South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

PowerHike Solar Technologies (Pty) Ltd is a 100% female-owned, South African company dedicated to providing renewable energy solutions for modern-day applications.

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

PowerHike Solar Technologies (Pty) Ltd is a 100% female-owned, South African company dedicated to pioneering the renewable energy sector with pride and innovation. We are committed to driving efficiency and sustainability across Africa and building a greener future through clean and renewable energy. We specialise in the design, assembly, and distribution of a range of mobile solar-powered products within South Africa, thus providing renewable energy solutions for modern-day applications. Our initial product offering is a PowerHike Solar Backpack. These innovative solar-powered backpacks are used to charge connected potable devised remotely by harnessing solar energy while keeping personal belongings safe.

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

PowerHike Solar Backpacks to help solve the lack of access to electricity in remote areas or during power outages, and plastic waste pollution. Description of the problem: 1. The shortage/infrequency of reliable power supply in South Africa (RSA) and the African continent. This product speaks to the current crisis of load-shedding in South Africa. Moreover, these backpacks can be used by the general public, despite the specific market that has been targeted. 2. Inaccessibility to electricity in remote outdoor or rural areas. Our products aids in filling the gap of inaccessibility to electrical power supply during recreational activities, specifically outdoors sporting activities.

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

Powerhike solar-powered backpacks will improve the lives of Africans as follows: 1. Contributing towards addressing the energy demand problem of over 60% of Africans in a sustainable manner of providing an affordable and portable energy source to individuals such as outdoor athletes during outdoor sporting/recreational activities and subsequently students and other individuals affected by power outages. 2. Restraining greenhouse gas emissions to protect the environment through a renewable solar energy transition towards a cleaner, easily accessible, and efficient energy alternative to build sustainable communities; 3. Minimizing plastic waste pollution - the inner lining of the backpack will be made from recycled polyester fabric that is obtained from recycled plastic bottles.

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

Target Market(s): Beachhead: - Hikers/Trekkers Adjacent market segment: - Outdoor enthusiasts/athletes (Cyclists, canoers, kayaker, mountain biker, backpackers, campers) - Corporate, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors of sporting/camping/outdoor gear and solar equipment. - Scholars, and the general public.

01.05 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

18/02/2024

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Non

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

0

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

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

Currently, the company has one female owner.

01.10 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://powerhike-b4880.web.app/

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Produits de base secondaires (voitures et pièces détachées, biens de consommation durables et habillement, commerce de détail)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

4

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Eliminating poverty (SDG1): Creating jobs for people in surrounding communities, especially youth and women, while promoting gender equality (SDG 5).

02.02.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

4

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.03.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

4

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.04.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

6

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

“Over half a billion children lack adequate lighting and use dim, smoky and dangerous kerosene-based lighting for their evening studies” - Furukawa, 2014. In alignment with SDG 4: 1. Scholars were identified as the 4th adjacent target market, the solar backpack utilized by scholars will be charged during the day while scholars commute between home and school, thereafter, the harnessed solar energy will be used to charge connected LED flashlight to complete schoolwork at night. This will facilitate improvement in the academic performance of students who can now study for extended periods throughout the night. 2. Based on the customer validations conducted, 51% reported that they have insufficient knowledge of solar energy hence they previously didn’t see the need to purchase a solar backpack. Thus, the company will also offer communities training focusing on climate change, environmental awareness, renewable energy, and skills development on solar electronic technology.

02.05.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

5

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

The company plans to hire more female employees and youth through learnerships, internships, and work-integrated-learning (WIL) programs; and if funds are available, the company also plans to provide women and youth funding support (bursaries) to further their studies.

02.06.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

4

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.07.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

The shortage/infrequency of reliable power supply in Africa: Addressing the load-shedding crisis in South Africa. These backpacks can be used by the public, despite the specific market that has been identified. The backpacks provide a reliable energy source while enjoying great outdoor adventures considering the limited recharge options, while on trial. Providing access to electricity by harnessing renewable solar energy from the sun and converting it into usable electricity that can charge connected portable devices remotely (on-the-go). Promoting the concept of renewable energy by expanding and operating our business in areas without reliable electricity (e.g., rural areas). The solar backpack was proposed to also charge an LED flashlight that would provide households (parents, scholars, and tertiary students) with proper lighting during electrical power outages, thus allowing impacted parties to save on costs acquired from purchasing candles and monthly electrical rates.

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Creating employment opportunities for people in surrounding communities, especially youth and women. The company will also offer communities (women and youth) training opportunities focusing on climate change, environmental awareness, renewable energy, and skills development on solar electronic technology. Moreover, in future we plan to hire more female employees and youth through learnerships, internships, and work-integrated-learning (WIL) programs; and if funds are available, the company also plans to provide women and youth funding support (bursaries) to further their studies.

02.09.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

3

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.10.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

4

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.11.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

4

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.12.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

5

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

The company plans to minimize both primary and secondary packaging materials to end-users by reducing waste in the packaging process through sustainable packaging: Encouraging minimal packaging, sourcing sustainable raw material to use for packaging, using biodegradable/sustainable/reusable packaging materials, training staff on packaging to minimize waste and loss, develop a waste reduction plan, using smaller boxes/less material were applicable. The backpacks represent sustainable fashion – fabricated from a combination of locally manufactured, lightweight, quality approved fabrics, such as Recycled Polyester (rPET) fabric, which is made from recycled plastic bottles; thus, contributing towards reducing plastic waste pollution from recycled plastic bottles in our environment.

02.13.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

PowerHike Solar Backpacks will have the environmental benefit of restraining greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to protect the environment through a renewable solar energy transition towards a cleaner, more accessible, and efficient energy model to build sustainable communities. As well as minimizing the impact of plastic waste pollution in the environment by reducing the amount of plastic bottle waste generated through recycling of plastic bottles into a more sustainable fabric, as part of the circular economy. These backpacks represent sustainable fashion! Providing a renewable energy source by harnessing solar energy. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels, minimizes carbon emissions, and contributing to a cleaner, less polluted environment. The calculated net climate impact in 2024 is estimated to be 8.4 t CO₂eq. compared to backpacks made from non-recyclable fabrics and electricity generated by coal-fired power stations in South Africa.

02.14.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

4

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.15.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

4

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.16.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

4

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

4

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

06.01 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

4

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

2

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

3

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

5

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.06 Notre produit/service 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

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

5

06.08 Justification

The product is a modification of what is already on the market. There are a range of solar powered backpacks and products around the world. However, the concept is 'not' very popular in South Africa. The current crisis of load-shedding in our country makes the concept relevant and brings the desired traction.

06.09 Analyse compétitive

Outside Africa: Voltaic Systems, USA 👍Great quality, design, size variety. 👎However, their products are expensive - based on market validation findings of the amount of money some South African consumers are willing to spend on such a product). Within Africa: Chedza, Botswana 👍 Made from durable, waterproof Canvas. Standard panels, suitable for students (provide light and power for up to 7 hours from a full day of sunlight recharging) 👎However, limited size variety - standard size designed particularly for students. The solar panel and flashlight are integrated onto the backpack and are thus inseparable. Why we stand out: Locally manufactured in South Africa, thus easily accessible without additional international shipment costs, great value for money, durability, sustainable fashion, efficient solar panel system with energy storage that will provide sufficient energy source for all-day power supply even throughout the night, offer warranty period for repair.

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

Not as yet. However, I definitely will in future