Zimbabwe - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

ProveIT provides comprehensive intellectual property protection services, including copyright ownership certificates, filing and monitoring, trademark and patent management, all powered by blockchain technology to safeguard digital creations

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

ProveIT is a innovative startup that offers a suite of intellectual property protection and monitoring services to help creators, businesses, and inventors safeguard their valuable digital assets. At the core of ProveIT's offering is its secure Copyright Vault, which allows users to easily upload and store their copyrighted works. Upon uploading, users receive a submission receipt, and within 48-72 hours they can download an official Copyright Ownership Certificate for just $2. This certificate provides irrefutable proof of ownership, which is crucial for protecting against copyright infringement. Beyond the Copyright Vault, ProveIT provides comprehensive copyright monitoring services. Users can choose local, regional, or global monitoring coverage starting at $12/month. ProveIT's advanced AI-powered systems continually scan the internet to detect any unauthorized use of the user's content, and they automatically alert the user to new matches.

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

The main problem that ProveIT is trying to solve is the growing challenge of protecting intellectual property (IP) rights in the digital age. In today's hyper-connected world, content and innovations can be easily copied, shared, and exploited without the original creator's consent. This poses a significant challenge for individuals and businesses who rely on their creative works, trademarks, and inventions as a source of income and competitive advantage. Traditional IP protection methods, such as filing copyrights, trademarks, and patents, can be time-consuming, expensive, and often insufficient in the digital realm. Once content or a product is online, it can be quickly replicated and distributed globally, making it incredibly difficult for IP owners to monitor and enforce their rights. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that many creators and small businesses lack the resources, expertise, and technology to effectively protect their IP.

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

Comprehensive IP protection: ProveIT offers a suite of services that address the full spectrum of intellectual property protection needs, including copyright, trademarks, and patents. Blockchain-powered security and transparency: By leveraging blockchain technology, ProveIT ensures that the evidence of ownership and other IP data stored on its platform is tamper-proof and verifiable. Cost-effectiveness and accessibility: ProveIT offers its services at affordable, transparent pricing, making it accessible to individuals and small businesses who may not have the resources to navigate the complex and often costly traditional IP protection landscape.

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

Individual creators and artists: ProveIT caters to freelance writers, graphic designers, musicians, filmmakers, and other creatives who generate valuable ip in the form of written works, visual art, audio/visual content, and more. These individuals often struggle to protect their copyrights and ensure their work is not exploited without their consent. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs): These organizations frequently rely on their trademarks, patents, and other proprietary innovations to gain a competitive edge, but often lack the resources and expertise to navigate traditional IP protection mechanisms. Entrepreneurs and inventors: ProveIT's patent and utility model services are tailored to benefit independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small R&D teams who are developing new technologies and innovations. By providing affordable search, reporting, and drafting a

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-09-06

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

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

Rutendo Mugadza Mugwagwa is a registered lawyer by profession, a holder of a Masters in Intellectual Property and a tech enthusiast who is passionate on raising awareness on the importance of Intellectual Property and building several legal tech solutions to accelerate access to Justice and access to legal services. She was recently nominated as a finalist in the female Innovator of the year catergory at the Africa Tech Festival Awards 2022 and won the Socio-Tech Innovator of the year Award at the Ignite Youth Awards 2022. Rumbidzayi Mlambo is a seasoned Intellectual Property Expert with expertise in Patent Drafting and Filing. She works at the intersection of Intellectual Property and Socio-economic Development with organisations such as Aripo and Zipo

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

https://proveit.co.zw/index.php

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: legal tech

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

N/A

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

By empowering creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to safeguard their intellectual property, ProveIT fosters a culture of innovation. Its affordable and accessible offerings promote inclusive industrialization, leveling the playing field for more individuals and small enterprises to participate in technological development. ProveIT's blockchain-powered platform contributes to building resilient infrastructure for IP management, ensuring the integrity and traceability of data. This robust foundation enables sustainable progress and facilitates the transfer and diffusion of technologies. ProveIT's IP protection solutions support the growth of local and small-scale industries, particularly in emerging economies. This helps these businesses participate more actively in global value chains and leverage their innovations to drive economic and social development.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

By safeguarding the rights of creators, innovators, and businesses, ProveIT promotes rule of law and equal access to justice. Its blockchain-powered platform ensures the transparency and accountability of IP data, reducing the risk of exploitation and dispute. ProveIT's services empower individuals and small enterprises to defend their intellectual property, fostering inclusive participation in economic and social development. This, in turn, supports the creation of peaceful and inclusive societies, where all stakeholders have a fair chance to thrive. Moreover, ProveIT's platform helps build effective and accountable institutions for IP management. By streamlining the registration, monitoring, and enforcement of rights, the platform strengthens the capacity of national and international IP offices to deliver reliable and efficient services.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

N/A

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.

6

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

5

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

2

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our mission is not just to safeguard the creative and technological assets of our beneficiaries, but to actively nurture and promote a culture of innovation within the regions we serve. At the core of our innovative approach is our blockchain-powered IP protection platform. By leveraging the transparency, security, and decentralization of blockchain technology, we've developed a system that empowers individuals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to manage their intellectual property more effectively than ever before. Our platform offers a suite of cutting-edge tools and features that streamline the IP registration and enforcement process, making it more accessible and user-friendly for our beneficiaries.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Traditional IP law firms and legal service providers: These established players offer a range of IP-related legal services, such as patent and trademark filing, copyright registration, and litigation support. While they bring decades of expertise and a strong reputation, their services are often tailored towards larger enterprises and can be cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses and individual innovators.

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

Providing opportunities for law students, especially women, to explore alternative legal careers in technology. This helps expand the horizons for young women entering the legal field. Hosting events, publications, and resources that focus on the significance of women protecting their intellectual property and entrepreneurial endeavors. This is crucial for supporting female founders and innovators.