Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Our platform facilitates direct purchases from producers using demand aggregation and algorithms to reduce on added markups enabling users to access products at cheaper prices than typical shops and wholesalers.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Shelf Yetu revolutionizes retail by eliminating unnecessary costs and optimizing the supply chain. Retail prices are often inflated due to multiple middlemen and associated costs. Our platform facilitates direct purchases from producers, aggregating orders and sorting them geographically to optimize delivery routes. We partner with local shops and individuals with excess real estate for temporary 24-hour warehousing, eliminating the need for new facilities. By utilizing existing delivery vans, personal vehicles, and third-party logistics providers, we minimize maintenance and overhead costs.We do not onboard any other sellers but producers in order to maximise affordability.We do not also sell,we facilitate and our algorithms enable that.Our asset light model enables us to lower markups seen by typical wholesalers.Our algorithms help us find problems in the supply chain by analysing data in the platform and helping us find fixes.

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

High wholesaler product prices for informal retailers and consumers, which result from multiple middlemen markups and associated costs such as labor, warehousing, transportation, and overhead.

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

Cost Efficiency: Shelf Yetu reduces warehousing, transportation, and overhead costs by utilizing temporary local storage and third-party logistics. This cost efficiency is passed on to consumers and retailers, resulting in lower product prices and higher profit margins. Optimized Deliveries and Wider Market Reach: By aggregating orders and sorting them geographically, we optimize delivery routes and schedules, reducing transportation costs. This approach allows us to serve a larger market, including both informal merchants and consumers, enhancing market reach and accessibility. Increased Convenience and Flexibility: Shelf Yetu leverages existing infrastructure and resources, such as local shops and personal vehicles, to create a more flexible and convenient supply chain. This reduces the need for significant capital investment and allows for quicker adaptation to market demands and changes.

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

Informal Retailers: Small shop owners and merchants who struggle with high product prices due to multiple middlemen and associated costs. Shelf Yetu helps them increase profit margins by reducing these costs and providing more affordable products. Consumers: Individuals who face reduced purchasing power due to inflated retail prices. By streamlining the supply chain and lowering product costs, Shelf Yetu makes essential goods more accessible and affordable for consumers. Local Shops and Real Estate Owners: Those with excess storage space can benefit from partnering with Shelf Yetu to provide temporary warehousing, generating additional income from their unused space.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-01

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

5

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.)

Loyd Ngei - a software developer with a degree in economics and statistics. Hassan Haro Huka - a data scientist with a degree in economics and statistics. George Nyongesa - a university of nairobi lecturer with industry connections. Emmanuel - a tanzanian business man dealing in clean energy.IT and also one with industry connections. Anne Minayo - product manager.

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

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Shelf Yetu strongly contributes to the No Poverty goal by making essential goods more affordable for low-income consumers and increasing the profitability of informal retailers. By eliminating unnecessary middlemen and reducing warehousing, transportation, and overhead costs, we lower product prices, enhancing the purchasing power of consumers. This helps low-income families access essential items at more affordable rates, reducing their financial burden and improving their standard of living. For informal retailers, the cost savings translate into higher profit margins, enabling them to sustain and grow their businesses, creating more economic opportunities. By supporting local economies and promoting financial stability, Shelf Yetu plays a critical role in alleviating poverty and fostering economic resilience in underserved communities.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Shelf Yetu strongly contributes to the goal of Good Health and Well-Being by ensuring affordable access to essential goods, including nutritious food and health-related products. By reducing unnecessary costs and optimizing the supply chain, we lower the prices of these essential items, making them more accessible to consumers, particularly those in lower-income communities.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

While Shelf Yetu primarily focuses on revolutionizing the retail supply chain, it also indirectly contributes to the Quality Education goal by alleviating financial pressures on families and communities. By reducing the costs of essential goods, we help families save money, which can be redirected towards educational expenses such as school fees, books, and other learning materials. Additionally, our model supports informal retailers, enabling them to achieve greater financial stability and potentially invest in the education of their children.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Shelf Yetu contributes significantly to the Gender Equality goal by empowering women who are often key participants in informal retail sectors. Many women in these roles face challenges such as limited access to affordable goods, high operational costs, and financial insecurity. By reducing the costs associated with purchasing and selling goods through our streamlined supply chain, Shelf Yetu enhances the profitability and sustainability of these businesses, thereby empowering women economically.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Supporting Informal Retailers: By reducing costs and improving profitability for informal retailers, Shelf Yetu enables these entrepreneurs to operate more sustainably and expand their businesses. This contributes to job creation and economic growth within local communities. Creating Employment: Our platform indirectly creates employment opportunities by stimulating demand for goods and services among producers, wholesalers, and retailers. This supports a more robust and inclusive economy by fostering full and productive employment. Promoting Sustainable Economic Practices: Shelf Yetu's model emphasizes efficiency and sustainability in the supply chain. By optimizing logistics, reducing wastage, and leveraging existing infrastructure, we minimize environmental

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Economic Empowerment: By reducing costs in the supply chain and supporting informal retailers, Shelf Yetu helps level the playing field for small businesses. This empowerment enables them to compete more effectively and sustainably in the market, thereby reducing economic inequalities. Affordable Access: Shelf Yetu's model lowers product prices, making essential goods more accessible to low-income consumers. This reduces the disparity in purchasing power and improves the quality of life for marginalized communities. Job Creation: Through job creation and support for local businesses, Shelf Yetu promotes inclusive economic growth. By providing opportunities for income generation, particularly in underserved areas, we contribute to reducing inequalities within the community. Social Inclusion: We prioritize inclusivity by engaging with diverse stakeholders and respecting local customs and values.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Reducing Waste: By optimizing logistics and reducing unnecessary middlemen, Shelf Yetu minimizes wastage in the supply chain. This includes less food spoilage, reduced packaging waste, and lower energy consumption associated with transportation. Promoting Local and Sustainable Products: We prioritize local sourcing and encourage producers to adopt sustainable production methods. This supports responsible consumption by offering consumers products with lower environmental footprints and higher quality. Encouraging Reuse and Recycling: Through our temporary warehousing strategy in existing local shops and partnerships, Shelf Yetu promotes the reuse of underutilized resources. This contributes to a circular economy approach where resources are used efficiently and waste is minimized. Educating Consumers: We educate consumers about the benefits of responsible consumption through our platform, encouraging informed purchasing decisions that consider environmental and social impacts.

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

3

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

4

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

6

05.08 Justification

Improvement on Existing Models: Shelf Yetu improves upon traditional retail supply chains by eliminating multiple middlemen markups and optimizing logistics through local partnerships and temporary warehousing. This approach reduces costs and enhances efficiency, which is not typically addressed comprehensively in current retail practices. Extension of Services: It extends beyond conventional retail platforms by not engaging in direct selling or buying of products. Instead, it facilitates demand aggregation and order fulfillment, optimizing the retail experience for both consumers and retailers. Response to Unmet Needs: Shelf Yetu addresses the significant need for affordable access to essential goods among informal retailers and consumers. By lowering product prices and improving supply chain efficiency, it meets this demand effectively, which hasn't been adequately addressed by existing retail models. New Version of Old Practices: While drawing on principles of logistics and suppl

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

There aren't any competitors.

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

Yes,i work with a lot of female retailers and our legal advisors are female