Poket: Empowering Women With Digital Skills & Rewards for Self-Reporting Data

Poket addresses the major data pain points in data collection for organizations in the international development sector. Specifically, the issues of accessibility, reliability, accuracy, and speed of data acquisition, which are especially prevalent in rural and marginalized communities. These difficulties are compounded for women, who often face additional barriers to technology access and economic participation. UN Women highlights that women are 14% less likely than men to own a mobile phone and 20% less likely to use the internet, which can hinder their ability to participate effectively in data collection processes.

The nature of traditional data collection methodologies presents substantial obstacles in these contexts. A 2017 KPMG study highlights these issues, noting that about 72% of international organizations face significant hurdles in accessing and collecting data in low-resource settings, particularly in rural communities of low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Issues of accessibility can arise due to the geographical and infrastructural constraints of rural areas, making it challenging to gather timely and relevant data. 

Second, the reliability and accuracy of collected data are often compromised by intermittent connectivity, limited technological literacy, and the absence of localized data collection tools that resonate with the community’s unique needs and circumstances. 

Furthermore, the speed at which data is collected, processed, and acted upon is critically slow, hindering the timely implementation of developmental programs and policies aimed at improving the lives of these communities. 90% of these organizations experience delays of three months or more before the data collected can inform and lead to improvements in program performance. The sluggish feedback loop in traditional M&E processes delays the realization of program benefits, affecting the overall efficacy and impact of developmental initiatives.

In response to these challenges, Poket provides a streamlined, community-driven data collection platform. We provide our solution to international development organizations (ex. NGOs), who then empower local individuals, particularly women. They contribute data through user-friendly mobile technology and Poket ensures that the data is not only accessible and reliable but also accurately reflects the on-ground realities. The integration of monetary incentives further encourages active community participation, ensuring a steady flow of real-time, actionable data.

Mobile Onboarding Tutorial

Poket is a comprehensive, two-part data collection and analysis tool designed to bridge the technology gap for women, particularly in remote areas and marginalized communities. Poket offers a dual system solution consisting of a smartphone app and desktop dashboard, which enable international NGOs and researchers to add elements of self-reported data, community-based insights, citizen-generated data and crowdsourcing to their programs. Poket empowers women on the ground to gather, analyze, and leverage data to foster economic growth and community development with digital technology. Specifically, the platform promotes real-time data exchange and decision-making to empower women to report data that supports them in both the economic and social spheres. 

The first part of the solution consists of a mobile application for women in the community to generate data. Users can complete surveys, view updates, and interact with other data via the Poket app. When the data generated is approved, the participants get points that can be converted into real-world rewards like mobile money transfers, gift cards, physical prizes, etc. Women are incentivized to complete self-reported data tasks and are rewarded for their contributions. Additionally, Poket allows users to view each other's contributions via community-based maps and dashboards, facilitating new, data-informed decisions. Poket also enables users in remote areas to earn monetary rewards for collecting data and contributing to local development. By optimizing for low-cost smartphones and offline functionality, Poket ensures widespread accessibility for women, promoting gender equality and fostering inclusive economic growth, thus contributing to sustainable development in underserved communities. This innovative approach fosters financial inclusion, making it a significant tool for empowering women and driving community growth.

The second part of the solution is a web-based tool for clients in the international development sector to create surveys and visualize all field data, with customized filters and insights. It enables the client to see the activity of users in the community, accept and reject submissions, view data on a map and issue rewards to users. Clients can set up customized monetary rewards such as mobile money, gift cards, or other incentives that can be redeemed when users collect a certain number of points. These prizes can then be issued directly to the women on the ground, as rewards for their data contributions. Lastly, the web portal allows the client to export the data as a CSV file to visualize, analyze, publish, etc. with any 3rd party tool.

This approach revolutionizes Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) by putting data collection directly into the hands of those most affected by development policies—the women in remote areas. Poket's design facilitates a shift from traditional, top-down data collection to a more participatory, ground-up approach, where users are not just sources of data but also beneficiaries of the insights derived from it. Empowering users in the 'last mile' to self-report M&E data not only speeds up the feedback loop but also ensures that development strategies are directly informed by those who stand to benefit the most, leading to more effective and genuinely inclusive community development efforts.

Poket’s main partners are international NGOs, who aim to serve women in rural and peri-urban areas, particularly collecting data in VSLA groups. Our solution, as demonstrated in our collaboration with CARE International, empowers these women by providing them with the necessary digital tools to actively participate in data collection. This involvement not only enhances their technical skills but also contributes to their economic empowerment through monetary incentives for each data submission they make.

During our project with CARE International, women in Northern Uganda and Rwanda were equipped with Poket's mobile application to collect and report data relevant to their community's economic health and development initiatives. This hands-on involvement brought several transformative outcomes:

Economic Independence: Women who participated in data collection received monetary compensation, which they could use to support their families, invest in small businesses, or save for future needs. This supplemental income is particularly impactful in these communities, where traditional employment opportunities may be scarce or non-existent.

Community Involvement and Leadership: By contributing data that influence local development projects, women gain a voice in community planning and decision-making processes. This empowerment leads to greater respect and authority within the community, which can shift cultural norms towards gender equality.

Enhanced Social Standing: As women become key contributors to community development, their social standing improves. They are seen as valuable assets to their communities, which helps to break down entrenched gender stereotypes and promotes more inclusive community dynamics.

More Tailored Programming: The data collected through Poket helps to inform more effective and targeted community development strategies, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that interventions are more likely to succeed. This eventually leads to more sustainable economic growth that benefits the entire community.

New Digital Skills: Beyond the immediate monetary rewards, the skills women develop through using the Poket app have long-term benefits. These skills around data collection, surveying, field research, etc. increase their employability and potential to engage in more complex economic activities, furthering their financial independence.

The broader impact of our solution, therefore, extends beyond individual benefits to transformative community change. By integrating women into the data collection process, not only are their lives improved, but they also become catalysts for broader societal progress, driving sustainable development through informed, data-driven decision-making. This model has shown significant success in our work with CARE International and with the support of MIT SOLVE, we will be able to broaden our reach and continue to inspire similar impacts in other communities across the globe. Please see the recent report published by CARE below:

Care Digitalization and Gender Norms

Our team's extensive experience in developing technology solutions for underserved communities, demonstrated through our successful collaboration with CARE International in Uganda/Rwanda, uniquely positions us to deliver Poket effectively. We possess a deep understanding of the specific challenges faced by women in rural areas, such as limited access to technology and economic barriers. This insight has driven us to customize our solution to be intuitive and accessible, even in low-connectivity environments. 

We have also completed other engagements with major NGOs and academic institutions. Many of them are going to be extending their projects with us after successful pilots. Our proven track record showcases our ability to innovate and implement impactful projects. For instance, the customization of Poket for the Ugandan context involved adapting the user interface to support local languages and simplifying the data entry process to accommodate users with limited literacy skills. This approach has not only increased user engagement but also ensured that data collection is more accurate and reliable, directly contributing to the effectiveness of community development programs.

Moreover, our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we adapt our technology to address the specific challenges faced by local users, such as accessibility, low literacy levels, and the need for offline functionality. By incorporating language translation features and designing interfaces that accommodate users with limited literacy, we ensure that our platform is accessible and user-friendly for diverse communities. Additionally, our technology is built to operate effectively offline, crucial in areas with unreliable internet access, allowing continuous usage and data collection regardless of connectivity issues. We regularly update and refine the Poket platform to respond to the evolving needs of the communities we serve, maintaining its relevance and utility. Our ability to forge strong partnerships with local organizations, governments, and international NGOs enhances our capacity to tailor our solution to local priorities and leverage additional resources and expertise. This collaborative approach not only amplifies the impact of our work but also ensures that it is grounded in the reality of the communities' needs.

Our team at Poket has deep-rooted connections with the communities we serve, particularly women in rural and developing areas. These connections are not just professional but also profoundly personal, as many team members, including myself, are women of colour and immigrants who have lived in LMICs and observed first-hand the pain points of marginalized women in offline, poorly-banked communities. This close affinity provides us with valuable insights into the challenges and needs of these communities, ensuring that our solutions are not only technically sound but also culturally and contextually relevant. Our team's comprehensive expertise, combined with a deep commitment to creating social impact through technology, ensures that we are well-equipped to implement this solution effectively and sustainably, driving significant improvements in the lives of women in underserved communities.

We categorize Poket in the growth stage because it is an established solution that is currently operational in over 15 countries, reflecting a consistent design and approach that is ready for further expansion. Additionally, we have established a consistent revenue streams that ensures the sustainability of our operations.

Poket has been developed and rigorously tested across diverse environments, from rural communities in Southeast Asia to urban settings in Africa, adapting to varied cultural and infrastructural contexts. The platform includes a user-friendly mobile app for data collection and a comprehensive desktop dashboard for data analysis and management, both designed with input from end-users to ensure their effectiveness.

To date, Poket has empowered thousands of users, primarily women, enabling them to participate actively in data collection and decision-making processes that affect their communities. These users benefit from our system through enhanced access to information, economic opportunities from incentive structures, and the ability to influence development strategies directly. This extensive user base demonstrates the scalability and adaptability of our solution, making it ready for further growth and implementation in new regions. With the help of this network and support from the program, we aim to scale even more broadly. 

Financial Barriers: Scaling our operations to reach more international development organizations and reinvesting in software-related product development is significant. globally requires substantial financial resources. We hope to engage with Solve’s network of impact investors necessary for scaling operations, improving our product and reaching more international development partners. 

Technical Barriers: As we prepare for broader deployment, technical challenges such as ensuring multi-language support, maximizing data privacy and cyber-security, adapting to changing technology (ex, new phones/tablets), and maintaining robust performance across diverse regions become paramount. 

Legal and Regulatory Barriers: A major challenge we face involves navigating the complex landscape of data protection regulations, particularly GDPR compliance as we expand our tool to international development organizations in Europe. These regulations require rigorous data handling and privacy protection measures. Through Solve, we aim to access legal experts who can offer guidance on implementing GDPR-compliant processes and ensuring that our operations meet all regional legal requirements.

Cultural Barriers: Successfully adapting our solution to align with the cultural dynamics of new regions is crucial. We aim to fully localize Poket by customizing the user interface and creating video tutorials in as many languages as possible, ensuring accessibility and usability across diverse geographic and cultural backgrounds. Through Solve’s support, we seek deeper cultural insights and collaborations with local partners to make our deployment strategies culturally sensitive and effective. This support will help us tailor Poket to meet local needs, fostering trust and enhancing user engagement in each community we serve.

Market Barriers: Gaining trust and establishing credibility in new markets is essential for widespread adoption. Solve can provide a platform to enhance our visibility and credibility by showcasing our technology at global events, connecting with international NGOs, and aligning with government initiatives.

Scalability Challenges: Expanding our solution to a global audience involves not only technical adaptation but also strategic planning to manage growth sustainably. Poket's software is designed for easy scalability, allowing us to efficiently expand our reach and impact. However, internationalization poses unique challenges, such as adapting our platform for different languages, cultural contexts, and regulatory environments.

We look to Solve for strategic guidance on scaling operations, learning from other successful scale-ups, and exploring best practices in sustainable growth strategies. Specifically, we need insights into effectively localizing our app to ensure it resonates with diverse user groups, maintaining high usability while meeting local data protection and privacy standards. Through Solve, we aim to refine our approach to internationalization, ensuring that as Poket grows, it remains a robust, adaptable, and locally sensitive solution that can serve communities worldwide.

Poket's innovation lies in its integration of technology with community-driven data collection, especially tailored to empower women in rural and underserved areas. Unlike traditional data collection methods that often rely on external agencies to gather and process data, Poket enables local women to contribute directly, using a mobile platform that overcomes several significant barriers:

1. Accessibility and Usability: Poket is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal technical knowledge, crucial in areas with low digital literacy. It works on low-cost smartphones and features an interface that supports local languages and operates effectively even in offline modes, overcoming ntermittent internet connectivity.

2. Monetary Incentives: One of the core innovations of Poket is its use of monetary rewards for data submission, which incentivizes participation. This approach not only enhances engagement but also provides a financial benefit to users, directly contributing to economic empowerment and financial security.

3. Real-Time Data Processing: The platform’s capability to process data in real time allows for immediate insights and actions, which is a significant improvement over traditional methods that can be slow and cumbersome, often taking months to analyze and react to data.

4. Scalability and Flexibility: Poket is scalable and adaptable to various contexts and needs, which allows it to be used by different organizations (NGOs, government bodies, research institutions) across diverse geographical and cultural settings.

5. Community Feedback Loops: With community feedback loops, data gathered by women is actively shared back with them through the platform. This enables access to community-based maps, dashboards, and other resources, allowing women to view, understand, and utilize their data for enhanced decision-making and economic empowerment.

Poket’s model can serve as a blueprint for other initiatives aiming to harness the power of community-driven data collection. By showcasing how local data collection can empower communities, Poket sets a precedent for transforming data collection practices across various sectors, from financial inclusion to global health. This shift ensures data is more accurate, timely, and relevant, enhancing the efficacy of development initiatives worldwide.

Economic Inclusion: By providing financial rewards for data collection, Poket contributes to the financial inclusion of individuals in marginalized communities, especially women, integrating them into the formal economy.

Data Sovereignty: Poket enables communities to own and control their data, enhancing data sovereignty and ensuring local benefits from its use.

Policy and Decision Making: Reliable and timely data from Poket helps policymakers and practitioners make informed decisions, leading to more effective and responsive development interventions.

Cost Reduction: Poket significantly reduces the logistical and financial burdens of traditional data collection by enabling remote and self-reported methods. This approach eliminates the need for extensive door-to-door data collection, saving time, money, and manpower, thereby reducing costs for NGOs and development organizations.

Decision-Making/Empowering End Users: Poket provides real-time, reliable data that enhances decision-making for policymakers and development practitioners. By making data accessible to contributors through community-based maps and dashboards, it transforms end users from passive data subjects into active decision-makers. This empowers communities to use data to advocate for their needs and directly influence local development.

Our Theory of Change hinges on the premise that by equipping international development practitioners with innovative technology, they can, in turn, empower women in underserved communities to take an active role in data collection and analysis. This empowerment process is expected to lead to significant enhancements in their economic opportunities and decision-making capabilities, ultimately fostering sustainable community development. 

Theory of Change Framework:

1. Activities: The primary activity involves deploying our mobile and web-based platforms to enable easy and efficient data collection and analysis by local women. This includes providing necessary training and support to these women to ensure they can effectively use our technology.

2. Immediate Outputs: The immediate outputs of these activities include increased digital literacy among women, higher levels of data generation from within the community, and improved accessibility to relevant and timely information.

3. Short-term Outcomes: As women become more adept at using these technologies, we expect to see an increase in their participation in local economic activities and community decision-making processes. This is anticipated to lead to enhanced individual and collective agency among women, as they use data-driven insights to address community issues.

4. Long-term Outcomes: The long-term outcomes should reflect a broader societal shift towards gender equality and economic stability. As women gain economic strength and a greater voice in community governance, we anticipate reduced gender disparities and more stable, prosperous communities.

Evidence Supporting Theory of Change:

• Third-Party Research: Studies have shown that when women are economically empowered and have access to technology, they are more likely to invest in their families and communities, leading to widespread socio-economic benefits.

• Impact Feedback: In our project with CARE International, feedback indicated that women who participated in our program reported higher incomes and increased participation in community affairs compared to those who did not participate.

• Feedback Loops: We incorporate feedback mechanisms within our platform, allowing women to see the impact of their data contributions, thereby reinforcing the benefits and encouraging continued engagement.

By following this logical framework, Poket aims to create a sustainable model where women are not just beneficiaries of technology but are empowered agents of change within their communities. This approach not only addresses the immediate need for improved data collection and analysis but also contributes to long-term development goals by fostering environments where women can thrive economically and socially.

Empower Women Economically and Socially: Our primary goal is to empower women in rural and underserved communities by providing them with the tools and opportunities to actively participate in data collection processes that directly affect their lives and livelihoods. By doing so, we aim to enhance their economic independence and elevate their roles within their communities.

Improve Local Decision-Making Through Data-Driven Insights: We strive to improve the quality of decision-making at the community level by ensuring that the data collected is accurate, timely, and actionable. This facilitates more informed decisions regarding community development and resource allocation.

Promote Digital Inclusion and Reduce Gender Disparities in Access to Technology: Our goal is to bridge the digital divide that often sidelines rural and marginalized women, providing them with access to technology that can improve their lives and integrate them more fully into the economic fabric of their societies.

Measuring Progress:

To track and measure our progress toward these impact goals, we utilize several specific indicators:

Number of Women Engaged: We monitor the number of women actively using the Poket app for data collection. This indicator helps gauge our effectiveness in reaching and empowering women in targeted communities.

Total Monetary Value Paid to Women: We track and monitor the monetary compensation paid to each contributor as well as the total amount of incentives paid out to women for their data collection efforts. 

Data Quality and Utilization: We assess the quality of data collected through the app and how frequently this data is used by local decision-makers. This involves tracking corrections to submitted data, the integration of data into community planning processes, and feedback from stakeholders on the utility of the data.

Economic Impact: We measure the economic impact on participants by tracking the additional income earned through our monetary incentives for data submission. This is complemented by surveys and interviews that assess changes in economic status and opportunities for women involved in our project.

Technology Adoption Rates: We track the adoption rates of the Poket app among the target demographic, including repeat usage rates and user retention over time. This helps us understand how effectively the technology is being integrated into daily activities and any barriers to sustained use.

Community Feedback and Satisfaction: We collect feedback from users and other community members about their satisfaction with the app and the impact it has on their community engagement and personal empowerment.

Mobile Application: The Poket app is optimized for use on low-cost smartphones, which are more accessible in the target communities. It features a simple, intuitive user interface and supports multiple local languages to ensure ease of use by individuals with varying literacy levels.

Offline Functionality: Understanding the connectivity challenges in remote areas, the app is designed to function offline. Users can collect data without an internet connection, and the app synchronizes with the cloud once connectivity is restored, ensuring data integrity and security.

Geolocation and Time-stamping: Utilizing GPS technology, each data entry is geotagged and time-stamped. This not only enhances the reliability and verifiability of the data but also allows for precise mapping of information which is crucial for spatial analysis and resource allocation.

Data Analytics and Visualization Tools: The backend of the Poket platform includes sophisticated data analytics tools that process and visualize the collected data real timeline. This enables stakeholders and decision-makers to quickly understand trends, patterns, and outliers, facilitating informed decision-making.

Blockchain Technology: To ensure the authenticity, transparency, and security of the data collected, the Poket team is exploring the integration of blockchain technology into the platform. This is particularly important when dealing with sensitive information and when the data may need to be auditable and free from tampering.

Monetary Incentives through Digital Payments: A unique feature of Poket is its integration of digital payments to provide monetary rewards to users for their data contributions. This is implemented through secure mobile money solutions, which are widely used and trusted in many developing countries.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI and machine learning algorithms are employed to analyze large datasets to identify trends and predictive insights that may not be apparent from manual analysis. This capability is particularly useful in enhancing the efficiency of programs aimed at improving health, education, and economic conditions.

2 full-time co-founders, 1 full-time employee, 1 full-time contractor, 2 part-time contractors 

We have been dedicated to developing and refining Poket's solution for approximately 5 years. Their joint efforts have been pivotal in evolving the platform from its inception to its current state, significantly impacting the communities they serve.

Kamil and Naba, as leaders of Poket, are deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within their team dynamics and operational ethos. Both being people of color and Naba being a woman in tech, they bring personal insights into the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the tech industry. This personal connection fuels their dedication to creating a workplace culture that not only respects but actively celebrates diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Inclusive Leadership and Policies: Their leadership approach is centered on fostering an open, collaborative environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute. Kamil and Naba ensure that diversity in thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences is seen as a crucial element of their company's success. They encourage all team members to participate in decision-making processes, contribute ideas, and share their unique insights, which in turn helps guide the project's direction.

Inclusive Hiring Practices: Kamil and Naba are proactive in their hiring practices, seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds and ensuring job descriptions are crafted to be inclusive. They work to implement recruitment strategies that attract a diverse pool of applicants, ensuring that their team reflects global diversity.

Supportive Work Environment: Understanding the importance of personal well-being in employee performance, Kamil and Naba provide resources that support mental health, work-life balance, and overall well-being. This approach ensures that team members feel supported both professionally and personally.

Representation and Role Modeling: As visible minorities themselves, Kamil and Naba serve as role models within the organization, showcasing the potential for success regardless of one’s background. Their leadership exemplifies the possibilities for all employees and instills a sense of pride and possibility across the team.

Through these deliberate actions, Kamil and Naba have not only established a workplace that is inclusive and nurturing but also one that actively supports personal and professional growth. This commitment to diversity and inclusivity not only enhances employee satisfaction and retention but also enriches the innovative and empathetic ethos that defines Poket, driving the company forward as a leader in community-driven solutions.

Poket operates under an enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, catering primarily to international NGOs, research agencies, academics, and public sector organizations. Our software is designed to facilitate robust, community-driven data collection and analysis, crucial for impactful development projects.

Products and Services:

• Customizable Mobile and Desktop Platforms: We offer tailored configuration of our tools to align with the specific needs of each program. This includes adapting our mobile app and desktop dashboard for varying field requirements.
• Configuration and Deployment: Due to the initial engineering efforts required to customize our tools for specific projects, we charge a one-time configuration fee which can range from 0-$10,0000
• Subscription Model: Post configuration, clients can access our platform for ongoing operations, charged at a monthly rate between $500 and $2,500. This fee varies based on several factors including the number of users/licenses, the number of countries the program is operating in, platform support (iOS/Android), required training materials, necessary language translations, security needs, and the number of active projects.

Revenue Streams:

• Configuration Fees: Charged for the initial customization of the platform to meet project-specific requirements.
• Monthly Subscription Fees: Recurring charges based on client usage, features, and the scale of deployment.

Value Proposition:

• For NGOs and Governmental Organizations: Provides a scalable, adaptable tool that enhances the efficiency and accuracy of data collection, significantly improving project monitoring and evaluation.
• For Community Users: Offers an empowering tool that not only facilitates data collection but also incentivizes participation through financial rewards, fostering greater community engagement and providing economic benefits.

Reinvestment and Sustainability:

• Continual Enhancement: The revenue generated is reinvested into continually enhancing the platform, focusing on making it more user-friendly and accessible. This not only supports our humanitarian mission but also ensures the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the platform.

This business model supports Poket’s commitment to delivering high-quality, customizable data collection solutions while maintaining financial sustainability and furthering our humanitarian objectives.

Poket's financial sustainability is anchored in a mixed-revenue model that includes earning from service contracts, subscription fees, and configuration charges. This diversified approach ensures a steady inflow of funds from multiple sources, reducing dependence on any single revenue stream and aligning with our growth and scalability objectives.

1. Service Contracts and Subscription Fees: Our primary revenue stream comes from service contracts with international NGOs, research institutions, and public sector groups. We charge an initial configuration fee for customizing specific projects, followed by a monthly subscription fee between $500 and $2,500, based on the number of users, extent of customization, and other client-specific needs. This model ensures ongoing revenue while providing our clients with continuous support and updates.

2. Evidence of Success:
   

• Revenue Generation: Since our inception, we have successfully configured our platform for 15+ projects across 20+ countries, consistently generating revenue from both configuration fees and subscriptions. This demonstrates the demand and viability of our business model in the market. Some of these have been federal-funded (USDA / USAID) funded projects

These achievements underscore our financial health and the effectiveness of our business model. Going forward, we plan to continue expanding our client base, enhancing our platform's features, and securing additional grants and investments to support our long-term sustainability and mission. This strategic approach, combined with our track record of securing diverse funding sources, positions Poket well for ongoing growth and financial stability.