Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

TwoCents is a knowledge and information marketplace for Africans around the globe.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

On TwoCents, writers publish high-quality, compelling, insightful content from your expert knowledge, career, and unique life experiences. The product also allows these writers share their writings in their networks and circle, which further helps to develop an indepth understanding of who their readers are. We then have a monetization feature in-built to help our writers monetize their content through cash tips and subscriptions from their readers and followers.

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

We are solving the job creation problem for writers. We believe that over 300,000 African writers across the globe do not earn well enough on their intellectual property. TwoCents therefore is a platform that is built for writers to earn as they share their experiences and work across multiple interest areas. For instance, we have; 1) Dr Mo Ameer, an Intern Doctor at Mansoura University Hospital, who writes on Health and Psychology, has earned $100 from his writings. 2) Samuel Ibok, a graduate of Covenant University, has earned a total of N183,000 on the platform, he writes across multiple spaces, largely Education, Mental Heallth, People and Society. 3) Jeff Nnadiekwe, a Freelance scriptwriter and photographer, he has earned N243,000 on TwoCents 4) Queensley Okon, has earned N52,000 5) Belinda Chiazor has so far earned N42,000 6) Esther Omemu, a design associate at Hera Marketing, writes on Literature, Writing and Blogging then Careers and Jobs, she has earned N36,000, so far.

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

TwoCents as a writing platform provide writers with an opportunity for a consistent and competitive income, enhancing their financial stability, off the back of their Intellectual property. We therefore offer significant opportunities for professional growth. Our writers/contributors benefit from the flexibility and convenience of choosing their topics, working remotely, and managing their own schedules, which supports a balanced work-life dynamic, or can become an actual primary source of income. Additionally, TwoCents enhances a writer’s credibility and opens up valuable networking opportunities. Furthermore, we handle the administrative and legal aspects of things, such as payments, allowing our writers to focus solely on their craft.

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

As a knowledge and information marketplace for Africans around the globe, TwoCents allows for sharing Ideas, opinions, stories and experiences from people moving Africa forward. This could range from Professional writers, to Academics, Industry professionals and experts across multiple discplines/fields of engagement.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-03-27

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

4

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.)

The Team works remotely and consist of; 1) Cyrus Ajayi-Majabi, a Nigerian who was born and lived in Russia. Has strong interests in building Ed-tech products with Technical skills in Vanilla JS, Celery, PostgeSQL, Python. This skills have also made him able to work remotely for an American startup 2) Mwambo Kate, Cameroonian, who had served as COO for Enchird Technologies SARL, but now lives and works remotely from Norway. 3) Anita Chebet, a Kenyan who works as an English Language Teacher/Assistant @ Academie de Versailles in France and is now undergoing an MSc.

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

https://twocents.space/feed/

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

TwoCents as a writing platform provide writers with an opportunity for a consistent and competitive income, enhancing their financial stability, off the back of their Intellectual property. We believe that 100s or thousands of African intellectuals are not able to well monetize their IP, and that is why we are constantly working at empowing our writers and contributors to earn, with the enabling technologies on our platform. For instance, we have; 1) Dr Mo Ameer, an Intern Doctor at Mansoura University Hospital, who writes on Health and Psychology, has earned $100 from his writings. 2) Samuel Ibok, a graduate of Covenant University, has earned a total of N183,000 on the platform, he writes across multiple spaces, largely Education, Mental Heallth, People and Society. 3) Jeff Nnadiekwe, a Freelance scriptwriter and photographer, he has earned N243,000 on TwoCents 4) Queensley Okon, has earned N52,000 5) Belinda Chiazor has so far earned N42,000

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

As a platform for knowledge sharing, our contribution to this SDG would be in ensuring/scouting for professionals to write on agriculture and its surrounding subject matters. We therefore look to being a platform that contributes in this regard to this SDG.

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

As a platform for knowledge sharing, our contribution to this SDG is in that we currently have writers on interest such as Health, Meantal Heath and Psychology. We therefore look to being a platform that contributes in this regard to this SDG.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

TwoCents is primarily a Knowledge sharing platform that enables the publishing of high-quality, compelling, insightful content from expert knowledge, careers, and unique life experiences. Therefore we are well positioned as a platform for lifelong and continuous learning across multiple disciplines.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

On TwoCents, there are zero barriers to who can use and earn on the Product. We also give equal attention and technical support to all our writers regardless of their gender.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

As a platform for knowledge sharing, our contribution to this SDG is in that we currently have writers on interest such as HSE, Enviromental Sustainability. We therefore look to being a platform that contributes in this regard to this SDG.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

As a platform for knowledge sharing, our contribution to this SDG is in that we currently have writers on interest such as Energy. We therefore look to being a platform that contributes in this regard to this SDG.

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

TwoCent is a product for writers to write and earn from their work. We encourage and give necessary support to our writers to ensure that they own their craft and put out their best work which in-turn helps them get renumerated. With these and our business positioning of being a knowledge market place, we contribute to and encourge Decent work and Economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

As a knowledge sharing platform, our writers on TwoCents play a pivotal role in driving industry innovation and infrastructure development by acting as a Center for information, collaboration, and actionable insights. With this, we contribute in some measure to the actualization of the SDG.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

TwoCents is a Boarderless Product that can be used by just anyone across the world. Our technical support and tools are available to be used by just anyone, this helps to promote the culture on reduced inequalities and inclusion. We are currenly in the middle of ensuring all our writers have itch free transactions from any part of the world.

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

TwoCents can greatly contribute to the development of sustainable cities and communities by acting as a hub for education, innovation, and collaboration. It serves as a platform for raising awareness about sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure, and community resilience, providing users with access to the latest research, data, and best practices. We support policy advocacy by facilitating informed discussions under spaces such as 'Enviromenal Sustanability'. These help to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, aligning with the Goal of 'Sustainable Cities and Communities'.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

TwoCents significantly contribute to responsible consumption and production by serving as a comprehensive resource and community hub. Our writers educates users on sustainable practices and raise awareness about the environmental impacts of their habits, fostering a culture of eco-friendly choices. By connecting various stakeholders, such as consumers, producers, researchers, and policymakers, the platform encourages collaboration and innovation, leading to the development of new sustainable solutions.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

As a knowledge sharing platform TwoCent plays a crucial role in advancing climate action by acting as an educational and collaborative hub for individuals, communities, and organizations. Our writers raise awareness about climate change, its causes, and its impacts, providing users with up-to-date scientific data and insights. The platform fosters collaboration among stakeholders, including scientists, activists, policymakers, and the general public, enabling the exchange of ideas and best practices for mitigating climate change.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

As a knowledge sharing platform, TwoCents significantly contributes to the goal of protecting life below water by serving as a comprehensive resource for education, collaboration, and action. Our writers raise awareness about the importance of marine ecosystems, the threats they face, such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change, and the critical role they play in global biodiversity. TwoCents facilitates collaboration among marine biologists, environmentalists, policymakers, and the public, fostering the exchange of ideas and best practices for conserving and restoring marine habitats. Through these efforts, we contribute to the global mission of preserving and restoring marine life, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

As a knowledge sharing platform, our writers raise awareness about the critical importance of terrestrial ecosystems and the myriad threats they face. By connecting conservationists, researchers, policymakers, and the public, TwoCents fosters the exchange of knowledge and best practices for sustainable land management and conservation efforts. Through these, we help to preserve and restore terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 of 'Life on Land'.

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

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

TwoCents as a platform helps to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive and effective governance, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights. By connecting activists, legal experts, policymakers, and the general public, the platform fosters the exchange of knowledge, strategies, and best practices for building just and resilient institutions. Through these efforts, the platform contributes to the establishment of peaceful and inclusive societies, aligning with this SDG.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

TwoCents as a prodct helps to connects diverse stakeholders, including governments, businesses, non-profits, academia, and civil society, facilitating the exchange of ideas, resources, and best practices. By promoting transparency and open communication, TwoCents helps build trust and synergy among partners, enabling more effective and coordinated efforts towards sustainable development. By fostering a culture of cooperation and mutual support, the platform significantly contributes to the achievement of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, ensuring that collective action drives progress towards a sustainable future.

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.

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.

5

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

Although there are platforms and products for written content creation, TwoCents is being positioned as a Knowldge market place that allows writers earn directly from their written work. We have so far received very positive feedback fro our current users in this regard. There are several 100s of thousands of very intellectual Africans that do not get appreciated/renumerated well enough for their knowledge & experiences, and this is what we intend to ensure.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Similar products to TwoCents on a global scale are Substack, Medium, Patreon. Now we want to equip Africans/African Intellectuals across the globe to standout and earn directly from their articles and Write-ups.

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

Yes. We are actively engaging several female interns who are building their tech and entrepreneurship careers. There has been an explosion of female entrepreneurs in the tech space and as well as SMEs, and TwoCents is ensuring that this trend continues by ensuring that upcoming female techies and entrepreneurs have different roles in building TwoCents, either as interns, employees and partners.