MIT Solve

Step 2

Our Solution

VOZ: Software for Scaling Artisan Production

Our solution's stage of development:

Pre-Seed

Our solution:

After 5 years of building our own artisan-made fashion brand, we have designed a B2B software which will allow companies worldwide to manage and scale artisan production. This will enable millions of artisans worldwide to continue their craft, oftentimes from home, while bringing ethical fashion to consumers worldwide.

Our pitch:

VOZ’s production software enables companies to manage and scale artisan production worldwide, thereby connecting women artisans into the global economy. There are millions of artisans working in remote areas around the world, many of whom are women. These women often have traditional handicraft skills, but lack access to market or viable employment. At the same time, there is growing interest in the "fair trade" and artisan made market, with the market estimated to be 34b annually. Yet, companies struggle to find, organize, and communicate with artisans efficiently. When scaled, our solution will enable countless artisans to continue their traditional craft while making their work efficient and accessible to companies and consumers worldwide via our software.

The problem:

By working with marginalized women in rural areas VOZ addresses issues such gender inequality, poverty and cultural preservation. Globally, the artisan sector is the second biggest employmer behind agriculture. Artisans in rural areas face the challenge of competing against mass produced knockoffs. Hence, many artisans find it difficult to sell enough products to make enough income to thrive. This marginalizes women and girls on a disproportionate level, as women account for 90 percent of domestic workers in Latin America. With millions of artisans throughout the world, there is a need for scalable software to enable these artisans to earn more.

Why our solution will solve the problem:

Historically, companies large and small have struggled to track and scale artisan development. The blend of tradition with efficiency has been hard to find. If companies could use an easy production software that is tailored to artisan-production, they could more efficiently integrate artisans to their supply chain, thus creating quality income opportunities for more rural artisans.

Who recommended you to Solve - or - how did you find Solve?

Through the Unreasonable Institute

Step 3

Step 4

The technologies we employ:

Manufacturing & process optimization
Management & design approaches

Why our solution is unique:

Most production softwares are built for factories and are not able to be tailored individually to artisans on a micro level. Our unique software platform scales artisan production by grouping artisans into groups that can be managed at once into a disaggregated production method. Companies can manage time, quality control, communication with artisans. Our solution can be used to manage and track benefits of artisan programs for companies such as West Elm, Ikea, and others who demonstrate an interest in artisan production.

Why our solution is human-centered:

Our B2B platform is completely integrated into human-centric systems. From the target communities of artisans to the businesses, our technology takes a process that is traditionally at an individual/micro level to scale. Despite the scaling effect, the platform does not neglect the rich cultural significance of artisanal work and values; in fact, we ensure that businesses understand the cultural heritage behind the work by grouping similar artisans.

Our platform is also designed to be extremely user friendly, even for rural indigenous women who may not have the highest technology skills. It is photo based, and easy to understand.

How people will access our solution:

Our primary customer is businesses who will find the software to be both affordable as well as efficient (saving them time and money). We will market the software to retailers and brands and cooperatives who have an interest in either starting or bettering their artisan production. The software will be licensed annually and the price will depend on the size of the business.

Technology-Readiness Level:

6-8 (Demonstration)

Step 5

Step 6