South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Yazi is an innovative WhatsApp-based market research platform enabling inclusive, low-data surveys to capture diverse voices from underserved communities. We empower NGOs and researchers with critical insights.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Yazi is a market research software that gains qualitative insights in African and other emerging markets. We have built a software on top of WhatsApp that allows researchers to capture video, image, and voice recordings from participants. Participants are allowed to answer in the language that they are most comfortable in and at their own pace, just like when you're talking to friend. We recently added an AI capability to our software. The new AI capability allows us to transcribe all voice recordings and allows for researchers to have moderated In-depth Interviews at survey scale.

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

Traditional research tools rely upon email as a communication channel or require participants to download a survey app. Added to that, these links exclude emerging market consumers because they a) can't afford the data to download the new app required or b) don't have an email. But WhatsApp is used widely and is well known in these markets. Thus, our solution gives a voice to the emerging market consumer and gives brand sand businesses reliable data.

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

Higher Response Rates: Response Rate on WhatsApp is 2-6X higher than on email Higher Completion Rate: 98% Completion Rate Rich Data Collection: Capture multiple forms of media - video, images and voice notes You gain more In-depth qualitative data through our rich media capabilities

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

Market Research Agencies: Small and Large agencies that want to deliver insights to their prospective clients in emerging markets NGO's: non governmental organisations.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-05-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

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.)

Mzwandile Sotsaka (M), (CTO/COO) - Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from the University of Johannesburg. 5+ years as a software engineer. Former South African rower with medals at SA Champs.

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

https://askyazi.com/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Market Research

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

All of the participants that participate in studies launched through Yazi get compensated fairly for the time that they spent doing it. Payments are usually received through airtime or mobile money (money sent to their cell number directly). Since it is on WhatsApp, we are including a lot of people that would previously never get a chance to earn money answering questions about their daily life

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Yazi significantly contributes to good health and well-being by enabling NGOs and health organizations to conduct comprehensive surveys via WhatsApp. Our platform helps collect vital data on health issues, access to healthcare, and community well-being from underserved and rural populations.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We allow women to participate, often times, it is predominantly women who participate in the surveys we launch for our clients in an attempt to empower them and allow their voice to be beard.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

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

Yazi promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by providing remote, income-earning opportunities through market research tasks, especially in underserved and rural communities. Our platform enables individuals to participate in research activities and earn incentives, supporting financial inclusion and economic empowerment. By facilitating comprehensive data collection, Yazi helps organizations design effective programs that create productive employment and foster economic growth. Additionally, we support local freelancers and contractors, contributing to job creation and enhancing the economic resilience of the regions we operate in.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Our solution is the innovative use of WhatsApp beyond being a messaging app. We are innovating within an industry that is relatively dormant in Africa and with what we are doing, hopefully we will inspire others in the industry to continue innovating and bringing Africa up to pace with the rest of the world.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Yazi actively reduces inequalities by providing an inclusive market research platform that reaches underserved and rural communities through WhatsApp. Traditional survey methods often exclude these populations due to high costs and limited access. By offering a low-data solution, Yazi ensures that the voices of marginalized groups are heard and considered in decision-making processes. This enables NGOs, governments, and businesses to design more equitable policies and programs that address the needs of all demographics. Furthermore, by providing income-earning opportunities through research tasks, Yazi supports economic empowerment and reduces income disparities within and among countries.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Yazi contributes to sustainable cities and communities by providing inclusive data collection methods that capture the voices of underserved populations, including those in rural and informal settlements. Our platform enables NGOs and local governments to gather accurate insights into the needs and challenges of these communities, helping design more effective and inclusive urban planning and development initiatives. By supporting informed decision-making, Yazi aids in creating safer, more resilient, and sustainable human settlements. Additionally, our focus on remote, low-data solutions reduces the environmental impact of traditional data collection methods, aligning with sustainability goals.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Yazi contributes to responsible consumption and production by promoting digital solutions that reduce the need for physical materials in market research. Our platform minimizes waste and resource usage by enabling surveys and data collection via WhatsApp, which requires no paper or printed materials. Additionally, by facilitating remote work and reducing travel, we lower the carbon footprint associated with traditional market research activities. While we are primarily a digital service, our commitment to sustainability extends to our internal operations, where we emphasize energy efficiency and waste reduction.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

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

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Yazi contributes to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies by enabling transparent and inclusive data collection through WhatsApp. Our platform helps NGOs, governments, and institutions gather crucial insights from diverse and often underrepresented communities, fostering inclusive decision-making processes. By providing a means to understand the needs and challenges of various populations, Yazi aids in developing policies that promote social cohesion and justice.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

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.

5

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

2

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

5

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

5

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

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

3

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

2

06.08 Justification for my startup

Yazi leverages WhatsApp, a widely-used communication platform, to deliver an innovative market research solution that is both familiar to users and technologically advanced. While many customers use traditional survey tools, Yazi integrates AI to enhance data collection and analysis, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Our platform is an improvement on existing products by making research more inclusive, efficient, and cost-effective. It extends the capabilities of current market research tools by providing a low-data, accessible solution, responding to a growing need for more comprehensive and representative data collection methods in emerging markets. Yazi's unique approach ensures that insights from diverse populations are captured accurately, driving better decision-making and social impact.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Dscout, Recollective, Surveymonkey, Alchemer, and Indeemo. They all require the participants to download an app or to go to an external link to complete a survey. Where we don't need the participant to go anywhere. Everything gets done on WhatsApp from invite to survey completion.

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

Yes, I am encouraging my wife to start a business. I am helping mentor her 2 friends who have an e-commerce business. I also help my dietician friend with her marketing strategy