Tanzania - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

TAKA is a video game aimed to educate Tanzanians especially youths about climate change. The video game is to be released on iOS and Android and a Virtual Reality version will be released later on for MetaQuest 2 and Apple Vision Pro

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The video game will feature adversaries that are made up of waste materials and you have to fight these massive monsters using the tools at your disposal. There will be several levels that will be challenging and you're educated along the way on different ways to combat the different types of pollution. There will be a leaderboard feature as well where we'll release periodic challenges in the game and the winners will be awarded different prizes or even ambassadorship in top environment NGOs in the country, continent and the world. In order to educate the youths, you have to approach them in a fun and engaging way and once you get them engaged, they will be champions for environment protection at different levels in the society. In order to have an extensive reach, the game will initially be released for iOS and Android, after a few months then a VR version will be released as well for a more immersive experience and is to be used at different climate conferences and meet-ups

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

The future of the planet is in the hands of the youths, however during this digital age, most youths already battle with a lot of attention grabbing content online and have very limited attention span. Which means if you want to grab their attention for an important matter you have to be creative instead of boring them with long textual content or boring informative sessions. A video game was the best approach to teach about climate change and pollution because you get to see instantly how your actions affect the environment and how you can mitigate any such impact or how you can take preventive measures. So the problem we're trying to solve is to move away from traditional boring ways of teaching about climate change and use more modern ways, which are more immersive, fun, engaging, impactful and leave a lasting impact on the people.

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

1. Create awareness on climate change 2. Fun and engaging 3. Save the future of the planet

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

The primary beneficiaries are all Tanzanians, Africans and the entire world but mainly the youth population of the world. Initially the game will be custom tailored for the Tanzanian youths, then we'll keep expanding as we go to other countries. The reason we're making localised content for different countries is to make content that is more immersive and relatable to the local populous and that way more impactful. Another beneficiaries are NGOs and other impact driven international organisation Lastly, we aim to partner with multiple large corporates across the country such as major banks, telcos and the like and have this video game as part of their green initiatives. We aim to incorporate this video game in one way or another through their mobile apps. For instance for for a company like Vodacom or Tigo, we could partner with them and have our video game embedded in their super apps.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-08-26

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

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.)

Aggrey is a professional software engineer who has been in the banking and payments industry for more than 7years with hands on experience leading compact and large teams teams to develop mobile banking solutions for the biggest commercial bank here in Tanzania and some of the biggest Pan African banks in the continent. With my experience in developing software products used by millions of customers everyday across the continent for a mission critical industry like banking, i know what it takes to systematically build products that scale not just from a software perspective but from a product perspective as well. Irene is a professional in social sciences and has partaken in different climate action projects across the country through NGOs, it is during her time there that she decided to take advantage of her understanding of socio-economic impact projects and my expertise in software and video game development to create something different that has never been done here before.

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/grey.interactive

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Climate action and poverty alleviation are closely linked through various interdependencies. People living in poverty are heavily affected by climate change. Addressing climate change can help reduce these negative impact to such communities by ensuring access to essential resources like water and food, promoting sustainable livelihoods through clean energy, agriculture and creating economic opportunities in such communities. Since our video game aims to educate about climate change, it subsequently helps with poverty alleviation as well

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Climate change can disrupt agricultural productivity through altered rainfall patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events (such as droughts and floods) and temperature changes. These disruptions can lead to reduced crop yields, livestock losses etc directly affecting food availability and driving up food prices. Since our video game aims to educate about climate change, it subsequently helps with fighting hunger.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

Climate change poses significant risks to human health through various mechanisms including increased frequency of extreme weather events, air quality leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Threats to water and food security causing malnutrition and waterborne illnesses, expanded range of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes. Addressing climate change through mitigation and adaptation measures is crucial to safeguarding human health, promoting resilience and ensuring sustainable development. This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air and water quality, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and supporting communities in adapting to climate-related challenges. Since our video game aims to educate about climate change, it subsequently helps with promoting good health and wellbeing.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

A video game like ours that's focused on climate change can enhance education by making complex topics accessible and engaging for a diverse audience. It promotes inclusive learning through interactive experiences that foster critical thinking and problem-solving. By encouraging ongoing interest and community engagement, these games can empower players to understand climate issues deeply and take informed actions in real life, contributing to lifelong learning opportunities for all.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our can promote gender equality and empower women and girls by including strong female characters, telling empowering stories about their roles in combating climate change and educating players on how climate issues affect women disproportionately. The game can encourage teamwork and problem-solving around gender-specific challenges, create inclusive communities for discussion and real-world activism and recognize female achievements with rewards and mentorship programs. This approach can inspire players to support gender equality and take action in real life.

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

Our video game about climate change can ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by incorporating educational narratives about water conservation and sustainable practices by integrating gameplay mechanics that require players to manage water resources effectively. Players could engage in missions and challenges that involve developing sustainable water infrastructure, purifying contaminated water and ensuring equitable access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Through interactive and engaging content, the game can raise awareness and inspire real-world actions towards sustainable water management.

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

Our video game about climate change can ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by incorporating educational content about renewable energy sources, efficient energy use and the environmental impact of different energy choices. Through interactive gameplay, players can engage in missions to develop and manage sustainable energy projects such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power, while overcoming challenges related to energy distribution and access in underserved communities. This approach educates players on the importance of clean energy and inspires them to support and implement sustainable energy solutions in real life.

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

Our video game about climate change can promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all by integrating narratives and gameplay mechanics that focus on green jobs and sustainable industries. Players can engage in activities such as developing eco-friendly businesses, implementing sustainable practices in existing industries and creating job opportunities that focus on environmental conservation and renewable energy. The game can also highlight the importance of fair labor practices and inclusive growth, educating players on how sustainable economic development can lead to productive employment and decent work for all. Through interactive experiences, players learn the value of integrating economic growth with environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

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

Through interactive challenges, players learn the importance of integrating resilience and sustainability into development and the critical role of innovation in addressing environmental issues.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our video game can foster unity and cooperation among countries by emphasizing the shared challenge of combating the negative impact of climate change. By illustrating how extreme weather events and resource scarcity affect all nations, regardless of their economic status or geographic location, the game can highlight the interconnectedness of global challenges. Through gameplay mechanics that require international collaboration and resource sharing to mitigate and adapt to climate change, the game encourages players to work together across borders to fight a common enemy and put our differences aside.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Our video game can contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by integrating several key elements into its design and gameplay. It can simulate urban planning challenges related to climate impacts such as floods, heatwaves, or resource scarcity. Through interactive scenarios, the game can educate players on the importance of inclusive urban development, ensuring accessibility for all residents, including marginalized groups. By promoting sustainable practices like renewable energy adoption, green spaces creation and efficient transportation systems, the game encourages players to envision and implement environmentally friendly cities. Ultimately, by raising awareness and inspiring innovative solutions, the game aims to contribute to building more resilient and inclusive urban environments in the face of climate change.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Our can promote sustainable consumption and production patterns through the concept of a circular economy by educating players on the principles of resource efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling. The game can simulate scenarios where players must manage resources effectively, encourage them to make sustainable choices in their virtual interactions and reward behaviors that prioritize reuse and recycling. By demonstrating the benefits of circular economy practices such as product longevity, resource recovery, and closed-loop systems, the game encourages players to apply these principles in their real-world decisions. Through engaging gameplay and interactive learning, the game fosters awareness of sustainable consumption patterns and inspires players to contribute to a more environmentally friendly economy.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Our video game is literally about climate change and its impacts

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Our video game promotes the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development by incorporating educational content and gameplay mechanics focused on marine ecosystems. It can simulate challenges such as overfishing, ocean acidification and plastic pollution, prompting players to make decisions that prioritize conservation and sustainable practices. Through interactive scenarios, the game can educate players on the importance of marine biodiversity, sustainable fishing techniques and reducing marine pollution. By emphasizing the interconnectedness between human activities and marine health, the game encourages players to consider the long-term impacts of their virtual actions on ocean sustainability.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Our video game contributes to this initiative by integrating gameplay mechanics focused on these issues. The game can simulate scenarios where players must manage and restore ecosystems, make decisions to combat deforestation, reward points for reforestation efforts and implement sustainable agricultural practices. Through interactive challenges, players can learn about the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the importance of biodiversity, and the impacts of human activities on land degradation and desertification. By encouraging players to make environmentally responsible choices and demonstrating the benefits of conservation efforts, the game aims to raise awareness and inspire actions that contribute to the preservation and sustainable management of

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Our video game can promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development by integrating themes of environmental justice, community resilience and collaborative decision-making. Through its narratives and gameplay mechanics, the game can highlight the social impacts of climate change, such as displacement and conflict over resources, prompting players to explore peaceful solutions and inclusive strategies for resilience. By simulating scenarios where players must navigate societal challenges exacerbated by climate impacts, the game can educate on the importance of access to justice, accountability of institutions and inclusive governance. It can encourage players to advocate for policies that prioritize environmental and social justice, build resilient communities, and foster transparency and participation in decision-making processes at all levels.

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

Our video game can strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development by educating players on the importance of international cooperation, partnerships, and collective action. Through gameplay, the game can simulate global challenges that require collaborative solutions, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate impacts. By highlighting the interconnectedness of global issues and the need for coordinated efforts across countries, the game can foster awareness of the role of partnerships in achieving sustainable development. It can also showcase successful examples of partnerships between governments, businesses, NGOs, and communities in addressing climate change.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

In Tanzania, we’re the pioneers so we currently have no competition. There are a few startups in Kenya, Nigeria like Mekan Games, Usiku Games, Maliyo games that might eventually become competitors once we scale to new markets like Kenya and West Africa

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