MyTindy

The artisans hold the know-how to make these unique handmade
products that are highly demanded around the world, but they fail to
generate enough revenue from their craft. The main reason is the
predatory relationship between them and the intermediaries who take
advantage of their lack of market knowledge to decrease the price of
wholesale. We estimate that the artisan gets 5% of the total retail price of the article when he is responsible for the majority of the added value
created for these products. This unfair dynamic threatens this entire handicraft industry as younger generations are leaving the crafts to go work in blue collar jobs. The major part of this problem is attributed to a lack of knowledge and access to the market (mostly online) , we exist to flip this
dynamic on its head and give the power back to the artisans.

We empower artisans by giving them the tools to have greater access to market so they can sell their products online directly to the consumers, which allows them to remove all the intermediaries and generate more margin from each sale.

We do so by helping them formalize their business (create legal
entity), train them to take photos and create their products
descriptions for their shop online, assist them in pricing their items,
give them more access to market and to consumers by marketing
their products, telling their stories and taking care of the logistics and
guaranteeing the quality of the product to the client.
We also take care of receiving and retroceding the funds to the
artisans for each sale made through our platform. We empower
literate and illiterate artisans and are developing an application that
uses artificial intelligence to allow low literacy artisans to list their
product autonomously on our platform.

MyTindy is here to empower rather than do the work for the artisans,
we want to create a systemic change in the handicrafts industry
where artisan have their bargaining power pack.
Through our trainings ( branding, product development, pricing), our
partnerships with NGOs and institutional actors in the handicrafts
sector - such as the Ministry of crafts of Morocco- and our platform,
we are creating a comprehensive solution for this sector.
We also make sure that we are inclusive at our core by addressing
the deeper problems aka the high number of illiteracy through our
application where we are allowing anyone to list their products
through image recognition and voice technology.
Our startup is for now only in Morocco but is already establishing ties
in other Arab speaking countries like Egypt and Sudan where we
have artisans eagerly waiting for our solutions to start generating
more revenue and creating more success stories.

I decided to create MyTindy because I saw how my skills could
positively contribute and impact the lives of previously marginalised
population that were taken advantage of. Most of the retailers
understand the huge potential and margins behind these handicrafts
but are not incentivized to create a more equitable price structure for
the artisans because these artisans don't have the leverage or
education to find other ways to sell. I am here with my background in
ecommerce, sourcing and logistics to help and empower them to
have revenue that enables them to make a decent living and grow
their businesses.

700 artisans

We are applying to Solve because we believe that the program can help us overcome several financial, technical, and market barriers that we currently face. Specifically, we are looking for support in the following areas:

1. Technical expertise: As a technology-driven startup, we are always looking for ways to improve our platform and enhance the user experience for both artisans and customers. We believe that Solve can provide us with access to technical experts and resources that can help us identify and address technical challenges, and develop new features and functionality to better serve our users.

2. Access to funding: While we have made significant progress in generating revenue and securing grant funding, we recognize that access to additional funding will be critical for achieving our long-term goals. We believe that Solve can provide us with access to a network of potential investors and funding opportunities that can help us accelerate our growth and scale our impact.

3. Partnership opportunities: We are interested in exploring new partnerships and collaborations with organizations that share our values and mission. We believe that Solve can help us connect with potential partners who can provide us with resources, expertise, and support to advance our work.

Overall, we see Solve as a valuable opportunity to connect with a diverse community of innovators and change-makers who are working to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. We are excited about the potential for Solve to help us overcome the barriers we face and achieve our mission of empowering illiterate artisans and promoting sustainable and ethical production practices.

First, Mytindy's AI app provides a simple and intuitive interface that allows illiterate artisans to easily upload and manage their products online, enabling them to reach a wider audience and grow their businesses in a way that was not previously possible.

Second, Mytindy's focus on economic inclusion and sustainability helps to address broader social and environmental issues in addition to empowering artisans. By partnering with artisans in underserved communities and supporting sustainable and ethical production practices, Mytindy is promoting economic development and addressing issues such as poverty and inequality.

Third, Mytindy's personalized approach to customer experiences and curation of unique, high-quality artisanal products sets it apart from other e-commerce platforms, positioning it as a leader in the socially responsible e-commerce space.

Overall, Mytindy's solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts in this space by inspiring other companies to focus on socially responsible and sustainable practices. By demonstrating the value of economic inclusion and sustainability in the e-commerce sector, Mytindy could encourage other companies to adopt similar practices and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.

In addition, Mytindy's solution has the potential to change the market by disrupting traditional models of e-commerce and promoting a more socially responsible and sustainable approach. As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental and social impact of their purchasing decisions, platforms like Mytindy could become the norm rather than the exception, leading to a more sustainable and equitable global economy.

Mytindy's impact goals for the next year and the next five years are as follows:

Next Year:

• Expand our network of artisans to include at least 10,000 additional artisans from underserved communities around the world thank to our AI enabled app
• Increase the number of unique product listings on our platform to 300,000, with a focus on expanding into new product categories.
• Double our customer base, with a focus on retaining existing customers and increasing customer engagement through personalized experiences and curated product offerings.

To achieve these goals, Mytindy plans to invest in marketing and outreach efforts to reach new artisans and customers, while also improving our platform's usability and user experience. We also plan to establish partnerships with relevant organizations and events to increase our reach and impact.

Next Five Years:

• Empower at least 1,000,000 artisans through our platform, promoting economic inclusion and creating sustainable livelihoods in underserved communities around the world.
• Expand our reach to new regions and markets, with a focus on expanding our network of artisans and customers in MENA
• Establish Mytindy as a leader in the socially responsible e-commerce space, promoting sustainable and ethical production practices and driving positive social and environmental impact.

To achieve these goals, Mytindy plans to continue to invest in technology and innovation to improve our platform's functionality and usability, while also scaling our operations and expanding our partnerships with relevant organizations and events. We will also prioritize sustainability and ethical practices in all aspects of our business, from sourcing to shipping, to ensure that our impact is both meaningful and lasting.

Mytindy is measuring its progress toward its impact goals using several specific indicators, including:

1. Number of artisans onboarded: This indicator measures the number of artisans who have joined the Mytindy platform and are selling their products online. We aim to onboard at least 1,000 additional artisans from underserved communities each year, with a goal of empowering at least 500,000 artisans through our platform by 2026.

2. Volume of sales: This indicator measures the total sales volume generated by artisans on the Mytindy platform. We aim to increase our sales volume by at least 25% each year, with a focus on promoting sustainable and ethical production practices.

3. Customer retention rate: This indicator measures the percentage of customers who return to make a purchase on the Mytindy platform within a specific time period. We aim to maintain a customer retention rate of at least 40% each year, through personalized marketing, exceptional customer service, and curated product offerings.

4. Social impact metrics: These indicators measure the social impact of Mytindy's platform, including the number of sustainable livelihoods created, the reduction in poverty and inequality in underserved communities, and the increase in access to online markets for illiterate artisans. We aim to track and report on these metrics regularly to ensure that our impact is meaningful and measurable.

By tracking these specific indicators, Mytindy can measure its progress toward its impact goals, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to optimize our platform's impact and effectiveness.

Mytindy's theory of change is based on the following assumptions:

1. Many artisans, particularly those who are illiterate or have limited digital skills, face significant barriers to accessing online markets and growing their businesses.
2. Providing a platform that is accessible and intuitive to use, such as Mytindy's AI app, can empower these artisans to showcase their products to a wider audience and grow their businesses.
3. By connecting these artisans with socially conscious consumers who are seeking unique and ethically sourced products, Mytindy can promote economic inclusion and create opportunities for underserved communities.
4. By promoting sustainable and ethical production practices, Mytindy can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable global economy.

Based on these assumptions, Mytindy expects that by providing a platform that empowers illiterate artisans to sell their products online, we can promote economic inclusion and create sustainable livelihoods in underserved communities. Our theory of change links our activities, such as developing and improving our platform, curating unique and high-quality products, and establishing partnerships with relevant organizations and events, to immediate outputs such as increased sales volume and customer engagement, as well as longer-term outcomes such as reducing poverty and inequality in underserved communities and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable global economy.

We will measure our progress toward these outcomes using specific indicators such as the number of artisans onboarded, the volume of sales generated, the customer retention rate, and social impact metrics. By tracking and reporting on these indicators regularly, we can ensure that our activities and outputs are contributing to our longer-term outcomes, and make data-driven decisions to optimize our platform's impact and effectiveness.

Mytindy's core technology is an AI-enabled app that makes selling online accessible to illiterate artisans. The app is designed to be simple and intuitive to use, with a user interface that allows artisans to upload pictures and descriptions of their products, set prices, and manage their inventory without needing to read or write.

The app is powered by several key technologies, including computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning. Computer vision allows the app to identify and classify images of handmade products uploaded by artisans, while NLP enables the app to analyze and understand the descriptions provided by the artisans. Machine learning algorithms are used to improve the accuracy and efficiency of these processes over time, enabling the app to become even more user-friendly and accessible for illiterate artisans.

In addition to the app, Mytindy also leverages other technologies to support its platform, such as cloud computing and data analytics. These technologies enable Mytindy to store and manage large amounts of data securely and efficiently, and to analyze customer behavior and product trends to improve its platform and better serve its users.

Overall, Mytindy's core technology is a powerful tool for empowering illiterate artisans and promoting economic inclusion in underserved communities. By leveraging AI and other cutting-edge technologies, Mytindy is breaking down barriers to access and enabling artisans to connect with a global audience of socially conscious consumers.

At Mytindy, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of our work. This includes our leadership team, our partnerships, and our hiring and retention practices.

Our leadership team is diverse in terms of gender, ethnicity, and cultural background. We believe that diversity is a strength and that it helps us to better understand the needs of our customers and the artisans we partner with. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive leadership team as we grow our business.

In terms of partnerships, we prioritize working with organizations that share our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We actively seek out partnerships with organizations that promote economic inclusion and sustainability, with a focus on underserved communities and marginalized groups.

We are also committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace culture. This includes taking steps to ensure that our hiring and retention practices are fair and unbiased, and that all team members have access to opportunities for professional growth and advancement. We prioritize creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all team members, and we encourage feedback and input from all team members to continuously improve our workplace culture.

Overall, our approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work is grounded in our belief that these values are essential to achieving our mission of empowering illiterate artisans and promoting sustainable and ethical production practices. We recognize that this is an ongoing process, and we are committed to continuously improving our practices and policies to ensure that we are creating a more equitable and inclusive world.

Our business model is aligned with the interests of the artisans, our

main source of revenue is through commission on sales: we only
make money when they make money. We address both to B2C and
B2B markets (wholesale and corporate gifts)
Additionally, we have developed a range of services like product
photography, product design, website and social media management
for higher income makers, this service allows us to generate more
revenue for our marketing as well as fund our "Artisans Kickstart"
pro-bono initiative.
The 'Artisan Kickstart' is an internal project we have created that
allow us to offer product photography free of charge for artisans in a
precarious situation so they are able to kickstart their shop on
MyTindy and generate more sells through better photos.

Mytindy's plan for becoming financially sustainable is to generate revenue through sales commissions and fees from transactions on our platform. As our network of artisans and customers grows, we expect to generate increasing amounts of revenue through these channels, with a focus on expanding our customer base and increasing customer engagement.

In addition to sales commissions and transaction fees, we also plan to explore additional revenue streams such as advertising and sponsorships, and strategic partnerships with relevant organizations and events.

To ensure that our revenue streams cover our expected expenses, we have developed a comprehensive financial model that takes into account our projected growth and expenses over the next several years. This includes regular reviews of our expenses and revenue projections, as well as scenario planning to identify potential risks and opportunities.

In the long term, our goal is to achieve financial sustainability through a combination of revenue streams and efficient cost management. We recognize that achieving financial sustainability will require ongoing effort and adaptability, and we are committed to continuously improving our business model to ensure that we can achieve our mission of empowering illiterate artisans and promoting sustainable and ethical production practices.

Mytindy has already made significant progress toward achieving financial sustainability through a combination of revenue generation and grant funding. For example, we have received grants from the Center for Financial Youth Employment (CFYE) to train and onboard artisans in Morocco, and we have leveraged these funds to successfully onboard dozens of artisans onto our platform.

We have also established partnerships with the Ministry of Crafts and the World Bank, which provide us with non-monetary financing and paid training opportunities, respectively. These partnerships have enabled us to expand our impact and reach, while also generating additional revenue to support our ongoing operations.

In addition to grant funding and partnerships, we have also generated revenue through sales commissions and transaction fees on our platform. Since launching our platform, we have seen steady growth in sales volume and customer engagement, with a particular focus on expanding our customer base and increasing customer retention.

Overall, our approach to achieving financial sustainability has been successful so far, and we believe that a diversified funding mix that includes both grant funding and revenue from sales and partnerships is the most sustainable approach for our business. We are committed to continuously improving our revenue generation strategies and optimizing our business model to ensure that we can achieve our mission of empowering illiterate artisans and promoting sustainable and ethical production practices.