South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

PowerHike Solar Technologies (Pty) Ltd is a 100% female-owned, South African company dedicated to providing renewable energy solutions for modern-day applications.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

PowerHike Solar Technologies (Pty) Ltd is a 100% female-owned, South African company dedicated to pioneering the renewable energy sector with pride and innovation. We are committed to driving efficiency and sustainability across Africa and building a greener future through clean and renewable energy. We specialise in the design, assembly, and distribution of a range of mobile solar-powered products within South Africa, thus providing renewable energy solutions for modern-day applications. Our initial product offering is a PowerHike Solar Backpack. These innovative solar-powered backpacks are used to charge connected potable devised remotely by harnessing solar energy while keeping personal belongings safe.

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

PowerHike Solar Backpacks to help solve the lack of access to electricity in remote areas or during power outages, and plastic waste pollution. Description of the problem: 1. The shortage/infrequency of reliable power supply in South Africa (RSA) and the African continent. This product speaks to the current crisis of load-shedding in South Africa. Moreover, these backpacks can be used by the general public, despite the specific market that has been targeted. 2. Inaccessibility to electricity in remote outdoor or rural areas. Our products aids in filling the gap of inaccessibility to electrical power supply during recreational activities, specifically outdoors sporting activities.

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

Powerhike solar-powered backpacks will improve the lives of Africans as follows: 1. Contributing towards addressing the energy demand problem of over 60% of Africans in a sustainable manner of providing an affordable and portable energy source to individuals such as outdoor athletes during outdoor sporting/recreational activities and subsequently students and other individuals affected by power outages. 2. Restraining greenhouse gas emissions to protect the environment through a renewable solar energy transition towards a cleaner, easily accessible, and efficient energy alternative to build sustainable communities; 3. Minimizing plastic waste pollution - the inner lining of the backpack will be made from recycled polyester fabric that is obtained from recycled plastic bottles.

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

Target Market(s): Beachhead: - Hikers/Trekkers Adjacent market segment: - Outdoor enthusiasts/athletes (Cyclists, canoers, kayaker, mountain biker, backpackers, campers) - Corporate, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors of sporting/camping/outdoor gear and solar equipment. - Scholars, and the general public.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-02-18

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

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.)

Currently, the company has one female owner.

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

https://powerhike-b4880.web.app/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

e) Secondary commodities (cars and parts, consumer durables and apparel, retail)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Eliminating poverty (SDG1): Creating jobs for people in surrounding communities, especially youth and women, while promoting gender equality (SDG 5).

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

4

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

“Over half a billion children lack adequate lighting and use dim, smoky and dangerous kerosene-based lighting for their evening studies” - Furukawa, 2014. In alignment with SDG 4: 1. Scholars were identified as the 4th adjacent target market, the solar backpack utilized by scholars will be charged during the day while scholars commute between home and school, thereafter, the harnessed solar energy will be used to charge connected LED flashlight to complete schoolwork at night. This will facilitate improvement in the academic performance of students who can now study for extended periods throughout the night. 2. Based on the customer validations conducted, 51% reported that they have insufficient knowledge of solar energy hence they previously didn’t see the need to purchase a solar backpack. Thus, the company will also offer communities training focusing on climate change, environmental awareness, renewable energy, and skills development on solar electronic technology.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

The company plans to hire more female employees and youth through learnerships, internships, and work-integrated-learning (WIL) programs; and if funds are available, the company also plans to provide women and youth funding support (bursaries) to further their studies.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

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 shortage/infrequency of reliable power supply in Africa: Addressing the load-shedding crisis in South Africa. These backpacks can be used by the public, despite the specific market that has been identified. The backpacks provide a reliable energy source while enjoying great outdoor adventures considering the limited recharge options, while on trial. Providing access to electricity by harnessing renewable solar energy from the sun and converting it into usable electricity that can charge connected portable devices remotely (on-the-go). Promoting the concept of renewable energy by expanding and operating our business in areas without reliable electricity (e.g., rural areas). The solar backpack was proposed to also charge an LED flashlight that would provide households (parents, scholars, and tertiary students) with proper lighting during electrical power outages, thus allowing impacted parties to save on costs acquired from purchasing candles and monthly electrical rates.

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

Creating employment opportunities for people in surrounding communities, especially youth and women. The company will also offer communities (women and youth) training opportunities focusing on climate change, environmental awareness, renewable energy, and skills development on solar electronic technology. Moreover, in future we plan to hire more female employees and youth through learnerships, internships, and work-integrated-learning (WIL) programs; and if funds are available, the company also plans to provide women and youth funding support (bursaries) to further their studies.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

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

The company plans to minimize both primary and secondary packaging materials to end-users by reducing waste in the packaging process through sustainable packaging: Encouraging minimal packaging, sourcing sustainable raw material to use for packaging, using biodegradable/sustainable/reusable packaging materials, training staff on packaging to minimize waste and loss, develop a waste reduction plan, using smaller boxes/less material were applicable. The backpacks represent sustainable fashion – fabricated from a combination of locally manufactured, lightweight, quality approved fabrics, such as Recycled Polyester (rPET) fabric, which is made from recycled plastic bottles; thus, contributing towards reducing plastic waste pollution from recycled plastic bottles in our environment.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

PowerHike Solar Backpacks will have the environmental benefit of restraining greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to protect the environment through a renewable solar energy transition towards a cleaner, more accessible, and efficient energy model to build sustainable communities. As well as minimizing the impact of plastic waste pollution in the environment by reducing the amount of plastic bottle waste generated through recycling of plastic bottles into a more sustainable fabric, as part of the circular economy. These backpacks represent sustainable fashion! Providing a renewable energy source by harnessing solar energy. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels, minimizes carbon emissions, and contributing to a cleaner, less polluted environment. The calculated net climate impact in 2024 is estimated to be 8.4 t CO₂eq. compared to backpacks made from non-recyclable fabrics and electricity generated by coal-fired power stations in South Africa.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

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

4

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.

4

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.

3

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.

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.

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

The product is a modification of what is already on the market. There are a range of solar powered backpacks and products around the world. However, the concept is 'not' very popular in South Africa. The current crisis of load-shedding in our country makes the concept relevant and brings the desired traction.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Outside Africa: Voltaic Systems, USA 👍Great quality, design, size variety. 👎However, their products are expensive - based on market validation findings of the amount of money some South African consumers are willing to spend on such a product). Within Africa: Chedza, Botswana 👍 Made from durable, waterproof Canvas. Standard panels, suitable for students (provide light and power for up to 7 hours from a full day of sunlight recharging) 👎However, limited size variety - standard size designed particularly for students. The solar panel and flashlight are integrated onto the backpack and are thus inseparable. Why we stand out: Locally manufactured in South Africa, thus easily accessible without additional international shipment costs, great value for money, durability, sustainable fashion, efficient solar panel system with energy storage that will provide sufficient energy source for all-day power supply even throughout the night, offer warranty period for repair.

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

Not as yet. However, I definitely will in future