Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We have developed a portable, self-regulating housing ecosystem optimized for Black Soldier Fly cultivation. This system efficiently manages organic waste while facilitating sustainable protein production and environmentally

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

We focus on innovative solutions to tackle waste challenges and promote sustainability by utilizing Black Soldier Flies to convert organic waste into valuable resources, fostering economic and environmental empowerment within communities. Our mission is to make Black Soldier Fly farming affordable through a portable, self-sustaining housing ecosystem, revolutionizing the practice to be both cost-effective and space-efficient.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Our initiative started three years ago in response to the significant contribution of households to organic waste and the resulting carbon emissions. However, challenges arose over time, including the labor-intensive nature of Black Soldier Fly farming, limited space hindering expansion, and difficulties in managing supplied organic waste, leading to a dirty environment and obstacles in meeting monthly waste processing targets.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Illucens stands out as an innovator distinguishing itself from direct and indirect competitors by; it’s affordable to start, require less space, requires once a week maintenance compared to traditional black soldier fly farms and it’s not affected by temperature.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our target market includes small and medium-scale farmers, urban farmers those with kitchen gardens and those with fish farms.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-01-25

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

My cofounder has an experience in mechanical and product design and focus on the production part of the business.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We aim to create 5000 jobs both directly and indirectly by 2028. These will include jobs for drivers transporting raw materials and finished products, marketing personnel, and technical developers. Through the sale of the kits farmers will also employ more people due to the increase in yields.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By providing a sustainable source of protein for livestock and fish feed, Illucens contributes to SDG 2 by helping to address food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in regions where access to affordable protein sources is limited.

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Improving the nutritional content of animal feed with Black Soldier Fly larvae promotes the health and well-being of livestock and fish, thereby indirectly supporting SDG 3 by contributing to animal health and reducing the risk of disease transmission.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

The Illucens project promotes sustainable waste management practices, reducing the environmental pollution associated with traditional waste disposal methods. By converting organic waste into valuable resources, Illucens contributes to SDG 6 by minimizing water pollution and promoting sustainable water use.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

By converting organic waste into high-quality fertilizer and protein-rich feed, Illucens promotes responsible consumption and production practices. It reduces waste generation, encourages resource efficiency, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices, aligning with the objectives of SDG 12.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The Illucens project helps mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions associated with organic waste decomposition. By diverting organic waste from landfills and converting it into valuable resources, Illucens contributes to SDG 13 by promoting climate-resilient and sustainable waste management practices.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

By improving soil health through the production of organic fertilizer and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, Illucens contributes to SDG 15 by promoting land restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management practices.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

6

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

4

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Illucens stands out as an innovation by automation of Black Solder Fly Farming through a well desgined kit make from recycled plastics as a result it’s affordable to start, require less space and more resilient to climate change.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our direct competitors include black soldier farms and traditional waste management firms. Our advantage is that we are cheaper to start, require less space, once-a-week maintenance compared to traditional black soldier fly farms, and are not affected by temperature.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?