Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Sleep-Well Mosquito Repellent Project focuses on the production of an Organic based mosquito repellent lotion. This lotion is produced from Eucalyptus leaves that are grown by local community members in Malawi. The project aims to fight malaria in Africa.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our startups' name is Kayola Processors. We have been in operation since 2022. Our focus is in the production of Organic Mosquito Repellent Lotion with an aim of fighting malaria. We observed that Malawi like other sub-Saharan countries are hit hard by malaria from mosquito bites. We decided to come up with a low cost and less sophisticated way of preventing malaria. We came up with the idea of making mosquito repellent from Eucalyptus tree leaves. In our startup, we work with local community members who grow the Eucalyptus trees. The leaves from these trees are harvested and then processed. The leaves yield an essential oil that is used in the production of the mosquito repellent lotion. The lotion is distributed in Malawi through local convenient stores both in rural and peri-urban communities. Our focus is to address the burden of malaria faced by the low income communities by also creating income generating opportunities for the farmers that grow the Eucalyptus trees.

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

The main challenge that we are focusing on is malaria. Malawi accounts for 2 percent of all global malaria cases. Malaria is endemic in most parts of Malawi. There have been different interventions that the country has employed with different partners. However the cases still remain high. Some of the interventions that have been used include the distribution of Mosquito nets and residue household spraying. We would came up with the idea of producing a low cost repellent lotion that can complement the other efforts. We figured government will not always distribute nets or spray households. A low cost mosquito repellent is solution that can aid in the malaria fight. Malaria in Malawi affects all ages however it hits hard on under five children and expectant mothers. Our aim is to save these lives through this affordable means.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

The first benefit of using Sleep-Well Mosquito repellent is that it is able to prevent its users from contracting malaria at a low cost. This product is locally made from locally available raw materials. This aspect makes it inexpensive compared to the other imported products. The second benefit that our mosquito repellent lotion has is that it is all natural. The repellent does not introduce any harmful chemicals to the human body. By being all natural, it is in harmony with the human body system. In this way it has minimal to zero chances of causing human harm. The third benefit of Sleep-Well mosquito repellent is its sustainability. The ingredient of Sleep-Well mosquito repellent are plant based. They are derived from the plant leaves. This means the production of Sleep-Well Mosquito repellent promotes green ecosystems because if promotes the planting of trees. The availability of this product can easily be scaled.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The main targeted beneficiaries of our product are women and children. Malaria greatly affects expectant mothers and children under the age of five. Some of the effects of malaria in women include miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery among others. We target this group of women so that we save the lives of the mothers and the baby. The second targeted group are children. Children aged below five are also greatly affected by malaria. Some of the effects of malaria in children are paralysis, chronic anemia and even death. The mosquito repellent that we make is there to safe guard against such effects and protect lives that can be lost due to malaria. The product also targets students living in boarding schools who are greatly affected by malaria. The product also aims to protect any individual is at the risk of contracting malaria. Among these are travelers to Malawi that are coming from malaria free regions and any other affected groups.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-09-16

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

The first Co-Founder of the business is Ceaser Chembezi. Ceaser studied Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Malawi. In this startup, he is the Innovation and Production Manager. He oversees the product development process and the full production process. Ceaser has worked in both the profit and non profit sector before starting this startup company that produces Sleep-Well Mosquito repellent. He works full time on this startup. The other Co-Founder of this business is Naomi Jeke. Naomi oversees the daily operations of the business. She is the operations manager. She makes sure she coordinates the business management activities of the business. This ranges from Human Resource Management, Procurement, Marketing and Sales, and general stuff welfare. Naomi studied Human Resource Management from the University of Malawi. Naomi has worked in the profit and non profit sectors.

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

https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551947014338

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Our startup focuses on producing Organic Mosquito Repellent lotion. The raw materials that are used to produce this repellent lotion are sourced from local community members. Our startup creates business and employment opportunities for community members living in rural areas. We also work with local community kiosk shops for distribution of our repellent lotion. In this way we are able to create economic opportunities that help in fighting poverty. Our startup also promotes the end of poverty through creating a product that keeps citizens in good health. In this way, they are also able to contribute to the economic development of their country.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Our startup promotes sustainable agriculture and reforestation. Our product uses essential oil which are extracted from leaves. The trees are planted by community members in their farms. This also supports protecting the environment from degradation in different forms. The production of the repellent only uses leaves which makes sure the trees stay intact. Our enterprise promotes Agroforestry.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Our startup contributes to the promotion of a healthy life through the fight against malaria. Our main focus is reducing the cases of malaria in the vulnerable communities. In this way we play a critical role in healthy promotion. Our work is centered on promoting good health and the well being of both the young and old.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We do not mainly focus on the promotion of education mainly but our work is greatly dependent on knowledge of both natural and applied sciences. We also share this knowledge with the community members that we work with. The community members benefit through an understanding of the benefits of the trees that they have and the impact these trees have in their lives. This is one of the ways education and life long learning is incorporated in our work.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Most of the farmers that we work with are women compared to men. In this way we are able to promote gender equality and opportunities accessible to women. We also promote gender equality through the targeting women as some of the key users of our product. We target expectant mothers and mothers of under five children. In this way we promote the equitable access of health well being to women and even the girl child.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We do not mainly focus water directly, but we help preserve and protect water bodies and ground water in the areas where we work with local farmers to plant trees whose leaves are used for the production of mosquito repellent. The trees provide ground cover and prevent run off. This protects the water resources.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

As a by product of the trees where we harvest the leaves from, the tree branches are used as a sustainable energy sources as firewood. This is an indirect way on how our startup contributes to sustainable energy resources for local communities. Some of the leaves that are used for the production of the oil are used to make briquettes.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Our startup promotes a decent and safe working environment for our staff members. This is guided by the guidelines that our Human Resource personnel who is also the Co-Founder has helped the startup put in place. In addition to this, we promote a safe working environment and sustainable economic growth for the farmers that supply us with the raw materials. We have made it a point to set the buying price of raw materials at a reasonable price to motivate them to grow more trees.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Innovation is the backbone of our startup. We are making a Mosquito Repellent Lotion from locally available resources using Natural Chemical Synthesis. We strive to be as innovative as possible through the usage of the locally available resources. In additional to this, we are a processing company that fosters creation of industries. We extract essential oils from leaves to turning that oil into a product that can protect the user from malaria. In this way we are building a whole processing industry that is dependent on sustainable forests and sustainable agricultural practices.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

In Africa, the level of inequality is very high. And this is more clearer in access to health services. To bridge this gap we want to address this issue of health inequality. We are doing this through providing a product that the masses with lower buying power can also access to save their lives. Malawi imports various mosquito repellent products which are expensive for most of the population living under one dollar a day. We are address this health inequality by providing them with a product that is locally made and able to save their lives.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Our impact in this area is mainly in the promotion of a product that is sustainable. Our Mosquito Repellent is made from raw materials that come from tree leaves. This puts us in a position that promotes the planting of these particular trees. In this way, we are promoting sustainable communities. We make sure we have the least amount damaged or or waste in the environment. The trees from which the leaves are harvested are also part of the normal ecosystem.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Our production process involves extracting essential oil from plant leaves. The biomass that is generated from this process is then used as manure to create humas for soil fertility and making of energy briquettes . Nothing is wasted and make sure our energy cycle is optimized.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Our startup greatly contributes to combating climate change through the planting of trees in the communities. We work with local communities to grow trees from whose leaves we extract essential oil. In this way, we are able to contribute to combating climate change. The trees we grow help in capturing atmospheric carbon.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

We do not focus on this area.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Our work also depends on the sustainable availability of trees. And in particular we foster the planting of the trees from which we harvest tree leaves for essential oil production which eventually are used to make mosquito repellent lotion. In this way we are able to promote sustainable forests and combat desertification. We have so far managed to work with local communities which have managed to reforest 10 hectares of land.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Our startup promotes an inclusive society through promoting the involvement of community members and women who are at times sidelined in developing communities. We work with local farmers of which women are a larger population.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Mosquito and general insect repellents have a large existing market in Malawi and other parts of Africa. What makes our product new or different from the rest is its constitution. The ingredients are very unique and it is Organic. We have devised a different way of producing our repellent and the percent of ingredients which gives its efficacy unique too. We did not make an improvement of an existing product. Ours was thought of and made from scratch. We are meeting the need of a product that meets the needs of the "bottom billion" in terms of pricing and technology. In additional to this, we are meeting the demand for a locally manufactured repellent in Malawi. Our product is new and meeting the demand for a solution to malaria.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

The main competition on the market comes from products that are imported in Malawi and sold through Super Markets. However we do not consider these as a competition as much because we are targeting a different customer segment. Our focus is on the rural masses while the imported ones target the middle to higher earning customers. This is also clearly seen through the pricing. We price our product is priced are one Euro per 50 grams bottle which is our competitors sale at about 5 Euro for the similar volume. The imported products are Tarbad, Peaceful Sleep and Attach. These are the main brands in the Super Markets. The production technology that we use is very unique. This makes use stand out from the existing products.

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

We are promoting female entrepreneurs in the communities we are working. The first one is by having more female farmers that supply us with our raw materials. The second way is through having female product distributors who sell the repellent lotion. These are the main ways we are promoting female entrepreneurs'. Finally out startup has a female co-owner which is a way of promoting female entrepreneurs.