Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Ujuzi CoE Africa is an idea that is focusing on the Technological readiness for GenZ and GenAlpha. Emphasize is on integration of human creativity and ethics with advanced technologies for sustainable goals and workforce.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Ujuzi CoE Africa focuses on the 4th and 5th Industrial Revolution which is to enhance productivity, efficiency, and flexibility while enabling more intelligent decision-making and customization and further reflect a shift in focus from an economic approach to a focus on social value and well-being. Ujuzi CoE Africa's pillar is on Technological expertise mainly GenZ and GenAlpha. The foundation of this project is to approach educational institutions and build Technological Centers of Excellence(CoE). These CoEs will be special ICT rooms which will contain both recycled and new state of the art ICT equipment such a computers, servers, routers, switches, printers etc that interested students will be able to use to learn and explore more during their studies. Additionally, the CoEs will be open for organizations to provide BETA tests that the students can explore and provide feedback and ideas. The CoE will not only provide a platform for training but also for Technological competitions.

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

The project is focused on solving a deficient and unemployable future workforce due to lack of competent and unethical technological practices in the Kenyan education system. Some of these students do not get the opportunity to see multiple ICT equipment till they get into the job market. Being a seasoned technological professional with over a decade of experience, I have experienced challenges with our Kenyan educational system especially in the field of practical ICT expertise. There is very limited resourcing of equipment within Universities that can provide hands-on expertise. In turn, this has had a repeal effect to the job market whereby they are having a challenge getting quality and competent young and knowledgeable people. With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) adopted by all United Nations members in 2015, the idea I propose will be focusing mainly on the pillar of Quality Education and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure among other SDG pillars.

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

The major benefits and advantages of this service are: 1. Sustainable Workforce - This will ensure that there are more qualified, ethical and competent workforce joining the job market. 2. Waste reduction strategy and promoting recycling - With the advancement of Technology being often, there is a lot of disposal from companies and organizations. This service will be able to acquire some of these equipment and reuse to train and later have a proper channel of disposal. 3. Promote Self-Employment - Through the extra practical skill acquired by any gender, this will empower them to build other business and create job employment in attempt to eradicate poverty and joblessness in the country.

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

The project will be servicing the youth and majorly students who are interested in gaining ICT and Digital professional skills. The student will benefit by acquiring hands on skills in different areas such as Networking, Server Administration, Cloud expertise, Integrations etc.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-09-01

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

3

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.)

Partner 1(Male) - He is a business professional with the a Business Administration background and an experinced personnel in Sales with over 10years of experience. Partner 2(Female) - She has studied for Engineering and has had 3years of field experience. She is passionate about ICT and especially IT Security which she is currently pursing. Partner 3(Male) - He has an ICT education background and has had over 5years of experience dealing with Designing and Printing solutions. He is an enterprenuer.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://biztimamventures.com/

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

Poverty can be attributed by multiple factors and lack of education and lack of employment can be one of them. This project gives the person the ability to gain practical expertise to which he/she can use to improve his/her financial status through self employment and in addition, build businesses that can promote employment.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

I somewhat agree in that through the CoE, research and solutions towards Zero Hunger can be generated through innovative technological ideas.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

I somewhat agree in that we are moving to a place where the CoE will be using AI and would be able to provide information such as being able to identify ones well-being like how many hours one has put in work and advice on getting some rest.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The project will be a key platform to expand the knowledge and expertise of the everyone who desires to get practical skills and expertise in different technological areas.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The project will not be limited to any gender but rather will also give opportunity to women and girls who desire to join the field of ICT as a professional.

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

The project will be empowering the youth with skills and expertise and provide sustainability of the job workforce to ensure economic growth and productive employment.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

With the project focus building a CoE across multiple locations, these CoE will be used to educate the youth through hands-on training, the CoE will be open to research centres by private entities like OEM and private organizations on their products and solutions and finally the CoE willl be used as Technological competition centres. This will promote a youth think-tank and foster innovation.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The project will promote collaborations and syergies between the youth and the global and local parties through interactions of products and solutions.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Part of the continuity program of the project, we are training ethics and promoting society inclusivity within the job market and also in the business market.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The project foundation is on partnership with both local and international stakeholders in product development and innovation through phases like R&D and Technological competitions.

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.

6

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

3

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

3

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

The project we are creating a different model which I have not seen within the country. This training that will be conducted will be broad in terms of the different areas the student will be engaging. The training model will be interactive with different stakeholders extending to live global and local industry expert sessions. In addition, the equipment will range from legacy to new state of the art which will be broaden the students in terms of Innovation.

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

I wouldn't say there are major competitors on this since its a new training model i am introducing and what makes me stand out is: 1. Major sites of the CoE will be within education institutions. 2. Equipment will be recycled equipment from local organizations. 3. New equipment can be provision by OEMs and other supporters whose need is R&D 4. Live engagement sessions with different stakeholders extending to global and local industry expert sessions. 5. Youth technological competitions within the CoE e.g. Hackerthorns

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

None at the moment