South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Commercialising our "de-oxidised, Garnish and Flavour infused Ice Cubes" and purifying excess water from our production cycle to provide bottled water in countries with water scarcity. Not only elevating cocktail experiences but also peoples lives!

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

At Saucee Rocks, we invite you into a sumptuous odyssey of unbridled luxury as we transform the global drinking experience into a symphony of liquid flavors. We don't merely offer ice; we unveil a treasure trove. Saucee Rocks isn't just an accompaniment; it's a catalyst for shared experiences, creating a stage where flavors harmonize, conversations flow, and connections flourish. Connections to leave lasting memories and meaningful change in the hearts and minds of our faithful consumers.

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

Consumers always want the perfect cocktail wherever they are. However it isn't always accessible. When you're at your favourite restaurant? No problem. Or that great bar, the one with an amazing view the multi-talented bartender? Definitely. But what about at your friends party? The weekend braai? Your next great weekend away or upcoming dinner party? That becomes a lot more complicated, does it not? Consumer preferences and trends change faster than brands In most of the years covering the 2010 decade, Vodka volume sales outperformed Gin x3. Global drinking trends dictated that the Gin & Tonic would be more fashionable than the once revered Vodka Tonic. Where did all the Vodka consumers go? How do brands keep up? More so, as a consumer, how do you keep up, stay Saucee, trendy and relevant without giving up a part of who you are? With our infused ice cubes you can take your preferences with you wherever you go, for you and like-minded palates to enjoy.

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

1. Our Ice cubes last longer than any other ice in a drink (more than 30min) a result of our manufacturing process. This ensure cocktails are not watered down and provide a pleasurable drink throughout. 2. Our cubes are Garnish & Flavour infused (we are the only company in the world that does this). Consumers do not need to be a world class mixologist OR have the expertise or complicated bar tools to make a perfect cocktail. All the ingredients needed are present in the cube. 3. The cubes are perfectly balanced allowing your cocktail to maintain a perfect balance of flavour throughout its life span. 4. The cubes create cocktails in a more affordable & efficient manner. 5. The cubes allow consumers to be able to carry their drinking preferences with them regardless of the occasion. Our fashionable & functional box allows for transportation and can be stored easily in a regular household freezer. 6. Our cubes are gluten & sugar free and can be customised with 50+ flavours.

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

B2C Cocktail drinkers - both Non-alcoholic and alcoholic consumers. 60% females 40% males 18 to 45 LSM 7 - 10 The target audience of Saucee Rocks is a diverse and discerning group of individuals who share a passion for elevating their beverage experiences and embracing the flavours of life to the fullest. This audience embodies a unique blend of characteristics that align with the brand's personality, values, and offerings. B2B Brand Houses (Owners of alcohol Brands) e.g. Diageo We can assist with activations and liquid elevation. Restaurants & Hospitality Industry Providing a new experience to consumers, helping save costs on garnish and other wasted food resources used in cocktails that can be preserved in our cube's frozen state, whilst also helping grow their margins on cocktail sales.

01.05 When was your company established?

2021-09-10

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.)

Carl Khumalo is an architect by trade. Business minded individual with experience in architecture and running small businesses.

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

https://sauceerocks.com/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Goal 6 of the UN SDG's - Clean water and sanitation is a key part of our project as we pledge to produce and provide purified bottled water to countries suffering from water scarcity and insufficient clean water sources for their population in impoverished countries and regions. We can create 10 litres of purified water for every 5 boxes of ice cubes manufactured. We currently have a capacity to produce 1,200 boxes a month - this equates to 240 litres a month which can be scaled up mutual with business growth through funding and expansion. The more we produce the more water we can purify and donate.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

The water we provide/donate can be used in agriculture to support micro farmers/farming.

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

Water is essential to health and upkeep of the human body. Hydration is critical to human health.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We prioritise females in our human resource policy and our target audience has a skew towards female consumers.

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

Clean water and sanitation is a key part of our project as we pledge to produce and provide purified bottled water to countries suffering from water scarcity and insufficient clean water sources for their population in impoverished countries and regions. We can create 10 litres of purified water for every 5 boxes of ice cubes manufactured. We currently have a capacity to produce 1,200 boxes a month - this equates to 240 litres a month which can be scaled up mutual with business growth through funding and expansion. The more we produce the more water we can purify and donate.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

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

Proudly South African company, which hires locally and is committed to growing its workforce and markets across Africa. We abide by labour laws and endeavour to pay well above minimum wage. A disruptive product in a vibrant economic market that is also an innovation with the potential for international adaptability and scale.

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

A disruptive product in a vibrant economic market that is also an innovation with the potential for international adaptability and scale. We've seen success doing work with Diageo, with restaurants and direct to consumer. Only company in the world to create the product we manufacture.

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

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

We rely heavily on local farmers and produce suppliers for our garnish as well as local restaurants, hospitality sector, retail and local communities for sales. We form part of a local eco-system and we challenge local establishments to use our product a more sustainable approach to the preservation of fruit and vegetables in cocktails as our product lasts 3 months in a freezer with garnish as opposed to freshly cut garnish in cocktails which must be consumed in 24hrs.

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 commit to responsible consumption of the water we use and the products we produce, ensuring we don't produce more than is necessary and not waste the resources we use. We form part of a local eco-system and we challenge local establishments to use our product a more sustainable approach to the preservation of fruit and vegetables in cocktails as our product lasts 3 months in a freezer with garnish as opposed to freshly cut garnish in cocktails which must be consumed in 24hrs.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

4

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.

4

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

We are the only company in the world that creates de-oxidised, garnish and flavour infused ice. We spent almost 2 years just perfecting the product and the manufacturing process. We improved/elevated cocktail experiences and have embarked on a journey to change beverage consumption perceptions one drink at a time.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Ice manufacturing companies. e.g. ice 2000. They make regular ice which can be replicated with an ice machine or in your freezer at home. We make ice in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavours with garnish infusions and are de-oxidsed to make them last longer.

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