How is your business helping to solve the health, social, or economic challenges created by COVID19?
BRCK delivers free to the consumer internet through our Moja platform in Kenya and Rwanda. Accurate and timely information dissemination is critical to stoping the spread of COVID19. BRCK provides a digital distribution platform that allows users to access the most current health content and governments to reach their populations instantly. While stopping the spread of COVID19 is our top priority, the foundation we are laying with delivering free connectivity to communities that cannot afford internet means that these communities are able to access digital education, job training skills, and digital work.
Does your business contribute most to recovery, response, or resilience?
Resilience - we're improving the broader infrastructure for responding to pandemic outbreaks.,Recovery - we're positioned to support in the recovery of those directly affected.,Response - we're responding directly to issues caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak.
What is the stage of your product development?
I have a market ready product/service. I have sold to customers.
What strengths does your team bring? Include skills and personal experience with the problem.
We are a Kenya-based team with extensive experience in building businesses in Africa and internationally. Two of our three founders are Americans who grew up in Africa and bring a unique combination of understanding our local markets while also understanding the business engagement of western companies and investors. A Kenyan management team has been put in place with diverse expertise and an ability to react quickly to opportunities and demands of our local market. Our co-founder and CEO, Erik Hersman, is also the co-founder of Ushahidi (the crisis mapping platform) and the iHub (the first innovation hub in Africa). As a team we have a proven track record of delivering connectivity, education, and marketplace solutions in East Africa over the last 7 years.
What countries do you operate in?
Our parent company is a Delaware C Corp (BRCK, Inc.) but our operations are entirely based out of Kenya through a local Kenyan subsidiary (BRCK Limited). In addition to Kenya we have operations in Rwanda and a team establishing operations in South Africa.
Is your company headquartered in a US "Opportunity Zone"?
No