Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Network+ is an inclusive project focused on the promotion of Digital inclusion and information interchange by provision of access to computers, internet and digital literacy training to bridge the technology gap in the marginalised and rural communities.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Network+ is an all-inclusive project that aims to disseminate information to a specific demographic of people living in the rural areas and marginalised communities in Zimbabwe and Africa. It aims to bridge the gap between the information knowledge systems that exist in the rural areas and the urban areas without undermining the existing African Indigenous Knowledge systems. Network+ is focused on the promotion of Digital inclusion by provision of access to computers, internet and digital literacy training to bridge the technology gap. This can further empower young men and women to add value to their locally produced products through online marketing and networking. Network+ seeks to offer network and entrepreneurship support through mentorships for starting and growing businesses through creation of community innovation hubs that also connect individuals with employment opportunities.We are committed to make the professional world more accessible. We value diversity and culture.

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

I am trying to reduce the levels of poverty in rural and marginalised communities. I am trying to do this by bridging the information gap that exists between rural communities and the developed urban world. Rural and marginalised wallow in povertu due to lack of morden agricultural jnformative practices, lack of modern technology and ignorance of job opportunities and networking with existing industrialists.

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

NETWORK+ will help reduce the illiteracy rates in communities and empower youths witj knowlede. The community information hubs intended to be set up by NETWORK+ will also be of advantaged to youths who have been ravaged by drugs and substance abuse and teen pregnancies.

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

The target demographics are poor rural and marginalised communities in Zimbabwe and Africa. There are gifted yet disadvantaged tribes in the outskirts that do not have access to information and the internet. These people are the target audience who need to be uplifted to reduce levels of poverty which have been made worse by the droughts and climate change.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-06

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.)

Vanessa Moyo is a 20-year-old female from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She is currently a second-year student at National University of science and Technology in Bulawayo. While engaged in the very demanding reality of undergraduate courses, deadlines, and writing, She alsoseeksout different ways to enlarge my perspective beyond campus, as my long-term intention is to make a positive impact in my nation and beyond. She is collaborative and team oriented compassionate person whose aim is to contribute to the betterment of society through programs that drive community inclusion and technology advancements to the poor marginalised African child. She is a self-taught C and Java programmer whose vision is to see the nexus of artificial intelligence technology and the eradication of poverty in sub–Saharan Africa come to fruition in our life time. She is eager to make a positive impact in the community through our NETWORK+ project. She is also a YALI network alumni. She is all about women empowerment.

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

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VadyQjqEwEjyeADOJG0a

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

This project seeks to end poverty through community through promotion of technology and information diseemination. This will factor in new ways of accessing financial markets for farmers and entreprenuers in the marginalised communities. Internet access and career opportunity networking will also help people uplift their communitie

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

6

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

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

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

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

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

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

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

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

4

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.

2

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

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

2

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.

3

05.08 Justification

Rural and marginalised communites have largely been ignored by majority of governments and NGOs. This service offered by my NETWORK+ project is a first of its kind that seeks to directly empower rural folk. No one has really attended to the needs of the rural folk directly. NETWORK+ project will be for the community by the community. No remote work will be done rather face to face inclusion and assistance will be offered.

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

None.

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

No.