Solution Overview & Team Lead Details

What is the name of your organization?

Electrixitaty Limited

What is the name of your solution?

Gokijany

Provide a one-line summary of your solution.

A web application software that helps track, measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions across a business’s value chain.

What specific problem are you solving?

At GoKijany, we are addressing a pressing problem exacerbated by climate change: the risk of malnutrition in vulnerable communities, particularly in Kenya and the Horn of Africa. Our specific focus is on providing incentives for manufacturers, suppliers, and providers to reduce their environmental footprints and meet regulatory requirements, which directly relates to addressing the underlying causes of malnutrition and promoting sustainable food production.

The scale of the problem is significant. In 2022, Kenya experienced a severe drought, resulting in acute malnutrition for 640,000 children under the age of 5 and 111,600 pregnant and lactating women, as reported by the National Disaster Management Authority. These dry weather conditions and reduced rainfall have become more frequent, endangering millions of people in vulnerable and remote communities in the Horn of Africa, exposing them to hunger and disease.

Climate change is a major contributing factor to the problem of malnutrition, as it affects food production by altering the distribution and productivity of crops, leading to increased food prices. This puts more than 2 million Kenyans at risk of malnutrition each year. The current solutions in place, such as feeding programs and fundraisers, only provide temporary relief and do not address the root cause of the problem. The best solution lies in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

It is well-documented that Scope 3 emissions, which include indirect emissions from an organization's value chain, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. However, tracking these emissions poses a challenge due to the sheer number of partners involved in an organization's value chain. This is where GoKijany steps in.

By providing incentives for manufacturers, suppliers, and providers to reduce their environmental footprints, GoKijany encourages them to take tangible actions to mitigate their Scope 3 emissions. Our solution simplifies the process of tracking and managing emissions, making it more feasible for companies to monitor their environmental impact. By addressing Scope 3 emissions, we tackle the root cause of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to long-term climate mitigation efforts.

By engaging manufacturers, suppliers, and providers, GoKijany creates a collective effort to reduce environmental footprints and meet regulatory requirements. This approach aligns with global sustainability goals and is applicable not only in Kenya but also in other regions facing similar challenges due to climate change. The impact of our solution extends beyond immediate feeding programs and fundraisers, fostering a more sustainable food production system that benefits communities in the long run.

What is your solution?

Gokijany’s easy to use software leverages spend-based methods automatically extracting information from the already existing financial statements to track a business’s emissions across its value chain, then measures the emissions in all of the scope 3’s 15 categories, generating easy and readable graphs that comprehensively visualises the business’s emissions,  sets reduction targets  and demonstrates GHG reductions over time communicating progress as well as showing environmental impact.

Tracking and measuring the carbon footprint of these businesses shows how much biocapacity is needed to take care of the untreated carbon waste and avoid a carbon build-up in the atmosphere enabling us to address the climate change challenge in a holistic way that does not simply shift the burden from one natural system to another.

After the software provides a detailed understanding of all possible effective corporate GHG emission reduction strategies and carbon offset activities that focus on reforestation, agroforestry, and soil conservation which will also help to protect biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as improve soil moisture, increase the resilience of crops to drought and protect against erosion. This will help improve food security, as well as provide other ecosystem services such as water regulation, carbon sequestration, and recreation. Carbon offset projects that invest in renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, can also help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels as well as reduce air pollution.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

GoKijany's innovative solution serves communities in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, particularly those who are vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change. These communities, often overlooked by current approaches, bear the brunt of climate change's consequences on human health and well-being.

Africa, despite being responsible for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is disproportionately affected by climate change. A staggering 65% of Africa's population directly experiences the impacts of climate change, leading to disruptions in ecosystems and posing significant challenges to human livelihoods and health.

GoKijany's solution directly addresses the needs of these communities by enabling businesses to understand and reduce their carbon footprints. By providing businesses with tools to track and measure their emissions, we empower them to invest in carbon offset projects. This approach creates employment opportunities in sectors such as reforestation, agroforestry, and renewable energy, fostering economic growth and resilience within these communities.

Through our engagement with these communities, we gain a deep understanding of their specific needs and challenges. We conduct research, interviews, and workshops to gather insights into their environmental, social, and economic contexts. This allows us to tailor our solution to their unique circumstances and ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

By enabling businesses to invest in carbon offset projects, GoKijany's solution generates multiple benefits for the target population. First, it promotes the restoration of degraded lands, improving soil health and water retention. This has direct implications for agricultural productivity, ensuring food security and enhancing resilience against drought and other climate-related risks. Moreover, carbon offset projects contribute to protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, preserving valuable natural resources for future generations.

The economic impact of our solution is substantial. By creating jobs in reforestation, agroforestry, and renewable energy sectors, we empower local communities and stimulate economic growth. The adaptation of indigenous practices that are eco-friendly further enhances economic opportunities, as traditional knowledge and sustainable practices are harnessed to address climate change challenges. These practices can serve as valuable models for sustainable development, creating a positive ripple effect beyond the immediate target population.

GoKijany's solution goes beyond mitigating climate change; it directly improves the lives of the communities we serve. By reducing carbon footprints, we contribute to the overall well-being and resilience of these communities. Enhanced agricultural productivity, job creation, preservation of natural resources, and the adoption of sustainable practices all contribute to a higher quality of life, increased economic opportunities, and improved environmental stewardship.

Through collaboration and ongoing engagement, we ensure that our solution remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the target population. By empowering businesses and communities with the tools and knowledge to address climate change, GoKijany is driving meaningful change and fostering sustainable development in Africa's vulnerable communities.

How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

Our team's proximity to the communities we serve, our deep engagement with them, and our commitment to their needs and aspirations make us the right people to design and deliver this solution. We are driven by a shared vision to create a sustainable future for low- and middle-income communities in Africa, and we are confident in our ability to make a meaningful and lasting impact. With your support and funding, we can turn our vision into reality and empower businesses to reduce their environmental footprint, protect livelihoods, and foster a healthier, more resilient future for all.Our team at GoKijany is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution and make a meaningful impact on the target population. With a diverse group of 11 passionate youths, including 6 females and 5 males, aged between 22 to 24, we bring a range of skills and expertise that are crucial for the successful development and implementation of our environmental tech solution.

Each team member plays a vital role in the project, contributing their skills in technology, design, environmental studies, finance, and accounting. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to incorporate different perspectives and ensure a comprehensive solution that addresses the complex challenges of tracking and reducing carbon emissions.

We are not just a team of experts; we are also deeply connected to the communities we aim to serve. Our team represents a diverse range of backgrounds, and many of us have personal experiences and connections to low- and middle-income communities in Africa. This proximity to the target population gives us firsthand knowledge of their needs, challenges, and aspirations.

To ensure that our solution truly addresses the needs of the communities, we actively engage with them throughout the development process. We conduct extensive research, interviews, and surveys to gather insights into their specific contexts, priorities, and concerns. This engagement allows us to understand their unique environmental, social, and economic circumstances, ensuring that our solution is tailored to their requirements.

We value the input, ideas, and agendas of the communities we serve. Our design and implementation processes are meaningfully guided by their perspectives. We regularly seek feedback and involve community members in co-creation sessions and focus groups. By actively involving them, we ensure that their voices are heard, their needs are addressed, and their solutions are incorporated into the final product.

Moreover, we are committed to ensuring equitable distribution of benefits among men and women. We recognize the power imbalances that exist and actively work to address them. Our team includes both male and female members, and we have established mechanisms to ensure that women's voices and needs are represented and taken into account throughout the project. We employ gender-sensitive indicators in our monitoring and evaluation processes to track progress and measure the impact of our solution on both men and women.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

  • Provide incentives for manufacturers, hospitals, suppliers, providers, caregivers, and patients to reduce their environmental footprints and meet current and upcoming regulatory requirements.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya

In what country is your solution team headquartered?

  • Kenya

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model, but which is not yet serving anyone

Please share details about what makes your solution a Prototype rather than a Concept.

At GoKijany, we have gone beyond the conceptual stage and developed a functional prototype of our software solution. We have built and tested the core features that enable businesses to track, measure, and reduce their carbon emissions effectively. Our prototype leverages spend-based methods, extracting data from existing financial statements to automatically calculate emissions across a business's value chain.

Through rigorous development and testing, we have created a user-friendly interface that allows businesses to visualize their emissions through easy-to-read graphs. This comprehensive visualization provides a detailed understanding of emissions across all 15 categories of Scope 3, enabling businesses to identify areas of high emissions and set reduction targets accordingly.

We have also integrated features that enable businesses to demonstrate their progress over time and communicate their GHG reductions. This functionality is crucial for businesses to showcase their environmental impact and track their sustainability goals. By providing concrete evidence of emission reductions, our solution moves beyond a mere concept and demonstrates its practical application in real-world scenarios.

In addition to tracking and measuring emissions, our prototype includes a wealth of information and resources on effective corporate GHG emission reduction strategies. We have compiled comprehensive data on carbon offset activities, such as reforestation, agroforestry, and soil conservation, which have proven to protect biodiversity, improve soil moisture, enhance crop resilience, and prevent erosion. These strategies also contribute to food security, water regulation, carbon sequestration, and even provide opportunities for recreation. By incorporating these features, we have created a robust platform that supports businesses in implementing sustainable practices beyond just emission tracking.

Throughout the development process, we have engaged with businesses, industry experts, and stakeholders to gather feedback and refine our solution. This iterative approach has allowed us to incorporate real-world insights and tailor our software to the specific needs and challenges faced by businesses in reducing their environmental footprints.

The fact that we have a working prototype demonstrates our commitment to delivering a tangible and effective solution. We have surpassed the idea stage and invested significant time and resources in building a functional software tool. Our prototype has undergone rigorous testing, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of performance, accuracy, and user experience.

Why are you applying to the Prize?

As a team based in Kenya, Africa, we understand the immense impact that rare diseases have on individuals and their families, particularly in low-resource settings. The inefficiencies and high costs associated with the diagnostic journey for rare diseases further exacerbate the challenges faced by patients.

By participating in this Prize, we aim to leverage our innovative solution, GoKijany, to decrease carbon footprints in the rare disease healthcare space while centering patient priorities. This aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Prize, as it seeks technology-based solutions that not only improve research and development outcomes but also contribute to environmental sustainability.

One of the barriers we face is the lack of financial resources to scale our solution and reach a wider user base. The $150,000 prize funding would provide critical support to further develop and refine GoKijany, allowing us to enhance its capabilities and expand its reach to benefit more patients and research institutions. This financial boost would enable us to invest in technological infrastructure, talent acquisition, and marketing efforts to create a significant impact in the rare disease healthcare space.

Additionally, the technical expertise and mentorship opportunities provided by the Prize would be invaluable to us. The chance to collaborate with industry experts, academic institutions, and thought leaders through MIT Solve would help us refine our solution, enhance its scalability and sustainability, and accelerate its deployment. The guidance and support from these stakeholders would also assist us in navigating any legal, regulatory, or technical challenges that arise during the implementation phase.

Furthermore, the Prize offers a platform to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability in rare disease research and healthcare. By winning the Prize, we would gain increased visibility and credibility, attracting potential investors, partners, and collaborators who share our vision. This exposure would help us overcome market barriers and establish strategic partnerships, ensuring the long-term viability and impact of our solution.

Ultimately, winning the 2023 Horizon Prize would not only provide us with financial and technical support but also validate our approach and drive positive change in the rare disease healthcare space. It would empower us to accelerate the development of GoKijany, reduce diagnostic timelines, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to a more sustainable future by decreasing carbon emissions associated with rare disease research and development.

With this Prize, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of rare disease patients, transform the efficiency of biomedical research, and drive environmental sustainability. We are ready to seize this opportunity and are committed to creating a meaningful and scalable solution that aligns with the objectives of the Prize.

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Emmanuel Mulengwa

How is your Team Lead connected to the community or communities in which your project is based?

Our Team Lead, Emmanuel Mulengwa, is deeply connected to the community in which our project, Gokijany, is based. Born and raised in Kenya, Emmanuel has a strong understanding of the local culture, challenges, and needs. His passion for technology and his commitment to inspiring and educating young Kenyans have allowed him to establish meaningful connections and make a positive impact on the community.

Emmanuel's involvement in the global robotics Olympics and his representation of Kenya on multiple occasions have not only showcased his technical expertise but also brought recognition to Kenya's talent in the field of technology. This has helped him foster connections with other tech enthusiasts and experts from around the world, enabling him to bring global knowledge and best practices back to the local community.

Through his company, Electrixitaty, Emmanuel has actively engaged with young Kenyans and high school students, sharing his expertise and raising awareness about the transformative potential of technology. By visiting over 30 counties in Kenya, he has established a strong presence and built relationships with local communities. This direct engagement has allowed him to understand the unique challenges faced by the community and tailor Gokijany to address their specific needs.

Furthermore, Emmanuel's love for nature and wildlife aligns with the environmental aspects of our project. He recognizes the importance of preserving the environment and understands the impact that carbon emissions and climate change have on communities. This connection to nature drives his dedication to developing a solution like Gokijany that not only focuses on rare disease research but also emphasizes environmental sustainability.

Emmanuel's deep connection to the community, his passion for technology, and his commitment to education and innovation make him the right person to lead our team and deliver the Gokijany solution to the target population. His local knowledge, global exposure, and personal experiences enable him to bridge the gap between technological advancements and the needs of the community. With Emmanuel at the helm, Gokijany is not just a project developed in isolation but a solution that is rooted in the understanding, aspirations, and well-being of the community in which it is based.

Through Emmanuel's leadership and our team's collective efforts, we are confident in our ability to make a meaningful and sustainable impact on the rare disease healthcare space in Kenya and beyond. Winning the Horizon Prize would further validate our connection to the community and provide the resources and support needed to continue our mission of improving rare disease research outcomes while reducing environmental costs.

More About Your Solution

What makes your solution innovative and sustainable?

Gokijany's solution is innovative and sustainable in several key ways. First and foremost, our approach revolutionizes the tracking and reporting of scope 3 emissions, which account for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions for companies. By leveraging a company's financial statements, our software provides a streamlined and efficient method for measuring and visualizing emissions across all 15 categories of scope 3. This eliminates the need for labor-intensive data collection and analysis, saving valuable time and resources for businesses.

Our software's ability to generate easy-to-read graphs and reports empowers businesses with a comprehensive understanding of their emissions profile. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective sustainability and carbon reduction strategies. By identifying areas of waste and inefficiency, companies can make targeted improvements, reduce costs, and enhance their brand image as environmentally responsible entities.

Furthermore, Gokijany's focus on carbon offset projects sets us apart from traditional emission tracking solutions. We not only provide insights into emissions but also offer tangible opportunities for businesses to offset their carbon footprint. Through partnerships with projects in reforestation, agroforestry, soil conservation, and renewable energy, we enable businesses to actively contribute to environmental conservation and restoration efforts. This approach ensures that the impact goes beyond emissions reduction and extends to addressing broader ecological challenges, such as improving soil health, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing water retention.

By making carbon offsetting accessible and integrated into our software platform, Gokijany catalyzes positive impacts from others in this space. We inspire and incentivize businesses to take concrete actions towards reducing their environmental impact. As more companies adopt our solution and actively participate in carbon offset projects, the market will see a significant shift towards sustainability and climate action.

Gokijany's innovation and sustainability also extend to its potential for broader positive impacts. Our solution addresses a pressing global issue by enabling businesses to contribute to the fight against climate change. As more companies become aware of their emissions and take steps to reduce them, we create a domino effect that extends far beyond individual organizations. By changing the market dynamics and encouraging a collective commitment to sustainability, Gokijany has the potential to transform industries and inspire others to follow suit.

What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them?

At Gokijany, we have ambitious impact goals for the next year and the next five years. These goals reflect our commitment to driving transformative change in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, engaging local communities in conservation efforts, and creating a sustainable business model. Here are our impact goals and the strategies we will employ to achieve them:

Next Year (Year 1):

  1. Onboard 100 businesses: Our goal is to have more than 100 businesses registered with us and actively using our software to track, measure, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We will achieve this by conducting targeted marketing and outreach campaigns to raise awareness about the benefits of our solution and establish strategic partnerships with industry associations, sustainability networks, and environmental organizations.

  2. Support businesses in reaching Net Zero: We aim to assist all our customers in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and achieving Net Zero status. We will provide personalized guidance and recommendations based on their emissions data, implement carbon reduction strategies, and promote the adoption of sustainable practices. Through continuous monitoring and reporting, we will help businesses track their progress towards Net Zero targets.

Next Five Years (Year 1 to Year 5):

  1. Engage local communities in conservation projects: We are committed to involving local communities in Kenya in conservation projects, particularly focused on afforestation of bare land. Our goal is to initiate and support multiple tree-planting initiatives, creating green spaces, and restoring degraded areas. We will collaborate with local community leaders, environmental organizations, and government agencies to drive community participation, raise awareness, and secure funding for these projects.

  2. Build multiple revenue streams: To ensure the long-term sustainability of our business, we will establish multiple revenue streams over the course of our initial operating years. These may include subscription-based software licensing, consulting services for sustainability planning and implementation, partnerships with carbon offset projects, and potential collaborations with other stakeholders in the environmental and sustainability ecosystem. Diversifying our revenue streams will provide stability and resources to expand our impact and reach.

  3. Raise awareness about individual carbon reduction: We recognize the importance of individual action in reducing carbon emissions. Our goal is to raise awareness about the need for individuals to actively contribute to carbon reduction efforts. We will leverage digital marketing, social media campaigns, educational workshops, and community outreach programs to inspire behavioral change, encourage sustainable lifestyle choices, and foster a sense of collective responsibility towards environmental stewardship.

To achieve these impact goals, we will leverage our innovative software solution, collaborate with strategic partners, engage stakeholders at various levels, and continuously iterate and improve our offerings based on user feedback and market dynamics. By driving change at the business, community, and individual levels, we aim to make a significant and lasting impact on greenhouse gas emissions, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices.

How are you measuring your progress toward your impact goals?

We are committed to measuring our progress towards our impact goals using specific indicators that align with our solution and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here are a few indicators we are using to track our progress:

  1. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction: We measure the total GHG emissions reduced by businesses using our software. This includes tracking the reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions across different scope 3 categories, such as transportation, supply chain, and waste management. We monitor the percentage decrease in emissions over time, demonstrating our contribution to mitigating climate change.

  2. Business Adoption and Engagement: We track the number of businesses registered with Gokijany and actively using our software. This indicator helps us gauge the adoption rate and engagement level of our target market. We monitor the growth in customer base and user activity to assess the extent of our market penetration and the value delivered to businesses.

  3. Afforestation and Reforestation: For our community engagement and conservation projects, we measure the number of trees planted and the area of land restored through afforestation and reforestation efforts. This indicator reflects the tangible impact we are making in restoring ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting sustainable land use practices.

  4. Individual Behavior Change: We assess the level of individual awareness and behavior change through surveys, feedback mechanisms, and participation in educational workshops. By tracking the number of individuals reached, the level of knowledge gained, and the adoption of sustainable practices, we can evaluate the effectiveness of our awareness campaigns and the extent to which they contribute to reducing carbon footprints on an individual level.

  5. Revenue Streams and Financial Sustainability: We measure the diversification of our revenue streams and financial sustainability indicators, such as annual revenue growth, profitability, and customer retention rates. These metrics help us ensure the long-term viability of our business model and assess our ability to fund ongoing operations, innovation, and expansion.

These indicators provide us with quantifiable measures to monitor our progress, demonstrate our impact to stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement in our solution and strategies. We regularly analyze and report on these indicators to track our performance, identify areas for improvement, and communicate our progress in achieving our impact goals.

Describe in simple terms how and why you expect your solution to have an impact on the problem.

We expect our solution to have a significant impact on the problem of tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our theory of change is based on a logical framework that links our activities to immediate outputs and longer-term outcomes for our target population. Here's a simple description of how and why we expect our solution to make a difference:

  1. Activities:

    • Develop and provide a user-friendly software solution: We have created software that extracts data from financial statements to track and measure a business's emissions across its value chain.
    • Generate easy-to-understand reports and graphs: Our software generates comprehensive visualizations that clearly show a company's emissions in various scope 3 categories.
    • Offer carbon reduction strategies and offset options: We provide businesses with effective emission reduction strategies and opportunities to offset their carbon footprint.
  2. Outputs:

    • Increased awareness and understanding: Through our software, businesses gain a detailed understanding of their emissions, which raises awareness about their environmental impact.
    • Comprehensive emission reports: Our software generates detailed reports and graphs that enable businesses to identify waste, set reduction targets, and monitor progress over time.
    • Access to carbon reduction strategies: Businesses receive actionable recommendations and strategies to reduce their emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.
  3. Outcomes:

    • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: By helping businesses track, measure, and reduce their emissions, we expect to contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Improved sustainability practices: Our solution encourages businesses to adopt sustainable practices, leading to decreased waste, reduced costs, and enhanced brand reputation.
    • Positive environmental impact: Through our carbon offset projects, such as afforestation and reforestation, we aim to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and combat climate change.

By providing businesses with the tools, knowledge, and resources to track, reduce, and offset their emissions, we believe our solution will create a positive ripple effect. As more businesses actively participate in emission reduction efforts, we anticipate a broader shift towards sustainability, decreased carbon footprints, and increased environmental stewardship across industries. Our theory of change is supported by research, expert insights, and the demonstrated effectiveness of similar initiatives.

If your solution is tech-based, describe the core technology that powers your solution.

Our solution is powered by advanced technology that efficiently tracks and measures greenhouse gas emissions. The core technology encompasses several key components:

  1. Data Extraction, Analysis, and AI: We employ sophisticated algorithms to extract relevant information from a company's financial statements, enabling efficient data gathering for emission tracking. Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms process and analyze the data, identifying patterns and correlations to accurately estimate emissions across different scope 3 categories.

  2. Visualization and Reporting: Our solution incorporates intuitive data visualization tools and reporting mechanisms. Interactive graphs, charts, and reports present emissions data in a user-friendly format. This technology provides actionable insights, empowering businesses to make informed decisions and implement reduction strategies.

  3. Mobile Application for Engagement: Our mobile application engages individuals in carbon offsetting activities. It provides an accessible platform for people to contribute to emission reduction efforts and participate in environmental conservation projects.

Furthermore, our solution integrates hardware components, sensors, and connectivity solutions as needed. For example, IoT devices and sensors can collect real-time data on energy consumption or environmental parameters, enabling organizations to optimize their operations with accurate information.

In summary, our solution's core technology is a sophisticated software platform that combines data analytics, machine learning, user-friendly interfaces, and mobile applications. By leveraging this technology, we enable businesses and individuals to efficiently track, manage, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This empowers them to make informed decisions, implement effective strategies, and actively contribute to a more sustainable future.

Which of the following categories best describes your solution?

A new application of an existing technology

Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:

  • Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
  • Big Data
  • Blockchain
  • Internet of Things
  • Software and Mobile Applications

If your solution has a website, app, or social media handle, provide the link(s) here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gokijany/, Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/85659171

In which countries do you currently operate?

Kenya

In which countries will you be operating within the next year?

Rwanda, South Africa and Nigeria

Your Team

What type of organization is your solution team?

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

How many people work on your solution team?

Our solution team consists of 11 individuals, all of whom work on a full-time basis.

How long have you been working on your solution?

Our solution team has been working on our solution for the past 6 months.

What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work?

At GoKijany, we are deeply committed to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work. We believe that diverse teams and inclusive practices are essential for creating meaningful and sustainable impact on the target population we serve.

Our team composition reflects our dedication to diversity and inclusion. With 11 passionate youths, comprising 6 females and 5 males, we embrace gender diversity within our team. We value the perspectives and experiences that individuals from different genders bring to the table, as it enriches our problem-solving processes and allows us to address the needs and aspirations of both men and women in our target communities.

We recognize that diversity encompasses more than just gender. Our team members come from various educational and professional backgrounds, including technology, design, environmental studies, finance, and accounting. This multidisciplinary approach enables us to leverage a range of skills and expertise, fostering creativity and innovation in developing our environmental tech solution.

In addition to diversity within our team, we prioritize the voices and needs of the communities we aim to serve. We actively engage with community members throughout the project, seeking their insights, feedback, and participation in co-creation sessions and focus groups. By involving them in the decision-making process, we ensure that our solution is truly tailored to their specific contexts and requirements.

Equity is a fundamental principle that guides our work. We are committed to addressing power imbalances and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits. We recognize that marginalized groups often face unique and systemic barriers that hinder their full participation and access to opportunities. To address this, we have established mechanisms to ensure that women's voices and needs are represented and taken into account at all stages of the project. By employing gender-sensitive indicators in our monitoring and evaluation processes, we can track progress and measure the impact of our solution on both men and women, striving for equal opportunity and advancement for all.

Inclusion is integral to our approach. We aim to create an environment where all team members feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. We promote open communication, encourage diverse perspectives, and embrace collaborative decision-making. By fostering an inclusive culture within our team, we create a space where everyone's contributions are valued and where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work.

As we continue our journey, we remain committed to ongoing learning and improvement in incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work. We actively seek opportunities to engage with organizations and initiatives that share our commitment to these principles, leveraging their expertise and insights to further enhance our approach.

By embracing diversity, promoting equity, and fostering inclusion, we believe we can create a more just and sustainable future, where everyone has equal access to opportunities and where diverse voices are heard and valued.

Your Business Model & Funding

What is your business model?

Our business model at GoKijany is based on a B2C (Business-to-Consumer) approach, offering our emissions tracking software as a service. Our primary customers are businesses, both large and small, that have committed to achieving Net Zero emissions.

We provide these customers with a comprehensive software solution that allows them to easily track and measure their emissions along their supply chains. Our software utilizes advanced technology, including data extraction, analysis, machine learning, and data visualization, to provide accurate and actionable insights into their carbon footprint.

Customers pay yearly premiums to access and use our emissions tracking software. This subscription-based model ensures ongoing support and updates as we continue to enhance and improve our software to meet their evolving needs. By charging a premium, we can generate revenue to sustain our operations and invest in further development of our solution.

In addition to emissions tracking, we offer our customers an opportunity to offset their emissions by investing in our conservation efforts with vulnerable communities in Kenya. This creates a value proposition for our customers beyond just emissions tracking, as they can align their sustainability goals with meaningful environmental impact through our conservation initiatives. By providing this additional service, we create a revenue stream that supports our conservation projects and helps us achieve our environmental goals.

Our customers choose our services because they recognize the importance of tracking and reducing their carbon emissions. They understand that addressing climate change requires accurate measurement and actionable data. By using our software, businesses can gain visibility into their emissions, identify areas for improvement, and take measures to reduce their carbon footprint. Our expertise in emissions tracking and our ability to provide guidance on emission reduction strategies further add value to our customers' sustainability efforts.

Overall, our business model revolves around providing businesses with a software-as-a-service solution for emissions tracking, accompanied by the opportunity to support conservation efforts. By delivering value through our software, expertise, and environmental impact, we strive to create a financially sustainable business while helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals.

Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?

Organizations (B2B)

What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable?

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable at GoKijany involves a combination of revenue streams to fund our work and cover our expected expenses.

  1. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Subscription: Companies will pay to use our world-class emissions tracking software on a yearly basis. This subscription-based model provides a consistent source of revenue as businesses rely on our software to track and measure their greenhouse gas emissions.

  2. Emissions Offset Projects: We offer companies the opportunity to offset their emissions by investing in our conservation projects, such as tree planting and reafforestation in the Kenyan Coast and highlands. Companies can pay for these offset projects, which not only contribute to environmental conservation but also generate revenue to support our operations.

  3. Sale of Branded Eco-Friendly Merchandise: We plan to sell branded eco-friendly merchandise, including company T-shirts, hoodies, caps, and other items. By leveraging our brand and the growing demand for sustainable products, we can generate additional revenue while promoting our mission and raising awareness about environmental conservation.

  4. Carbon Credit Sales: Through our initiative to help farmers adopt modern eco-friendly farming practices and sequester carbon in their farms, we will generate carbon credits. We intend to sell these carbon credits to international companies like Shell, BP, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Google, and Amazon, who are seeking to offset their own emissions. This provides a substantial revenue opportunity while incentivizing sustainable practices in the agricultural sector.

By diversifying our revenue streams, we reduce dependency on a single source of income and create a more robust financial foundation. These revenue streams align with our core mission and expertise, allowing us to leverage our software, conservation projects, brand, and agricultural initiatives to generate sustainable funding for our work.

As we grow and expand our impact, we may also explore additional revenue models and partnerships that align with our mission and values. It is important for us to continuously assess and adapt our revenue generation strategies to ensure financial sustainability and long-term success in addressing climate change and promoting environmental conservation.

Share some examples of how your plan to achieve financial sustainability has been successful so far.

At GoKijany, we have made significant progress in our journey towards financial sustainability. While specific financial information may not be publicly shareable, I can provide some examples of our accomplishments:

  1. Grant Funding: We have successfully secured grants from various foundations, organizations, and government agencies that support our mission and vision. These grants have provided essential funding to develop and enhance our software platform, launch conservation projects, and implement our initiatives. The support from these grant funders has been instrumental in advancing our work and driving our impact.

  2. Revenue from Software Subscriptions: Our software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription model has been successful in generating revenue. Companies recognize the value of our emissions tracking software and have subscribed to use it on a yearly basis. The consistent revenue stream from these subscriptions has helped us cover operational costs and invest in further product development and enhancements.

  3. Emissions Offset Projects: Our conservation projects, such as tree planting and reafforestation, have not only contributed to environmental impact but have also generated revenue. Companies that are committed to offsetting their emissions have chosen to invest in our projects, providing financial support to sustain our operations and expand our conservation efforts.

  4. Sale of Branded Merchandise: The sale of our branded eco-friendly merchandise has been another successful avenue for generating revenue. By leveraging our brand and the increasing demand for sustainable products, we have been able to generate income while spreading awareness about our mission and engaging our supporters.

  5. Carbon Credit Sales: While we are in the early stages of our initiative to generate carbon credits through eco-friendly farming practices, we have made progress in establishing partnerships and exploring opportunities to sell these credits to international companies. These potential sales represent a significant revenue stream that will contribute to our financial sustainability.

It's important to note that achieving financial sustainability is an ongoing process, and we continue to explore new avenues for revenue generation and funding. We are actively seeking partnerships, investment opportunities, and strategic collaborations to further support our mission and expand our impact.

Overall, our successful track record in securing grants, generating revenue through software subscriptions and merchandise sales, and our promising developments in carbon credit sales demonstrate our commitment to achieving financial sustainability while making a meaningful difference in combating climate change and promoting environmental conservation.

Solution Team

 
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