Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

SMOKELESS BRIQS ENERGY Solutions is an eco-inclusive social project that harnesses clean energy technologies and agricultural wastes to provide easy access to sustainable and affordable energy for Cooking, Charging and Lighting

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

At SMOKELESS BRIQS, we have developed clean energy technologies to solve energy poverty in under-served communities, save our environment from Climate Change and also save our Mothers from Carbon Poisoning and Respiratory Health Challenges. We produce Eco-friendly SMOKELESS Briquettes from post agricultural wastes. It burns longer than ordinary charcoal without smokes, conserves the environment as well as reduce deforestation. We have also developed our game-changing solution: An Eco-friendly Smokeless Stove. It has a Stainless steel-built burn chamber which reaches around 200 degrees in less than 10 minutes which enables 2x faster cooking than any traditional stove. We have incorporated our Proprietary Technology which converts the heat produced by the stove into around 30-watts of electricity which can now be used for charging mobile phones or provide Lighting for reading or for illuminating the house which is crucial for communities with limited access to electricity

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

According Statistics from the W.H.O, over 98,000 Nigerian women die annually from smokes inhaled while cooking with firewood. Which is now the 3rd highest killer after Malaria and HIV? And Kerosene usage is the leading cause of Lung Cancer and Leukemia globally. Our Mothers must NOT Continue to sacrifice their lives just because they want to cook the food we are going to eat. NO WAY! PROBLEM YOU ARE TRYING TO SOLVE 1. We aim to alleviate Energy Poverty, focusing on eco-friendly energy solutions, particularly in underserved communities within Nigeria. 2. Our mission is to safeguard the lives of mothers from carbon poisoning and respiratory health issues resulting from indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods involving firewood and other fossil fuels. 3. We're combatting the effects of Climate Change induced by the use of firewood and other fossil fuels for cooking within low-income households and rural communities in Nigeria.

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

This innovative energy project provides easy access to sustainable and affordable energy for cooking, Charging and Lightning thereby solving the energy poverty especially in rural communities in Nigeria. This project will go a long way to reduce carbon emissions, minimize deforestation, increase rural energy access and energy security, create green jobs for the youths and women and improve livelihoods in Africa. The project will reduce the health and safety issues caused by household air pollution and decrease the time women spend collecting firewood fuel. Women can then reallocate this time to educational, income-generating, and leisure activities. Our proprietary built-in IoT technology will help track (in real time), quantify and monetize the carbon offsets generated by the project

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

We cater to four primary customer groups: 1. Our focus is on households residing in off-grid communities that rely on firewood and other fossil fuels for cooking. 2. We also extend our services to tertiary institution students who seek to cook their own meals and generate surplus power for either charging their mobile phones or providing illumination for their homes at night or for reading. 3. Additionally, we provide solutions for households in peri-urban communities who find it financially challenging to use kerosene or gas for cooking. 4. We are also targeting NGOs working with IDPs and vulnerable women

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-06-10

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

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.)

Charles Nnamdi has a Ph.D. (in View) in Electrical Electronics Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), a YALI Alumni and a Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and a LEAP AFRICA Fellow. Charles has over 5 years’ management experience in Renewable Energy, Biomass production, rural logistics, distribution, business processes and technical skills in clean energy solutions. He is a Co-founder and SMOKELESS BRIQQS 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha4wkepZi8c, https://www.linkedin.com/company/smokeless-briqs-energy-solutions/ https://smokelessbriqsenergy.wordpress.com/

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

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

SMOKELESS BRIQS ENERGY SOLUTIONS contributes to the Affordable and Clean Energy goal (SDG 7) by producing eco-friendly briquettes from agricultural waste, offering a sustainable alternative to firewood and kerosene. These briquettes burn longer, produce less smoke, and are more affordable for low-income households in rural Nigeria. Additionally, our innovative smokeless stoves, made from metal scraps and electronic waste, convert heat into electricity, providing a dual benefit of clean cooking energy and a reliable power source for charging mobile phones and lighting homes. By reducing reliance on harmful traditional fuels, we help mitigate deforestation, decrease indoor air pollution, and improve health outcomes. Our solutions are tailored to the needs of underserved communities, making clean energy accessible and contributing to environmental conservation and economic empowerment.

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

By creating sustainable job opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship Nigeria. Our production of eco-friendly briquettes from agricultural waste employs local workers, providing them with stable incomes and skill development in green energy technology. Additionally, our innovative smokeless stoves, which are manufactured from metal scraps and electronic waste, involve local artisans and technicians, promoting the growth of small-scale industries By offering affordable and clean energy solutions, we reduce energy costs for low-income households, enabling them to allocate more resources towards education, health, and small businesses. Our initiatives also empower women by reducing the time and health risks associated with traditional cooking methods, allowing them to participate more actively in economic activities. Through these efforts, we support sustainable livelihoods, boost local economies, and contribute to overall economic growth and poverty reduction in rural communities

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

SMOKELESS BRIQS ENERGY SOLUTIONS contributes to the Climate Action goal (SDG 13) by offering sustainable cooking solutions that significantly reduce carbon emissions and deforestation. Our eco-friendly briquettes, made from agricultural waste, burn cleaner than traditional fuels like firewood and kerosene, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution. This not only improves health outcomes but also lowers the carbon footprint associated with cooking. Additionally, our innovative smokeless stoves are designed to be highly efficient, reducing fuel consumption and accelerating cooking times. This efficiency lessens the demand for firewood, helping to preserve Nigeria's forest cover and promoting carbon sequestration. By preventing the release of methane from decomposing agricultural waste, our briquettes further contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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

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

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

3

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

3

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

3

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

3

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

3

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.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

COMPETITORS 1. firewood 2. charcoal

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

Yes, as the CEO and founder of Smokeless Briqs Energy Solutions, I am actively initiating actions within my community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs. We have established mentorship programs where successful female entrepreneurs share their experiences and insights with aspiring women in the community. Additionally, we offer workshops focused on skills development, business planning, and financial literacy tailored specifically for women. Our startup also prioritizes hiring and empowering women in various roles within the company, ensuring gender diversity and inclusion. By collaborating with local women's organizations, we create networking opportunities and support systems that help women entrepreneurs thrive. These initiatives are designed to inspire and equip women with the tools they need to succeed in the business world, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.