Namibia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Namtour is a map-based application that showcases the locations of Namibian MSMEs within the tourism industry(tourism, arts, craft and culture) along with their products and services. The app provides the shortest routes to the MSMEs.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The application allows MSMEs with products/services relating to tourism, arts and culture to create profiles where they can upload and showcase their products/services and their location, etc. We also help to manually create the profiles for the MSMEs. Tourists and local explorers can download the app, subscribe and explore the products and services that these MSMEs showcase.

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

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the Namibian industry, particularly those retailing in art, cultural cuisines and traditional services lack digital visibility. This makes it challenging for tourists to find and navigate to these businesses, which reduces their market reach.

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

- MSMEs in tourism gain recognition and therefore an increase in income and their growth. - Tourists and local explorers gain an easier access to Namibian arts, crafts, traditional cuisines and cultural services, making our culture more known. - The app has offline guiding capabilities - An increase in income and growth of these MSMEs can contribute to the increase in the economy and job market. - The app provides journey route planning and tracking

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

- Local MSMEs in the tourism industry - Tourist and local explorers with a neck for arts, crafts and culture

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-04-23

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

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

1. Natalia Hamata, an Electronics Engineering student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology 2. Hekima Muhuka, a Computer Science student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology 3. Tangeni Matheus, a Software Engineering student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology

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

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Tourism, Arts, Craft and Culture

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

MSME owners that specialize in arts, crafts and culture gain an income which helps them support their families. The growth of these MSMEs can increase job opportunities which tackles the high unemployment rate in the country.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

4

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our startup consists of an equal ratio of males and females.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

MSME owners that specialize in arts, crafts and culture gain an income which helps them support their families. The growth of these MSMEs can increase job opportunities which tackles the high unemployment rate in the country and can contribute to the growth of the tourism industry, and hence the economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

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

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

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.

2

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

6

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.

3

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.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

Upon research, we have discovered that there currently are no other local products that focus on the exposure of a MSMEs in tourism, arts, rafts and culture.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

The CoW has a similar initiative that aims to assist MSMEs in Windhoek in promoting their product via online services. What makes our product stand out is we plan on catering for MSMEs nationwide, our app works offline and we advertise our app to tourists, which means our MSMEs are globally exposed. Our product is also centric to the tourism, arts, crafts and culture MSMEs

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

Yes.