Cameroon - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Shoppy MarketSpace is a first-of-its-kind end-to-end semi-social e-commerce market"space" and product search engine that aims at bridging every gap existing in the African e-commerce context easing the life of every internet human.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Startup: NOVOBYTE SARL A team of young dynamic youths who want to replace the physical markets and everything done in the market (with all of the stress) not only for those who have physical shops but for the millions of Africans starting an online business as their source of active or passive income. -Imagine life with a powerful handy product search engine that permits you to search and compare all shops around you (even by just a photo) without moving a step even if you are new to an area. Even get the closest shop to your GPS Location or the cheapest. Chat,Negotiate,Subscribe to shops,stay updated with promos,new products etc -Shop hosting with in-built Marketing, Analytics, and customer retention tools that bring the power of the internet to every seller giving them easy ways to get MAX visibility over all other social media platforms and search engines at the same time from one app -Logistics permitting sellers to sell without boundaries -B2B permitting sellers to buy for retail

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

1. We're in 2024, and we still need to struggle to find a product. We still move from shop to shop in the market or make phone calls up and down. We should be able to search independently and get access to the content of those same shops digitally even if you have just an image of the product or even just describe what you want and you see automatically all of the propositions. 2. In 2024, It's still very difficult and costly for Africans to sell online and reach the appropriate targets at a cheap cost. They want to be able to sell very easily online to showcase ALL of their products without having the stress of creating WhatsApp groups and forcing users to join. Without creating and maintaining social pages and paying every single platform for Ads and without even having to pass through all of that complexity but still reach all of those same clients. 3. It is difficult for sellers to sell across regions and towns. They lack infrastructure even with the potential client base.

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

1. Greatly eases life: Search from all different Shops by any means possible. By image, voice, text (AI text search to be integrated into updates), GPS Location, Comparing & Negotiating prices of these products before having to choose and even order directly while sleeping on his/her sofa. Find even the rarest of products at the cheapest prices. 2. Stress-free marketing & SuperVisibility: We give sellers the possibility of having a shop online, and visibility on our search engine, and other search engines, their products are automatically sponsored on all other social media platforms and Google services, on WhatsApp, Telegram, Email, SMS, Affiliate/Influencer networks and so more with our automated systems. You have your customers directly in your app from EVERYWHERE. 3. Customer retention: Unlike other e-commerce marketplaces, we provide sellers with tools to maintain and manage their client base, subscriber community etc. We don't only put them in contact, we maintain it.

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

ShoppyMS addresses every human. If you buy something, ShoppyMS is for you. If you sell something, ShoppyMS is for you. - Consumers: From everyday essentials to unique, locally-made items. We provide a secure, user-friendly shopping experience that connects consumers with reliable sellers. We presently support more than 230 categories of products - Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Local businesses, providing them with an online platform to showcase and sell their products. These businesses gain access to a larger customer base, enabling them to grow and scale their operations. - Individual Entrepreneurs, Wholesalers and Retailers: We support individual sellers and artisans who create unique products, offering them a professional platform to reach potential buyers and expand their market reach. - Digital Content Creators: We make it possible for those who create digital content to sell their digital content online.

01.05 When was your company established?

2021-11-24

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

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.)

Atchothe Votio Victoria Fernandez - Young aspiring IT engineer with skills in marketing, platform communication, and customer service. Experience in marketing and communication. Tamko Clarence Kouadjo - Young Experienced IT Engineer with management, digital marketing, and business management skills. Experience in IT, Hardware/Software development, and DevOps.

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

https://download.shoppyms.com

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

1- By providing a platform for local businesses and individual entrepreneurs to sell their products online, We help them reach a larger customer base very easily leading to higher sales and revenue, which directly contributes to economic stability and growth, reducing poverty levels. 2- Job Creation for logistics, customer support, digital marketing, affiliates/influencers, and content creation. This can create numerous job opportunities directly within ShoppyMS and indirectly through the businesses and services that support the platform. 3- Partnering with local financial institutions to provide microloans and financial services to small businesses and individual sellers and sustainable economic growth. 5-Offering training programs and resources on e-commerce and business management to better business practices, increased pro 6-By connecting buyers directly with sellers, we can cut out middlemen, reducing costs and making essential goods more affordable for low-income families.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

ShoppyMS already has a Shoppy Foods Section with Food-related categories. How can we contribute to zero hunger in the Shoppy Foods section? 1- Reducing Food Waste: Shoppy can introduce a feature for selling surplus or near-expiry food at discounted rates, reducing food waste and making nutritious food more accessible to low-income families. 2-Packaging and promoting local agricultural products: By providing a platform for local farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers, Shoppy eliminates middlemen, ensuring farmers receive fair prices and consumers access fresh, affordable food.

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

6

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

Shoppy has dedicated categories and sections (with Shoppy Foods) for health and wellness products, including organic foods, health supplements, fitness equipment, and personal care items. This encourages consumers to make healthier choices easily. We intended to introduce shops with institutions that deal health education and awareness. With the internal messaging functionality, the client can exchange and receive education on the related aspects

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

1. ShoppyMS had a back-to-school campaign, Where we actually partner with bookshops and school-related institutions to make available the different school textbooks and writing/educative material to every. Such campaigns make educational resources available to everyone. 2. Promoting digital literacy by making affordable technology products, laptops, and software to ensure students have the necessary tools for digital learning according to their budget. 3. As earlier explained, Shoppy makes available digital content, even digital books, past questions and solutions, and other educational content can be made available at almost no cost. 4. Shoppy intends to do grants and scholarships to best students and pupils providing them with free educational content from our partner libraries and also school materials.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

1- ShoppyMS intends promoting female entrepreneurship by putting by dedicated support programs specifically for women entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses. 2- We encourage the sale of products that support gender equality, such as books on women's rights, educational toys that promote STEM for girls, and health products tailored for women.

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

- By partnering, promoting, giving more visibility, and encouraging the listing and sale of water-saving products such as low-flow showerheads, water-efficient washing machines, and irrigation systems that use minimal water. - By promoting shipping options and logistics partners that prioritize water conservation and minimize environmental impact. - By providing microfinancing options for sellers willing to provide clean water and sanitation tools.

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

- By partnering, promoting, giving more visibility, and encouraging the listing and sale of renewable energy products such as solar panels, wind turbines, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting. - By promoting shipping options and logistics partners that prioritize affordable and clean energy to minimize environmental impact. - By providing microfinancing options for sellers willing to provide affordable and clean energy solutions to customers. - By Highlighting eco-friendly and energy-efficient products to encourage consumers to make sustainable choices.

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 provide a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and independent sellers to reach a wider audience, thereby creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and income generation. - We empower individuals to start their own businesses and earn a livelihood by selling products on Shoppy MarketSpace. - We Offer training programs, workshops, and resources to sellers to enhance their skills in e-commerce, marketing, customer service, and business management. - We promote digital literacy among sellers, enabling them to leverage technology effectively to grow their businesses and access global markets. - We provide sellers with access to a global marketplace, enabling them to expand their customer base and increase sales opportunities. -We encourage sellers to source products locally, supporting local economies and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

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

- We promote new products and technologies in our marketplace for sellers to introduce innovative products and technologies to consumers globally. - Encouraging Entrepreneurship: We foster an environment that encourages entrepreneurial spirit and innovation among sellers and small businesses. - Collaboration with Innovators: We partner with innovators, startups, and technology providers to bring cutting-edge solutions to the market. we are currently working with a Cameroonian startup (Heldis) to help them market their tracking invention for children. - At Shoppy, we invest in robust digital infrastructure to support seamless transactions, secure payments, and efficient logistics management.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

- We Provide equal access to the Shoppy platform, products and the logistics, regardless of geographic location, socioeconomic status, or background, thereby reducing barriers to entry. - With AI functionalities, we ensure diversity and inclusion in marketing campaigns, product offerings, and corporate culture, reflecting the values and preferences of a global customer base. - We encourage and support a diverse range of sellers, including women entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses, and individuals from underserved communities.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

-Promoting Local Economic Development: By facilitating e-commerce and supporting local sellers, we can contribute to economic growth in urban and rural areas. Leading to job creation, income generation, and overall economic development within communities. -Data-Driven Urban Planning: Through data analytics and insights, we can contribute to urban planning by providing information on consumer trends, purchasing behaviors, and market demands. This data can inform decision-making processes related to infrastructure development, resource allocation, and sustainable growth strategies. - Supporting Digital Inclusion: We bridge digital divides by enabling small businesses and entrepreneurs in remote or underserved areas to reach national and global markets. This promotes inclusivity and economic opportunities across diverse communities.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

- By creating and promoting categories, tags, and highlighting environmentally friendly products. Such as organic, upcycled, or energy-efficient items. Sellers who offer these products can receive additional visibility, encouraging consumer demand for sustainable goods. - Through our seller resources,Shoppy can encourage sellers to minimize packaging materials and use recyclable or biodegradable materials. Guidelines and incentives can be put in place to support these efforts, reducing the environmental footprint of product packaging - For the circular economy, Shoppy can facilitate the sale of used or refurbished items, extending the life cycle of products and reducing waste. This aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where products are reused, repaired, refurbished, and ultimately recycled -We intend implement green shipping that offers shipping options that prioritize eco-friendly transportation methods, such as using electric vehicles or eco-friendly logistics partners

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We can contribute to this goal by: - Encouraging sellers to adopt eco-friendly practices such as reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy sources, and minimizing carbon emissions in their operations and logistics. - Promoting, highlighting and incentivizing the sale of eco-friendly products, such as energy-efficient appliances, organic goods, and products made from recycled materials. This promotes consumer choices that have a lower environmental impact. -Offering shipping alternatives that prioritize low-carbon transportation methods, such as electric vehicles or shipping carriers committed to reducing their carbon footprint.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

6

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Shoppy could contribute to this goal by: - Encouraging sellers to use sustainable packaging materials that reduce plastic waste and pollution, especially those that can affect marine ecosystems. - Implementing guidelines and standards for sellers to ensure that products sourced from marine environments are obtained legally and sustainably, thereby reducing the pressure on marine resources and ecosystems. -Advocating for policies that promote marine conservation and sustainable use of marine resources at local, national, and international levels.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

By partnering, promoting and facilitating the sale of products that support biodiversity conservation efforts, such as eco-friendly and organic products that minimize habitat destruction and support wildlife corridors.

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

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

- Implementing policies that ensure fair treatment of sellers and buyers, including transparent transaction processes, fair pricing, and dispute resolution mechanisms. By fostering trust and fairness in transactions, Shoppy helps build stronger institutional frameworks within the e-commerce sector. Shoppy has a payment infrastructure that keeps trust between client and seller via a 3rd party security stream which is US (Shoppy). - Providing resources that enable sellers and buyers to access legal information, dispute resolution mechanisms, and support services. - Upholding human rights principles, including non-discrimination, gender equality, and respect for diversity. By fostering an inclusive marketplace environment, Shoppy promotes social justice and equality, contributing to stronger institutions that protect human rights.

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

- Collaboration with Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs: By providing a platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs to reach a wider audience and grow their businesses, Shoppy fosters partnerships that support economic growth and sustainable development. These partnerships empower local businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic activities within communities. - Supporting Sustainable Practices: Partnering with sellers who adhere to sustainable and ethical practices, such as environmentally friendly packaging, fair trade sourcing, and responsible production methods. Shoppy encourages partnerships with vendors committed to reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainable consumption. -Partnering with technology providers, innovators, and digital inclusion initiatives to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to online platforms. Shoppy can collaborate with organizations that promote the digital domain.

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.

4

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

We implement concepts that are not "NEW" but are done DIFFERENTLY. Before us, traditional announcement platforms and basic marketplaces existed. These are platforms where users come in, search, and contact even via external platforms (like WhatsApp). We're not just a marketplace but an e-commerce "ecosystem" holding all of the components that benefit e-commerce into one big platform. What we bring in, is new. Buyers being able to search from different shops around them even if they have just an image. Searching even by GPS location, to be able to get the closest. Comparing, Chatting, and Negotiating directly in-app. Subscribing to the Shop to stay up to date on arrivals and promotions (some features we took from the social media functioning). A art from that, seller side, a seller has his/her own Shop online with a specific link, all the visibility and marketing power due to the platform promoting products even on 3rd party platforms taking traffic from all round stress-free.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

1. Facebook Marketplace - Does not give you an online shop or "proper" tools to manage your commerce. - Facebook is for social media, not for commerce. Even the Ad insights from Facebook are from users scrolling around to find funny content, not users scrolling for what to buy hence it is very much less pertinent. We intelligently drive traffic from all other platforms to your specific products, even on Facebook but with more pertinent insight and potential clients. All products are sponsored on all social media platforms, and Google Merchant services. - Anybody can sell even some unwanted products on Facebook. No security, no coverage 2. Other Marketplaces - No robust search engine. - No flexibility and tools for managing an e-commerce shop. - Not providing enough analytics. - No marketing or customer retention tools - Shoppy has a very BROAD intelligent marketing infrastructure driving traffic even through affiliates and data-driven. - No use of Artificial intelligence to optimize

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

Yes, we intend to create special programs only for women. Providing special support and mentorship to female entrepreneurs on the platform.