NUL Innovation Hub

28/03/2024

NUL graduates reach great milestones with their solar products!

Energywise (Pty) Ltd. is a manufacturing startup company with a sole focus on designing and implementing solar thermal devices and gadgets that address immediate energy problems in Lesotho. NUL graduates, Thaane Mokose and Molibeli Rakauoane are part of a 5 people team that own the business which was registered in December 2022. The duo currently serve as the only employees of the company, even though they seek to expand their team in the near future.

They currently have four products: Flat Plate collector, solar cooker, solar dryer, and parabolic trough.

Their target market is: Individuals, Companies & Hardwares, Schools & Hostels, lastly, other organizations.

This business is a response to the undeniable challenges not only facing Lesotho but the whole world in the field of energy. For instance, the costs of petroleum-based products have shot to some of the highest levels in recent memory, putting pressure on the already resource-scarce societies to find alternative forms of energy which are themselves of limited variety. The ever-climbing costs of national grid-based electricity have not been helping either.

EnergyWise is one of the Lesotho Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) project beneficiaries. They are part of the first cohort of this project and are currently incubated at the NUL Innovation Hub.

Energyise currently has several products, including; market-ready ones as well as those in the design and implementation phases. Among the market-ready, they have a few solar thermal collectors (i.e., flat plate collector, parabolic trough, parabolic dish, and solar dryer) that have been tested and optimized for use in domestic water heating, cooking, drying, and possible industrial applications.

During an interview, the two gentlemen revealed that in the next three to five years EnergyWise aims to have more than 10 workers and its workshop, providing consultancy services, installation, and manufacturing. EnergyWise will play a critical role in accelerating the worldwide shift to a more sustainable energy landscape while also boosting growth and profitability in the renewable energy sector.

Their biggest achievements so far have been getting funding from UNDP Lesotho to buy material and seed funding from CAFI.

Some of the challenges they encounter include: Procurement of materials for production, Getting a car for transporting finished products to customers and securing a place for manufacturing and equipment.

“Being part of the incubation program at CAFI has been immensely beneficial for EnergyWise in several ways. Firstly, the provision of a dedicated workspace has fostered a collaborative environment, allowing our team to ideate, innovate, and execute more effectively. This incubation space has provided us with access to essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, accelerating our growth trajectory. Additionally, the seed funding of $7000 has enabled us to kick start our operations, invest in crucial infrastructure, and develop our initial products and services. “ T.Mokose said.

Rakauoane's parting words were, “Our products at EnergyWise aim to benefit the public in several significant ways. Firstly, by providing access to clean energy through solar products, we contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating environmental pollution and combating climate change. Additionally, our energy solutions offer cost-effective alternatives to traditional energy sources, helping individuals, communities, and businesses lower their electricity bills and achieve long- term savings. Our goal is to improve quality of life, promote sustainable development, and create a brighter, cleaner future for all.”

21/03/2024

21/03/2024

🌞✨ Imagine your favorite fruits, meat, and veggies transformed into delicious, chewy snacks packed with natural flavors and nutrients. Solar dryers use the sun's power to gently remove moisture, preserving your fruits with a sunny twist! Who's ready to snack sustainably and deliciously? 🍓🌿

21/03/2024

21/03/2024

NUL graduate enters the Meat Processing Industry!

Meat Delight is a food processing company that produces frozen processed meat products, spice blends & herbs. The company was founded by a graduate from the National University of Lesotho (NUL), miss Lineo Koatsa in the year 2022 and started operating in 2023.

They currently have 3 different products which are mince, sausages and herbs.

Meat Delight is one of the LesothoCompetitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) project. They are part of the first cohort of this project and are currently incubated at the NUL Innovation Hub.

Their target market is vendors, catering companies and because of affordability of their products they serve individuals.

When asked about why she started this business she said she found herself in a situation when her dog was sick and they took it to the vet. They had to spend the whole day there so they decided to buy fatcakes and Russian. Biting into that Russian felt different, the taste was good but it pained her heart knowing that it’s a processed meat product that is not produced in her home country. It also reminded her of how Russians used to taste before there was what we have now. She noted and remembered that Lesotho specialises in agriculture but there isn’t much that is done with our meat products other than selling stews and meat slices in kgs. From there, the rest is history.

Some of their achievements are being granted the CAFI grant, employing the youth and supporting local farmers.

It has not been long since they started operations but some of the challenges that they have encountered include penetrating the market with products that are produced locally witg brands that are not well-known by the public. However, as a business that is still in infancy stage there is still more to learn and acquire.

Miss Koatsa also mentioned that the most exciting part of this journey has been seeing her business grow from paper to daily sales.

In the next three years she’d like to see the business having a wider range of processed meat products, such as salami, polony, russians and more. She'd also like to see them having a wider market reach. Serving grocery outlets, restaurants, hotels as an added market. Having at least 10 permanent employees.

“Through the CAFI project I’ve been given an opportunity to put into practise theories and test them out. I have also created relationships that will help grow the business. Also with the cash injection, Meat Delight will be able to buy equipment that would have taken me ages to get and also employ the youth. But most importantly, I have learned how to run a business. “ said Miss Koatsa

They offer the public quality processed food products which are locally produced, delicious and have been tested. They also support local farmers and create employment for the youth.

You can get their products at the NUL Innovation Hub or call: +266 56115517

14/03/2024

NUL incubatee secures grants and improves her dairy farm!

Mrs. Mamothibe Mothibe is a Business & Entrepreneurship graduate. She is also a director of Mothibe Family Farm (MOFAFA), which is a dairy farm. Under her leadership, the business has managed to be a part of the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) project and is currently incubated at the NUL innovation Hub. The farm sells raw fresh milk, sour milk, cows and farm feeds.

They started off by buying one cow at an auction hosted by the National University of Lesotho (NUL). They have been gradually growing and they now have 15cows.

The business was registered in 2018, after they realized that they started off keeping them as family property and doing nothing. The entrepreneur in Mrs. Mothibe then realized that they cannot be spending so much money on the cows with no returns, while her husband, Mr. Mothibe just saw the cows as pets that he admires and nothing more.

Just after registering the business, they signed a contract with Lesotho National Product to supply them with milk daily. They also supply people who process milk to make products such as cheese, yoghurt and more. They also have a huge demand of individuals from the communities around.

Their future plans include getting their milk to be pasteurized and to ensure that the milk has been packaged and UHT (Ultra Heat Treatment) so that the milk can have a longer shelf-lifespan just like other milk sold at large supermarkets.

They also want to always minimize costs while achieving high production quantities. To achieve this, they need to secure the feeding. This then is their next product line that they are working on. It is called MOFAFA Organic Feed and it produces feed for the cows, which increase the milk production as well. This is also a cheaper way of feeding the cows and the cows still produce milk with the right fat content. This was funded by the Prime minister’s initiative – Sebabatso.

The farm started with three employees but now they have nine employees (five permanent and four temporary staff).

Their wish is for Basotho to use locally produced milk.

The director of MOFAFA mentioned during an interview that she is happy that their business has never gone on a break regardless of the harsh weather conditions that we are sometimes faced with. She says that dairy farms are not easy businesses to run, and they continue to persevere.

Working with farmers and being part of some associations has empowered them.

“We are so honoured to being part of the first CAFI cohort, and we cannot waiter for people to see what this project has done for us. From basic business etiquette and practices and more. We never used to handle this business professionally, but now we do. ”- Mrs Mothibe

Some of the challenges that they have encountered include livestock theft and a lot of training for the herdsmen. When the herdsmen finally understand what to do with their specific cows and how to feed them, then they leave. It means that they will have to train someone new over again. This ultimately affects the cows and their production. They have also not yet been able to protect the cows with secure fencing, which is something that they will work on.

“In the next 3-5years, we would like to have our milk in all large supermarkets throughout the country and exploring the exporting route. We would like to attract more grants, funding and investors to assist us in achieving our exporting goals,” Mamothibe mentioned.

The challenges that the business has encountered have grown their knowledge and interest in the business. It has been an exciting journey.

Being part of the CAFI project has helped us a lot: bookkeeping, communication with clients, marketing and more.

Mamothibe said, "With the funds received from CAFI, we will be able to shift the state that the company is in and sustain it."

The farm is located in Masianokeng, Maseru.

Contact them on 64318358

13/03/2024

Straight from our cows to your table🤗 from as little as M12.00 per litre. Enjoy our pure raw milk.

13/03/2024

A sprinkle of thyme to season your meats, marinades,soups and vegetables roasts will elevate your meal to the next level. It'll also help you with hair loss, dementia and relieving a cough.

Get yourself a packet of thyme at M20 only. Find us at Nul Innovation Hub or contact us on 56115517.

10/03/2024

Qoane Mothibeli and Tumisang Fokase, a dynamic duo of young Basotho entrepreneurs, have pioneered a cutting-edge system set to revolutionise the agricultural sector.
Mothibeli’s passion for farming ignited the project’s inception in 2022, driven by a vision to harness technology for remote farming practices.
https://online.fliphtml5.com/onjex/ecmp/

07/03/2024

Today, our enterprises from Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion attended both a marketing workshop and a financial literacy workshop later.

A lot information was shared, discussions were had and questions were answered.

Thursday well spent!