Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Techlink's Tech Club: Equipping youth through tech & annual creative bootcamps

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Techlink is a technological services and consulting company on a mission to bridge the digital divide. Our project, Tech Club, tackles this challenge by making tech education accessible in secondary schools through after-school programs and an annual creative bootcamp. In partnership with schools, we establish Tech Clubs where students gain hands-on experience with technology. Our annual bootcamp further equips them with advanced skills and fosters creativity. This combined approach empowers young people and prepares them for future tech careers, regardless of their background. Beyond Tech Club, Techlink leverages its expertise to provide technological services and consultations, potentially reaching a broader audience that complements Tech Club's focus.

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

Techlink is tackling the widespread lack of access to tech education, which creates a digital divide and hinders opportunities for many young people. This lack of access can stem from several factors, including: Socioeconomic background: Students from low-income families may not have access to computers or the internet at home, making it difficult to learn about technology outside of school. Geographic location: Schools in rural areas may have limited resources and outdated technology, putting students at a disadvantage. Lack of awareness: Some students may not be aware of the many career opportunities available in the tech sector, or they may not believe that a tech career is attainable for them. By addressing these issues, Techlink aims to: Level the playing field and ensure that all students have the chance to develop the tech skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce. Spark passion and creativity in young people, inspiring them to pursue careers in technology and

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

1. Increased access and inclusivity: Tech Club provides after-school programs and bootcamps, making tech education accessible to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. This empowers students from all backgrounds to develop in-demand tech skills and prepares them for future careers. 2. Enhanced learning and skill development: Our interactive programs go beyond traditional classroom learning. Students gain hands-on experience and participate in an annual creative bootcamp, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity alongside technical skills. 3. Bridging the digital divide: By equipping young people with tech skills and knowledge, Tech Club helps close the digital divide. This prepares them to actively participate in the digital world and contribute to technological innovation.

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

1. Secondary School Students: Tech Club directly targets students enrolled in secondary schools. Our after-school programs and annual bootcamps provide them with accessible and engaging opportunities to learn and develop tech skills, regardless of their socioeconomic background or geographic location. 2. Schools: We partner with secondary schools to establish Tech Clubs within their institutions. This collaboration benefits schools by providing additional resources and expertise to enhance their curriculum and empower their students in the tech field.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

5

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.Aima Umoru is a graduate of Middlesex University, London with a passion for empowering young people through technology. Aima is a key member of the Techlink team, working on the Tech Club project. 2. Dr. Deborah Oluwadara is a Lecturer at Babcock University. Dr. Deborah Oluwadara is a valued member of the Techlink team, leveraging her expertise as a lecturer at Babcock University. Her dedication to education aligns perfectly with Techlink's mission of bridging the digital divide. 3. Emmanuel Oladepo: A graduate of accounting from the University of Cape coast with a strong experience in administration and financial matters. 4. David Ayokanmi: A graduate of Babcock University and an excellent product designer and 3D-Animator. 5. Feranmi Faridat: An excellent administrator and UI/UX Designer.

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

https://techlnk.org

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

TechLink's mission to bridge the digital divide and make tech education accessible to all directly addresses a key barrier to poverty reduction. Lack of access to technology and education limits economic opportunities, especially for those in low-income and underserved communities. Additionally, equipping students with tech skills empowers them to participate in the digital economy, potentially leading to better job prospects and improved earning potential in the future.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Our curriculum includes the creation of agricultural drones, equipping students with the skills to develop solutions that directly impact food production and security. This empowers them to become future innovators in the AgTech sector, potentially creating and implementing technologies that improve crop yields, monitor farmland health, or optimize resource management.

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

5

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

Tech education can equip students with knowledge and skills that could contribute to good health and well-being. For example, their learning could lead to creation of apps for health information, fitness tracking, or mental health support.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

TechLink's Tech Club very mission - bridging the digital divide and making tech education accessible to all - directly addresses a key challenge to quality education. By equipping students with tech skills, we're empowering them to participate fully in the 21st-century learning environment. Also, Tech education fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills - essential for lifelong learning and success in any field. Additionally, our focus on making tech education accessible allows students from all backgrounds to gain valuable skills, promoting educational equity.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

TechLink is committed to promoting gender equality in the tech sector by making our tech education programs accessible and inclusive for all students, with a particular focus on encouraging girls' participation. Here's how we contribute to SDG 5: Breaking Stereotypes: Our programs break down the stereotype that technology is a male domain. We create a welcoming environment where girls and young women feel empowered to explore their interest in tech and develop their skills. Empowerment through Skills: By equipping girls with the necessary tech skills, we empower them to pursue careers in technology fields typically under-represented by women. This opens doors to exciting opportunities for them in the future workforce. Targeted Initiatives: We have implemented specific initiatives to attract and support girls in our programs. This could include mentorship programs with female role models in tech, scholars.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

The program equips young people with skills that could be applied to various fields, but clean energy isn't a direct focus.

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

The program equips young people with skills that could be applied to various fields, but clean energy isn't a direct focus.

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

Our program equips young people with valuable skills for decent work and could potentially foster future entrepreneurship

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

By equipping young people with digital skills and fostering creativity, the program could empower them to develop innovative solutions across various industries in the future. These innovations could contribute to infrastructure development or leverage technology to improve efficiency and sustainability in different sectors.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

By offering accessible programs, Tech Club helps bridge the digital divide by providing young people with access to technology and digital skills development. This empowers them to participate more actively in the digital economy and potentially reduces inequalities in access to opportunities.

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

We hope to collaborate on projects that utilize technology for sustainable urban development. This could involve creating apps for waste management, traffic optimization, or energy efficiency initiatives. However, there's currently no direct connection to building sustainable cities and communities.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

The program offers valuable skills, but a direct connection to responsible consumption and production is currently missing.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The program does nurture young minds with creativity and problem-solving skills. It's possible that these future innovators could develop tech solutions relevant to climate action, but this is speculative.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

The program equips young people with skills that aren't inherently tied to marine ecosystems or sustainable fishing practices.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

The program equips young people with valuable skills, but a direct connection to protecting life on land is uncertain. We hope to collaborate on projects that utilize technology for land conservation. This could involve creating apps for monitoring deforestation, promoting sustainable farming practices, or developing educational tools on environmental issues.

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

The program equips young people with technical skills, and it doesn't inherently address issues like reducing violence or strengthening institutions.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Techlnk could partner with organizations working on SDGs to offer targeted workshops or training programs, leveraging their expertise.

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.

4

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.

3

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.

2

06.08 Justification for my startup

Techlnk's Tech Club goes beyond basic digital literacy. We offer a tailored curriculum that equips young people with in-demand skills for our region's job market. Our project-based learning approach and gamified elements make learning engaging. We partner with community centers to reach underserved youth and leverage technology through online learning platforms. This innovative approach ensures our program has a broad reach and prepares young people for the future of work.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There is actually no major competitor in this region. There are few people doing something close but it lacks sophistication(basically, local). We have that advantage over them.

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

We showcase success stories of female Tech Club graduates who have pursued careers in tech. We also hope to host workshops and events, where we invite female entrepreneurs as speakers or mentors to inspire young women.