South Africa - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

RealPlus Services is a mobile app that allows homeowners to negotiate prices with vetted home service providers, including cleaners, plumbers, and electricians, ensuring competitive rates and high-quality service.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

RealPlus Services is an innovative mobile application designed to revolutionize the home services market by empowering homeowners to negotiate directly with a curated network of professional service providers, including cleaners and plumbers. Our platform ensures competitive pricing, enhances service quality, and provides a seamless, user-friendly experience. The app includes features such as verified provider profiles, user reviews, secure in-app payments, and a real-time bidding system that allows homeowners to receive multiple quotes and select the best offer. Additionally, RealPlus Services offers a comprehensive vetting process for service providers, including background checks and certification verifications, ensuring only the most qualified professionals are available. By leveraging advanced technology and a unique negotiation feature, RealPlus Services bridges the gap between homeowners and trusted service professionals, fostering transparency, convenience, and value.

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

Homeowner Pain Points: Difficulty finding reliable service providers with fair pricing. Getting quotes can be time-consuming. Uncertainty about the quality of service offered by different providers. Feeling pressured to accept the first quote received. Service Provider Pain Points: Difficulty finding steady work and managing client flow. Inefficient bidding processes that involve multiple contacts. Unclear pricing expectations from homeowners. Traveling long distances for jobs

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

Competitive Pricing: -Homeowners can negotiate prices directly with service providers, ensuring they receive the best possible deals. -Multiple quotes from various professionals enable users to compare and choose the most cost-effective option. Increased Transparency: -See the qualifications and reviews of service providers before making a decision. -Understand pricing upfront through the bidding system. Enhanced Work Opportunities for Providers: -Service providers benefit from access to a large client base, consistent work opportunities, and the ability to set competitive rates. -The platform helps professionals grow their business by reaching more potential customers and securing more jobs.

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

Homeowners Seeking Service Providers: Busy professionals with limited time to find and compare service providers. Families seeking reliable cleaners, plumbers, electricians, or other home service professionals. People who are new to an area and need to find trustworthy service providers. Anyone who wants more control over the pricing and selection process for home services. Service Providers Looking for Clients: Independent plumbers, electricians, cleaners, and handymen. Small businesses offering home service solutions. Service providers who want to expand their client base and find steady work. Individuals looking for a more efficient way to connect with potential clients and manage their workload.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-02-01

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

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

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

Rabelani Nenungwi(female co-founder) Project Management Communication Problem-Solving Zorodzai Chaparira( Digital Marketer- Partner) Marketing Data Analysis Project management Network Building Pride Chitumba (Male Actuary- Partner) Budgeting & Forecasting Financial Data Analysis Data Analysis & Modelin

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Job Creation and Economic Empowerment: For Service Providers: RealPlus provides a platform for independent contractors and small businesses to access a larger customer base, secure more jobs, and increase their income. This is particularly beneficial for individuals in low-income communities who rely on gig economy jobs for their livelihood. For Local Economies: By promoting local service providers, RealPlus stimulates economic activity within communities, helping to boost local economies and reduce poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Economic Empowerment and Income Generation: Increased Earnings for Service Providers: By providing a platform for home service providers to find more job opportunities and negotiate fair wages, RealPlus helps increase their income. Higher earnings enable service providers and their families to afford nutritious food and other necessities, reducing food insecurity. Supporting Local Economies: Stimulating local economies through increased economic activity can lead to more stable and prosperous communities, where residents have better access to food and resources.

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

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Economic Empowerment of Women: Job Opportunities for Female Service Providers: RealPlus provides a platform where women can offer their services, such as cleaning, plumbing, and electrical work, gaining access to a wider customer base and increasing their income potential. Fair Wage Negotiation: The app’s negotiation feature ensures that all service providers, including women, can negotiate fair wages for their work, helping to close the gender pay gap. Supporting Female Entrepreneurs: Business Growth and Development: By offering resources and tools for managing bookings, finances, and customer relationships, RealPlus helps female service providers grow their businesses and achieve financial independence.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Fair and Transparent Work Conditions: Negotiation and Fair Wages: The app’s negotiation feature allows service providers to set and negotiate fair prices for their work, ensuring they receive adequate compensation and helping to eliminate wage disparities. Secure Payment Systems: RealPlus ensures that service providers are paid promptly and securely through the app, reducing the risk of wage theft and financial instability. Job Creation and Economic Opportunities: Employment for Service Providers: RealPlus connects homeowners with a wide range of service providers, including cleaners, plumbers, electricians, and more, creating numerous job opportunities in the gig economy. Support for Small Businesses: By providing a platform for independent contractors and small businesses to reach more customers, RealPlus helps these entities grow and thrive, contributing to overall economic growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Technological Innovation: Advanced Platform: RealPlus uses a state-of-the-art mobile app and website to connect homeowners with service providers efficiently. Features like real-time negotiation, secure payments, and customer reviews enhance user experience and trust. Data Analytics: Utilizing data analytics to match homeowners with the most suitable service providers based on their specific needs and preferences, improving service quality and satisfaction. Accessibility and Inclusivity: User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that both homeowners and service providers can easily navigate and use the app, thereby increasing access to essential services. Inclusive Opportunities: RealPlus promotes equal opportunities for all service providers, including those from marginalized communities, fostering an inclusive approach to economic and infrastructure development

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Economic Inclusion and Access: Broadening Job Opportunities: RealPlus offers a platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including marginalized and underserved communities, to find work in the home services sector. This helps reduce economic disparities by providing employment opportunities to those who might otherwise face barriers to entry. Empowerment of Underserved Groups: Support for Female Service Providers: RealPlus promotes gender equality by encouraging women to enter and succeed in the home services industry. The platform supports female entrepreneurs and service providers, helping them achieve economic independence. Inclusion of Minority Groups: By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, RealPlus ensures that minority groups have equal access to job opportunities and can compete fairly in the marketplace.

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

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

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

2

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.

3

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

4

05.08 Justification

RealPlus Services does not necessarily aim to create a new version of an old product or service, but rather to innovate within the home services industry by leveraging technology to improve the way homeowners connect with service providers. While the concept of hiring professionals for home maintenance is not new, RealPlus innovates by providing a streamlined platform that offers transparency, convenience, and efficiency in the process of hiring and negotiating with service providers.

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

SweepSouth, Fix Forward, and HomeFixer, as well as traditional directories and independent service providers. Each of these competitors offers variations of home services booking and connects users with local service professionals. However, RealPlus distinguishes itself by its focus on transparent negotiation and fair pricing, which may not be as prevalent in the South African market.

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

NO