Prevent.Syns
- Congo, Dem. Rep.
- Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
The problem we face and that we want to resolve is Insufficiency of precise alerts for monitoring meteorological and environmental events in the DRC and in less developed countries. The DRC suffers from a lack of effective technologies for managing and monitoring natural disasters. DRC is the 8th country in the world with the highest risk of humanitarian crises and natural disasters. Indeed, the potential impacts of these hazards are aggravated mainly by climate change but also high levels of poverty and high population densities. Between 60 and 80% of people living in the DRC are considered vulnerable to climatic, seismic and volcanic hazards: volcanism and earthquakes in the east, droughts in the south and, throughout the territory, floods, landslides terrain and storms.
By 2030, disasters linked to climate change will claim around 150 million lives per year worldwide, an increase of around 50% compared to the situation in 2018, with two disasters occurring every day. Since 1970, more than 11,000 disasters have been attributed to meteorological, climatological and hydrological hazards. They caused 2 million deaths and caused 35.6 trillion dollars in economic losses. Despite the increase in the number of disasters, it appears that a third of the world's population, mainly in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS), is still not covered by systems early warning. These statistics highlight the importance of strengthening warning and monitoring systems to improve resilience to natural disasters and extreme weather events. This requires careful system design, accurate data collection, efficient data transmission and storage, and well-designed alerts.
We are working to implement intelligent IoT technology that will be able to cover habitats with early and precise warning to improve the accuracy of weather alerts in the DRC and in these countries to minimize these impacts.
Our solution is an innovative smart IoT device designed to monitor real-time weather and environmental data in regions susceptible to natural disasters. This device combined with weather stations receives accurate real-time information on weather conditions, water level, atmospheric pressure and other critical environmental parameters.
Using sophisticated algorithms; AI, ML and metadata analytics analyze this data in real-time to identify warning signs of impending disasters using a personalized danger level, such as Level 5, our solution can adjust thresholds based on danger, our The device analyzes this data to accurately anticipate and identify the type of potential disaster, estimating the time before its occurrence. It displays changes in environmental conditions in real time, providing early warnings to residents and allowing them to track the progression of potential hazards. The device integrates a mobile application extension with an AI-powered chatbot, providing personalized assistance and relevant advice to users in the event of a disaster. This feature allows direct interaction with users, guiding them through the steps they need to take to ensure their safety and well-being.
Our solution aims to strengthen the capacity of communities to make informed decisions in the face of imminent environmental threats, enabling them to adequately prepare and respond quickly to ensure their safety and well-being.
Our solution specifically targets communities living in areas at high risk of natural disasters, including the most vulnerable populations, mainly in eastern DRC and certain developing countries. These regions are frequently affected by extreme weather events, endangering the safety of residents and exacerbating poverty.
People living in these areas are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to early warning systems and their dependence on natural resources for their livelihoods. Our solution addresses these communities by providing them with an IoT-based early warning device and mobile application. This will allow them to receive early and specific warnings of impending threats, giving them the time they need to prepare and reduce potential damage.
By focusing our project in Eastern DRC, we aim to respond to the urgent needs of these communities facing constant risks. Our goal is to improve the resilience and security of those most impacted by natural disasters, thereby helping to reduce human and material losses.
Our team is extremely well positioned to offer this solution for several reasons. Firstly, we live in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which means we are directly immersed in the daily challenges and realities faced by local communities. We have personally experienced and witnessed the devastating effects of the natural disasters that regularly strike the region.
In addition, our team is made up of members who themselves come from these communities. We therefore share cultural, linguistic and social proximity with the populations we serve. This proximity allows us to intimately understand their needs, concerns and aspirations.
Additionally, we have faced emergency situations before and worked on the ground to provide assistance to those affected. This practical experience allowed us to gain in-depth knowledge of the specific challenges faced by local communities in crisis management.
When it comes to the design and implementation of our solution, we place great importance on community involvement and participation. We conducted surveys among the population to understand their priority needs, collect their ideas and suggestions, and ensure that our efforts are truly guided by their aspirations. Community input is at the heart of our approach, and we work closely with them every step of the way.
In summary, our team has invaluable local expertise, a deep understanding of regional challenges and strong community involvement in the design and implementation of our solution. We believe this ideally positions us to effectively meet the needs of the populations we serve.
- Adapt cities to more extreme weather, including through climate-smart buildings, incorporating climate risk in infrastructure planning, and restoring regional ecosystems.
- 2. Zero Hunger
- 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 13. Climate Action
- 15. Life on Land
- Prototype
We chose this step because it represents a significant step forward in the development of our innovative solution. So far, we have successfully built and tested a working prototype of our smart IoT device in real-world conditions. This prototype is capable of real-time monitoring of weather and environmental data in regions susceptible to natural disasters.
At this point, we have served a group of 10 non-paying customers who have used our device for trial purposes. Although these customers did not pay for the use of the device, their participation allowed us to collect valuable data on the performance and effectiveness of our solution in real-world situations. but also the test allowed us to obtain a retention of 310 customers on our solution.
Our device combines high-precision sensors with sophisticated algorithms, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and metadata analytics, to analyze environmental data in real time and detect warning signs of impending disasters. Using this technology, our solution is able to provide early warnings to residents, allowing them to make informed decisions and adequately prepare in the event of an environmental threat.
We have focused our efforts on developing a working prototype and collecting usage data through non-paid trials to ensure our solution meets the needs and expectations of the communities we serve. By relying on this data and the feedback from our first users, we are confident in our ability to develop a robust and effective solution to strengthen the resilience of populations in the face of natural disasters.
We are applying to Solve because we strongly believe in the ability of our solution to have a positive impact on communities facing natural disasters. We are aware of the financial, technical, legal, cultural and business challenges we face when developing and implementing our solution, and we are confident that Solve can help us overcome them.
Solve's initial $10,000 price tag plus access to additional funding in the form of grants and investments will allow us to strengthen our prototype, expand our reach, and improve our impact.
The 9-month virtual support program offered by Solve, including tailored capacity building workshops, leadership coaching and access to in-kind resources such as software licenses and legal services, will give us the tools and the advice needed to overcome the technical, legal and commercial obstacles we face.
We also believe that solve will facilitate us in establishing collaboration with research centers on climates and natural disasters, in particular the UNDRR, the WMO and the UN Climate, to strengthen our expertise and our impact in this area. crucial.
By becoming a Solve team, we will have the opportunity to connect and network with awesome peers, as well as benefit from the visibility provided by the Solve network. This increased visibility in the media and at conferences will allow us to share our solution with a wider audience and mobilize additional support for our cause.
- Business Model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
- Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
- Human Capital (e.g. sourcing talent, board development)
- Monitoring & Evaluation (e.g. collecting/using data, measuring impact)
- Product / Service Distribution (e.g. delivery, logistics, expanding client base)
- Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design)
What makes our solution innovative is its ability to provide residents with real-time visualization of the evolution of natural disasters and early warnings in regions susceptible to natural disasters By being deployed in all homes in a region sensitive, thanks to technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). Our approach stands out for its precision and reliability, allowing early anticipation of disasters and rapid decision-making to mitigate their impacts, contrary to existing approaches which may lack precision or speed and cannot reach everyone.
By approaching the problem in a new way, our solution offers a unique combination of features, such as advanced data analysis, real-time alerts, personalized danger level, intuitive visualization of environmental conditions and an AI chatbot for disaster assistance. This allows users to better understand and respond to environmental threats, which can catalyze broader positive impacts by building community resilience, particularly economic losses and preserving human lives that are often absent from conventional approaches.
Our solution has the potential to change the market and landscape by providing a more proactive and preventative approach to natural disaster risk management. By integrating Prevent.syns into emergency management strategies and climate change adaptation plans, others in this field can maximize the benefits of our solution and contribute to a more resilient world in the face of environmental challenges. As a result, our solution could positively influence public policies, industrial practices, environmental sectors and social perception of environmental risk management.
Our solution, Prevent.syns, makes a significant impact on the problem by providing real-time monitoring of weather and environmental conditions in regions prone to natural disasters. Here is how our theory of change builds on our activities for immediate and long-term results:
Activities :
1. Real-time monitoring of weather and environmental data with Prevent.syns.
2. Analyze data to identify warning signs of disaster.
3. Provide early warnings and insights to end users through Smart IoT device and real-time data analysis platform.
Immediate results:
1. Increased community awareness of environmental threats.
2. Improved ability to make informed decisions and respond quickly to potential dangers.
3. Reduction of economic losses and negative impacts on human lives.
Longer term results:
1. Strengthening the resilience of communities to natural disasters.
2. Reduced costs of reconstruction and rehabilitation after disasters.
3. Promotion of a culture of environmental risk management and disaster preparedness.
These results are supported by evidence from third-party laboratory research, interviews with translating parties, and the practical experience of our end users. We already have evidence showing that real-time monitoring and advanced analysis of environmental data can generate preventative alerts with a high level of accuracy. Based on our activities toward these outcomes, our theory of change demonstrates how Prevent.syns can have a measurable and lasting impact on the problem of natural disasters.
Our impact goals for Prevent.syns are ambitious and aim to create significant change in the management of natural disasters and the reduction of CO2 emissions. Here are our main goals and how we measure our progress toward them:
1. Monitor and reduce CO2 emissions: We aim to monitor CO2 levels in areas covered by Prevent.syns and encourage actions to reduce these emissions. We measure our progress by monitoring changes in CO2 levels and evaluating the effectiveness of measures taken to reduce them.
2. Strengthen resilience to natural disasters: Our goal is to improve the ability of communities to prepare for and respond to disasters through Prevent.syns. We measure our progress by tracking the number of alerts issued, the response time of communities to alerts, and the reduction in economic losses and impacts on human lives.
3. Reduce the number of deaths, missing persons and people directly affected by disasters by up to 91%: We monitor these indicators to assess the impact of Prevent.syns on reducing human losses during natural disasters.
4. Integrate Prevent.syns into the adoption and implementation of national disaster risk reduction strategies: We track the number of governments and organizations that integrate our solution into their national disaster management strategies to measure our impact in this area.
5. Cover up to 90% of least developed countries and small island developing states: We evaluate the geographic coverage of Prevent.syns to measure our ability to reach communities most vulnerable to natural disasters.
Our solution is based on the use of mobile and digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, metadata analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), satellite imagery and Internet of Things (IoT) for natural disaster management. These technologies work synergistically to collect accurate data on weather and environmental conditions using IoT sensors and satellite images.
Artificial intelligence and metadata analytics are then used to analyze this data in real time, identifying warning signs of impending disasters based on personalized danger levels. Our systems can adjust thresholds based on specific needs. Geographic information systems map this information for clear visualization of risk areas.
This use of mobile and digital technologies enables proactive monitoring of environmental threats. It provides early warnings to vulnerable populations through mobile applications or IoT devices, enabling better preparedness and rapid responses to disasters. This process saves lives and significantly reduces property damage.
The device integrates a mobile application extension with an AI-powered chatbot, providing personalized assistance and relevant advice to users in the event of a disaster. This feature allows direct interaction with users, guiding them through the steps they need to take to ensure their safety and well-being.
- A new technology
We have validated the effectiveness of our technology through several studies and research carried out by independent experts in the field of natural disaster management and environmental technologies and even by our company, but also in the laboratory thus providing tangible proof of the effectiveness of our solution. Currently 10 prototypes are in the field for testing and the feedback is very reassuring. During this trial test we had 310 retention customers who wanted to use our solution. which may meet the need.
To preserve the integrity of our intellectual property, we cannot currently publish our research before a patent, but we can provide data on our completed investigations and a link to an article https://synchrostech.wixsite.c....
This study demonstrates how our technology has effectively avoided natural disasters, reduced economic losses and saved lives through its early warnings and ability to anticipate critical environmental events. These results confirm the effectiveness of our solution and its ability to meet the needs of communities faced with environmental risks.
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Big Data
- GIS and Geospatial Technology
- Imaging and Sensor Technology
- Internet of Things
- Robotics and Drones
- Software and Mobile Applications
- Congo, Dem. Rep.
- Kenya
Currently our team has 12 people, 8 full-time and 4 part-time and 2 volunteers.
we have been working on this solution since 2021, at this point we were at the new conceptual stage of the prevent.syns project until in 2023 we produced the first prototype.
To ensure diversity within our team and create an inclusive environment, we take several approaches. First of all, we value diversity in all its forms, whether it is professional experience, technical skills, cultural perspectives or educational backgrounds. We actively recruit talented professionals from diverse backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the richness of the society in which we operate. Next, we are committed to reducing barriers to opportunity for everyone on our team. This means we offer professional development programs and continuing education that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of experience or initial area of expertise. We also encourage rotation of tasks and responsibilities to promote individual growth and development. To create a welcoming and inclusive environment, we implement policies and practices that promote mutual respect, collaboration and open communication. We actively encourage idea sharing and speaking up from all team members, ensuring everyone feels valued and respected.
When it comes to gender inclusion, we take a proactive approach to ensure that women are fairly represented at all levels of the organization. We ensure that women have access to the same opportunities for professional development and career progression as their male counterparts. In addition, we regularly raise awareness among the entire team of issues related to gender equality and encourage the promotion of a work environment free of discrimination and prejudice.
1. Sales of products/services: We plan to market our natural disaster management solution to the population living in sensitive regions so that the device is integrated into their homes to enable them to monitor the evolution of dangers and have early warnings. Additionally, we will market to governments, NGOs and businesses interested in advanced monitoring of environmental risks. By offering differentiated features and related services, we anticipate regular revenues from the sale of software licenses and related services.
2. Subscription or licensing model: We are considering a subscription model where users would pay for continued access to environmental data from our disaster and station management platform. This would allow recurring revenues over the long term.
3. Strategic Partnerships: We seek to partner with government agencies, humanitarian organizations, relief agencies and development organizations for larger scale deployments. These partnerships could generate long-term contracts and substantial revenues.
By combining these diversified sources of income, our business model aims to guarantee sustainable financial viability. We have developed a strategy to maximize our revenue while maintaining a balance between the accessibility of our solution and its added value for our users, thus ensuring stable growth and continued impact on natural disaster management.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
our plan to become financially sustainable is:
1. Government and institutional funding: By obtaining government support, institutional grants or partnerships with development organizations, our innovation could be financed for its deployment on a larger scale. For example, Cornell University in New York is currently funding the R&D of our solution at the Ithaca laboratory.
2. Sustainable business model: By establishing a sustainable business model, for example, offering subscription-based services or contracts with organizations for the sale of the license where users would pay for continued access to our platform. disaster management. This would allow recurring revenues over the long term. Secondly, we plan to market our device to the population by offering differentiated features and associated services, we anticipate regular revenues from sales and subscriptions.
3. Strategic Partnerships: We seek to partner with government agencies, relief agencies and development organizations for larger scale deployments. These partnerships could generate long-term contracts and substantial revenues.
4. Private investments: Partnerships with private companies or investments from the private sector could provide additional financing for scaling. for example: we are in a fundraising program.
By combining these diversified sources of income, our financial plan aims to guarantee lasting financial viability. We have developed a strategy to maximize our revenue while maintaining a balance between the accessibility of our solution and its added value for our users, thus ensuring stable growth and continued impact on natural disaster management.