Algeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

WARCHA is a digital platform that connects Algerian artisans with potential customers, providing a free, user-friendly space for showcasing and discovering handcrafted products and services.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

WARCHA is an innovative digital platform dedicated to supporting and promoting Algerian artisans. It serves as a bridge between artisans and potential customers, offering a user-friendly and free environment where artisans can showcase their handcrafted products and services. The platform allows users to search for artisans by region (wilaya and commune) and by category, making it easy to find specific skills and services. Artisans can create profiles, post detailed descriptions and photos of their work, and directly communicate with customers without any fees. WARCHA also facilitates direct contact through calls or service requests, enhancing the overall user experience. With a commitment to fostering the local artisan community, WARCHA not only acts as a marketplace but also a social network, providing visibility, marketing support, and fostering economic growth.

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

Artisans in Algeria face significant challenges in reaching potential customers and effectively showcasing their products and services. Traditional marketing methods are often costly and inefficient, limiting the visibility of artisans to local communities. Additionally, there is a lack of centralized platforms where artisans can connect with customers, leading to missed opportunities and slower business growth. Customers, on the other hand, struggle to find reliable artisans for various services and products, leading to a fragmented and inefficient marketplace.

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

Enhanced Visibility for Artisans Easy and Direct Communication Support for Local Economy and Sustainability

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

From one side there is the artisans, warcha is gonna help them reach a big number of customers, increase their visibility and showcase their work . On the other side, the clients who are looking for products made by local artisans, our application is gonna help them access a wide range of artisans, through the research by region and category.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-11-01

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.)

Nour el Houda KADDOUR, a retired woman, she used to work as an assistant at SONATRACH for years. Then, she decided to create her own project which is Warcha.

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

https://www.instagram.com/warcha_app?igsh=Z2RiMHNjbzg0bjRn&utm_source=qr

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

i) Communication services (telecommunications, media, interactive services)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

2

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

4

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

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

providing a platform for artisans to reach a broader audience, WARCHA helps generate income and sustainable livelihoods for local craftsmen and craftswomen. Warcha also promotes the growth of small businesses and workshops, fostering economic development at the grassroots level.

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

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

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

By preserving cultural heritage and promoting traditional crafts and skills, contributing to the cultural sustainability of 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

The app encourages the production and consumption of locally made, sustainable products, reducing the carbon footprint associated with mass-produced goods but also it fosters an appreciation for handcrafted, ethically made products, promoting responsible consumption.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

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.

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.

5

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.

4

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.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Artisans often face significant challenges in reaching potential customers and marketing their products effectively. Even many other platforms have existed or exist but they still struggle to reach their customers, or sometimes the platforms require a subscription or additional fees which limit the artisan. Our vision is to create a thriving, inclusive marketplace that supports artisans, boosts local economies, and preserves cultural heritage offering a friendly user space and environment where they can showcase their crafts.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There are many app that provide almost the same offer like Youchoz or Fixit … however warcha is free to use unlike some platforms that charge fees or commissions. Also warcha is aiming to be the first social media dedicated for Algerian artisans in the short term and Arabs and African in the long term. Thus, we will create a network and foster a sense of community and collaboration

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