South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Fast, easy and accurate cost management software, accessible for all skill levels, our web-based platform supports startups and businesses, streamlining cost tracking and management effortlessly.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Costblok is a web-based platform designed to revolutionize cost management for startups and businesses. Our comprehensive solution encompasses a range of essential features, including progress valuations, payment certificates, fee proposals, budgeting, and cost variations tracking. With Costblok, we aim to address the challenges entrepreneurs face in effectively managing costs while ensuring accessibility for users of all skill levels. Our user-friendly interfaces prioritize simplicity and ease of use, allowing even those with limited technical expertise to navigate the platform effortlessly. By offering a streamlined and intuitive approach to cost management, Costblok empowers entrepreneurs to focus on their core business activities without the complexities often associated with traditional costing software. Our platform caters to the needs of startups in their early stages as well as businesses seeking a mature solution to optimize their cost management processes.

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

Costblok aims to address the challenge entrepreneurs face in effectively managing costs. Many startups and businesses struggle with complex and cumbersome cost management processes, often relying on manual methods or expensive software solutions that are inaccessible or difficult to use for individuals with limited technical skills. Costblok simplifies cost tracking and management, providing a user-friendly platform accessible to all skill levels. By streamlining progress valuations, payment certificates, fee proposals, budgeting, and cost variations tracking, Costblok empowers entrepreneurs to focus on their core business activities while ensuring efficient and accurate cost management.

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

- Streamlined cost management: Costblok consolidates expense tracking, progress valuations, payment certificates, fee proposals, and budgeting into a single, easy-to-use platform. - User-friendly interface: With intuitive design and accessible features, Costblok is suitable for users of all skill levels, ensuring smooth navigation and utilization. - Comprehensive functionality: Costblok offers a range of tools to manage costs effectively, including progress valuations, payment certificates, fee proposals, budgeting, and cost variations. - Cost-effective solution: Costblok provides affordable pricing plans, making it accessible to startups and businesses seeking efficient cost management solutions without hefty investments. - Accessibility and inclusivity: Costblok's user-friendly design accommodates users with varying levels of technical expertise, promoting accessibility and inclusivity in cost management processes.

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

Costblok is tailored to meet the needs of quantity surveyors, construction cost consultants, and property developers. Our platform is specifically designed to streamline cost management processes for these professionals, offering tools for expense tracking, progress valuations, payment certificates, fee proposals, and budgeting. With its specialized features and user-friendly interface, Costblok empowers quantity surveyors, construction cost consultants, and property developers to efficiently manage costs and enhance financial control in their projects.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-06-29

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

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.)

Dieter du Plessis is professionally registered at SACQSP and has extensive experience as a Professional Quantity Surveyor. He leads Costblok as CEO, ensuring the platform meets the standards of the construction industry. (Professional Quantity Surveyor, BSc (Hons) QS) Ross Nelson, with a background in Mechatronic Engineering and a passion for development, serves as Costblok's CTO, leveraging his technical expertise to drive innovation and excellence in the platform's functionality. (Web developer, B.Eng, Mechatronics)

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

https://costblok.com, https://www.linkedin.com/company/costblok/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

k) Property (real estate)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

2

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

3

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Costblok would offer educational benefits by providing accessible and user-friendly tools for professionals in the construction industry to manage costs effectively, potentially enhancing their skills and knowledge.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

While not directly related to gender equality, Costblok's inclusive approach to providing user-friendly interfaces could indirectly support gender diversity in the construction industry by making tools more accessible to all.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

By facilitating efficient cost management in construction projects, Costblok can indirectly contribute to creating employment opportunities and fostering economic growth in the construction sector.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Costblok's focus on providing innovative cost management solutions aligns with the goal of promoting sustainable infrastructure and fostering innovation in various industries, including construction.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

While not directly addressing inequalities, Costblok's efforts in providing accessible and user-friendly cost management tools could indirectly contribute to reducing disparities in access to resources and opportunities within the construction industry.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

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

Costblok's focus on optimizing cost management aligns with the goal of promoting sustainable consumption and production practices, particularly in the construction industry where resource efficiency is crucial.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

While not directly addressing peace and justice issues, Costblok's efforts in promoting transparency and efficiency in cost management could indirectly contribute to fostering accountable and inclusive institutions within the construction sector.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Costblok's potential to collaborate with stakeholders in the construction industry demonstrates its commitment to fostering partnerships for sustainable development and achieving shared goals.

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

2

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

3

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Costblok represents an improvement on existing products or services in the construction industry. While there are various cost estimation and project management software available, Costblok offers a unique approach by focusing specifically on the needs of quantity surveyors, construction cost consultants, and property developers. Its comprehensive features, including progress valuations, payment certificates, fee proposals, budgeting, and cost variations management, address the specific challenges faced by professionals in this field. By providing a tailored solution to meet their needs, Costblok responds to a demand that has not been fully satisfied by other generic project management software.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Excel, which has multiple limitations that Costblok will solve. Viable, which is not web-based, not compatible with MacOS, not brandable, and offers no PPS features. Costblok is the only platform with the following unique features: 1. Web-based, making it compatible with Windows and MacOS. 2. Quick and easy user sign-up, providing immediate access. 3. User profile benefits, to add new projects & further manage them. 4. Feasibility & PPS integration, avoiding duplication of data entry. Instant branded report generation for multiple schemes. 5. PPS time-stamping for better payment history tracking. 6. PPS Dashboard & branded report generation. and more...

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