Who is the founder of the start up?
Leroy T. Nyangani.
What is the start up called?
Need Energy.
What is your website?
Describe your start up in one line.
Need Energy is an energy technology start up that leverages on innovation, big data analytics and modern technology relevant with time as it’s core values to provide sustainable and clean energy solutions.
Describe your business model and what makes it unique?
We have a pay as you go service for our gas service made possible through our network of gas smart meters which monitor your consumption or they detect the amount of gas left in your cylinder, your daily consumption and your monthly consumption and for us as a supplier we would know when your gas is running out and just come with a cylinder and replace. Now you don’t need to crack your head where am I going to get money to fill 48kgs cylinder when gas runs out.
What is your greatest achievement to date?
We rely on big data analytics through machine learning and AI to provide the service, it makes us more efficient, safe and the client has insight on the energy consumption trends making it a first in Zimbabwe by optimizing our services.
To what extent does your business trade and what are your plans?
We trade as an Energy service Company, our core business being renewable and clean energy. Our Plans: We want to have multiple use cases of solar energy (EVs, enterprise power, household consumption, battery technologies etc). Also, we want to establish the first ever smart gas grid in Zimbabwe and the Region.
Describe your funding path.
We started by bootstrapping on our own funds then raised some money from friends and family then recently raised seed funding from Angel investors.
What has made the biggest difference to your start-up?
Knowing how much energy a client needs and understanding their energy profile it gives us a better energy solution, our technology is the first in the market. We have +10 000 hours of programming and innovation in energy solutions and counting. The Team has also made the biggest difference, the patience the grit the intelligence the hard work and results is all as a result of the Teams Work everyday.
Where would you like your business venture to be in the three years?
We see ourselves as the next generation service company. We also want to push for 100 000 clients both locally and regionally, having strong revenue and improved technology from the smart grids we are installing.
What is the hardest thing you have ever done as a start up?
Trying to have a perfect product before launch apparently there is no perfect product you just need a minimum viable product, the need to perfect will slow any start-up we have been an example.
What has been your biggest business mistake?
Not believing in the vision and lacking guts.
What is the most common serious mistake you see entrepreneurs make?
Being hesitant, the key to having traction is to start.
What is the single most important piece of advice you would offer to a less experienced entrepreneur?
Do not start tomorrow, start now, you are the best person to execute your ideas and vision no one else can and that is what makes you special.
