South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Pluto’s domain provides a multi-faceted platform-as-a-service (Paas) solution designed to deliver a Pan-African focused business network aimed at unleashing SME growth.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

As the future growth of Africa depends on greater SME productivity, their digital inclusion, access to business skills training, business networks, investment and mentorship opportunities; Pluto’s domain provides a multi-faceted platform-as-a-service (Paas) solution designed to deliver a Pan-African focused business network aimed at unleashing SME growth by providing: - Access to Africa’s largest SME business network - Access to eLearning business skills - Access to finance - Access to business mentorship

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

African SMEs are some of the most resilient entrepreneurs in the world, with a unique ability to operate in non-conducive business environments. Imagine their potential if they were given a more stable and supportive environment in which to grow their enterprises. Now, imagine Pluto, the dwarf planet transformed into a digital planet empowering African SMEs.

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

- Access to a formalised digital network of African SMEs with a targeted growth of 70,000 SME’s by its 5th Year of operations; - Access to suppliers who seek to engage verified and vetted African SMEs with accurate information and well-articulated business offerings & services; - Access to the Pluto’versity which provides eLearning skills accreditation modules designed to capacitate African Youth SMEs with business management skills; - Access to B2B messaging services to accelerate business networking, opportunities identification and provide access to wider African markets; - Access to investment opportunities through strategic partnerships with seed capital and venture capitalists looking to invest in registered & verified African SMEs and become co-creators in generating profitability, scale and value; - Access to our African Business mentorship programme; and Access to our B2B deal room & facilitation

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

The target market is African Youth SMEs (Majority owned African Youth aged 18-35), Educational Partners, African Business Mentors, and Africa-focused Investment Institutions.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-05-27

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.)

Sabelo Zwane: 10 years in Financial regulation, working with the Financial Ombudsman Service in London, UK Legal manager at Financial Services Regulator and Fintech Manager at the Central Bank of Eswatini. Education: Bachelor in Laws, University of East London, LDN, UK. Diploma in Management, Witwatersrand University, JHB, South Africa

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

https://za.linkedin.com/company/pluto.

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By helping SMEs grow by capacitating them which allows them to give more people jobs

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By helping SMEs grow by capacitating them which allows them to give more people jobs

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

By helping SMEs grow by capacitating them through e-learning and mentorship

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

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

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

By helping SMEs grow by capacitating them which allows them to give more people jobs

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Through developing an innovative and interactive platform

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

By helping SMEs grow by capacitating them which allows them to give more people jobs and to reduce the unemployment gap

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

3

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

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

As Africans we have been reluctant to trade amongst each other, favouring importing goods from neighbouring continents due to the lack of trust in the quality of our own goods and services. Through the usage of Pluto we believe it will eradicate this mentality and encourage intra african trade. Pluto will be a central database for all african businesses so that as a continent we can find, support and learn from one another- and have a centralized system where information is fed to all equally. Being a multi-sided platform, Pluto also provides a database for investors to find African business who show the potential for astronomic growth.

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

3

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

Pluto's comprehensive approach, focusing on skill development, mentorship, and access to investment opportunities, sets it apart from its competitors by providing a more holistic solution for African Youth SMEs.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

When comparing Pluto to its competitors, it's important to note the following distinctions: - While Global Finder Africa provides in-depth information about the African innovation ecosystem, Pluto focuses on providing a multi-faceted platform-as-a-service specifically designed to capacitate and develop SMEs. Pluto offers eLearning modules, B2B communication services, access to investors, mentorship programs, business tools, networks, and a deal room, creating a comprehensive digital incubation platform for SMEs. - Global Africa Network focuses on business, trade, and investment opportunities in Africa. Pluto, on the other hand, is centered on unlocking SME growth through a business network and providing access to business development tools, investment opportunities, and a tailored African-focused network for SMEs. Pluto's comprehensive approach, focusing on skill development, mentorship, and access to investment opportunities, sets it apart from its competitors.

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

Yes by mentoring females in entrepreneurship