L'île Maurice - Projet de création d'entreprise

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

Our mission is to be the catalyst for creative transformation by providing the space & resources that will turn ideas into entrepreneurial success. Our studios will be equipped with state of the art equipment for anyone who wants to design & make things.

01.01 Décrivez votre projet en détail

The Makers will provide the space and facilities for dreamers and innovators to pursue their creative journey. We will be setting up various studios equipped with an array of tools and equipment that people will be able to rent and use on the spot. these will include handicraft tools (paper, scrapbooking, sewing, knitting etc) and digital cutting machines, 3D printers, laser cutting machines, CNCs, foam cutting and injecting moulding as well as wood and metal tools amongst others. We hope to be able to provide our community with a new concept that will not only allow everyone to develop new skills and learn through fun and engaging means, but also earn something out of this. Our facilities will also enable thinkers and creators to design, create and manufacture products as part of the testing and prototyping phase before they can come up with more refined products. These alltogether will eventually encourage all our citizens to become entrepreneurs at various levels.

01.02 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

There is a lack of facilities for people who wish to test ideas or develop designs and prototypes. Also, very often, companies involved in the import and selling of branded and custom-made products take too long to respond to retail orders (being of too small value to them) - thus leaving those individual customers on their own. At times, quoted prices are way too high, discouraging people from purchasing as they are unable to afford such products even though the demand is high. On the other side, some people are struggling to meet both ends because of the increase in cost of living. In addition, more and more youngsters are falling into drug and gambling addiction due to lack of activities in the country. Our objective is to bridge the gap between these 2 worlds - enabling those looking for a side hustle to fulfil orders from the retail market (for personalised wedding/birthday deco, gifts, corporate branded products etc) and others looking for hobbies and activities to upskill

01.03 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service que vous souhaitez fournir par votre projet (au moins 3).

1 - the space and facilities for small businesses to imaging and make things using state of the art equipment at a low cost. 2 - training and courses to those who wish to learn how to design and make products to as to sell and earn a better living 3 - access to co-working spaces for creatives wanting to network with like-minded individuals and develop ideas and concepts together. 4 - facilities for those underprivileged to have access to professional equipment (under the supervision of workshop attendants) as well as get orders through our online marketplace. - companies place their orders through us and our makers are offered the opportunity to fulfil these by using our tools and equipment - thus empowering them.

01.04 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adressera le produit/service de votre projet. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

The Makers aims at serving the community at large - with no one being left out. Our targeted beneficiaries mostly consist of creative enthusiast and those willing to upskill by mastering craft, design and manufacturing techniques to make things to earn a living. - Primary Students - learn creative crafts through fun and engaging courses - College Students - learn the practical side of Design and Technology (being taught in high schools but most schools lack workshops for practical sessions) - Engineering/Architecture Students - to design, test, prototype scale models, robots, and moving parts - Design Firms - to test concepts and products by making samples before ordering in bulk or implementing into projects - Disabled and underprivileged persons - giving them the opportunity to interact with the community through the creative craft process - working professionals - looking for fun family activities or new hobbies during the weekends or after working hours. - small businesses

01.05 Quand avez-vous commencé à travailler sur votre projet ?

05/02/2023

01.06 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires sur votre projet en plus de vous ?

5

01.07 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

01.08 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre projet (compétences, expérience, etc.).

1. Dodi - Founder and CEO at The Makers - 11yrs experience in Architecture + 8 years experience as entrepreneur. Highly skilled in design, usage of machines & equipment, creative mind & innovator. I have setup a small business years back with one of the top 3 companies (ENL Group) becoming a minority shareholder shortly after its operations. I have partnered with the University of Technology Mauritius (UTM) in 2021, following the emergence of COVID-19 to design & develop a new face shield with adjustable & replaceable screens. I have received grants from the Ministry of Technology to develop this product and same has featured in the TV News bulletin. 2. Francois - Co-Founder - Graphic Designer & Strategy Lead at Architects Studio Ltd - 10+yrs experience 3. Shyam - Barrister at Law - 15+yrs experience 4. Rajesh - Businessman managing several businesses in Mauritius 5. Ked - Manager in a Multi National in Singapore - 10yrs experience 6. Sanju - Associate Director at Etwaro Group (QS)

01.09 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

https://www.facebook.com/themakers.mu

01.10 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre projet ?

h) Technologies de l'information (services numériques, équipements et logiciels)

02.01.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

6

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

The concept aims at providing those in need of a decent income or unable to meet both ends due to financial constraints with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs with minimal investment. Extremely affordable rental costs of our facilities will ensure that no one is left out of the equation - even those at the very bottom, earning the minimum wage. Through low rental costs, they will be able to have access to an array of tools and equipment, as well as in-house services to help them explore their creative skills and make this to sell and earn a better living. We have a high demand for personalised and custom-made products in Mauritius nowadays thanks to the rise in purchasing power, however supply for same is limited to few companies unable to fulfil them, especially when it comes to small orders not being profitable for them to even bother.

02.02.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

3

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.03.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

5

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our facilities will comprise of a food kiosk serving fresh and healthy food (fresh salad bowls, fresh fruit juice etc) so as to promote healthy lifestyle. Our facilities and services will also be setup in a way to make our members feel valued and special, by offering them with various family and community events. We will offer special craft courses for kids to develop their creative skills and also family events where parents and children can, together, make their own home decos or birthday party supplies. All these together, will bring a new approach to entertainment (instead of the usual bowling, cinema, clubbing etc) where interaction between members bring more well-being to the community.

02.04.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Éducaiton de Qualité'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Students who have difficulties adapting to the education system and how it is being delivered will now have a solid alternative to the mainstream academic path, which unfortunately, isn't something that fits everyone due to various social constraints. Those who wish to opt for an alternative to going to universities etc will be able to decently, opt for the entrepreneurial path and learn skills that will ensure they do not feel left out of the society because of academic failures. Our training and creative courses for kids aged 8years+ will also enable them to diversify their knowledge, analytical and critical thinking skills at a young age - shaping them into future decision makers.

02.05.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

6

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our facilities will empower women who, due to societal norms in Mauritius decades ago whereby women were required to stay at home as housewives instead of pursuing a professional career, could not gain working experience and be financially independent. These women are now facing difficulties in securing a job and cannot sustain the rise in cost of living. The Makers will empower women from the Official Social Registry to enable them to upskill and stand on their own feet.

02.06.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

2

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.07.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

5

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our facilities will be equipped with solar panels to promote green, sustainable and renewable energies. Energy gained through the use of solar panels on top of our facilities will allow us to power machines and equipment in our studios.

02.08.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

providing a safe and professional place for people to design, manufacture and sell products will undeniably bring economic growth and allow less fortunate ones to carry out decent work, thus boosting their self esteem in the society they live in. Small businesses struggling to find financial means to purchase machines will now be able to rent them at a fraction of the cost, to make their products, and thus lower their costs of production. More and more small businesses will prosper through the use of our facilities. Also, whenever a corporate requires personalised/branded products, they can easily order through us instead of importing from abroad. This will enable our members/makers to earn a living by fulfilling those orders themselves - thus promoting local entrepreneurship and economic growth.

02.09.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovaiton et Infrastructure'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

There is unfortunately no proper Research and Development centre in Mauritius, whereby anyone who comes up with a brilliant product design or idea can actually realise, test and prototype same. Our facilities will definitely enable just about everyone to become creative by seeing how parts assemble together, how things work & how products are made. Engineering & Architecture Students will have access to state of the art equipment to make their physical models, design robots and moving mechanism, whilst studying the practical side at their respective universities. We aim at partnering with various universities in the country to allow them to use our facilities as part of their courses to allow students to learn the practical/physical aspect of designing. Architecture firms looking at ways to enhance building facades through the use of perforated screens & other means will now be able to test their concepts through scale models instead of adopting a trail & error approach on buildings.

02.10.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

6

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

All our studios and facilities will be disability-friendly and include disabled toilet and disabled parking facilities. We want to offer a space where no one feels left out, be it because of differences in social status, physical attributes, sex, race, religion and ethnicity. Unfortunately, most offices and entertainment facilities in Mauritius are not equipped to cater for those with disabilities. These people have little to no entertainment/activities that have been imagined and designed with them in mind and also for everyone else. We want these people to feel like they are integral part of our community by having them interact with everyone else in our studios instead of them having to only go to specialised centres for disabled persons. They should be able to discuss ideas, share tips and tricks on how to make things with other members, be it kids or elderly persons using our studios.

02.11.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

4

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.12.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsable'

6

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our concept aims at reducing wastage of raw material as surplus material will be offered or sold as scrap to makers willing to purchase per kg. Thus, left over material from someone could be a golden opportunity for someone else to maximise on the use of waste material and make smaller products. We will also be selling raw materials at low rates, per unit instead of people having to buy in lots when they only need small pieces.

02.13.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Luttle contre les Changements Climatiques'

3

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.14.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

3

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.15.01 Mon projetp contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

3

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.16.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

4

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.17.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

3

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

05.01 Il existe un grand nombre de clients qui utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire à celui que nous envisageons de créer.

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

05.02 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

05.03 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

4

05.04 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

05.05 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

05.06 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

05.07 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

3

05.08 Justification de mon projet

The Makers aims at providing our community with the space & facilities where dreams evolve into entrepreneurial success. Our studios will be equipped with various machines (hand craft tools, paper guillotines, binding machines, laser cutting, 3D printers, powerful iMacs for designing, wood & metal hand tools, injection moulding & foam cutting machines & a whole range of other equipment) for people to use through a rental scheme - Makers can book a seat /time slot in our studios & drop by to use our facilities to design and manufacture various products (from making their own personalised t-shirts, mugs, corporate gifts, invitation cards, signages, small wooden/metal decos, laser cutting parts, 3D printed parts etc) for prototyping, leisure or resell purposes. Various creative individuals, uni students & small businesses complain of the lack of resources (financial and facilities) to be able to design & make things to sell to their esteemed clientele. This will no longer be the case.

05.09 Qui sont vos principaux potentiels concurrents et qu'est-ce qui vous différencie d'eux ?

We presently do not have any competitors as The Makers is a novel concept which is non-existent in Mauritius. We believe that through our vast experience in the entrepreneurial and professional world, together with our strong network, we will overcome most challenges that come our way, especially with regards to competition. Our primary objective is to empower the community & offer people a safe place, a comfort zone where they can develop their creative minds & generate an income out of it - the idea is not to compete with others but empower all. However, the diverse social & professional background of our team will ensure that we are well equipped to take proper decisions and tackle potential threats to our products & services swiftly. Myself, being an entrepreneur as well as an architect by trade, have partnered with various institutions (government, universities and private conglomerates) over the past few years to develop products for the community - giving us an edge over others.

10.06 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes entrepreneurs ?

Part of our goal is to empower women in our community. The initial idea behind The Makers is to provide facilities, coaching and training sessions to women facing difficulties in securing a job, thus unable to earn a decent living or who have been facing stigmatisation and discrimination because of their social/family background. Our facilities will allow those women who have been deprived of access to a decent level of education to learn new skills that will encourage them to think, imagine, create, manufacture and sell products to our local community. The Makers who have shown dedication and good craftsmanship throughout their training will be enrolled to The Makers Marketplace. This platform will allow them to bid on various orders that we will receive daily, from corporates and retails, for customised and personalised products. The idea here is not solely to provide training and tools/equipments for usage but to ensure our members earn a living from orders we will receive.