Ghana - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Tekcycle Tekcycle Ghana Limited is an agricultural innovative start-up that seeks to revolutionize the detergents industry by recycling pineapple spoilage(decomposing fruits and peels) into affordable, eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Ghana ranks 12th among the top producers of pineapples in Africa. However, pineapple farmers in the country barely get enough income from their produce due to its rapid rate of ripening. Pineapple farming which is a lucrative endeavor is losing its appeal to a lot of farmers and this does not encourage the participation of the youth in pineapple farming. In the detergent industry, traditional detergents are mainly produced using synthetic and artificial ingredients which have numerous adverse effects on the consumer and the environment such as skin irritations, long-term persistence in water bodies and soil, and decreased air quality. In an effort to address these issues, Tekcycle Ghana Limited seeks to revolutionize the traditional detergents industry by recycling a naturally available resource (pineapple spoilage) sourced from smallholder pineapple farmers to provide affordable, eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning detergents(bar soaps, dish liquids,washing powder).

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

Research conducted by the Food Science and Technology department of KNUST reveals that 30% of pineapples produced in Ghana go to waste after harvest meaning smallholder pineapple farmers lose 30% of their income. Pineapples which go to waste after harvesting and are unsold also have the farmers struggling to dispose them off. According to a research by W. H. O, 68% of detergents on the African market are not eco-friendly nor biodegradable. In the detergent industry, traditional detergents are mainly produced using synthetic ingredients which have numerous adverse effects on the consumer and the environment such as skin irritations, long-term persistence in water bodies and soil, and decreased air quality.

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

1. One major benefit of using our products is the contribution of the consumer towards reducing the amounts of food waste which will end up in our overflowing landfills. This helps in conserving natural resources and reducing the carbon footprint unlike traditional detergents production. 2. As traditional detergents contain harmful chemicals which are hazardous to human health, providing alternative product offerings which are non-toxic and safe for use is one advantage Tekcycle can boast of. 3. By purchasing pineapple spoilage from smallholder pineapple farmers, Tekcycle is supporting our communities and contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector. In doing so, we are also creating sustainable livelihoods and promoting economic development in pineapple farming communities. The youth in these communities are also enticed into agriculture enabling them to earn a decent income and reduce the unemployment rate in the country.

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

Our targeted beneficiaries encompass several stakeholders. They include: 1.Rural and urban households 2.Hospitality industry 3.The Environment 4.Smallholder pineapple farmers and the Agricultural community 5.General populace

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-02-16

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

4

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

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

1.Mr. Emmanuel Dogbey -Production and Technical Lead -Master's in Project Management -Analytical researcher with expertise in detergent products -ALX and Agile certified software engineer and project manager. -Programmer(Python, R) -Skilled in Risk Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Negotiations. -Honest, good leader, committed, hardworking, able to focus on quality and work under pressure. 2. Mr. Derrick Antwi -Finance and Quality Assurance Lead -Bachelor in Education -Experience in Sales in business - Poultry farmer with over 5 years experience -Private school tutor -Expert in Administrative work -Trustworthy, proactive, excellent communicator and Team-oriented. 3. Ms. Najat Mohammed -Business Lead -Diploma in Business Administration -Mobilization officer of the Office of the President of the AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurship Federation. -Good communicator, proficient in administrative management and owner of Najwad Spices.

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

https://linktr.ee/TekCycleGH

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

As a business, Tekcycle Ghana Limited contributes to the No Poverty goal through: 1. Economic opportunities creation where the market for pineapple resources that may have otherwise been discarded, generate additional income for smallholder pineapple farmers, and support livelihoods in the agricultural sector. 2. Creation of jobs for the youth within the pineapple farming communities as we grow and expand our operations in the supply chain stages, which will help alleviate poverty and improve their economic well-being. 3. By promoting responsible consumption and production through eco-friendliness, we are raising awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship as we encourage more individuals and communities to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. This contributes to poverty reduction as there is less strain on natural resources. 4. We also contribute to the circular economy and reduce waste, creating long-term economic stability and resilience in the agricultural sector.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

4

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

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

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

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

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

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

Here is how Tekcycle supports the Decent work and Economic growth goal. 1. Through the transformation of pineapple spoilage into valuable and affordable cleaning products, we are tapping into a previously untapped resource, thereby creating economic value as we reduce waste. This promotes a circular economy and reduces the strain on traditional resources. 2. As our mission is to revolutionize the detergents industry through recycling, it demonstrates our commitment to innovation and industry development. By introducing eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products, we are challenging conventional practices and encouraging the adoption of sustainable alternatives withing the detergents industry. 3. By establishing ourselves as an agricultural startup that recycles pineapple spoilage into affordable cleaning products, we create employment opportunities through the processes of pineapple waste collection, production and sales. 4. Fostering a sustainable value chain by partnerships.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

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

4

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

1. We encourage resource efficiency as utilizing pineapple spoilage instead of relying solely on traditional resources reduces the demand for new resources and maximizes the use of existing resources, contributing to responsible consumption. 2. Our focus on eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products reflects our commitment to sustainable product design. As we create an alternative for traditional cleaning detergents that ofter contain harmful chemicals, we are promoting responsible consumption through offering products that are safer for both consumers and the environment. 3. One role Tekcycle plays is raising awareness about responsible consumption and production by educating our consumers about the environmental impact of conventional detergents and the benefits of eco-friendly alternatives such as our Pine-Up products leading to more sustainable choices and promoting a shift towards new patterns by the consumers. 4. Transformation of pineapple waste into valuable products.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Our business contributes to Climate Action through: 1. We reduce the reliance on harmful chemicals found in traditional detergents which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions by recycling pineapple spoilage into eco-friendly cleaning detergents. 2. We contribute to climate action at the consumer level as we educate them about the benefits of eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives which helps them make informed decisions and promotes a shift towards more sustainable patterns. 3. Instead of allowing discarded pineapple spoilage to further decompose and release methane(a potent greenhouse gas), we transform it into biodegradable detergents which promises a circular economy by reducing waste generation and maximizes resource efficiency. 4. We undertake sustainable sourcing procedures reducing the demand for new resources and preserves natural ecosystems, contributing to continued climate resilience.

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

3

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our product offerings are distinct and innovative from existing market offerings. As we offer a unique value proposition, we differentiate ourselves from competitors to potentially disrupt the detergents industry. We have plans to leverage innovative technologies in our production and packaging processes which will enhance our performance, sustainability and efficiency of our cleaning products. Our products are an advantage over existing cleaning detergents on the market as we address customer pain points with regards to affordability and skincare and provide additional beneficial features with high performance cleaning abilitity. There is already a market for traditional detergents so there is potential demand and market opportunity for our eco-friendly cleaning products which will aid us in capturing a 5% potion of the African detergents market share in the next five years, hopefully.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Tekcycle Ghana Limited has quite a number of competitors on the Ghanaian market such as Sunlight detergents, Madar detergents and Saba detergents which have good cleaning abilities but we stand out due to the presence of the enzyme bromalene, which prioritizes the skincare of the user and has been proven to have a very powerful cleaning ability, actively working in our products and the fact that we source our raw materials locally, thereby increasing our affordability and sustainability standing.

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

I have noticed in my community of the Deaf that entrepreneurship is a rather strenuous goal for them to achieve. However, with my foray into entrepreneurship and growing success rate, a lot of my deaf acquaintances are beginning to develop interest in the field and it does my heart good to see how my journey as an entrepreneur is inspiring and motivating them to step out of their comfort zones and achieve great things.