South Africa - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

XL Zero is a comprehensive and simplified simulation and reporting platform for carbon accounting.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

XL Zero offers an affordable solution for capital-intensive enterprises like mining and construction companies to reduce their carbon footprint while achieving all their other goals. The platform has three main features reporting, simulation, and modeling. The reporting feature is unique to XL Zero because it offers users a simplified interface for viewing real-time performance, interacting with sustainability data, and asking any questions related to the sustainability of your operations - you do not need to be a data analyst to play around with data in our platform. The simulation and modeling features are designed for technical users to experiment with carbon reduction parameters, allowing them to determine the best alternatives based on cost, emission levels, regulatory compliance, ROI, and efficiency. The simulation offers a simplified 'plug-and-play' solution while modeling allows users to define their models.

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

The problem with carbon accounting is the lack of an affordable comprehensive yet simplified solution to help users effectively reduce their carbon emissions. Every responsible corporation now cares about climate change - voluntarily or compulsory. Capital-intensive enterprises are working towards reducing their carbon (greenhouse gases) emissions and several solutions have been proposed to help with reporting and managing the emissions. Yet no solutions offer a practical platform to evaluate decision alternatives that could lead to the best reduction outcome while allowing users to visualize their performance in real-time.

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

The benefits of using XL Zero are: 1. Affordable carbon accounting solution enabled by PAYG pricing model 2. Comprehensive emission reduction modeling and simulation covering environmental, economic, and operational factors in one 3. Simplified user interface - no need for intensive training or specialized data skills to access the basic features like reporting platform 4. Flexible modeling and simulation with a 'plug-and-play' option for semi-technical and starter modelers and deep modeling for professionals.

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

XL Zero targets growing mining and construction companies that need an affordable comprehensive yet simplified carbon accounting solution to proactively reduce their emissions while saving on emission-reduction project costs and improving operational efficiency. Typical company profile: Haart Mining, trading copper, operates in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Angola with annual revenue of $1.2 billion and 10,000 employees. They are transitioning from Microsoft Excel to a comprehensive system for voluntary disclosures to CDP and national regulators. Buyer Persona: Thandeka, the environmental manager, excels in carbon accounting but lacks data skills, relying on the IT department, which is inefficient. She believes technology can improve their work. User Persona: Johan, an expert in energy modeling, prefers understanding calculation equations and seeks a platform to define his models while automating his work.

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?

2

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

Admire works at Volvo Sweden, as a Lead developer. He has experience building applications for business clients - particularly for effective performance management, and client services. Martha also works at Volvo Sweden, as a Sustainability engineer - focusing on sustainable materials sourcing and upstream value chain. She has experience in carbon accounting, social performance, and environmental and social governance for corporations. Onneile is a Chartered Accountant working as a Financial Performance Manager for a De Beers subsidiary - Debswana. She has experience in sustainable finance and has done extensive work merging financial and sustainability reporting for their operations.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmond-munyadzwe/

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

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

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

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

By enabling enterprises to model and simulate carbon reduction strategies, XL Zero supports the transition to cleaner energy sources. The platform helps identify the most cost-effective and efficient ways to reduce emissions, promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions and more efficient energy use.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The platform supports mining and construction companies in achieving sustainable growth by improving efficiency and reducing costs through optimized carbon reduction strategies. This contributes to higher productivity and promotes sustainable 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

XL Zero fosters innovation in the mining and construction industries by providing tools for simulating and modeling sustainable practices. This drives technological advancement and modernization of industrial processes, enhancing sustainability and efficiency while maintaining economic goals.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The platform's ability to optimize carbon reduction strategies contributes to the development of more sustainable urban environments. By lowering emissions from large-scale industrial operations, XL Zero supports cleaner, healthier communities and reduces the environmental impact of urban growth.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

XL Zero's features encourage responsible resource use and production processes. By enabling detailed analysis and reporting of sustainability metrics, the platform promotes transparency and informed decision-making, leading to more sustainable consumption and production patterns.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The core focus of XL Zero is on reducing carbon footprints, directly addressing climate change mitigation. The simulation and modeling tools allow companies to explore and implement effective carbon reduction strategies, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

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

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

XL Zero facilitates collaboration among various stakeholders in the energy and climate change sectors. By offering a platform that integrates sustainability data and simulation tools, it encourages partnerships between industries, governments, and organizations focused on reducing carbon emissions. These collaborations are crucial for developing and implementing innovative solutions to combat climate change and promote the use of clean energy. XL Zero’s ability to streamline data sharing and analysis across different entities enhances the collective effort toward achieving climate and energy goals, fostering a unified approach to sustainability challenges.

05.01 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

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

6

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

6

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

XL Zero is innovative because it builds upon existing carbon reduction platforms by offering an advanced, user-friendly interface and unique features tailored for capital-intensive industries like mining and construction. While many customers already use similar products, XL Zero introduces new technology with its real-time reporting, simulation, and modeling capabilities that simplify data interaction for non-technical users. It improves upon existing services by integrating detailed sustainability metrics with cost, emission levels, regulatory compliance, ROI, and efficiency analysis. Furthermore, XL Zero addresses unmet demands by providing a comprehensive solution that not only facilitates easy data manipulation but also offers advanced modeling for technical users, ensuring that all aspects of carbon reduction are efficiently managed. This dual approach meets the needs of a broader user base and fills gaps left by other products and services.

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

XL Zero faces competition from Enablon, Sphera, Intelex, Gensuite, and Enviance. However, it stands out with its user-friendly interface that allows non-technical users to easily interact with sustainability data. Its dual simulation and modeling capabilities cater to both basic and advanced users, providing 'plug-and-play' solutions and customizable models. XL Zero's holistic approach integrates cost, emissions, regulatory compliance, ROI, and efficiency, offering a comprehensive view of sustainability impacts. Furthermore, XL Zero promotes transparency and community engagement, fostering trust and supporting a company’s social license to operate, making it a superior choice for sustainability management.

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

All the 3 startups I co-founded were female-dominated. Currently, we have a 50-50 gender ratio. I am the Chairperson of our alma mater's alumni association and have nominated 60% of females to lead portfolios based on competence. I find great leadership and innovation in female-dominated startups. I attribute it to females' nurturing nature.