Democratic Republic of Congo - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

ADIA is an EdTech startup empowering women and youth with digital skills through innovative programs, bridging the tech gender gap in Africa.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

ADIA, the Africa Digital International Academy, is a transformative EdTech startup dedicated to empowering women and youth with practical digital skills. Our comprehensive programs bridge the tech gender gap in Africa by offering industry-relevant courses in coding, digital marketing, data analytics, and more. We provide accessible and flexible learning opportunities, partnering with schools, universities, and organizations to deliver impactful training. Our vision is to create a digital-savvy generation that drives innovation and economic growth across the continent.

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

ADIA aims to address the critical lack of practical digital skills among women and youth in Africa. The continent is experiencing a growing demand for digital expertise, yet many individuals, especially women, lack access to quality training programs. By offering industry-relevant courses, ADIA seeks to empower individuals with the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy, thereby bridging the gender gap and enhancing economic opportunities for all.

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

1. Empowerment:ADIA empowers women and youth by equipping them with practical digital skills, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and improving their economic prospects. 2. Industry Relevance: Our courses are designed in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that learners acquire skills that are in high demand and relevant to the current job market. 3. Career Opportunities: By gaining proficiency in digital skills, individuals can access a wide range of career opportunities in fields such as tech, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship, thereby enhancing their employability and income potential.

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

ADIA's services are aimed at serving women and young girls in DRC and Uganda, particularly those with limited access to traditional education or employment opportunities. Our target beneficiaries include: 1. Women: Especially those in underserved communities, who often face barriers to accessing quality education and training. ADIA provides them with the opportunity to acquire valuable digital skills that can lead to economic empowerment and independence. 2. Young Girls: We aim to inspire and equip young girls with the skills and confidence they need to pursue careers in technology and entrepreneurship, breaking gender stereotypes and fostering a new generation of female leaders in the digital space. 3. Youth: ADIA also targets young people in general, offering them practical skills that are relevant to the modern job market, thereby increasing their employability and opening up new opportunities for career growth and advancement.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-04-01

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?

3

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

The other owners of ADIA bring diverse skills and experiences to the table: 1. Madeleine Byamungu: Co-founder with expertise in project management, business development, and strategy. 2. Marie Christel: Co-founder with a background in education, curriculum development, and instructional design. 3. Mabilo Gloria: Business Development with a focus on market research, partnership development, and growth strategy. 4. Wembi Nadia: Operations Manager and Co-founder, bringing expertise in logistics, team management, and organizational efficiency.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-adia/

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

ADIA contributes to the goal of reducing poverty by providing practical skills training in tech and digital fields to women and young girls in DRC Congo, Uganda, and across Africa. By equipping them with relevant skills, ADIA empowers them to access better job opportunities, start their own businesses, and contribute to economic growth, ultimately helping to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. Additionally, ADIA focuses on underserved communities, ensuring that those with limited access to traditional education or employment opportunities are not left behind.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

ADIA indirectly contributes to the goal of zero hunger by empowering women and young girls with tech and digital skills. By providing them with opportunities for better employment or entrepreneurship, ADIA helps improve their economic status, which can lead to improved access to food and nutrition for themselves and their families. Additionally, ADIA's focus on underserved communities ensures that those facing food insecurity are included in its programs, aiming to uplift them and reduce hunger in the long run.

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

2

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

ADIA, contributes to the Quality Education goal by offering alternative industry-led skilling for the global technology industry. ADIA focuses on equipping learners with skills to enable them to venture into a tech career of choice, providing foundations in software development, UI/UX design, data science, machine learning, blockchain development, product management, and software engineering. ADIA's commitment to empowering women and young girls in Uganda, particularly those with limited access to traditional education or employment opportunities, further aligns with the Quality Education goal by offering practical skills relevant to the modern job market.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

My startup, ADIA, contributes to gender equality by empowering women and young girls in Uganda with practical skills in tech and digital transformation. By offering training programs focused on industries like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), ADIA helps bridge the gender gap in these fields. Additionally, ADIA's initiatives, such as the Tech Ladies program, provide a platform for networking, skill-building, and empowerment, further promoting gender equality in education and employment.

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

ADIA contributes to decent work and economic growth by providing practical skills training that enhances employability and entrepreneurial opportunities for individuals, especially women and young girls, in Uganda and beyond. By offering programs in tech, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, ADIA equips learners with the necessary skills to secure decent jobs or start their own businesses, thereby contributing to economic growth and sustainable development in the region. Additionally, ADIA's focus on industry-relevant skills ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the modern job market, further supporting economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

ADIA contributes to industry innovation and infrastructure by fostering a culture of innovation and equipping individuals with skills relevant to the rapidly evolving technology sector. By providing training in areas such as tech, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, ADIA prepares learners to contribute to innovative solutions and participate in the development of robust digital infrastructure. This helps to drive industry innovation, improve productivity, and enhance infrastructure, ultimately leading to economic growth and sustainable development in Uganda and beyond.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

ADIA contributes to reducing inequalities by providing equal access to education and skills development opportunities, regardless of background or location. Through its programs, ADIA empowers women, young girls, and marginalized groups with practical skills for the digital age, helping to bridge the digital divide and reduce inequalities in access to technology and education. By focusing on inclusivity and diversity, ADIA aims to create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

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

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

3

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

2

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

ADIA seeks partnerships with organizations that share its commitment to education and empowerment. By collaborating with partners, ADIA can reach more people, especially in underserved communities, and provide them with the skills and resources they need to succeed in the digital age. These partnerships help ADIA amplify its impact and achieve its goal of empowering individuals and transforming communities through education and technology.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

6

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

ADIA's main potential competitors are other EdTech startups and traditional educational institutions offering similar programs. What sets ADIA apart is its focus on practical, industry-relevant skills, its commitment to accessibility and affordability, and its emphasis on empowerment, particularly of women and young girls. ADIA's innovative approach to education, which includes a blend of online and offline learning, its strong partnerships with industry leaders, and its track record of success in training and empowering individuals, make it a unique and compelling choice for learners seeking to advance their careers and make a difference in their communities.

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

Yes, ADIA is actively initiating actions within its community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs. We offer programs and courses specifically designed to empower women and young girls with the digital skills needed to succeed in entrepreneurship. Through initiatives like Women Digital Week and Afro Tech Girls, we aim to inspire, educate, and support female entrepreneurs, contributing to gender equality and economic empowerment in our community and beyond.