Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Disrupting Fossils Generator industry and Empowering communities & Household with zero-emission energy, clean water, and oxygen through innovative reversible PEM fuel cell technology as a compact turn key home appliance. LINK: https://bit.ly/3XwkBR7

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Newdigit Technologies is a pioneering cleantech startup specializing in the production and distribution of the "Just Add Water" zero-emission electrical generator. This innovative solution leverages highly efficient reversible Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell technology, making us the first company in Nigeria to manufacture PEM hydrogen fuel cell systems from Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA). Our generator not only provides reliable and sustainable electricity but also produces clean drinking water and oxygen gas as by-products. Targeting middle-income households and community hospitals, our solution addresses critical energy, water, and healthcare needs. We offer our systems at $199 per kVA through an installment-based plan, making clean energy accessible and affordable. Households can further benefit economically by selling oxygen gas to nearby partner hospitals at $4 per 2-liter cylinder, with hospitals saving $6 per cylinder compared to the market price and sharing profits

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

For more than 30 years now 90% of Nigeria has been without electricity, leaving 120 million low to middle-income Nigerians residing in rural and suburban areas of Lagos to heavily rely on fossil fuel hydrocarbon-powered generators like Tiger Gen, Mikano, Elepaq, and others to meet their basic electricity needs. However, a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered alarming findings, that the fumes emitted by these generators have caused more fatalities than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. Moreover, the inadequate electricity infrastructure in the country, with approximately 65% of hospitals lacking consistent power, has led to shortages of oxygen gas and compromised patient care

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

Just Add Water is a compact, single-unit product that recycles household dirty gray water to generate electricity, medical-grade oxygen, and clean drinking water through the process of electrolysis. It employs an innovative reversible PEM Fuelcell, designed to act as both an electrolyzer and a fuel cell, using iron composite catalysts to reduce costs and cellulose fiber to condense water vapor generated in the PEM to clean water. The solution aims to serve as a household off-grid appliance, community micro-grid and alternative power for Hospital electrification while meeting their oxygen gas

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

Newdigit Technologies' "Just Add Water" solution is aimed at serving middle-income households, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and community hospitals in Nigeria. Our targeted beneficiaries include: 1. Households: Particularly those without reliable access to continuous electricity, providing them with a sustainable and affordable energy source that also offers clean drinking water and a potential revenue stream from oxygen sales. 3. Hospitals: Medical facilities that need consistent and clean energy sources to power their operations, along with a reliable supply of medical-grade oxygen. Our system provides hospitals with an affordable energy solution and a steady oxygen supply, enhancing patient care. By targeting these groups, our solution aims to improve quality of life, reduce environmental impact, and support economic development in Nigeria’s underserved regions.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-01-05

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.)

Joy Egbe: A climate activist, COO & Co-Founder of Newdigit Technologies. She has 11 years of experience in climate activism and 7 years in project management and policy reform. Her work has spanned various high-level events with the United Nations and government bodies, where she has driven initiatives to combat climate change. Derick Nwasor: A physicist, CEO & Co-Founder of Newdigit Technologies. With 7 years of experience providing hardware and software engineering solutions for companies and government institutions, He has also worked at the KAUST Catalysis Center in Saudi Arabia, where he honed his skills in advanced catalysis and renewable energy technologies. Michael Odili: An industrial physicist and the CTO of Newdigit Technologies. With 12 years of experience developing solar panels, IoT, and embedded systems for companies and institutions, Michael brings extensive technical expertise to the team. His work focuses on creating innovative and sustainable energy solutions.

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

https://newdigit.vercel.app/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

Newdigit Technologies, directly contributes to UN SDG Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being by providing a sustainable source of oxygen gas. The "Just Add Water" system not only generates zero-emission electricity but also produces oxygen as a by-product. This oxygen supply is crucial for hospitals, particularly in underserved areas, where access to medical-grade oxygen is often limited. By ensuring a steady and affordable oxygen supply, we enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and support emergency response efforts. Our innovative solution addresses critical healthcare needs, reduces respiratory issues from fossil fuel emissions, and promotes overall well-being in the communities we serve.

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

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

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

Our startup directly aligns with UN SDG Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by offering an innovative solution that generates clean drinking water as a by-product of its main function. The "Just Add Water" system utilizes reverse fuel cell electrolysis to recycle household greywater into electricity, producing clean water during operation. This water is then harnessed for safe consumption. In many parts of Nigeria, access to clean drinking water is a significant challenge, leading to various health issues. Our technology provides households with a reliable source of clean water, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing public health.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Our solution aligns with UN SDG Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy by providing a sustainable and innovative alternative to traditional energy sources. The system leverages reversible PEM fuel cell technology to produce zero-emission electricity, addressing the critical need for clean energy in Nigeria and beyond. This technology converts household greywater into hydrogen, which powers the fuel cell and generates electricity. Additionally, the system produces clean drinking water and oxygen as by-products, further enhancing its environmental benefits. By offering an affordable installment-based pricing model, we make clean energy accessible to middle-income households and small businesses. This not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also mitigates indoor air pollution, a common issue with traditional generators. Our solution contributes to reducing carbon emissions and supports the global transition to renewable energy sources, making a significant

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

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

4

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

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Our startup supports UN SDG Goal 13: Climate Action by providing a clean, zero-emission energy solution that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The "Just Add Water" system replaces traditional fossil fuel generators which cut down the carbon emissions and other pollutants that contribute to climate change. This innovative approach not only helps mitigate the adverse effects of climate change but also promotes a sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, our technology raises awareness about the importance of renewable energy and empowers communities to take proactive steps toward a greener future.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

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

3

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

4

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology stands out from existing solutions through several key innovations. Firstly, it integrates reversible functionality, combining fuel cell and electrolyzer operations into one unit, simplifying the system and reducing costs. Secondly, instead of expensive platinum catalysts, we use cost-effective iron nanoparticles. Although these corrode within 14 weeks, we’ve developed a self-replacing Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) mechanism that ensures consistent performance and longevity. Thirdly, our system uniquely produces clean drinking water and oxygen gas as by-products, adding significant value by addressing both energy and essential resource needs. Additionally, our technology's scalability and affordability make it accessible to a broad market, serving numerous households and institutions. These features collectively position our PEM technology as a transformative, multi-functional, and cost-effective solution in the clean energy sector, off

06.09 Competitive Analysis

In the Nigerian household and SME energy market, our main competitors include traditional fossil-based generator providers such as Mikano, Sumec, and Elepaq, which dominate the market with an 80% share. Emerging competitors like Luminous are making strides in the clean energy space with solar inverter units. However, our "Just Add Water" solution differentiates itself with several key advantages. Unlike fossil-based generators, our system is zero-emission and far more sustainable. It also offers significant cost savings, especially with recent increases in fossil fuel prices. Furthermore, our technology provides additional benefits such as generating clean drinking water and oxygen gas, which not only address critical healthcare needs but also offer an additional revenue stream for households. Our system’s affordability, combined with its multi-functional capabilities, makes it a highly attractive alternative. By partnering with retail outlets for installations and enabling households

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

Yes, we are actively promoting female entrepreneurship within our community. For instance, we conducted a workshops and mentorship programs for aspiring female entrepreneurs in Abuja, and collaborated with local women's organizations to create networking opportunities.