Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Blista is a mobile app designed to transform the way stakeholders in higher education institutions connect and collaborate.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Blista aims to bridge the communication gaps between students, lecturers, departments, faculties, universities, and government or private companies with investments in the higher education sector. By providing an intuitive and feature-rich interface mobile application, Blista empowers users to build meaningful relationships, share knowledge, foster collaboration, innovation, and growth, and discover valuable opportunities within a secure and engaging environment. Higher education institutions often struggle with communication gaps between stakeholders, hindering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and potential partnerships. Students, lecturers, departments, faculties, and other relevant parties face difficulties in effectively connecting and engaging with each other.

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

Communication Gaps - Higher education institutions face fragmented communication, hindering collaboration among various stakeholders. Limited Network Opportunities - Existing channels offer limited networking opportunities, impeding interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange for stakeholders. Limited Access to Resources - Students and lecturers encounter some challenges in accessing and sharing academic resources efficiently within the current higher education landscape. Limited Industry-Academia Partnership - In most cases, Students lack opportunities to connect with industry professionals and access career development resources, impacting their overall educational and career experience.

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

CONNECT & COLLABORATE - User profiles, newsfeeds, messaging, and discussion forum unite students, lecturers, institutions and other stakeholders by creating a hub for seamless communication interaction. RESOURCE SHARING - Groups, pages, communities, and events simplify networking, making it easy for stakeholders to promptly engage and share resources. CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Access to professional development opportunities, Job and internship hunt features connect relevant stakeholders with industry, enhancing career prospects and establishing valuable industry-academia partnerships.

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

STUDENTS - Engage and connect with peers, access educational resources, and discover opportunities for collaboration. LECTURERS - Share knowledge, collaborate with colleagues, and enhance teaching methods. INSTITUTIONS - Forge a unified academic community. Seamlessly connect departments, faculties, and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and promoting instant communication. GOVERNMENT/ PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS - Offers a strategic gateway to promote impactful partnerships and industry-academia collaboration across all stakeholders.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-07

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

2

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.)

Our mobile developer is adept at crafting robust applications for iOS and Android platforms. With hands-on experience in languages like Swift, Java, or Kotlin, they specialize in building responsive user interfaces and integrating backend functionalities. Their proficiency extends to utilizing frameworks such as Flutter to ensure cross-platform compatibility and seamless user experiences. Their role involves translating design concepts into functional code while adhering to best practices in mobile app development. Our marketing professional is instrumental in shaping Blista's brand and reaching its target audience effectively. They possess a strategic mindset honed through years of experience in market research and consumer behavior. Their expertise spans digital and social media marketing, content creation, and campaigns. Their role includes overseeing promotional activities, partnerships, and leveraging analytics to optimize Blista's market penetration and user acquisition efforts

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

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

3

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

As Blista continues its development, it aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education by creating a platform that enhances accessibility and collaboration within higher education institutions. The goal is to provide all students, regardless of background or location, with equal opportunities to access educational resources, engage with peers and educators, and participate in learning activities. Blista plans to offer diverse educational content, support materials, and tools that cater to various learning styles and preferences, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for continuous personal and professional growth. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, Blista aims to empower individuals to pursue education at their own pace and according to their unique needs, thereby contributing to the broader goal of ensuring equitable and quality education for all.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Blista aims to contribute to the goal of gender equality by planning to create an inclusive platform within higher education institutions. This platform will support equal participation and opportunities for all genders by facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among students, educators, and stakeholders, regardless of gender. Blista intends to promote diversity and inclusivity to ensure that all voices are heard and respected, aiming to break down barriers that hinder gender equality in academia and beyond. Additionally, the platform plans to provide tailored resources and support to address gender-specific challenges and needs, aspiring to foster an environment where women can thrive and contribute equally to the educational community and workforce.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Blista aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by bridging gaps between higher education and industry. It facilitates partnerships and collaborations that align educational outcomes with market demands, ensuring graduates are equipped with relevant skills for employment. By fostering connections between students, educators, and businesses, Blista supports economic productivity and innovation. It promotes full and productive employment by reducing skills mismatches and enhancing workforce readiness, thereby contributing to long-term economic stability and inclusive growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Blista enhances communication and collaboration within higher education to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive industrialization, and foster innovation. It connects students, lecturers, departments, and universities, supporting adaptable educational structures. By aligning educational outcomes with industry needs, Blista ensures graduates are job-ready, fostering economic growth and sustainability. It cultivates innovation through collaborative projects, knowledge exchange, and resource access, driving technological advancements and societal progress.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Blista aims to reduce inequality within the community by fostering inclusivity and equal access to connection and educational opportunities. By providing a platform that connects students, lecturers, departments, faculties, and universities, Blista bridges communication gaps that often hinder collaboration and knowledge sharing. This inclusivity ensures that all stakeholders, regardless of background, location, gender, or social status have equitable access to information, resources, and educational advancements. Additionally, by promoting diversity and celebrating various perspectives and experiences, Blista creates a supportive environment that values and respects individual contributions, thereby contributing to a more equitable educational landscape within the community.

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

4

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

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Eco-Friendly Practices: We implement eco-friendly practices, such as reducing paper usage, and employing energy-efficient technologies to minimize energy consumption.

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

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

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.

4

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

4

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.

6

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.

6

05.08 Justification

Blista is an innovative mobile app that significantly enhances communication and collaboration among stakeholders in Nigerian higher education. Unlike existing platforms that either focus solely on social networking or academic management, Blista integrates both functionalities, offering stakeholders-specific channels, real-time connection, collaborative tools, and academic resource sharing. It ensures secure, private interactions, bridging academic and professional worlds by connecting users with government bodies and private companies for collaboration and research opportunities. Tailored specifically to the Nigerian context, Blista addresses unique challenges and unmet needs by promoting collaboration, innovation, resource sharing and other unique opportunities, thereby fostering a more connected and dynamic educational ecosystem.

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

At the moment, there is no outstanding competitor with a similar solution to what Blista aims to offer other than the popular social media apps like Facebook, X(Twitter), Instagram, etc but those provide fragmented communication channels and limited engagement. Blista aims to differentiate and stand out by providing a comprehensive platform that caters to all stakeholders in the higher education community, fostering collaboration, networking, and resource sharing among all relevant stakeholders.

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

I am actively supporting female entrepreneurs by teaching them digital marketing and Facebook ads to enhance their online product marketing capabilities. Additionally, I assist them in accessing courses tailored to excel in their diverse business ventures. Moreover, I connect them to relevant grants and seminars specifically designed for female entrepreneurs, aiming to empower them with essential resources and opportunities.