Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Masterpiece ICT Solutions, based in Akure, bridges the digital divide by equipping students and youths with essential digital skills for personal and professional success. They've trained over 500 virtually and advocating for digital literacy in schools.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Akure-based social enterprise, Masterpiece ICT Solutions, tackles the digital divide by empowering students and young people with crucial digital skills needed for personal growth, career advancement, and business development. Led by Segun Oladapo, they've provided virtual training to over 500 individuals and actively promote digital literacy through school visits and awareness campaigns. Their mission is to ensure every student and youth has the digital foundation for a successful future.

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

Masterpiece ICT Solutions tackles the critical issue of digital exclusion, where students and young people lack the digital skills necessary to thrive in today's world. This divide hinders their personal growth, limits career prospects, and restricts their ability to run businesses effectively. By providing accessible virtual training in essential digital skills, Masterpiece empowers these young people. They equip them with the tools to succeed in school, future careers, and even entrepreneurial endeavors. Led by Segun Oladapo, Masterpiece has already made a significant impact, training over 500 students virtually and advocating for digital literacy directly in schools. Their mission is to bridge the digital divide and ensure every student has the foundation for a bright future in our increasingly digital world.

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

Equips them with essential digital skills: They provide training in fundamental digital skills, empowering individuals to navigate technology confidently. This can cover anything from using common software programs to understanding online safety. Enhances career prospects: In today's digital job market, these skills are crucial for landing competitive jobs. By participating in Masterpiece's programs, students and youths increase their attractiveness to potential employers. Empowers them to run and develop businesses: Digital skills are essential for entrepreneurs. Masterpiece equips young people to leverage technology effectively, allowing them to launch and grow successful businesses. Promotes personal growth: Digital literacy opens doors to a world of information and opportunity. Masterpiece's training can help students and youths explore their interests, expand their knowledge, and connect with others online.

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

Masterpiece ICT Solutions targets two main groups: Students and Youths: These are young individuals, likely from secondary school age onwards, who are seeking to improve their digital literacy. Masterpiece empowers them with the foundational skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Schools: Masterpiece works directly with schools through advocacy and awareness campaigns. This educates both students and school administrations on the importance of digital skills and encourages them to incorporate digital literacy into the curriculum.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-06-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

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.)

Not Applicable

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

https://web.facebook.com/masteroladseg

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

Masterpiece ICT Solutions combats poverty (SDG 1) in several ways by equipping students and youths with digital literacy: *Increased Employability: Digital skills are crucial for landing jobs in today's economy. Masterpiece's training improves job prospects for youth, allowing them to secure stable income and escape poverty. *Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The skills learned at Masterpiece empower young people to launch and manage their own businesses online. This creates income-generating opportunities and fosters self-sufficiency, lifting them out of poverty. *Improved Access to Information: Digital literacy grants access to online resources and job markets that might otherwise be unavailable. This can help individuals find better-paying jobs or connect with educational opportunities that can further improve their earning potential. By equipping these young people with the tools to succeed economically, Masterpiece directly contributes to achieving SDG 1: No Poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

While Masterpiece ICT Solutions' work doesn't directly address hunger, it can indirectly contribute to food security in the long term. By equipping students and youths with digital skills, they may be better positioned to secure jobs or start businesses that improve their livelihoods and their families' livelihoods. This could lead to increased access to food and improved nutrition in the future.

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

SDG 3 focuses on physical and mental health, whereas Masterpiece ICT Solutions equips students and youths with digital skills for personal and professional development. There could be some tangential benefits to mental well-being if the digital skills training empowers users to access mental health resources online or connect with support groups. However, the core focus of Masterpiece ICT Solutions isn't directly related to health.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We contribute in several ways: Provides equitable access to technology: By offering virtual training, they overcome geographical barriers and ensure students in remote areas or those without access to physical resources can still develop digital skills. *Develop essential 21st-century skills: Digital literacy is crucial for navigating the modern world. Masterpiece equips students and youths with the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven learning environment. *Empowers lifelong learning: The skills offered by Masterpiece can foster a love of learning and equip students with the tools to continue learning independently throughout their lives. *Enhances employability: In today's job market, digital skills are essential for many careers. By providing this training, Masterpiece helps prepare students for the workforce and increases their chances of finding quality employment. We promote inclusive and equitable access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Masterpiece ICT Solutions contributes to SDG5 - Gender Equality in a few key ways: *Breaks down barriers: The digital divide disproportionately affects women and girls in many regions. By providing accessible training, Masterpiece empowers young women with the skills they need to compete equally in the digital world. *Increases economic opportunities: Digital skills can lead to better job prospects and entrepreneurial ventures. When women have these skills, they gain greater financial independence, a crucial factor in achieving gender equality. *Promotes education and participation: Technology can be a powerful tool for education and communication. By ensuring girls have access to digital skills, Masterpiece helps them participate more fully in their education and potentially pursue careers in technology fields which have historically been male-dominated. While Masterpiece doesn't explicitly target girls or women, by bridging the digital divide for all students and youths, t

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

2

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

*Empowers youth for the digital job market: By equipping students and youths with digital skills, Masterpiece prepares them for in-demand jobs in the growing digital economy. This increases their employability and opens doors to decent work opportunities. *Enhances entrepreneurship: The digital skills acquired through Masterpiece's training can empower young people to launch and manage their own businesses. This fosters youth entrepreneurship, contributing to economic growth and job creation. *Improves workplace skills: Even for traditional jobs, basic digital skills are becoming increasingly important. Masterpiece ensures a more skilled workforce, leading to greater productivity and economic development. Overall, by bridging the digital divide and promoting digital literacy, Masterpiece ICT Solutions empowers young people to participate effectively in the workforce and contribute to a thriving digital economy. This aligns directly with the goals of SDG8.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

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

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

2

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

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

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

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.

4

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.

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

This is not an entirely new product/services but we are doing things differently and coming from the social enterprise aspect, we intend to reach out to, and equip more youth in Nigeria and even globally.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our competitors include: *Private IT training centres: These might offer similar digital skills courses, but likely at a premium cost, limiting accessibility for students and youths. *Government initiatives: Government programs promoting digital literacy may exist, but their reach might be broader, potentially offering less personalized training compared to Masterpiece's focus. Masterpiece stands out through: *Social enterprise focus: Free or low-cost virtual training makes digital skills attainable for everyone. *Targeted approach: Focus on students and youths ensures training addresses their specific needs for education, career development, and entrepreneurship. *Dual approach: Combining virtual accessibility with school visits creates a more engaging and interactive learning experience. By leveraging these unique aspects, Masterpiece carves a niche within the digital skills training landscape, prioritizing social impact and accessibility for the youth.

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