Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

This project is all about primary school children in public schools. We will be providing them with a free knitted school sweater to keep them warm during the cold seasons. This wear will enable them to look uniform and at the same time keep them warm.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Peace Knitwear is a manufacturer of knitwear products based in Delta State, Nigeria. The idea was birthed from the neglect of the knitting industry in Africa, which has led to a huge gap in the production and distribution of knitwear products from Africa to other parts of the world. Peace Knitwear aims to solve this problem by going into mass production for the Nigerian market and exportation to other African countries and the rest of the world. Peace Knitwear produces high-quality knitwear that is affordable for high and low-income earners. Our products include cardigans, sweaters, knitted ladies' gowns, tops & skirts, baby sets, headbands, etc. for schools, individuals, and organizations. Peace Knitwear is founded by Mr. Sheme Ufuoma, a digital marketer and graduate of Business Administration at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Anambra State, Nigeria.

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

Keeping people warm with our unique knitted sweaters and cardigans. Also making them look gorgeous.

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

Keeping one warm and gorgeous., an affordable price for both high and low-income earners.

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

The major beneficiaries of our products are schools, individuals, government agencies, military personnel, sports organizations, and fashion labels.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-05-23

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

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.)

Sheme Ufuoma is a Knitterpreneur and graduate of Business Administration at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Anambra State, Nigeria. I became a Knitterpreneur during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department (SAED) program in the year 2017/2018 in Enugu State. In June 2021 I founded the Peace Knitwear Brand and registered it with the Corporate Affairs Commission on 23rd May 2022. One Sheme is a fashion designer

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

https://instagram.com/peace_knitwear?utm_medium=copy_link

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Fashion

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By going into mass production of our knitwear products we will be able to provide job for people who have no job and this will enable them to take care of themselves and family.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Someone who has a well-paying job can able to provide food for himself and his/her family. We aim to create employment that will enable one to care for oneself.

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

With our well-knitted sweaters and cardigans, it will prevent one from getting cold during cold weather.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We have a system in place where our trainees have the opportunity to learn digital and entrepreneurship skills to enable them to grow their various businesses effectively.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We promote equality in our organization.

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

3

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

Yes! The sales of our product contribute to the economic growth of our nation, Nigeria.

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

The knitting industry is growing daily and a lot of new technologies are being used in the manufacturing of these machines.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We don't give room for any inequalities. Everyone is very important to our brand.

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

Our production does not cause any pollution/harm in our host community.

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

We products desire knitted outfits for our customers to make them look gorgeous.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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 outreach program to schools in our host communities gives us the avenue to promote peace, justice, and clarity to our young ones. Making them understand the importance of being united and of good behavior.

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 do partner with schools to teach and train their students in both theory and practice sections.

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

2

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.

2

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

3

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our competitors are the Studio Imo, Bloke, and Floyd Cardigan Collection. What makes us stand out is we produce top quality knitwear products for both high and low-income earners with quick delivery. Also, the adoption of a unique pricing system sets us apart from our competitors.

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

Yes, whenever I see female entrepreneurs I always encourage them and share great opportunities with them that will benefit them.