Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

COP by Lexasens is a cloud-based marketing platform that empowers Nigerian small businesses to sell more online with features like website building, social media scheduling, and automation.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

COP by Lexasens is a cloud-based website marketing platform designed to simplify online marketing for small businesses in Nigeria. It offers a drag-and-drop website builder with pre-made templates for landing pages, sales funnels, and blogs. Businesses can automate tasks like email sequences and social media posting across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and Youtube. COP integrates with Google Business Profile, Google Ads, Mailchimp, Calendly, Paystack, and Flutterwave for easy management of ads, bookings, payments, and customer interactions. It also provides built-in analytics and Google Analytics integration for tracking website traffic and marketing performance. Team features allow businesses to collaborate effectively with customizable roles and permissions.

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

COP by Lexasens is designed to address the challenges faced by Nigerian small businesses in managing their online marketing. It provides a user-friendly platform for building websites, scheduling social media posts, automating tasks, and tracking performance, all in one place.

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

COP by Lexasens offers several advantages to Nigerian small businesses: Simplified online marketing: COP provides a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop website building, social media scheduling, and marketing automation. This eliminates the need for complex coding or hiring marketing specialists, allowing business owners to focus on running their business. Increased sales and leads: Features like landing pages, sales funnels, and automated email sequences can help convert website visitors into leads and paying customers. Integration with Google Ads and social media platforms further widens the reach of marketing campaigns. Improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness: COP consolidates various marketing tools into one platform, streamlining workflows and saving time. Built-in analytics and performance tracking allow businesses to optimize their campaigns and make data-driven decisions, maximizing their return on investment.

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

COP by Lexasens is specifically aimed at small businesses in Nigeria. Here's a breakdown of the target beneficiaries: Business owners: COP empowers owners to manage their online presence without needing technical expertise. Drag-and-drop website building and marketing automation save them time and resources. Marketing teams: For small businesses with marketing teams, COP provides a central hub for website creation, social media scheduling, and campaign management, fostering collaboration and streamlining workflows. Entrepreneurs: COP caters to aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria by offering a cost-effective platform to launch their online ventures. Easy website building and built-in marketing tools help them get started quickly.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2021-02-01

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

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

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

Friday Edemumo is an accomplished and certified videographer with extensive training from Netisens ICT HUB. He holds a B.Sc in Microbiology and an M.Sc in Marine Environmental Biology from the prestigious Akwa Ibom State University. Known for his discipline, enthusiasm, and commitment to excellence, Friday excels in delivering tasks smoothly and efficiently. In addition to his technical expertise, Friday serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Lexasens Marketing Enterprise, where he oversees operations with a strategic and results-oriented approach. He is also the Deputy State Lead for Connected Development, a renowned non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and community engagement. Friday’s diverse background and leadership experience make him a valuable asset in any project. His unique combination of scientific knowledge, technical skills, and managerial acumen equips him to effectively manage & execute grant-funded initiatives with precision

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/company/lexasens/

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

COP by Lexasens can strongly agree (7) with its contribution to the UN's No Poverty (SDG 1) goal by empowering small businesses in Nigeria. Here's how: Increased sales and income generation: COP's marketing tools can help small businesses reach a wider audience, convert more leads into customers, and ultimately increase their sales and income. This financial growth can contribute to poverty reduction for business owners, employees, and their families. Job creation: As businesses using COP experience growth, they may be more likely to hire additional staff. This can create new job opportunities and contribute to poverty reduction through increased employment and income within local communities. Entrepreneurship enablement: COP's affordable platform with easy-to-use website building and marketing tools can lower barriers to entry for aspiring entrepreneurs. This can encourage more people to start their own businesses, fostering self-employment and economic opportunities.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

COP by Lexasens would likely have a somewhat agree (5) contribution to the UN's Zero Hunger (SDG 2) goal. While it doesn't directly address hunger itself, it can create conditions that could indirectly lead to increased access to food: Income generation: By empowering small businesses to grow their sales and income (as described in the SDG 1 response), COP can contribute to improved livelihoods for business owners and their communities. This increased income allows them to allocate more resources towards purchasing food, potentially improving their access to nutritious meals. Limited reach: However, it's important to acknowledge that COP's focus on marketing is primarily digital. This might exclude some demographics or rural areas with limited internet access, hindering its direct impact on hunger reduction. Overall, COP's contribution to SDG 2 is indirect and depends on how effectively increased income translates to better food security.

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

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

COP by Lexasens contribution to the UN's Quality Education (SDG 4) goal is likely to be somewhat agree (5). Here's why: Limited direct impact: COP doesn't directly provide educational resources or training. Its focus on marketing tools isn't inherently connected to improving the quality of education. Indirect benefits for business owners: The digital marketing skills gained through COP by business owners can be considered a form of informal adult education. This can empower them to make better-informed decisions, improve their business communication, and potentially reach a wider audience to learn new skills themselves. Entrepreneurship education potential: COP's user-friendly website builder and marketing tools can be seen as a form of practical business education for aspiring entrepreneurs. This can equip them with the necessary skills to launch and manage their ventures online.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

COP by Lexasens can be seen as somewhat agree (5) in its contribution to the UN's Gender Equality (SDG 5) goal. Here's how it might contribute: Empowering female entrepreneurs: By providing user-friendly marketing tools at an affordable cost, COP can empower women to launch and manage their online businesses. This can lead to increased economic opportunities and independence for women entrepreneurs. Flexible work arrangements: The digital nature of COP's platform allows for flexibility in work schedules and location. This can be beneficial for women who might face challenges with traditional work structures due to childcare or other commitments.

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

4

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

COP by Lexasens can be seen as strongly agree (7) in its contribution to the UN's Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) goal. Here's how it directly addresses SDG 8: SME growth and job creation: By empowering small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria with user-friendly marketing tools, COP can help them grow their customer base, increase sales, and potentially expand their operations. This growth can lead to job creation within these businesses, contributing to economic development. Entrepreneurship enablement: COP's affordable platform with easy-to-use website building tools lowers barriers to entry for aspiring entrepreneurs. This can encourage more people to start their own businesses, fostering self-employment and economic opportunities. Improved business efficiency: COP's marketing automation, analytics, and built-in integrations can streamline workflows and improve efficiency for SMEs. This allows them to focus on core business activities.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

COP by Lexasens' contribution to the UN's Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) is likely to be somewhat agree (5). Here's why: Limited direct impact: COP doesn't directly create physical infrastructure or develop entirely new technologies. Potential for innovation enablement: COP's user-friendly marketing platform can be seen as a tool that indirectly supports innovation within small businesses. By simplifying online marketing tasks, COP frees up business owners' time and resources to focus on creative endeavors and developing new products or services. Contribution to digital infrastructure: COP leverages the internet and cloud technologies to provide its marketing solutions. By encouraging businesses to establish an online presence and utilize digital marketing tools, COP can contribute to the growth of digital infrastructure in Nigeria, albeit in a small way.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

COP by Lexasens' contribution to the UN's Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) is likely to be somewhat agree (5). Here's a breakdown of its potential impact: Possible positive contributions: Empowering underserved entrepreneurs: By providing affordable marketing tools, COP can make it easier for entrepreneurs from underserved communities (e.g., women, rural areas) to participate in the digital economy, potentially reducing economic inequalities. Increased access to markets: COP's online marketing tools can help small businesses reach a wider audience, including customers beyond their immediate locality. This could create a more level playing field for smaller businesses to compete with established players. Limitations to consider: Digital divide: Access to technology and the internet remains a significant hurdle, especially in underserved communities. This could limit COP's reach and ability to address inequalities effectively.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

COP offers a platform for businesses to potentially promote responsible consumption. However, its direct contribution is limited, and the ultimate impact depends on how businesses choose to utilize the platform.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

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

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

COP offers a small possibility for indirectly promoting practices that benefit life on land. However, the direct contribution is limited, and the ultimate impact depends on how businesses choose to utilize the platform.

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

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

COP by Lexasens can be seen as somewhat agree (5) in its contribution to the UN's Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Here's how it might indirectly contribute: Collaboration potential: COP's platform could be a tool used by businesses to collaborate with NGOs or government agencies working towards SDGs. For instance, environmental organizations could partner with businesses on COP to promote sustainable practices. Facilitating communication: COP's features like social media scheduling and messaging tools could help businesses connect and collaborate with stakeholders who share SDG goals. This could foster partnerships that contribute to broader sustainability efforts. However, limitations exist: Indirect and user-dependent impact: COP doesn't directly create partnerships, it provides a platform. The actual collaboration and its contribution to SDGs depend on user choices and initiatives.

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

3

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

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

COP's innovation strategy lies in understanding the specific needs and challenges faced by Nigerian SMEs in the digital marketing landscape. By combining affordability, ease of use, and potential local integration with existing functionalities, COP offers a new and improved solution that caters to this under-served market and empowers them to participate more effectively in the digital economy.

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

Main Competitors: Global Marketing Platforms: Established international players like Wix, Squarespace, or Mailchimp offer website building and marketing automation tools. Local Web Development Agencies: Nigerian businesses might look to local agencies for website development and marketing services. COP stands out by: Focusing on Nigerian SMEs with tailored features, pricing, and potentially even language. Offering affordability and ease of use, making it accessible for budget-conscious businesses. Integrating with local social media platforms for a more culturally relevant experience. Empowering aspiring Nigerian entrepreneurs by providing the tools to launch and market their businesses online.

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

As the founder of Digital Marketing Agency, I’m actively working with Shecluded (a platform that empowers female entrepreneurs with access to finance and resources for growth) and I act as a digital consultant to them and educate their clients (female entrepreneurs and their employees) on digital literacy and transformation.