Selected
Community-Driven Innovation

Poket

Software Platform for Self-Reported and Community-Based Data Collection

Team Leader
Kamil Shafiq
Software Platform for Self-Reported and Community-Based Data Collection

The Problem

Traditional field data collection is expensive, slow, and extractive. International NGOs, researchers, and companies struggle to gather accurate, timely information from remote or underserved communities. Without access to localized data, critical decisions are delayed and people in the field remain invisible to systems meant to serve or include them.

The Solution

Poket is a mobile and web-based data collection platform used by international NGOs, researchers, and companies to collect real-time data directly from last-mile participants. Organizations deploy Poket in the hands of local community members who self-report structured data such as daily sales, locations, images, and survey responses. The platform includes a mobile app for contributors, a dashboard for clients, and a data verification tool to ensure quality. Poket supports offline functionality, low-cost smartphones, and local languages. It also allows organizations to offer points-based incentives or small rewards, reducing the need for costly field agents. This results in faster, cheaper, and higher-frequency data collection. With Poket, institutions can scale monitoring and evaluation (M&E), baseline assessments, or behavior tracking while empowering people in the field to become contributors and data generators. Poket shifts the model from extractive data gathering to participatory insight generation that benefits both the organization and the community.

Stats

Over 5,000 program participants have been empowered to share data through Poket's partner network.

What is the name of your organization?
POKET
What is the name of your solution?
Poket
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Software Platform for Self-Reported and Community-Based Data Collection
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Toronto
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-Profit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Traditional field data collection is expensive, slow, and extractive. International NGOs, researchers, and companies struggle to gather accurate, timely information from remote or underserved communities. Without access to localized data, critical decisions are delayed and people in the field remain invisible to systems meant to serve or include them.
What is your solution?
Poket is a mobile and web-based data collection platform used by international NGOs, researchers, and companies to collect real-time data directly from last-mile participants. Organizations deploy Poket in the hands of local community members who self-report structured data such as daily sales, locations, images, and survey responses. The platform includes a mobile app for contributors, a dashboard for clients, and a data verification tool to ensure quality. Poket supports offline functionality, low-cost smartphones, and local languages. It also allows organizations to offer points-based incentives or small rewards, reducing the need for costly field agents. This results in faster, cheaper, and higher-frequency data collection. With Poket, institutions can scale monitoring and evaluation (M&E), baseline assessments, or behavior tracking while empowering people in the field to become contributors and data generators. Poket shifts the model from extractive data gathering to participatory insight generation that benefits both the organization and the community.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Poket serves organizations that need ground-level data and the communities they engage. International NGOs, research institutes, and companies use Poket to gather accurate, last-mile data quickly and cost-effectively. Instead of deploying expensive field teams, they empower local community members to self-report data using smartphones. These contributors may be small business owners, youth, farmers, health workers, or everyday citizens. They receive points or rewards in exchange for validated submissions. For contributors, this builds a digital identity and creates access to new income opportunities, financial inclusion, and visibility. For example, small businesses that previously existed only offline can now be mapped and connected to services. Meanwhile, NGOs and researchers gain timely, granular insights for programs in public health, agriculture, climate, and economic inclusion. Poket increases the speed, scope, and depth of field data while fostering greater community participation and ownership. This benefits both data users and the communities that generate it.

Organization Type:
For-Profit

Headquarters:
Toronto, Canada

Stage:
Growth

Working In:
Nigeria, Bangladesh, Niger, Malawi, United States

Solution Website:
www.poketapp.com

Solution Team:
Kamil Shafiq
Kamil Shafiq
Co-Founder and CEO
Naba Siddiqui
Naba Siddiqui
Co-Founder and CTO
Abasifreke James
Abasifreke James
Co-Founder and President