Namibia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Our company produces reusable sanitary pads which are eco-friendly and cost-effective and designed for comfort and sustainability, promoting menstrual health and reducing environmental impact.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our company is dedicated to revolutionizing menstrual health by producing high-quality, reusable sanitary pads. Our products are crafted with eco-friendly materials that provide superior comfort and absorbency, ensuring a sustainable and cost-effective solution for menstrual care. By offering an alternative to disposable pads, we aim to significantly reduce environmental waste and promote a greener planet. Our pads are designed with the user's health in mind, using hypoallergenic fabrics that are gentle on the skin and free from harmful chemicals. We also prioritize accessibility, working to make our products available to women and girls in under served communities. Through our initiatives, we strive to break the stigma around menstruation and empower individuals to make informed, environmentally conscious choices about their menstrual health.

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

The main problem we are addressing is the lack of menstrual products which had contributed to school dropouts, environmental and health impact of disposable sanitary pads. Traditional disposable pads contribute significantly to plastic waste, taking hundreds of years to decompose and polluting landfills and oceans. Additionally, many disposable pads contain chemicals and synthetic materials that can cause skin irritation and other health issues. Our goal is to provide a sustainable, healthy, and cost-effective alternative with our reusable sanitary pads, thereby reducing waste, promoting menstrual health, and supporting eco-friendly practices.

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

Our reusable sanitary pads offer several major benefits: Environmental Sustainability: By using reusable pads, customers significantly reduce plastic waste and environmental pollution. Each pad can be used for several years, decreasing the number of disposable pads that end up in landfills and oceans. Cost-Effectiveness: Reusable pads are a one-time investment that saves money in the long run. Unlike disposable pads that need to be purchased monthly, our pads can be washed and reused, providing a cost-efficient solution for menstrual care. Health and Comfort: Made from hypoallergenic, chemical-free materials, our pads are gentle on the skin and reduce the risk of irritation and allergic reactions. They are designed for maximum comfort and absorbency, ensuring a worry-free menstrual experience. By choosing our reusable sanitary pads, customers support a healthier lifestyle, contribute to environmental conservation, and enjoy a more economical menstrual care solution.

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

School Learners NGOs Women and Girls Environmentally Conscious Consumers

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-05-01

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.)

She is a managing Director, she manages the company day to day activities. She has 12 years of work experience from private and public sectors. She holds a Bachelors Degree and National Diploma in Marketing from Polytechnic of Namibia. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Marketing at NUST. She has undergone Start Up Namibia incubation programme, Africa Innovation Fellowship in South Africa, Dream Builders course by U.S.A Embassy, EMPRETEC Program where she acquired entrepreneurial skills and business management skills on how to run the business well.

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

https://lasanitarym.com

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Affordable Menstrual Care: By providing reusable sanitary pads, your startup offers a cost-effective solution that reduces the recurring expense of disposable pads. This is particularly beneficial for low-income individuals and families, allowing them to allocate their limited resources to other essential needs. Economic Empowerment: Your startup can create job opportunities in the production, distribution, and marketing of reusable sanitary pads. This not only provides employment but also helps in skill development and economic empowerment, especially for women in underserved communities. Education and Productivity: Access to reliable menstrual products enables girls and women to attend school and work consistently, reducing absenteeism caused by inadequate menstrual care. This leads to better educational outcomes and greater economic opportunities, helping to break the cycle of poverty. Health and Well-being: Better menstrual health and financial stability for individuals.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

6

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

Health and Well-being: By offering chemical-free, hypoallergenic pads, your startup promotes better menstrual health, reducing healthcare costs associated with treating infections and irritations caused by disposable pads. This contributes to the overall well-being and financial stability of individuals.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Education and Productivity: Access to reliable menstrual products enables girls and women to attend school and work consistently, reducing absenteeism caused by inadequate menstrual care. This leads to better educational outcomes and greater economic opportunities, helping to break the cycle of poverty.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

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

Health and Well-being: By offering chemical-free, hypoallergenic pads, your startup promotes better menstrual health, reducing healthcare costs associated with treating infections and irritations caused by disposable pads. This contributes to the overall well-being and financial stability of individuals.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Economic Empowerment: Your startup can create job opportunities in the production, distribution, and marketing of reusable sanitary pads. This not only provides employment but also helps in skill development and economic empowerment, especially for women in under served communities.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

2

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Environmental Sustainability: By using reusable pads, customers significantly reduce plastic waste and environmental pollution. Each pad can be used for several years, decreasing the number of disposable pads that end up in landfills and oceans. Affordable Menstrual Care: By providing reusable sanitary pads, your startup offers a cost-effective solution that reduces the recurring expense of disposable pads. This is particularly beneficial for low-income individuals and families, allowing them to allocate their limited resources to other essential needs.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Environmental Sustainability: By using reusable pads, customers significantly reduce plastic waste and environmental pollution. Each pad can be used for several years, decreasing the number of disposable pads that end up in landfills and oceans.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

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.

4

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

4

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

6

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

2

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.

5

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

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

There is already a significant market for reusable sanitary pads and similar sustainable menstrual products. Many consumers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly alternatives to disposable pads, driven by concerns over environmental impact, health considerations, and cost-effectiveness. Several companies and organizations already offer reusable pads, which indicates a growing demand and acceptance in the market. Our innovation lies in continually improving upon existing products, whether through better materials, enhanced design features, or broader accessibility initiatives, to better meet the diverse needs of our target customers.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

The Disposable Pads manufacturers are my competitors. We stand out because our Pads are Reusable, Eco-friendly, Cost-effective and Sustainable

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

Yes, I host community engagements to encourage females to step up