South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Evolve Catering consists of water purification, catering for different events and functions and decorating. We strive to give our community access to clean water, that promotes good health. We promote green environment by utilizing eco friendly bottles.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Evolve catering and events is a business that specializes in innovative method of cooking that encourage a good hygiene practice. The business also believes in being involve in the community development. As a matter of concern the business added purified water refills and eco-friendly water bottles to the food product that had been the main product. The water business came about a time when the community where the business operates had challenges of not getting clean water from its municipality and the water business really assisted the community. Describing the business in a nutshell I could say the business provide delicious meal and a healthy purified water to drink when one is thirsty or after enjoying a meal cooked by our professional chef which is the owner of the evolve catering business. Evolve catering is founded by a resilient woman who continuously seek knowledge from other well-established facilities within the tourism and catering sector.

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

The main problem the business is trying to solve is to provide access to clean water to rural areas where the business operates and other neighboring areas. The business is also trying to take part in combating unemployment by employing more unemployed youth and women. The business is also trying to restore dignity within the African context of having to travel to town to eat from a restaurant, instead one can enjoy foods that they see on tv and magazines from a local take away. The business is also trying to restore the economy by circulating capital among the community by paying rent to the landlord where the business is situated.

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

The benefits of using the business products are that in provide a good health by buying and drinking clean purified water. The benefits of buying our products means that it gives the buyer convenience of having to travel 40km to town and back to enjoy a delicious meal and clean water. The business also creates employment within the community by hiring people from the community. The business saves time and money as buying in walking distance compared to having to take a taxi.

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

The target market is the community where the business is situated. This target market consists of young adults, middle aged adults, and elderly people. The business also targets private companies and government companies. The company does this by registering in different database of this companies. Through this initiative, the company has managed to cater for Goldfields TVET college and SASEKA Travel Agent. As the business grows, the company will be able to reach neighboring towns and cities. The target market consists of people who pass, customers who are referred to the business through a Word of Mouth, and social media has been an effective tool that has made the business to reach more customer within the area.

01.05 When was your company established?

2021-11-26

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

The company owner has a qualification of a Diploma in Hospitality Management that she obtained with Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa. She has recently completed her studies with Davinci Business College and awaiting graduation of a Higher Certificate in Management of Technology and Innovation. She is currently enrolled with EBL studying Digital Marketing. She has completed skills course with Kusini Water of operating a water system and managing a water kiosk in Randburg, Gauteng province, South Africa. She has completed various short course with SEDA, WRSETA and CFEi of a Start up1. She has worked in various hotels such as Palazzo hotel, Montecasino, Fourways, Gauteng. She has also worked in Plettenberg hotel at Plettenberg Bay in Western Cape. She has also worked in different restaurant and catering companies.

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

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083799110253&mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

The business contributes to paying employees decent wage that makes them able to buy their basic needs. The business contributes to job creation and through creating employment opportunities, this means that poverty is eradicated in those families. Through the rent we pay an owner is able to get an additional income, this means that poverty is also eradicated.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Every left-over food that we had prepared at our take away or on any catering event that we might be catering for we give it to the less privilege. This is our small contribution that makes a different to few individuals. Our aim is to make a Soup Kitchen in the near future to feed street kids, orphans and children headed families once a week and further daily when we are establish.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

The business purifies water and sell it to the community at an affordable price because it believes that everyone should have access to clean water. By so doing the business is promoting good health and well-being of the community. The business adheres to all health and safety principle and standards of a clean premises, practicing personal hygiene at all times when preparing its product.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

The business believes in education and encourage its employees to further their education. It also believes that everyone should have access to a quality education. As it grows, it will take in students for internship, learnerships et.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

The business has managed to hire all genders as a contribution to gender equality. The business belives in a fair practice and strive to create a gender equality working environment for all its employees. The business believes that each employee should be paid according to the work they put in and not based on their gender. The business produce products and render a quality to all genders. The business is not bias in gender, religion and belief, but gives a good service to everyone.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

As a water purification business. The business contributes to clean water and sanitation. The business believes that everyone should have access to clean water and sanitation. The business work together with the community to achieve this through encourages the community to drink purified water and use tap water to cook and bath, as the water from the municipality is not clean sometimes.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

The business utilizes eco-friendly bottle to package the water. The company stock the bottles from Kusini Water in Randburg, Gauteng. This is a selfless act of making a different of a affordable and clean energy goal.

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

The business contribute to the decent work environment and economic growth. It does this through buying and selling in the country in order for the money to circulate within the country and for economic growth. The business pays rent, the business pays salaries, the business buy stock in a local supplier and the business complies with SARS. Meaning the business pays tax.

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

The business promotes innovations in a manner of producing its products. The business strives to growth and hopes to one day owns its business site. The business believes that the country should build more infrastructures in order to create more jobs and be advance.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

The business does not by any means promote inequality. It stands for equality and hires based on merit standard of labor law of South Africa.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

The business contributes to sustainable and communities' goal through operating in a rural area because it believes in its community growth.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

The business contributes to responsible consumption and product. The business operates with the framework of South African Bureau of Standards.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The business doesn't promote pollution and as a matter of fact instead of throwing food away it gives to less fortunate people.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

The business contributes to life below water, it operates harmlessly to animals on earth and to animal in the sea. The business loves nature and pride itself of operating in fauna and flora country filled with diversity. The business loves its country and its people and its nature.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

The business contributes to life and land. With life of each individual that contribute to the business with their hard-earned money, the business would not still be standing today and operating. Also, without land that the owner has leased to the business owner, the business would have not been able to operate.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

The business contributes to peace justice and institutions. The business says no to Gender Based Violence, Racism and Discrimination against its employees and against anyone.

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

The business contributes to partnerships for the goal. The business has previously worked with other companies successfully. Companies such as Goldfields TVET College, Travel Agents companies and few community churches.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

3

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.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

The product we are selling is not a new product. But we had managed to transform the old tradition of cooking to a new culinary cooking. The purified water we sell is not a new business, we had managed to change the ways and method of doing this business and added innovation of water treatment such as Nanotechnology, UV treatment and macadamia nut shells when purifying the water.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitor are businesses that are surrounding our business and that sell similar products. The only thing that is making us to stand out is our customers service and innovation, the way we operate our business not in a traditional way, but by being professional and equipping ourselves with the knowledge to lead the business professionally.

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

Yes, by hiring female employees who is a casual worker.