Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

CraftShare Hub is a digital platform connecting artisans to equipment, spaces and resources they need thereby enhancing resource efficiency and fostering a supportive community. Our current focus is on the fashion industry.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

CraftShare Hub is a digital platform designed to transform the way artisans access and share essential resources, especially in the fashion industry. The platform addresses the lack of affordable, accessible, and high-quality workspaces and equipment. By leveraging technology, CraftShare Hub bridges this gap, fostering collaboration, creativity, and sustainability. CraftShare Hub provides affordable and flexible access to high-quality workspaces and equipment. The platform lowers the barriers to entry for emerging artisans, enabling them to pursue their craft and grow their businesses. The platform promotes sustainability by maximizing the use of existing resources, reducing the need for new purchases, and minimizing waste. By empowering artisans and promoting efficient resource use, CraftShare Hub not only addresses a critical need but also paves the way for a more collaborative, creative, and sustainable future.

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

The main problem CraftShare Hub aims to solve is the lack of affordable, accessible, and high-quality workspaces and equipment for artisans, particularly within the fashion industry. We discovered from primary research that more than 80% of emerging fashion designers struggle to find the resources they need to create and grow their businesses due to high costs and limited availability. Conversely, over 50% of established fashion designers often have idle resources that go underutilized and could be monetized. This disconnect creates barriers to new talent, stifles creativity, and leads to inefficiency and waste in the use of existing resources. CraftShare Hub bridges this gap by providing a platform that facilitates the sharing and efficient use of these resources, fostering collaboration, creativity, profitability and sustainability.

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

CraftShare Hub offers several major benefits: Affordable Access to Resources: By connecting artisans with unused spaces and equipment, CraftShare Hub provides affordable access to high-quality resources. Increased Resource Utilization: The platform allows established artisans to monetize their idle resources, maximizing the use of existing equipment and spaces. This leads to more efficient resource use and reduces the need for new purchases, promoting sustainability. Flexible and Convenient Solutions: CraftShare Hub offers flexible rental options, including hourly and daily rates, making it easy for artisans to find and book resources that fit their specific needs and schedules. Sustainability: By promoting the sharing of resources, CraftShare Hub contributes to environmental sustainability. It reduces waste, lowers the demand for new equipment, and encourages the responsible use of resources.

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

CraftShare Hub is aimed at serving two primary groups: artisans in need of resources and those with unused resources to share. The targeted beneficiaries include emerging fashion designers, apprentices, and students seeking affordable access to sewing spaces and equipment. Additionally, established fashion designers, tailors, and crafters who have underutilized resources can benefit by monetizing their idle assets. By connecting these two groups, CraftShare Hub fosters collaboration, creativity, and sustainability within the artisan community, empowering individuals to pursue their craft and grow their businesses.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-04-01

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

2

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.)

Temitope Omodojo is the Innovation Lead at CraftShare. She brings over a decade of fashion design expertise and two years of successful haberdashery business ownership. As a trained Data Analyst, Temitope employs data-driven strategies to drive CraftShare Hub's growth. A skilled salesperson, Temitope excels in revenue generation and customer relations. Proficient in SQL, PowerBI, and spreadsheets, Temitope's attention to detail and problem-solving abilities ensure CraftShare Hub's success in empowering artisans worldwide. Yaya David is the Technical Lead at CraftShare. He is a seasoned product designer and a DevOps engineer with over 4 years of experience. He is skilled in tools like Azure, AWS, CICD, Terraform, and Kubernetis. He is also skilled in user research, prototyping, and design systems.

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/craftsharehub/

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

CraftShare provides increased access to affordable resources that enables artisans to start or grow their businesses, generate income, and improve their livelihoods. By allowing established artisans to monetize their idle resources, CraftShare Hub creates additional streams of income, further contributing to poverty reduction. Overall, CraftShare Hub empowers artisans to lift themselves out of poverty by providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in their craft and create sustainable livelihoods.

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

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

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

CraftShare Hub aligns with SDG 8, particularly in the context of Nigeria's significant informal sector. Approximately 58% of Nigeria's GDP comes from the informal economy, which includes artisans and small businesses operating without formal structures or access to essential resources.CraftSha re Hub has the potential to significantly impact this sector by providing artisans with access to essential resources such as sewing spaces and equipment. By bridging the gap between artisans and these resources, we will enable artisans to formalize their businesses, expand their operations, and increase their productivity. Nigerian artisans will be able to contribute more effectively to the country's economy. By empowering artisans to operate more efficiently and competitively, CraftShare Hub supports decent work, economic growth and job creation.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

CraftShare Hub promotes innovation by leveraging technology to connect artisans and facilitate the sharing of resources. The platform enhances access to essential infrastructure, such as sewing spaces and equipment, thereby supporting the growth and development of the artisan industry.

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

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

CraftShare Hub promotes sustainable urbanization by optimizing the use of existing resources within urban areas. By facilitating the sharing of resources like sewing spaces, the platform helps reduce the environmental footprint associated with new construction while fostering a more sustainable and inclusive urban environment.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

CraftShare promotes responsible consumption by encouraging the sharing and reuse of resources, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact. Additionally, by facilitating resource-sharing among artisans, CraftShare Hub supports more sustainable production practices within the artisan industry.

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

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

CraftShare Hub fosters partnerships and collaboration among artisans, businesses, and stakeholders within the artisan community. By connecting artisans with shared resources and facilitating collaboration, the platform strengthens partnerships and promotes collective action towards achieving sustainable development goals.

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.

5

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

5

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

CraftShare Hub offers a unique and innovative solution, leveraging new technology to address unmet needs in the artisan community. While there may be existing products or services with similarities, Our approach represents an improvement of existing offerings. While the concept of resource-sharing platforms is not entirely novel, the application of digital technology to facilitate seamless transactions between artisans and resource owners represents an innovative approach within the traditional artisan industry. CraftShare Hub responds to a demand or need that has not been fully satisfied by other products/services. CraftShare Hub has the opportunity to carve out a unique space in the market.

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

CraftShare Hub operates in a niche market catering specifically to artisans in the fashion industry, so our main potential competitors would include existing coworking spaces, traditional tailoring shops, and online marketplaces for handmade goods. What sets us apart from these competitors is our focus on providing a dedicated platform tailored to the unique needs of crafters and sharers in the fashion sector. Unlike generic coworking spaces, we offer specialized amenities and services tailored to sewing and design activities. Additionally, we provide a collaborative ecosystem that fosters community building, skill development, and resource sharing among users, setting us apart from traditional tailoring shops and generic online marketplaces. We distinguish ourselves with flexible pricing options. Unlike traditional coworking spaces with fixed offerings, our platform also uses existing resources of established designers who will be our collaborators rather than competitors.

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

Yes, I am. I speak at every opportunity on the need to educate the girl-child, as an educated woman births an empowered nation. I have helped young girls and women acquire fashion design skills at a very low cost. I have also encouraged many to explore opportunities that can help them to be self-reliant and financially independent.