Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Thunyako machineries is a welding and a fabrication company that specialises in machine designing like; maize shellers, peanut butter machine, briquette making machine, soap moulding machine and many more. We envision malawi with innovations and growth.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Thunyako machineries operates on a business model that emphasise local innovation, affordability and sustainability by our production process that utilise local labor which not only supports employment, but also fosters skill development within the community. Our aim is to revolutionise Malawi 's economy by replacing imported technologies with locally manufactured solutions, there by bolstering the nations balance of payment. We aspire to emerge as a premier provider of state-of-the-art technologies crafted locally in Malawi.

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

In Malawi, innovation and technologies are the key for economic growth, aligning with vision 2063 and MGDS III goals. However, technology integration across sectors remains low, with only 10% of business using advanced technologies. High import costs, with tarrifs up to 25%hinder wider adoption of technologies. Limited forex access and low purchasing power further worsen financial challenges. THUNYAKO MACHINERIES addresses this by locally producing affordable technologies, aiming to empower Malawian businesses and enhance competitiveness globally.

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

We source our materials locally, tapping into the rich resources available in Malawi. By doing so, we not only reduce costs but also contributes to the local economy. This integration of cutting - edge technology makes our products more efficient, durable and reliable. Our machines are specifically designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by our customers in Malawi. This ensures that our solutions are not only functional but also tailored to the local context.

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

Our target market comprises of small and medium enterprises (SME's) operating in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and food processing. These businesses often faces challenges in accessing affordable and suitable technologies due to high import costs and limited availability. By offering locally made solutions that are tailored to their needs, we aim to capture a significant portion of this market.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-06-30

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

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

Our team comprises experienced professionals diverse in expertise in engineering and welding and fabrication.

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

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094980933650

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Welding and fabrication.

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Our focus to incorporating the latest technology ensures that our machines are par with international standards, if not exceeding them. By doing this we contribute to the nations economy and Malawi vision 2063.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By providing local technologies, SME's into food processing will be able to produce large quantities of goods for local consumers with local prices hence saving the nation from hunger.

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

The health of a business is not just determined by the financial figures. To be able to continue growing our business and delivering our product or service, we need to take care of our ourselves too. in respect of our personal, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Otherwise, we burn out and cease to be able to function at optimum levels. We need to offer flexibility for our people to take responsibility for theirpersonal health and wellbeing too. Exercise daily. Drink more water. Get creative. Be still.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Our target is to boost Malawi's desperate advances in technology, so we also train young people and dropouts to make sure none is left idolic and ignorant. Rather providing/equipping them with new business ideas.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our company empowers women, as employees and consumers, and increasing gender diversity within a company to lead better business and economic outcomes through increased profitability, productivity, and company effectiveness.

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

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Overall, clean energy is considered better for the environment than traditional fossil-fuel–based resources, generally resulting in less air and water pollution than combustible fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum oil. However, we introduced machines like Briquette making machine and pamper /diaper burners to make sure we save the globe sustainably.

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

We focus at employment creation, social protection and rights at work and social dialogue to confirm the significance of decent work to crisis recovery and sustainable development.

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

Thunyako machineries introduced and developed new technologies, methods, and systems that revolutionized production and manufacturing processes during the Industrial Age. These innovations aimed to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability in various industries.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination by eliminating discriminatory law and policies by promoting policies and actions in this regard.

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

We prioritize green building practices, such as energy-efficient designs, use of sustainable materials, and integration of green roofs and walls to increase intensity and frequency from natural disasters.

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

Introducing of new technologies in our company respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or products.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We provide tailored Solutions that can be used to recycle, reduce and reuse of wastes e. g. Briquettes, compost manure and plastics. In so doing we are saving the environment from being polluted.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

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

In promotion of local products, well being of people will be improved and they will be able to live a life they want, build houses and educae their children to protect and promote environment.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Our services makes sure people's standards of living improves and we truly believe if everyone is earning a living, the national will live in unity and peace towards economic growth.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

We are flexible in collaborative efforts among governments, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to work together in advancing sustainable development.

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

5

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.

5

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

2

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

2

06.08 Justification for my startup

It has been observed that purchasing these types of machines from other countries are more expensive than those of locally made. This is because the cost of importing machines can be high and the country may have to pay tariffs or taxes. Additionally the countries do not have the same level of control over the quality of the machines. Finally the country is unable to customize the machines to meet its specific needs. This can make it difficult to use the machines efficiently or effectively. Introducing Thunyako can fill in this gap by providing locally made machine to the country and lower prices than those imported thereby demand will be high.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

We are surviving in the business world as machinery industry requires more than expertise, knowing how to sell quality machines to customer and also how to network with key people in machine industry in order to meet the targets of different customer on time.

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