Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Incrova helps businesses find skilled Nigerian talent & provides free job training to Nigerian Youths. We connect businesses with a network of 21,000+ professionals & career counselling to help Nigerians thrive in today's global job market.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Incrova is a social enterprise bridging the gap between businesses and skilled Nigerian talent. We recognize the challenges faced by both businesses seeking top talent and individuals struggling to find work or develop necessary skills. Nigeria's current economic climate, with its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, intensifies the need for highly effective professionals with a blend of soft and technical skills. Incrova tackles this challenge by connecting businesses worldwide with a pool of pre-vetted Nigerian candidates. In the past year alone, and through our digital network we have grown to more than 21,000 professionals, and we disseminate job openings and provide extensive support. We've successfully continued to offer free weekly workshops, career counseling, and job-seeking guidance to equip entry-level and mid-management individuals to compete in the global market

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

Incrova tackles underdeveloped local talent in Nigeria, a key challenge for both businesses and job seekers. Limited Job Opportunity Access: Job seekers often miss out on opportunities due to lack of information. Incrova works with businesses to disseminate job openings to relevant communities and has built a digital network of over 21,000 professionals to connect and share opportunities. Skills Gap: The Nigerian workforce often lacks the technical and soft skills businesses need. Incrova bridges this gap by developing talent to meet global standards through workshops and career counseling. High Unemployment: Many graduates and young professionals struggle to find work. Incrova creates pathways to employment by matching job seekers with suitable openings through close collaboration with businesses. Talent Shortage: Businesses struggle to find effective talent. Incrova provides a steady stream of well-trained candidates to support business development and growth.

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

Incrova offers several benefits for both businesses and job seekers in Nigeria: Improved Talent Quality: Incrova bridges the skills gap by developing a local workforce with the technical and soft skills businesses demand, allowing them to access a wider pool of qualified candidates. Increased Employment Rates: By creating pathways to employment and matching job seekers with suitable opportunities, Incrova helps reduce unemployment rates, particularly among graduates and young professionals. Enhanced Economic Growth: Incrova fosters a more competitive business environment through talent development, which is crucial for driving innovation and economic growth in the country we operate in; Nigeria.

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

We target two primary beneficiary groups in Nigeria: Job Seekers: Incrova empowers Nigerian job seekers, particularly recent graduates and young professionals, by: 1. Providing access to in-demand skills development through workshops and career counseling. 2. Matching them with suitable job openings through close collaboration with businesses. 3. Facilitating their entry into the workforce and increasing their employability. Businesses: Incrova bridges the talent gap for businesses in Nigeria and internationally by: 1. Offering a steady stream of pre-vetted, well-trained candidates with the necessary skills for business growth. 2. Reducing recruitment time and costs by connecting them with targeted pools of qualified professionals. 3. Contributing to a more skilled and competitive business environment in Nigeria.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

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

N/A

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/incrova https://chat.whatsapp.com/BdjNGTUJ4XyHbvHu1wC99R

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

Incrova combats poverty in Nigeria by empowering both businesses and job seekers Increased Employment & Earnings: Incrova connects job seekers with opportunities, raising their income levels and lifting them out of poverty. Job Creation: By aiding businesses in finding talent, Incrova fosters business growth, which can lead to the creation of new jobs, further reducing poverty. Improved Skills & Employability: Incrova's training programs equip Nigerians with in-demand skills, making them more globally competitive candidates and fetching them higher-paying jobs. Incrova's focus on long-term career development ensures continued income growth and poverty reduction for individuals and their families

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Incrova indirectly contributes to SDG (Zero Hunger) by tackling poverty, a root cause of hunger. Here's how: Incrova connects job seekers to opportunities that improve their income and their families' well-being and by aiding business growth, Incrova fosters more job opportunities, contributing to poverty reduction.

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

Incrova's focus on employability indirectly contributes to this SDG through the following: Economic Stability: By equipping job seekers with skills and connecting them to jobs, Incrova promotes financial security, a key factor in well-being. Stable income allows individuals to afford nutritious food, healthcare, and a safe living environment. Reduced Inequality: Unemployment disproportionately impacts lower-income groups. By increasing employment rates, Incrova helps narrow the economic gap and improve access to basic necessities that contribute to well-being.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Incrova's workshops and career counseling bridge the skills gap, ensuring Nigerian graduates possess the technical and soft skills desired by businesses. This prepares them for successful careers upon graduation, aligning with SDG target 4.4: "Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship." Additionally, by providing ongoing workshops and fostering a network for knowledge sharing, Incrova encourages continuous learning among professionals. This aligns with SDG target 4.7: "Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, citizenship and global citizenship."

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Incrova contributes to the SDG Gender Equality goal in several ways: Incrova offers its services to all job seekers regardless of gender. This ensures women have equal access to skills development workshops, career counseling, and job opportunities curated by Incrova. By equipping women with in-demand skills and connecting them with suitable jobs, Incrova empowers them to participate in the workforce and close the gender gap in employment rates. Incrova's focus on youth and recent graduates benefits women seeking employment after higher education. By helping them secure jobs and build careers, Incrova contributes directly to their economic empowerment.

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

N/A

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Incrova tackles two major hurdles here:. 1. Bridging the Skills Gap: Many Nigerians lack the skills businesses need, hindering employment and economic participation (SDG target 8.6). Incrova equips job seekers with in-demand skills through workshops and career counseling, improving their job prospects and workplace performance (SDG target 8.3). 2. Boosting Employment: High unemployment, especially among youth (SDG target 8.6), restricts economic growth (SDG target 8.1). Incrova directly combats this by connecting businesses with qualified candidates and creating pathways to employment for job seekers. This reduces unemployment and fosters a more inclusive and productive workforce (SDG target 8.5). By addressing these challenges, Incrova empowers Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to the economy, driving sustainable economic growth, innovation, and decent work opportunities.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

By providing workshops, career counseling, and connecting job seekers with relevant opportunities, Incrova empowers Nigerians with the skills businesses need to innovate and compete globally. This fuels industry growth and fosters a more technologically advanced infrastructure. Additionally, Incrova bridges the gap between businesses and qualified candidates, leading to increased employment rates. This creates a larger pool of skilled labor for businesses to drive innovation and develop new infrastructure projects. Finally, a skilled workforce creates a fertile ground for entrepreneurship. By equipping Nigerians with the necessary skills, Incrova indirectly fosters the creation of new businesses that can contribute to innovative solutions in various industries, ultimately strengthening Nigeria's infrastructure.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Incrova combats income inequality, a key aspect of SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by tackling unemployment, a major contributor. They target two groups: Youth Employment: Incrova equips young Nigerians with in-demand skills and connects them to jobs, empowering them and reducing poverty. This fosters inclusive economic growth, a core principle of SDG 10. Improved Job Matching: By providing access to training and better job opportunities, Incrova empowers disadvantaged groups, promoting equality of opportunity in the workplace.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

n/a

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Incrova contributes to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering collaboration between businesses and job seekers in Nigeria (partnership), which directly addresses the challenge of talent gap and fosters economic growth (global challenges). By building a platform that connects businesses and job seekers with the right skill sets, Incrova promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all (SDG 8). This focus on collaboration between businesses and individuals aligns with the core principle of SDG 17: revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development.

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.

6

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

4

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

5

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

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

Incrova tackles a critical issue with a unique two-sided approach: Unlike traditional recruiters, Incrova invests in building the skills of the local Nigerian workforce, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of qualified candidates. Our community-driven approach fosters connections between businesses and job seekers, exceeding just job placement by building a supportive community for professional growth.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Incova likely faces competition from two main areas: Traditional Recruitment Agencies: While these agencies connect businesses with job seekers, they often focus on placement rather than development. Incrova's focus on skill building for local talent sets them apart. Online Job Boards: These platforms connect job seekers and employers, but lack the personalized approach. Incrova's targeted skills development, community building, and close collaboration differentiate them. In essence, we stand out by bridging the gap between basic job boards and traditional agencies. We offer a more holistic approach that benefits both businesses (skilled talent pool) and job seekers (skill development and community support).

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

N/A