Tanzania - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We provide expert automotive services with professional mechanics, offering mobile, digital, and time-saving solutions. We focus on honesty, advanced expertise, and clean energy conversions, promoting gender equality in a male-dominated field.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our innovative startup attains to revolutionize Dar es Salaam's automotive industry. We provide mobile mechanical services led by professional female mechanics, addressing the lack of women in this male-dominated field and ensuring high-quality, honest, and advanced vehicle maintenance. Our services include regular maintenance, repairs, diagnostics, and clean energy solutions such as converting fuel vehicles to CNG and aspiring to offer EV charging stations. By promoting gender equality, we empower women through employment and training opportunities, contributing to financial independence and economic growth. Our mobile service model offers convenience and making automotive care more accessible for all. The Garage Woman is committed to supporting climate action, reducing inequalities in the mechanical field, and driving sustainable development in the community. Our unique approach not only transforms the automotive industry but also champions’ social and environmental responsibility.

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

The main problem we aim to solve is the severe underrepresentation of women in the tech and mechanical fields, as revealed by a 2019 study. In Kariakoo, only 5 out of 300 technicians were women, and in Ilala, merely 5 out of 50+ mechanics were female. Major garages employ fewer than 10 women mechanics. This disparity, along with personal challenges faced in traditional garages such as dishonesty, lack of product knowledge, inadequate customer service, and poor waiting environments, highlighted the need for a dedicated solution. High-end garages cater exclusively to wealthy clients, leaving middle-income individuals with limited options, busy professionals often lack the time to visit workshops. To address these issues, The Garage Woman was created. We offer mobile mechanical services at the customer’s convenience, providing affordable, high-quality maintenance and repair for middle-income and high-end vehicle owners

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

We provide mobile mechanical services, bringing professional maintenance and repair directly to the customer's location. This saves time and effort, particularly for busy individuals who cannot easily visit traditional workshops. We offer consultation and educational services, empowering customers with knowledge about their vehicles. This unique approach helps customers make informed decisions about their vehicle maintenance. We support clean energy solutions also

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

Middle and High-Income Vehicle Owners who seek reliable, professional, and prefer vehicle maintenance at their location, saving time and effort. Environmentally Conscious Consumers interested in sustainable automotive solutions. As we support clean energy initiatives such as converting fuel vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) and Women who feel uncomfortable or intimidated in traditional male-dominated workshops. THE GARAGE WOMAN team provides a comfortable, empowering environment, ensuring respectful and trustworthy service.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-11-23

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?

1

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

My partner at THE GARAGE WOMAN is an Environmental Engineer by profession with expertise in Health and Safety and environmental consulting. While he works part-time with us due to his full-time employment, his skills and knowledge greatly contribute to our focus on clean energy solutions and sustainable practices.

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

https://www.thegaragewoman.co.tz/, https://www.instagram.com/the_garage_woman/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Digital Mechanics. (Motor vehicle diagnosis, repair, regular services and conversion from fuel to CNG)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

The Garage Woman contributes to No Poverty by addressing economic disparities and creating meaningful employment opportunities focusing on empowering women in Tanzania by providing them with valuable skills and steady income, thereby lifting their families out of poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We provide women with job opportunities in an industry where they are underrepresented. we ensure that they gain valuable technical skills and experience, promoting their economic independence and career growth, we challenge societal stereotypes and norms about gender roles by showcasing expert female mechanics and technicians . This encourages more women and girls to pursue careers in STEM and technical fields as they serve as role models, inspiring other women and girls to explore and pursue careers in automotive mechanics and other technical professions. This has a ripple effect, encouraging broader societal acceptance and support for women in diverse fields. And so far we have 17 women on board as an early startup this includes mechanics, accountant, customer care, drivers and car care cleaners.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We specialize in converting traditional fuel vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG), a cleaner alternative to gasoline and diesel, We have been doing this as intermediate locally partnering with local CNG companies on commission basis. So far we successfully manage to convert about 33 cars This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, contributing to a cleaner environment. Eg; fuel price per liter is twice the price of 1kg gas , these options more affordable, we enable more people to participate in the shift towards sustainable energy.

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

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We provide meaningful job opportunities for women, particularly those who may have been marginalized or excluded from technical professions. This not only empowers them economically but also ensures a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

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

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The Garage Woman actively contributes to climate action by reducing emissions, promoting clean energy, and encourage a culture of environmental responsibility within the automotive industry.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Collaborations with Educational Institutions such as VETA, NIT, Dar es salaam Institute of Technology: partnership with automotive manufacturers and suppliers for vehicle maintenance and repair from Kenya, South Africa and UK, even here in Dar es salaam - Tanzania We engage with local communities, participate in industry conferences, forums, and networks to advocate for gender equality and sustainability in the automotive sector.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

6

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

5

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.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

My main competitors are the potential mechanical workshops that have been existing for more than 10years since my goals are higher and bigger thus are CFAO, Nobble motors, CMC and all other big gurus because I am as well learning the business tactics from them. Costs, Convenience, quality and how a lady offer the best services will make me stand out from them

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

YES.