Kahuto Pacific Investments

Kahuto Pacific Investments (KPI) leverages drone technology and GIS mapping to improve the efficiency and accuracy of planning for large scale social infrastructure projects, while empowering women to participate in the technology industry. Seeing their projects cancelled at the onset of the pandemic, KPI sought ways to diversify their market and product offering to build their resilience against similar shocks to the economy in the long term.

Through the program, they focussed on scoping out new business opportunities within the public, civil society, NGO and development spaces. In order to do this, founder Jonina Wetzell performed market research and worked with technical advisors to map out potential clients. They also adapted their marketing material in order to increase awareness of their brand and communicate with their new target audience. This involved developing a showreel, client testimonials and a website to showcase their existing work and launch two new products, namely virtual tours and 3D street views, and remote asset inspection capabilities. 

Jonina ended the program in discussions with two potential partners interested in their virtual tours, including tours of properties and the production of floor plans and 3D models of the requested area. They also have plans to capture tourist attractions in Suva and work with other organisations to introduce virtual tourism, whilst tourists are not able to come and visit in person.

KPI has also been able to acquire additional drone equipment to introduce remote asset inspections to their list of products and services. They have conducted an asset inspection for one of the Vodafone towers in Suva and are closely working with the Water Authority of Fiji to contribute their services to the post-disaster response team by inspecting damages of water plants and assets after the natural disasters that often strike in Fiji. 

Participating in the SFI Response Program has taught KPI how to effectively market the company in a difficult economy, and being supported by relevant experts has made them far more confident that their business will survive through the COVID-19 crisis. They have already secured a new contract.

• Partnerships and connections to projects or companies that aim to have a social and environmental impact, and could benefit from their services. They offer complementary services to a select number of projects as part of their Pacific Impact Initiative, the sustainable arm of their business.

Local mentors that can support them in growing their new products and services, as well as accessing more customers who could benefit from working with them.

• Partnerships and connections to projects or companies that aim to have a social and environmental impact, and could benefit from their services. They offer complementary services to a select number of projects as part of their Pacific Impact Initiative, the sustainable arm of their business.

Local mentors that can support them in growing their new products and services, as well as accessing more customers who could benefit from working with them.