South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Cultivate Coffee Co. a brand-new social enterprise in Empangeni that will be replicated throughout South Africa, aims to create a hub of creativity, entrepreneurship, and excellence, anchored by a unique, multifunctional coffee bar.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

A self-sustainable community hub anchored by a speciality coffee shop in the heart of Empangeni. Using prefabricated materials and design, we will create an inclusive, well-designed, functional space for the community’s benefit. Our focus is on young aspiring entrepreneurs, job seekers, pupils and students, freelancers, creatives, and, of course, coffee drinkers in the town of Empangeni. The ecosystem will include: • Training and development programmes for aspiring entrepreneurs • Affordable retail space • Office space in the form of co-working with Wi-Fi connectivity • Library (full of African and global literature) and a study centre • Multifunctional training space to be used for our own programmes and tobe hired out for external programmes • Renewable energy to remain “online” throughout the day • Advertising space for partners, funders and the entrepreneurs we house • Coffee shop and café for the entire community to enjoy, eat and gather at

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

Entrepreneurship is our greatest tool as South Africans to lift young people out of poverty and purposelessness. However, peri-urban areas, such as Empangeni, do not have sufficient networks, infrastructure, knowledge hubs, or financial tools to stimulate a culture of entrepreneurship and propel talented individuals into the marketplace. Local Government has identified the following issues concerning youth in the City of Umhlathuze: youth unemployment, low levels of skills and high levels of unemployed graduates. Further expanded the issues identified include: • Unprecedented youth unemployment • Poor or irrelevant skills in relation to industry demands • Unstructured on-the-job training, work experiences, internships and learnerships • Lack of formalised partnerships with the private sector • Unstructured opportunity pipeline management • No comprehensive profiling of job seekers, emerging entrepreneurs • Poor coordination of interventions • Poor alignment of initiatives

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

Coffee is a delicious commodity and a powerful tool that can be the nucleus of a thriving creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. It offers an opportunity to attract potential entrepreneurs, train and develop skills, and create a physical environment for them to test and grow their ventures. As a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, remote working among employees is increasing. Similarly, students and scholars need off-site environments to study and research from. Added to this, the number of freelancers, consultants, and entrepreneurs is increasing. We have an opportunity to create a space for the above-mentioned to gather, hold meetings, work from, and take breaks. using a multi-pronged approach, young aspiring entrepreneurs will grow to establish successful businesses and continue to have an ecosystem to participate in long after our interventions. The coffee shop element of the business will also create jobs through barista and hospitality training.

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

We are investing in the community of Empangeni: Urban Area, It is regarded as the major service and retail centre of uMhlathuze Municipality. Population 110,340 (714.30 per km²) Households 29,292 (189.62 per km²). Our main beneficiaries are youth aged 18 -35 who have started a business or desire to. We aim mainly at people of colour but are open to all races and genders. Secondary beneficiaries are job seekers aged 18 -35 and thirdly community members in Empangeni who need a co-working environment and coffee shop.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

6

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.)

Puno Selesho, Team leader & Strategy Creative & Transformation Entrepreneur Thabiso Mokoena Design & Architecture Architectural Designer Lindokuhle Mthembu Communications & Head Barista Creative Planner Innocent Shabalala Youth Development & Operations Programme Manager & Fitness Coach Thoriso Mnguni Sales & Operations Psychology Student & Church Intern Hloni Khumalo Brand Development & Design Website Developer & Entrepreneur

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

https://www.instagram.com/cultivatecoffeeza/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Hospitality (food & drink) & Infrastructure and IT (physical work and training space & wifi access)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Every household that has 1 successful entrepreneur in it has a greater chance of being lifted out of poverty. Additionally if these micro-enterprises grow, they have the potential to employ people which will increase the earning capacity of said individuals.

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

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

The landscape of education is changing rapidly. Formal tertiary education is no longer the only avenue for success. By offering quality, practical training (certified and uncertified) that young entrepreneurs & job seekers can immediately apply in their businesses and lives, we can provide quality and effective education.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We desire to have programmes at empowering the girl child and the boy child in the respective areas of need.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

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 hope is to have hubs that are powered by alternative energy such us solar - this will ensure that we are "always-on" and reduce the reliance of coal-powered electricity.

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

We are building an entrepreneurial eco-system in a small town, and connecting those entrepreneurs to bigger markets in the country (and beyond). We also aim to identify businesses that can create employment for others. Our own coffee shop and Youth Hub will also hire individuals directly from the community.

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

Definitely! Co-working spaces, innovation hubs, accelerators etc. have played a crucial role in providing infrastructure for our greatest minds to innovate and create solutions for humanity's most pressing problems. Our hub will fulfil the same role.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

The profile of unskilled, unemployed, job-seeking, entrepreneurially minded youth is who we aim to serve. By empowering them with skills, resources and an ecosystem to develop in we will be reducing inequality and increasing their standing in society/community.

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

Entrepreneurial hibs and coffee shops provide a "third space" for all community members. This is a cornerstone for any community as plenty of gatherings, conversations etc. are held here. Also, the youth of uMhlathuze specifically don't have many safe places tp gather, grow, have fun and learn. There are bars and clubs but these do not create a healthy environment. A coffee shop and library that is trendy could create a safe and stimulating environment for them..

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

2

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

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.

5

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

5

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.

6

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

There are coffee shops in Empangeni but. not co-working and training spaces. Entrepreneurial hubs do exist in the country but not in Empangeni. Therefore, we are bringing something new to this region.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There are currently less than 5 coffee shop competitors in the market. However, none have created a hub that can create an entrepreneurial and creative ecosystem to this extent.

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

My other main job is being a writer and communicator - I use this in entrepreneurial women-empowerment spaces hugely