Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

My project name is Smart Technologies and AI Solutions. It is all about modernising our day to day works and living. Modernising our businesses , be it the construction sector, agriculture, mining etc, by the use of Generative AI and new technologies.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

In more detail the project is about assembling and testing the smart sensors and smart Devices in Zimbabwe because mostly we are importing already made gadgets. It involves the use of smart lighting system, temperature systems, water leak sensors thus cutting carbon emissions with smart buildings and reducing buildings environmental impact by increasing energy efficiency. Outdated inefficient devices increases a building carbon footprint and by switching to modern low- energy devices a smart building becomes more sustainable. These smart sensors and actuators will be applied in the Construction Sector, mining, agriculture etc and we will provide Artificial Intelligence Solutions which are custom made to a Sector or business thus improving efficiency and offering convenience at various levels and offering security. The use of trending Computer Aided Designs in the Construction, mining and also Agriculture sector. The use of camera in houses or cities to promote safety.

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

The main problem I am solving is project inefficiency which leads to wasting resources be it in mining, construction and agriculture. A lot of projects are being with little to zero Technologies, we can say manually. By embracing the use of Artificial Intelligence in our business or projects we optimise our practices. For example in Construction if a project is done wrongly it can even kill personnel and there will be need for it to be redone thus wasting resources and time. So with the use of Artificial Intelligence and smart technologies we optimise on quality issues , safety issues and also on reporting. With these technologies we improve our projects, improve yields ,savings on energy and boosting returns. In homes the smart lighting systems, will also aids in saving energy

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

The major benefits of my project is increasing the employment rate, as we will be assembling and testing our products in Zimbabwe. In future we would love to manufacture from scratch. The project also increases our Gross Domestic Product this is to add value in production of goods and services in a our country thus boosting our economy. This project will also enhances construction projects , agricultural project and be it mining projects. It improves accuracy and efficiency and also improving on safety and quality control. It also have a positive impact on the environment like the use of smart water leaks sensors and it saves energy by the use of our smart lighting systems and also smart blinds. With smart technology, we offer smart security, smart energy and smart savings. When projects are done correctly, money is not wasted in redoing the project thus we save money. And when more jobs are created the economy boosts .

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

My main target of the project is the government, construction companies, home owners and anyone who is building. It is not only limited to the construction sector, the other target is farmers , agriculture companies and district agritex extension workers. The AI solutions will also address the education, health, transport and finance sector. Thus my project targets cooperates, schools, learners , hospitals, hospitals attendants and even individual who will be able to access their hospital reports on their phones. City Councils are also my target beneficiaries in terms of smart parking management, traffic management and automated traffic updates.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-02-01

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

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

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

I graduated with Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Degree Electronic Engineering from the National University of Science and Technology. I possess 10 years of working experience and I have worked with several companies in which have been exposed to Information Technology, Telecommunications, Electronic Engineering, and Project Management. I possess good analytical skills, problem solving skills, excellent programming skills, communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. My other Partner is Malvene Mukudzei Kuodza who is an experienced Fuels and Energy engineer with a passion for sustainable energy solutions. With over 5 years of expertise in the power generation industry, Malvene has developed a specialization in renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency tools and appliances. His dedication to his work has made him a valuable asset in the industry, driving innovation and progress in the field of renewable energy.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelma-chivi-16ab1a6b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=pro2file&utm_medium=android_app

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

My startup contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal of no poverty in that firstly by assembling and testing of components I will be creating employment thus incomes to some families. The use of smart systems in agriculture it improves yields and optimising farming practices thus more food and harvest to the nation. I terms of mining there will be more returns as we will be using advanced technologies for mining and also compiling geological reports thus more income to the miners and the nation at large.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Real time monitoring of soil conditions when farming, precision irrigation and automated pest controls will lead to improved yields thus zero hunger

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

The use of Artificial Intelligence mostly in the health sector will lead to faster diagnosis of diseases and faster prescription and speeding up of reports thus promoting good health and well being. Also if employment is created, one will be financially stable to go for health checks and immunisations. Smart systems will also maintain health temperatures within buildings thus promoting good health and well being.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

My other goal for my start up is skill transfer, thus I will be promoting quality education. The use of AI in education will also promote quality education as I will design programs which will rate students their skill and weakness therefore teachers will focus on these reports when teaching. And also the issue of job creation will enable an individual to access quality education as he or she will be able to pay tuition fees.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

When employing will promote gender equality and not leaving anyone behind and even the disability. This project also promotes gender equality as women will be exposed to electronics engineering and software engineering thus empowering them.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The use of smart water leak sensors will allow us to maintain clean water and sanitation. Sewage waters should never leaks to the environment and also the use of sensors will allow the locals to access clean water. If there is any problem it will be automatically picked and then attended to. Artificial Intelligence can be used to detect thrash in streets, rivers and lacks and even recognising the type of thrash and garbage.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Smart Technologies can be used to monitor air quality, manage waste and also even analysing energy usage. AI can be used to detect energy emission reductions thus access to clean energy and encouraging reforestation. Smart Drones can be used for reforestation.

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

Using smart systems and technologies promotes economic growth. The project also involves assembling of component thus providing decent work and renumeration to the workers. In future we can even manufacture our own components from scratch and have our manufacturing plant.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

With smart construction we are contributing to industry innovation and infrastructure. We will not be just constructing buildings, but Sustainable buildings with a positive impact to the environment as well as less carbon footprint.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

When employing I will address the reduced inequalities issues. Will give everyone a chance to learn and explore be it the disabled or the women. This will promote more women to participate in Electronic Engineering and software development.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Smart Technologies are applied for the cities to be sustainable, this involve issues of using smart cameras for traffic parking management, safety of the locals. Automated updates and updates on public transport can be generated and send to locals. Smart Technologies can also be used for monitoring the air quality, managing waste, analysing energy usage and also monitoring the environmental impacts.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

The use of Artificial Intelligence in Cities promotes waste management thus contributing to responsible consumption and production. Smart Technologies aids resource efficiency, sustainable agriculture practices, sustainable product designs thus promoting sustainable lifestyle leading to low carbon and green economies.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

On Climate action, Artificial Intelligence Solutions can be used to monitor weather patterns and thus making the farmers , locals to be aware on weather forecast.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Smart Technologies can monitor the quality of life under water. Smart Sensors can be used to monitor waste in water and also to minimise chemical runoff to rivers thus protecting aquatic life. Sewer leakages from houses and buildings can be detected.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Artificial Intelligence aids in Sustainable land management. Deforestation and Land Degradation can be monitored using Artificial intelligence thus then encouraging reforestation. Smart drones are used for reforestation.

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

6

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

5

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

5

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

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

In other countries they are already embracing Artificial Intelligence Solutions but in Zimbabwe it is not yet fully implemented. There is need for smart Roborts, smart traffic control, smart systems. In Zimbabwe mainly business owners are just shipping gadgets from China and overseas, no-one is manufacturing or assembling.

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

There are no really competitors since some gadgets are just being shipped from overseas. Artificial Intelligence its not yet fully implemented in Zimbabwe, we are in the initiative period. Some of the Companies who are selling smart mirrors is Gray Homes, Bathroom Botique, not really smart sensors.

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

Recently I joined the Girls In Technology Zimbabwe as mentor. I was invited on the 25th of May, Africa day to share insights on entrepreneuring, and also sharing knowledge on available opportunities. I am also joining Uncommon organisation in Zimbabwe as a volunteer to train young girls in Tech on programing. I will also be trained so that I escalate the skills.