Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Propagation of moss at a large scale for- terrarium landscaping -outdoor landscaping -curb soil erosion -fight against air pollution -treat waste water -fertiliser -peat -biofuel -green roof -absorbent -soil conditioner

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Propagating moss so that it can be used for the following- outdoor landscaping- moss can grow in areas of low sunshine and still thrive as long as there is moisture. It does not utilize a lot of water meaning we are able to save water and still have greenery. It cools down the local environment by 2% because by absorbing more than 7 times its weight in water and then release it cooling the environment. curb erosion- moss can exist and thrive in shady areas meaning when planted it can core exist with other plants without losing structure or dying. It can retain water helping stabilise soil susceptible to being washed or blown away -can be used as a bioindicator for air pollution as it absorbs the nutrients it needs from the air, so if there are any toxins it quickly registers -air purifier -green roofs to reduce urban heat effect -used as peat- growing media, soil conditioner, fertiliser, -biofuel -terrarium landscaping -treating waste water as it absorbs lead and other heavy metals

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

Air pollution- moss is a natural air purifier, absorbibg pollutants, airbone particles and nitrogen oxides -water pollution-ability to hold water and remove pollutants especially lead and other heavy metals -habitat loss- cover and protect bare soil -soil erosion- retain water effectively helping stabilise soil susceptible to being washed away -urban heat effect -water scarcity -use of inorganic fertilisers -little to no space in urban areas to plant vegetation

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1. does not require a lot of water and sunlight to propagate but will still grow successfully yielding optimum results. with the scarcity of water due to drought we are in need of projects that will have the same result as planting lawn or grass and still retain the same or better results. moss will out perform grass and yield better results 2. peat retains moisture and nutrients better that soil and does not depreciate in value over the years. it maintains its standard and leaves room to add more peat as the years move without a reduction in value or quality 3. pollution- natural solutions to pollution are sustainable and long lasting to a point where it becomes an automated machine in function. moss as long as it is in contact with lead it will continue to absorb it and not cause negative reactions to the surroundings. it will also continue to absorb air pollutants through out without the need to stop. in all this it will provide good aesthetic value to its environment as it works

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Industries where a lot of pollutants are released organisations that seek to beautify their spaces both indoor and outdoor private homes that seek to have green spaces and still be able to save water conservation areas that have to deal with a constant threat of erosion schools that have environmental clubs and the general aesthetic value of the school businesses that seek to have a little greenry in the offices without the threat of allergy outbreaks (terrarium)

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-01-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

diploma in pharmacy technician- practicing pharm tech diploma in wildlife management- worked in both government and private reserves

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

the project will open opportunities for individuals across the nation as there is room for growth and expansion resulting in job creation from the field where the moss will be propagated to landscaping, sales and marketing, accountants and HR managers . this means we will eventually have a team of skilled, semi skilled and non skilled team members

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

This project will include other employers when it begins and there will be equal opportunities for all. What drives this project is passion and hard work.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

the moss will be used in water bodies and tanks to help with the purification process so that we are able to have clean water that is accessible to everyone. it is not limited to urban areas but can also be used even in rural areas and remote ares as well.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

A lot of job opportunities will open up from technical to non technical staff, Planting to landscaping and delivery in different branches. white colar jobs as well, all legitimate. The project will cater for different entry levels in recruitment and some will even get in house training. this will allow for an honest paying jib in both rural and urban areas

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

moss is able to survive under harsh conditions and does not die off easily. It is cheaper and more convenient to purchase and propagate moss especially on green roofs than to use a lot of electricity in air conditioners and water as well as air purifiers as compared to using moss.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

It helps in capturing green house gases as well as cleaning the water and air of pollutants. In green roofing, moss will also play a role of cleaning the air and purifying it. it saves water and is able to adjust the local climate to a little cooler than usual.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

moss will be used in land rehabilitation in areas that have been affected by erosin and deforestation. trees take time to really grow to a mature level meaning the ground will be bare but the introduction of moss will ensure there animals and other plants have a better chance of surviving as it will keep the soil moist and a conducive environment for other species to grow and thrive. its nature is not to invade and kill but is to be a medium for restoration.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

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

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

2

05.08 Justification

The country has been focusing on other biological means of solving problems other that moss. In Zimbabwe we have it in places of decoration usually in its dry state and a few other areas but not in green roofing, water and air purification, bioindicators and the wide range we intend to utilize in.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

At the moment we are introducing anew product so competition will come from chemical companies and with the green movement we stand out as more and more people seek green solutions to problems, instead of drilling more boreholes to an already strained water table we coming in and saying use less and still achieve your goal.

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

no