Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

INTOUCH is a platform aimed at bridging the gap between communities and decision-makers, we aim to empower voices that spark positive transformation. Join us in building a better tomorrow through open dialogue and collaborative solutions.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Intouch takes the saying "your network is your net worth" to a whole new level, while leveraging a fair and unbiased lottery system to connect people with high-demand individuals. We enable high level and high demand individuals and corporations to stay "intouch" with what is going on on the ground and maintain accessibility to the public in a manageable and organized way.

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

Intouch mainly addresses the imbalance between the high demand for personal interactions with individuals or entities who have too much public access but limited availability such as public figures, political figures, corporations, experts, professionals, and other individuals with significant followings, and their limited capacity to meet and engage with everyone who wants their attention. This creates frustration for both the individuals who wish to meet these figures and for the figures themselves who want to engage with their audience in a fair and manageable way.

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

- By implementing a lottery system, Intouch ensures that equity and transparency in securing a meeting, reducing biases that might come from personal connections, gatekeepers or other preferential treatments. - Intouch also automates and streamlines the scheduling process, saving time and reduces administrative burden for both the high-demand individuals and those seeking to meet them. - Enhanced User Experience: For those wanting to meet a person of interest, your platform provides a clear and hopeful process. Knowing that they have a fair chance to win a meeting through a lottery system can be more satisfying and engaging compared to the often frustrating experience of being unable to connect due to lack of access or oversubscription.

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

-High-Demand Individuals( e.g. celebrities, influencers, corporations, corporation heads, public servants, ): These are individuals with a large following who are constantly bombarded with requests for meetings, interactions, or appearances. -NGOs, Saccos, data market firms -Experts and Professionals (e.g., Doctors, Consultants, Advocates, Speakers): Professionals who have a high demand for their time and expertise can use the service to manage appointment requests efficiently. - General Public and Fans: This group encompasses everyday people who are interested in meeting public figures and professionals. They benefit from having an unbiased and structured opportunity to connect with someone they admire or want to engage with, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to make a connection.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-12-01

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

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Margaret Achieng, our acting Chief of People, with a background in Law and Human Resources handles the vetting of the high demand individuals/ corporations hosted on the platform for the public to bid on. Glady's Wairimu, one of our developers, has a background in computer science , AI and machine learning and handles the processing of the data collected on our platform.

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

https://www.tiktok.com/@intouch608?_t=8nJ8hLl6Ges&_r=1

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

i) Communication services (telecommunications, media, interactive services)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By providing a platform that can be used by professionals and experts to low-cost consultations, mentorship, and advice through a lottery system, Intouch help reduce poverty by giving people access to knowledge and opportunities that can improve their economic situation.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Health specialists with limited patient slots and mental health experts can use Intouch to provide access that was previously limited to those with means to the general public, offer consultations or advice sessions. This can improve access to health information and support, especially for those who might not otherwise be able to afford or access such services.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Intouch can facilitate access to educators, industry experts, and mentors. This can provide valuable learning opportunities, advice, and mentorship to students and lifelong learners, contributing to the enhancement of educational outcomes.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

By ensuring equal access to opportunities to meet with influential figures and experts, Intouch can help break down gender barriers. Women and girls can equally benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities, promoting gender equality.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Through the data collected on the platform, changemakers and public public servants would be able to tell directly from the affected communities/people which areas are most affected by lack of clean water and sanitation and allow room for more effective improvement plans. In later iterations of the product we hope to provide this common collected data to our users in form of graphs as well to promote collective consciousness about issues faced every day

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

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

By connecting individuals with industry leaders and professionals, our platform can help users gain insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can lead to better job opportunities and career growth. This contributes to economic growth and the promotion of decent work for all.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Our platform itself is an innovative solution that enhances infrastructure for managing connections. It also support professionals in industry and innovation sectors by enabling them to connect more effectively with stakeholders and their customer base.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The lottery system ensures unbiased and fair access to public figures and professionals annd the opportunities that come with that, reducing social inequalities. Everyone, regardless of their background or social status, has an equal chance to connect with influential figures and experts.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

By fostering connections between community leaders, activists, and the general public, your platform can help promote inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities. Access to thought leaders and innovators can drive community initiatives and sustainable development projects.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Intouch would provide unbiased access to policy makers and changemakers in both the private and public sector, reducing biases that may occur from middle-men This fosters transparency in institutions and thus promoting Peace justice and strong institutions

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Intouch acts as a bridge to foster partnerships by facilitating interactions and collaborations between different stakeholders, including NGOs, community leaders, and experts. This can enhance the efforts towards achieving the SDGs through shared knowledge and collaboration.

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

5

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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.

5

05.08 Justification

Intouch is unique in its approach and represents a new type of offering, by enhancing the fairness and accessibility of figures and entities hosted on the platform and a low cost . We offer an improved and unbiased way of connecting with the masses and getting useful communication and data. Our platform is also built with a broader client base in mind, spanning from influencers, public figures, professionals, saccos, NGOs and even corporations. This aspect of it is a demand that isn't satisfied by other existing products. Anybody anywhere can use our platform and have a chance to connect and have their issue addressed by the person of their choice with no biases and

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

Traditional Event Management Platforms e.g. Eventbrite or Meetup, Consultation and Mentorship Platforms, networking apps, Fan Engagement Platforms e.g. Cameo or Patreon.

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