Ghana - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

PetSim is a multi-platform training assistant aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practical studies in the teaching and learning of Oil and Gas Engineering.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Relu Interactives, formally registered in December of 2022 is an Indigenous Ghanaian software company that develops interactive software products and immersive experiences for the educational, corporate, engineering and entertainment industries leveraging 4IR technologies like VR, MR, 3D AI etc. We are the only startup that captures the empowerment of Africans using interactive technologies in our mission and vision statements and we're committed to achieving that. Our team has a very good balance of gender equality with most of our interns being ladies. We are working simultaneously on several innovative software solutions with PetSim being the flagship. We presented PetSim at last year's NEIP Presidential pitch contest where we emerged as winners. Our support from NEIP enabled us to accelerate PetSim development based on our anticipated timeline. Additional assistance will be beneficial to enable us to complete the full cycle of PetSim and launch at the various universities.

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

Ghana, a producer since 2007, faces challenges training its workforce in the oil and gas industry. Traditional methods relying on textbooks and rote memorization fail to prepare students for real-world scenarios. Current simulation software to assist practical training are also very expensive. This lack of engaging and accessible learning tools demotivates students and hinders knowledge retention.PetSim is a homegrown, full-suite oil and gas simulation platform specifically designed for African universities to tackle this issue. By offering an interactive learning environment, students will gain practical experience. This will not only improve knowledge retention and motivation but also empower future engineers with the practical skills needed to hit the ground running upon graduation. PetSim's affordability compared to existing software makes it a viable solution for universities, fostering a skilled local workforce and unlocking Ghana's full economic potential in the petroleum sector

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

Currently in Ghana, UMaT is the only institution offering actual practical oil and gas training for petroleum engineering students, involving costly annual trips to Nigeria. Because of this, the program is exclusively fee-paying, making it inaccessible to many students interested in the petroleum industry. Introducing PetSim into universities will bring significant benefits: 1. All students will have access to affordable practical training, complementing traditional teaching methods. 2. Lecturers will gain an assisting tool for teaching core technical aspects of the petroleum industry. 3. Customized training routines can be developed with oil and gas companies to cultivate specific industry-required skill sets. 4. Trained personnel will be available to contribute to advancements in the energy sector, a key contributor to the nation’s GDP. We have evidence to back all these claims through data acquisition from students and professional events we attended where users tried our product

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

1. Educational Institutions, Lecturers, and Students: PetSim enhances the learning experience for petroleum engineering students by providing practical, hands-on training to complement their theoretical learning. It supports educators with an innovative tool to effectively convey complex concepts. Integrating PetSim into the curriculum makes programs more attractive and accessible, improving educational outcomes. 2. Oil and Gas Companies: Corporations looking for cost-effective training solutions for recruits, interns, and existing employees. PetSim allows these companies to create customized training routines to develop specific skills required in the industry. 3. Young Professionals and Graduates: Recent graduates and young professionals entering the petroleum industry, providing them with a platform to build and refine their practical skills, increasing their employability and readiness for fieldwork.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-12-07

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

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.)

1. Caleb Edem Mantey (CTO): A tech leader and entrepreneur with 5+ years of experience in software engineering Highly skilled and experienced game developer particularly in VR/AR/XR https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-mantey-a461a9148/ 2. Nana Afua Tewiah Acquah (COO): Management experience across sectors including Fast moving consumer goods and the Petroleum industry, An award-winning Regional Manager at Unilever https://www.linkedin.com/in/nana-afua-tewiah-acquah-bab01148/ 3. Riverson Oppong, PhD. (CCO): Section Director - SPE Ghana Section Oil and Gas Business Analyst Energy Economist 2022 SPE Regional Service Award Winner Adjunct Lecturer https://www.linkedin.com/in/riverson-oppong-phd-08365820/

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

https://reluinteractives.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/relu-interactives/ https://www.instagram.com/reluinteractives/ https://www.facebook.com/reluinteractives https://x.com/reluinteractive

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

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

PetSim has the potential to make careers in the oil and gas industry more appealing to students and young professionals, possibly leading to job opportunities in a sector that offers relatively high salaries in Africa, thereby contributing to the reduction of poverty among the populace.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

PetSim aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing education for students in petroleum engineering. It offers immersive, hands-on training that complements theoretical learning, improving understanding and retention of complex concepts. PetSim democratizes education by providing affordable, high-quality virtual training, making it accessible to students who may not have physical access to oil and gas facilities. This ensures more students benefit from comprehensive training, regardless of location or financial status. For educators, PetSim is an invaluable tool that enhances teaching effectiveness by illustrating complex processes interactively. This supports lecturers in delivering a higher standard of education. By integrating PetSim, institutions can offer a more holistic curriculum, combining theory with practical skills, making their programs more attractive and ensuring graduates are industry-ready.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

At Relu Interactives, we are dedicated to promoting SDG 5 (Gender Equality). In the development of PetSim, we involved our interns, most of whom are women, ensuring their perspectives shaped the product. Their contributions have been crucial in making PetSim accessible and usable for all genders. This inclusive approach not only empowers women within our team but also ensures that our technology supports gender equality in education and professional training.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

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

The development of PetSim not only provides our workers with decent jobs but also ensures ongoing opportunities for maintenance and support. Moreover, students and young professionals who engage with PetSim gain practical skills that increase their employability, leading to potential recruitment in oil and gas companies post-education.

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

Relu Interactives spearheads industry innovation and infrastructure development by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other tenets of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Through PetSim, we revolutionize training methodologies in the petroleum engineering sector, paving the way for enhanced skill development and technological advancement. By embracing these transformative technologies, we contribute significantly to fostering innovation-driven growth and infrastructure development, aligning with the objectives of SDG 9.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

PetSim offers students interested in the Oil and Gas industry a viable chance to obtain hands-on training without financial constraints. It aligns with SDG 10 by ensuring equitable access to education in this field and reducing inequalities.

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

4

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

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

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

We actively promote partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by collaborating with industry associations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Ghana section, and professionals across African regions. Through strategic partnerships with engineering universities and professors, we ensure the development of PetSim as a credible training assistant for lecturers, students, and young industry professionals. By fostering these partnerships, we facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collective action towards achieving our common goals for sustainable development.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

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.

4

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.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

Unlike the few existing oil & gas simulators designed for advanced training, PetSim fills the gap for beginners. We offer an interactive, introductory platform that bridges the theory-practice gap for students and young professionals. Developed with cutting-edge technologies (3D, VR/AR/MR, AI), PetSim is a first-of-its-kind solution from an African startup, empowering future engineers through accessible, engaging "hands-on" training. PetSim will also become accessible to a broader group of African students due to its affordability and custom training modules tailored to suit the requirements of the region.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

The leading provider of Oil and Gas training simulators is Drilling Systems with their flagship DrillSim. We are different from Drilling systems with our focus on Africa. Their global audience means their solutions are generic and not necessarily applicable in the African region. Also, PetSim subscription will be very affordable, unlike that of DrillSim which can cost an arm and a leg in African currency. PetSim also runs on all the major platforms, mobile, PC, Mac, web, VR, and Mixed Reality making it accessible to everyone regardless of the devices use.

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