Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Developing patented technology to process natural fiber from agricultural waste to highly absorbent diaper material, 100% biodegradable & compostable.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Ubuni a social enterprise is developing patented technology to process natural fiber from what is considered as agricultural waste into a highly absorbent diaper material. Our 100% biodegradable and compostable diapers are made from agricultural waste which include pineapple, maize husk, bamboo fiber, banana fiber which are of the most absorbent natural fibers and abundant in Kenya. This is through a market based circular business innovation and environmental impact at scale to catalyze consumer behavior.

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

The existing model for disposable nappies is linear: taking non-renewable resources; making disposable nappies; and creating unmanageable waste for governments and the environment.To meet the global consumption of diapers. Not only does the global disposable nappy industry extract over 248 million barrels of crude oil annually, but it creates over 38 million tons of solid waste per year. In fact, around the world, disposable diapers represent about 4% of all solid waste and are the 1/3 largest contributor to single-use consumer items in landfills.

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

We are a sustainable manufacturer of hygiene products with a patented process and product. We are developing a completely compostable diapers and have a low waste manufacturing unit. We use materials that are certified compostable and eliminate waste. Ubuni has been working to address three major issues with specific Unique value preposition: 1)The existing model for disposable nappies is linear taking non-renewable resources; making disposable nappies; and creating unmanageable waste for governments and the environment. 2) Chemical filled diapers that cause rashes and irritation 3) Plastic waste produced by commercial diapers We measure our impact according to the UN SDGs: Increasing income for farmers, employing women, providing access to diapers and diaper hygiene education, measuring the plastic waste and CO2 emissions.

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

infants, toddlers, and by children who are not yet potty trained or who experience bedwetting. They are also used by adults with incontinence or in certain circumstances where access to a toilet is unavailable. These can include those of advanced age, patients’ bed-bound in a hospital, individuals with certain types of physical or mental disability, and people working in extreme conditions

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-11-26

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

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.)

Co-Founder Cherlene Maria – Marketing , worked with Unilever East Africa on an initiative called Heroes for change in encouraging brand positive awareness towards the 2 year

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ubuni-green-909228276/

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

3

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Good Health

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

n/a

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

3

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

Society - Training/Education, Sanitation and Health We aim at improving the training on proper sanitation and disposal of the diapering and diapering health to almost 100000 in our initial phase and also tripling our approach with various incentive on our sustainable approac

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

n/a

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Through our inclusive business model, we not only provide diapers to families who don’t have access and empower women in our local community, but also promote a sustainable environment. We measure our impact according to the UN SDGs: increasing income for farmers, employing women, providing access to diapers and diaper hygiene education, measuring the plastic waste and CO2 emissions. We have a unique product and a unique approach.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Sanitation and Health We are promoting proper sanitation and hygiene

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We aim at utilizing energy efficient models and also a zero waste model

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We are promoting women employment and also opening up new way of regenerative agriculture economy.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Overall, regenerative textiles represent a new and innovative approach to textile production that prioritizes sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental health. By choosing regenerative textiles, consumers support a more sustainable and equitable textile industry that benefits both people and the planet.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We aim at promoting the rural economy. Thus reducing the poverty inequality in the rural region.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Through the initative we aim at supporting sustainable initiative that has no waste

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

We providing a product for impact which is biodegradable and compostable diapers that also saves the environment. Goal is reducing single-use plastics and waste through promoting consumer and stakeholder behavior change and save the environment.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Shift only to biodegradable absorbent hygiene products Decouple from consumption of finite fossil fuels Turn diapers into nutrient rich compost, creating valuable SOM( soil organic matter Reduce carbon emission & methane production by avoiding significant greenhouse gas contribution Significantly reduce marine pollution through micro -plastics

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Significantly reduce marine pollution through micro -plastics

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

Shift only to biodegradable absorbent hygiene products Decouple from consumption of finite fossil fuels Turn diapers into nutrient rich compost, creating valuable SOM( soil organic matter Reduce carbon emission & methane production by avoiding significant greenhouse gas contribution

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

n/a

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

The mission is being a catalyst in reducing single-use plastics and waste through promoting consumer and stakeholder behavior change by providing a product for impact which is biodegradable and compostable diapers that also saves the environment and save the environment . Through partnerships we are able to to influence consumer plastic towards plastic use.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

2

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

Our innovation transform agricultural waste into high-value natural fiber bio- textile diaper absorbent - 100% biodegradable & compostable.We aim to revolutionize the hygiene industry by making ethical plastic - free absorbent product that are good for the body , the community, environment in a sustainable and responsible way. We providing a product for impact which is biodegradable and compostable diapers that also saves the environment. Goal is reducing single-use plastics and waste through promoting consumer and stakeholder behavior change and save the environment.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

We are a sustainable manufacturer of hygiene products with a patented process and product. We are developing a completely compostable diapers and have a low waste manufacturing unit. We use materials that are certified compostable and eliminate waste. Ubuni has been working to address three major issues with specific Unique value preposition: 1)The existing model for disposable nappies is linear taking non-renewable resources; making disposable nappies; and creating unmanageable waste for governments and the environment. 2) Chemical filled diapers that cause rashes and irritation 3) Plastic waste produced by commercial diapers

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

Yes , The co -founder is a female . The people we aim at employing will be women in the factory.