Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Fibertext upcycles non fruity parts of banana into biodegradable packaging and liquid fertilizer.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Fibertext upcycles non-fruity parts of the banana into biodegradable packaging and liquid fertilizer. Fibertext is committed to making a significant contribution to environmental initiatives. The business does this through the production of alternative sustainable packaging, with banana fiber being the basic raw material. Through this the company makes an active contribution to the conservation of natural resources and applies circular economy principles to minimize waste. Like many green businesses which are often local businesses, the company sources and supplies goods and services within the local community. Therefore, Fibertext Enterprises Ltd creates supplementary income for local, small scale farmers as well as jobs for those working in the supply chain. This proximity further amplifies the reduction of their carbon emissions while still supporting the surrounding community.

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

The current problem we are solving currently is lack of sustainable packaging, the available packaging is from plastic and wood-based alternative making them not sustainable. The available biodegradable packaging is imported making them expensive and unavailable to most of the users. Wood based alternative contribute to the deforestation which is one of the major cause of global warning. For every ton of banana produced, four times biomass is normally created. This biomass is in most cases is dumped on the road or burned due to lack of awareness and waste management technology which in turn releases methane gas which is one of the GHC gas.

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

Environment-friendly packaging solutions using banana waste biomass, reducing the environmental impact of the paper and packaging industry and improving respiratory health outcomes. For every ton of paper produced we save 17 trees from being cut and reduce GHC emission through the waste. Fibertext sustainable packaging is -Biodegradable -UV, light and solvent resistant. -High tensile strength. The secondary product which is organic liquid fertilizer is good for plans due to its high nutrients from banana sap.

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

The target customers are profiled as people located in the urban centers, peri urban centers. Demographic  Age – Business that serve a younger trend-oriented clientele. Above 20 years.  Education level & exposure – A clientele that is exposed on climate change and sustainability risks and therefore, have an appreciation for green products.  Income Levels – The end consumer is usually employed or runs a business. Psychographic  (Lifestyle)- retailers serving employed, young professionals living with propensity to spend

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-02-28

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

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

Edwin wanjala-- Bachelor of commerce-- Finance option The skills he posses include: Accounting skills, communication skills, technical skills, problem solving skills, financial literacy skills, leadership and management skills, and critical thinking skills. He has 10 years experience in finance field.

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

https://fibertextgreenpaper.co.ke/

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Our organization is based in the rural part of Kenya which is mostly associated with poverty. Majority of the population are women who are peasant farmers. Through the circular economy principle Fibertext apply, farmers are able to earn more from the sell of banana waste after selling their fruit thus earning more income.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

The organic liquid fertilizer we produce as our secondary fertilizer is a good foliar for our crops, encouraging crops to grow in a health way thus food for everyone. Additionally, we train and encourage our farmers to plant and grow bananas in that case we have enough raw material and enough food thus fighting hunger.

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

5

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

I believe we ensure well being of our farmers through additional income they get by the sell of waste relieves them from life expenses thus less stress.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Through the program we conduct about how well we can grow our bananas. We also offer training to our employees before the work.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

The majority of the top management are women Women own 80% of the shares of the company. 3/4 of the employees are females

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Providing clean water to employees while working.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We do use briquettes for our heating during delignification process. The briquettes are made from the waste which remains during fiber extractions.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

At Fibertext we provide decent jobs to all regardless of the religion, gender and race. We provide skills to unskilled before work.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Sustainability and innovation are key to us. We are ever researching and innovating to find an effective way of working out or producing.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Women have equal opportunities at Fibertext

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Through ensuring plastic free environment.

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

In our production we apply circular economy principle. We create value from waste, {banana waste}, optimizing input, maximizing utility and increasing durability. Our product that we do produce are durable, reusable and recyclable.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

For every ton of the packaging we do produce, 17 mature trees are saved. We reduce GHC emissions.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Through our sustainable packaging we reduce the use of plastics which in most cases end up in the seas and oceans

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

For every ton of the packaging we do produce, 17 mature trees are saved which is a habitat to many animals and insects.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Fibertext has partnership with various organization.

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Yes, there are similar product which our customers are using which includes plastic and wood based alternative packaging. With the current trends and knowledge about climate change people are shifting towards sustainable packaging which are majorly imported making them expensive and unavailable.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

The main differentiator of the company’s product is the green aspect making it biodegradable and safe for the environment. The bags produced by the company are primarily used for secondary packaging. The main competitors are therefore: -Sellers of plastic bags: despite the standing ban by the government for the use of plastic packaging for secondary packaging there exists a thriving black market for the same. -Traditional sisal woven bags (Kiondo): bags which many consumers migrated to after the ban of plastic bags. The market is majorly informal and spread throughout the country. The price point also tends to be significantly higher than alternatives. - Brown sugar bags for food vendors: This competitor group mainly targets the market for the small sized bags which are mainly used by food vendors. The competitive advantage for Fibertext being that their bags and naturally much heavier and therefore, heat resistant.

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

Yes. Leading by example. Encouraging women to take up management position.