South Africa - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Sizawena's solution is a comprehensive online platform that bridges the gap. We connect homeowners with vetted professionals, including those skilled artisans operating informally. This expands the talent pool for homeowners.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Imagine Sizawena as a bridge connecting two sides: homeowners and skilled professionals in South Africa's home improvement industry. By creating a trusted online space with a vetting process, clear communication tools, and potential guarantees, Sizawena tackles the lack of trust and transparency in the industry. Homeowners feel secure knowing they're connected with qualified professionals, while professionals gain access to new clients and growth opportunities. This win-win situation benefits everyone and helps build a more reliable and efficient home improvement industry in South Africa.

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

Sizawena tackles the core issue of distrust and lack of transparency that plagues the South African home improvement industry. This problem creates a frustrating experience for both: ● Homeowners: Struggling to find reliable professionals, facing unclear pricing, and potentially encountering poor workmanship or project delays. ● Professionals: Having limited access to a wider client base, difficulty establishing credibility, and particularly for informal artisans, a lack of opportunities to formalize their businesses. Sizawena's solution is a comprehensive online platform that bridges the gap. We connect homeowners with vetted professionals, including those skilled artisans operating informally. For the artisans, Sizawena provides a platform to showcase their skills, build a reputation, and connect with a broader client base, ultimately empowering them to grow

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Online platform: Facilitate communication and project management, and potentially offer additional features like secure payment processing. Vetting process: Sizawena will establish a thorough vetting process for professionals. This might involve verification of qualifications, licenses, insurance checks, reference reviews, and potentially skills assessments. Matching algorithm: based on location, expertise, and user ratings. Built-in features could allow homeowners and professionals to communicate directly, share project details, track progress, and manage tasks efficiently. Data analytics: Sizawena will likely leverage data analytics to track user behavior, platform usage, and project completion. mobile-friendly or develop a dedicated mobile app for user convenience on the go. Integration with external tools: Integrating with other relevant tools, such as training platforms for informal artisans/ SMS integration and secure online payment gateways.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Underserved population by targeting artisans in the informal sector as well as trained, certified professionals. Our target customer is anyone of all ages and any demographic.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-06-10

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Myself: Bachelor of Business Honours Degree in Finance with over 10 years experience in Corporate, and 3 years experience in an entrepreneurial role. Experience in banking, financial advisory, business advisory and business mentorship. My partner: CA(SA) with over 15 years work experience. Ex-PWC manager, who runs a luxury haircare brand, an NPO bridging the digital divide between youth and employers and more recently a business development manager.

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

https://www.sizawena.co.za

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

c) Industry (equipment, commercial, logistical and professional services, transport)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By providing a platform to connect the informal sector with middle-high income home-owners and also providing a platform to train artisans in partnership with registered organizations.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Indirectly contributes to this by creating job employment.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Indirectly contributes to this by creating job employment.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

By providing training to artisans within the informal sector.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By providing a platform to match artisans with homeowners and create employment opportunities.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Revolutionising the artisan trading platform by creating an innovative digital platform.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By creating job opportunities for youth and the informal sector.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

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

4

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

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

5

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

2

05.08 Justification

- Focus on Informal Sector: Sizawena actively bridges the gap by integrating skilled informal artisans into the platform. -Guaranteed Workmanship: Unlike most platforms, Sizawena offers a guarantee on workmanship. This provides homeowners with peace of mind. -Community Focus: Sizawena fosters a sense of community within the industry. Homeowners connect with trusted professionals, and professionals benefit from recognition, growth opportunities, and potentially collaborative interactions. -Data-Driven Approach: Sizawena utilizes data analytics to continuously monitor platform platform performance, user experience, and the overall impact on the industry.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Kaunda and potentially Sweepsouth.

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

Yes. I am the local chapter Director for Startup Grind Durban. I try and showcase female entrepreneurs where possible. I am hosting an all-female panel for women in tech in August. In my role as Corporate Manager at Al Baraka Bank, I lead a 90% female team of analysts.