational opportunities and cultural exchanges, contributing to a more interconnected and inclusive global community.

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.

4

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

Hosty is solving the pervasive challenge of student accommodation scarcity and inefficiency by providing a comprehensive digital platform that streamlines the process of finding, booking, and managing housing options for tertiary education students. In many regions, students face significant hurdles in securing suitable accommodation due to limited availability, lack of transparency, and safety concerns. Hosty addresses these pain points by offering a convenient, transparent, and secure solution that empowers students to access a wide range of verified accommodation options, fostering a sense of safety, community, and peace of mind in their housing search journey. This is why hosty is a demanded service that needs to be fullfilled.

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

There are no Competitors as of now.

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

N/A