Namibia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Ubuntu Aquatics CC is a urban Aquaponics farm that uses revolutionary approach to food production, seamlessly integrating aquaculture and hydroponics into a sustainable and efficient system. Our mission is to provide fresh, high-quality produce.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Ubuntu Aquatic CC specialize in aquaponics, a closed-loop system that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-less plant cultivation). This innovative approach allows us to produce a wide range of fish and vegetables in a symbiotic environment.

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

Sustainable farming practices that promote environmental conservation. • Access to locally grown, fresh produce, reducing carbon footprint associated with transportation. • Efficient use of resources, including water and land, compared to traditional farming methods.

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

Environmental sustainability through support for eco-friendly farming practices. • Local food security by promoting community-based agriculture. • Healthier eating habits with access to fresh, nutrient-rich produce

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

The demand for locally produced, high-quality freshwater fish and vegetables in Namibia presents a substantial market opportunity. By addressing this need, we not only support the growth of our aquaponics business but also contribute to the broader aquaculture industry's development. With the support of government initiatives and growing awareness of sustainable food production practices, we anticipate significant growth and expansion opportunities in the coming years.Namibians and Africans who enjoy healthy eating and cheap locally produced products

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-10-07

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

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.)

Liswani Simasiku : Liswani brings over a decade of experience as a seasoned Corporate Communication Officer, Head of Sales and Marketing, and Business Development professional across various industries. With expertise in strategic communications and brand management, Liswani is instrumental in driving revenue growth and expanding market presence for Ubuntu Aquaponics.

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=61550583994675&mibextid=LQQJ4d

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

Ubuntu Aquatics CC we don’t just offer locally produced freshwater fish and vegetables at low price we are creating a network of urban Aquaponics farmers with limited space to grow their own food and sell left overs. Ubuntu Aquatics CC aim to become the leading provider of aquaponics training and consulting services in Namibia. With rising demand for locally sourced organic produce, government initiatives supporting sustainable agriculture, and opportunities for partnerships and collaborations, the growth potential for our business is substantial. By leveraging these factors and continuously innovating, we envision becoming a key player in the aquaponics industry, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability in Namibia and beyond.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Namibia is a desert country.Our community out reach training programs that helps local communities and individuals start their own aquaponics system which are designed by our company. The systems are closed loop system which are powered by solar system. Water is circulated which results to minimum waste of water. Communities are able to produce their own food and sell the rest for others. Ubuntu Aquatics CC supply’s local vendors with high quality products like fish and vegetables at a affordable price

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

Ubuntu Aquatics CC produces freshwater fish and vegetables sustainably and environmental friendly practices without using chemicals which makes our product organic and sustainable healthy for the body and environment

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Poor people in the villages and urban communities suffer lack of education opportunities and information our company aims at bridging this by offering training and guidance for them start their own small aquaponics system

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Ubuntu Aquatics CC is working and educating a group of unemployed women and grannies who want to start their own company

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Ubuntu Aquatics CC is using recycling technology in our aquaponics system using the same water to grow our vegetables and fish in the same system

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

Our Aquaponics system is powered by solar panels, which is helping with a green initiative. We might not be producing energy, but we’re doing our part by using solar power system for our energy.

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

This represents a lucrative business opportunity due to the increasing demand for locally sourced, sustainable food products and the government's initiatives to promote aquaculture as a means of economic development. According to the article "Local Aquafeed Development in Namibia“ published by the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the expansion of aquaculture in Namibia is hindered by the lack of locally produced feed. Additionally, government-led projects, such as the Onavivi Inland Aquaculture Centre, underscore the country's commitment to developing the aquaculture sector.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

a closed-loop system that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-less plant cultivation). This innovative approach allows us to produce a wide range of fish and vegetables in a symbiotic environment.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our start-up creates job opportunities for both genders from local street vendors females & males selling our fish and vegetables at their stall. Our female training campaign that’s encouraging and offering training to female who want to join the aquaculture industry.

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

Food security is one biggest problem urban residents face but with our startup the methods of farming we are using Aquaponics can help people with small space to create a sustainable food supply and job opportunities

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Our company only offers organic friendly products and the type of farming we are using allows us to get such products because our closed system allows us to farm with fish and the vegetables on a rotating system were the water is clean by plant roots then back to our fish tanks. The method of farming we are doing we don’t use any chemicals and most of our west is reused like the fish waste is used to make compost.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We use a closed-loop system that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-less plant cultivation). This innovative approach allows to protect the environment and climate by not using any chemicals or soil

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Ubuntu Aquatics CC uses a closed-loop system that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-less plant cultivation). This innovative approach allows us to produce a wide range of fish and vegetables in a symbiotic

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Since we are growing our plants on floating water system, this help us to reduce sol erosion and prevents damage to the soil by not using chemicals to help the plants grow. With climate change, farmers have to find alternative ways of protecting the ecosystem and our solution is aquaponics system

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

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Our goal is to introduce environmental friendly practices to community by promoting sustainable practices in our aquaponics projects in rural areas that will be run by their own people in partnership with Ubuntu Aquatics CC, which is in line with our female training programs and helping the community to start up their own project. Ubuntu Aquatics CC will be helping the communities with marketing and access to market and storage facilities.

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

6

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

5

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

5

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.

5

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

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Ubuntu Aquatic CC is transforming aquaculture industry by mixing it with technology by method of aquaponics which helps us to farm fish and vegetables and fruits on the system, while being powered by the beautiful sun using solar panels, giving us opportunity to expand our business to any community that has a little bit of sun and a bit of water that can be recycled to grow both the fish and the plants while using locally sourced building material to build the aquaponics systems

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Aqualekker and urban aquaculture offer aquaponics services but Ubuntu Aquatics CC offers the Africa Ubuntu spirit by making aquaponics cheat. Ubuntu Aquatics CC offers those poor within our community with little resources to afford our products and service by offering affordable training and food products

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

Yes gender equality is the only way our society can over come gender based discrimination and violence by empowering our mothers , sisters and daughter's. Ubuntu Aquatic cc has program Women in Aquaculture