Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Scholars is an edtech platform built specifically for Undergradutes in Govt. owned Universities and Polytechnics. The platform gives them access to Trainings, Scholarships, Mentorship and an online community of Interest group.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Predominantly in Nigeria, some of the challenges affiliated with the youths are: 1. High dropout rates amongst students 2. High rate of youth unemployment 3. High rate of youth involvement in cyber crime. In Correcting this anomaly, we are building scholars to connect with the youths in their prime. Scholars will offer financial aid in terms of scholarship (full or partial) Also, Scholars will host a training portal with over 2000 trainings and skill acquisition programs to further empower the youths. Additionally, scholars will facilitate a mentorships with industry leaders to model the minds of the youth. Finally, Scholars hosts various interest groups for youths to collaborate, share ideas, build and Connect. With Scholars, we hope to reduce dropouts by atleast 1% annually, we also hope to reduce the population of unemployed youths and youths engaged in crime by 1%.

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

We are looking to solve 3 problems: 1. High rate of dropout in Tertiary Institutions 2. The high rate of youth unemployment 3. The high rate of cybercrime amongst youth.

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

1. Students will have access to funds for their tuition 2. Students will have access to trainings to better equip themselves for the market place. 3. Students will access to mentorship from Industry leaders to coach them.

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

Scholars is targeted at Undergraduates in Govt. Owned Universities and Polytechnics.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-09-25

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.)

Timilehin Ogunseye is the Co-founder and CTO. He has over seven years experience as a software engineer, He is a senior software engineer that has worked with many top organizations which include: Venture Group, Africa Prudential, Creditville, and Zanerio Group. Timilehin brings his skill and experience as a tech Timilehin has over seven years experience as a software engineer, He is a senior software engineer that has worked with many top organizations which include: Venture Group, Africa Prudential, Creditville, and Zanerio Group. Timilehin brings his skill and experience as a tech expert to ensure the tech platform runs optimally. Ensuring that designs meet up with performance.expert to ensure the tech platform runs optimally. Ensuring that designs meets up with performance. Benjamin Braimoh is the COO. He has over 2 years experience in sales and management. He is a prolific Sales expert and has led a team of sales professionals. He is a leader that understands processes and system

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

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Every User who uses our app will be better equipped to get a job or startup their own business. Also connecting them to mentors is a strategy to helping them build bridges that will lead to financial freedom

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

We are exposing undergraduates to various skills that will enhance their knowledge and career, making them better equipped to face whatever terrain they decide to conquer

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The services Scholars offer is not gender biased. It is merit based. Particularly to boost female engagement we created a category in the scholarship programme exclusively for Female and Girl Child

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

3

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

The services offered on Scholars prepares the youth to better equipped and empowered to build business that will last. Also it equips them for the demand of employment, so they wouldn't add to the population of unemployed youths

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

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

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

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Scholars builds an inclusive platform that connects all undergraduates in Nigeria. Enabling collaboration, unity and peaceful co-existence in an unbiased system.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

To make Scholars effective, the ecosystem is built on strong partnerships between: 1. Investment Companies 2. Sponsors 3. Mentors 4. Professional trainers. Everyone of this partners contributes to the wholesome services offered on Scholars.

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

2

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.

6

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

4

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

3

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

2

05.08 Justification

Scholars is built as a Unique product that offers well selected services to a distinctive group and solves peculiar challenges facing the group.

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

Due to the complexities of Scholars and its design to transform social norm and social habits. Our major competitors are not in our industry but in a similar external industry. Service providers in the social media space like Meta, X, Tiktok pose a minute degree of threat to the adoption of our platform. However, our services are more purpose driven and mind building over social connectivity that they offer.

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

No