Zimbabwe - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Simply Chopped is revolutionizing Zimbabwean kitchens with pre-chopped, high-quality organic vegetables. Our commitment? Convenience without compromising on healthy eating. Simply Chopped offers scalability and a solution for time-strapped home cooks.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Simply Chopped provides perfectly pre-cut veggies that make meal prep fast and easy saving time for working Zimbabweans to spend with family. Our fresh or flash-frozen, nutrient-rich cuts of local produce are ready to Cook in moments. Busy professionals can now prioritize health without tedious chopping. Hoteliers and caterers experience doubled turnover with Simply Chopped—no labor spent on preparation means maximized profits over a short time. Our chopped veggies streamline commercial kitchens, freeing funds to hire more staff and source top-quality, local goods. Self-catering businesses serve restaurant quality meals effortlessly to satisfied guests. The global Zimbabwean diaspora also boosts our mission, ordering boxes of these for relatives back home through our online store. By supporting over 50 small-scale farmers through purchase agreements, we strengthen rural economies food security and promote sustainable agriculture.

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

In many Zimbabwean households, the challenge of putting healthy home-cooked meals on the table has become overwhelming. Between long work hours, traffic commutes, caring for children and other daily responsibilities, precious few minutes remain each evening to shop for groceries and prepare dinner from scratch. As a result, quick but highly processed options have increasingly replaced home cooking due to their convenience. However, these convenience foods often lack the nutritional value of homemade options prepared from fresh, local ingredients. At the same time, small-scale farmers struggle to earn a stable living amid economic instability. Simply Chopped addresses the root cause of these interconnected issues - the lack of time available each day for meal planning and prep. By carefully pre-chopping an array of seasonal, locally-sourced fruits and vegetables then flash freezing them, we remove the biggest barrier preventing families from enjoying regular home-made meals

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

Here are the key ways Simply Chopped's business model benefits both consumers and Farmers - Saves time spent shopping, transporting and chopping ingredients, promoting health and maximizing profits for commercial customers. - Provides easy access to fresh, local produce even when schedules are busy - Provides training support to improve harvest quality and yields - Facilitates access to larger future distributor markets - Promotes food security and rural jobs through sustainable agriculture By acting as an aggregator and value-adder, Simply Chopped benefits consumers through convenience while offering farmers profitability and market access. Both sides gain in a symbiotic, community-centered approach that strengthens Zimbabwe’s food system overall. With growth, this ‘win-win’ model can be scaled to transform food industries nationally.

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

The key targeted beneficiaries of Simply Chopped's business model are: - Busy households - Families and individuals with limited time to shop for and prepare meals from scratch due to long work hours, commutes, childcare responsibilities etc. - Working professionals - People with sedentary jobs and tight schedules who want nutritious home cooking but lack ingredients/time on weeknights. - Smallholder farmers - Rural agricultural producers who need reliable markets and better prices for their crops to earn a stable living. - Commercial businesses - Hotels, restaurants, catering companies, etc. that require a steady supply of pre-processed vegetables to reduce food costs and improve kitchen efficiency. - Self-catering properties - Homestays, guesthouses, lodges that cater to tourists expecting restaurant-quality meals without the work. - Rural communities - Towns and villages benefiting from increased economic opportunities and stability through sustainable agriculture.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-04-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

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.)

There are no other owners in this startup

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

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557127836998&mibextid=ZbWKwL https://take.app/simplychopped

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

- By partnering with over 20 smallholder farmers and providing training support, it helps improve agricultural yields and incomes for rural communities. - By paying a premium above market rates for produce, farm incomes are increased which boosts overall livelihoods and pulls more households out of poverty. - As the business scales up, it aims to develop new outgrower partnerships that will generate even more agricultural jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas. - By facilitating entry into larger wholesale/export markets, farmer profitability is further optimized on a sustainable basis over the long run. - Its nutrition education efforts can improve health status and productivity of people living in poverty. In multiple ways, Simply Chopped directly and indirectly reduces poverty through inclusive value chain development and livelihood support for vulnerable smallholder farmers.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

By partnering with over 20 small-scale farmers and developing a reliable market infrastructure, Simply Chopped directly contributes to improved food security for rural households. Through fair purchase agreements and above-market pricing, incomes are increased allowing greater access to nutritious foods even in times of crisis. By offering pre-processing services, more of each harvest can be preserved via flash freezing, minimizing post-harvest losses. As the company expands its network of outgrowers, agricultural employment in the local food system will rise. When sustainably scaled, this model can enhance national self-sufficiency in vegetable production year-round. Importantly, farming best practices shared with communities strengthen climate change resilience of food sources into the future. Produce distributions also supplement vulnerable groups, while nutrition education empowers family diets.

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

By supplying fresh, local fruits and vegetables highly convenient to incorporate into daily meals, Simply Chopped directly improves population diets in Zimbabwe. Our flash frozen cuts of nutrient-dense local produce provide year-round micronutrient security otherwise absent for many households Through educational initiatives, we promote indigenous vegetable varieties and home cooking techniques. This empowerment counters obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases linked to processed food dependence. For commercial partners, the model supports job retention in healthy foodservice by maximizing efficiency. For farmers, higher incomes relieve health-harming stressors like poverty and financial insecurity. Overall, Simply Chopped has a far-reaching potential to uphold SDG 3 by sustainably reconnecting communities to wholesome, accessible nutrition.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

1. Vocational training programs for farmers: Provides skills development in sustainable agronomy, financial management, quality standards, post-harvest techniques etc. to increase knowledge and yields. 2. Nutrition education initiatives: Partners with small catering companies to deliver cooking lessons and curriculum on the health benefits of traditional, underutilized local superfoods to promote lifelong wellness. 3. Scholarship opportunities: Supports education access by sponsoring students from rural agricultural families, especially girls, to reduce drop-out rates and boost socioeconomic mobility. By integrating education into its model, Simply Chopped aims to not just alleviate poverty but equip communities with the information, capabilities and opportunities required to sustain development progress for generations to come according to SDG 4.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Simply Chopped actively promotes women's empowerment and leadership in the agricultural sector. Many of its smallholder farmers are female heads-of-household who benefit directly from production training, access to markets and fair incomes. The company prioritizes sponsorship of girls' secondary education to address gender gaps. We also host workshops teaching business and financial skills, encouraging female entrepreneurs to thrive. Through networking events, women gain equal representation in cooperatives. The empowerment model changes traditional social norms by showing rural women's essential roles in economic development and food security. As women prosper, entire families and communities uplift as their potential is realized. Simply Chopped's gender-sensitive approach recognizes that sustainable development requires equality, creating a ripple effect of positive change aligned perfectly with SDG 5.

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

While access to clean water may not seem directly related to Simply Chopped's food business, there are meaningful indirect linkages. By supporting improved farming practices and crop diversification training, the company helps reduce agricultural runoff pollution that contaminates watersheds over time. Increased household incomes also allow greater investment in sanitary infrastructure at home. Furthermore, Simply Chopped in collaboration with its sister company, EcoVision has trained small-holder farmers on water harvesting systems to capture rainfall for non-potable uses like irrigation and cleaning. The company also advocates for sustainable well drilling and maintenance to ensure dependable supplies. As the company strengthens food security and economic resilience in rural areas facing water challenges, less migration to overcrowded cities occurs, easing their water and waste management burdens in urban areas.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

While Simply Chopped's core operations currently rely on grid electricity, we are making strides to adopt renewable options in line with SDG 7. Our plan is to install solar panels at our processing facility and to provide backup power and reduce emissions. Investments will be made in energy-efficient freezers and equipment too. The company is exploring partnerships to develop an integrated bioenergy system, using agricultural byproducts to fuel operations and put clean cooking solutions in a few homes as a CSR strategy. We advocate for Rural Electrification Agencies to expand clean power access so farmers can participate in value chains without generating indoor pollutants. Simply Chopped will lead by example through our clean technology investments and partnerships to avail affordable alternatives supporting Zimbabwe's energy and climate goals.

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

1. Job creation - Through partnerships with over 20 smallholder farms to date, opportunities for stable rural employment have increased. As the cooperative scales, hundreds more farming and processing positions will be generated. 2. Skills development - The model invests in ongoing vocational training to boost participants' productivity and earnings long-term. This includes financial management, agronomy and value addition skills. 3. Entrepreneurship support -In partnership with some Local NGOs, Simply Chopped is involved in programmes to empower small businesses through cooperative structures and workshops teaching business planning, branding and access to new markets. Youth are actively engaged in these programs. By developing an inclusive value chain approach centered on agriculture-based livelihoods, Simply Chopped advances inclusive and sustainable economic activity for marginalized communities in Zimbabwe according to SDG 8.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Simply Chopped wishes to establish critical physical infrastructure like Boreholes to be used in farming and Solar Driers for its future plans of exporting dried foods. These water systems and processing facilities in rural areas will strengthen agricultural productivity and market participation. The company will invest in innovative technologies like solar, eco-friendly packaging and precise sensor-based equipment to drive resource efficiency.Altogether, Simply Chopped will catalyze inclusive, sustainable industrialization through strategic infrastructure projects and a foundation of technology, skills and institutional partnerships aligned with SDG 9.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Simply Chopped works strategically to promote equitable opportunities across dimensions of inequality. Its farming partnerships prioritize vulnerable groups like female-headed households, youth and indigenous communities to strengthen livelihood security. By paying fair wages above market rates and investing in human capital development, incomes are lifted and intergenerational poverty broken. Local hiring and supplier programs mitigate inequality between urban and rural areas.Through cooperatives, marginalized groups gain representation and leadership roles previously denied.By design, the inclusive business model of Simply Chopped systematically addresses the underlying causes of disparity aligned with SDG 10.

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

By strengthening rural food systems and economies, Simply Chopped helps slow unsafe urban migration due to lack of opportunities. By setting up processing facilities and partnerships in peri-urban and small town areas we will contribute in decentralizing development. This will stimulate equitable growth of integrated communities with access to jobs, fresh foods and infrastructure. Through skills training and cooperatives, more inclusive public participation and civic engagement is fostered locally. By improving agriculture-based livelihood resilience, the pressures of insecure housing, overcrowding and environmental burdens facing cities are partly alleviated. The sustainable model advocated respects ecological limits and indigenous knowledge - bolstering cultural heritage for future generations according to SDG 11. Overall, Simply Chopped aims to strategically promote balanced territorial development centered on people and the planet.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Simply Chopped embeds circular economy principles throughout its operations. By procuring from local smallholder farmers using natural methods, we shorten supply chains and minimizes food miles/emissions. Through partnerships and education, sustainable cultivation practices regenerating soil health are championed. At facilities, green infrastructure like solar and efficient machinery will be installed to reduce environmental footprint. Composting will also convert byproducts into valuable inputs like biomass to further promote our green production agenda. Our Packaging utilizes recycled/biodegradable materials to minimize waste which we also promote through incentives in the form of discounts to our customers. Simply Chopped exemplifies SDG 12 by advocating consumption and production patterns that are sustainable and inclusive

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Simply Chopped is actively working to mitigate and adapt to climate change through various initiatives. By supporting diversified, regenerative agriculture that sequesters carbon in soil and vegetation matter, we help reduce emissions from conventional practices. Installing solar energy will minimize reliance on fossil fuels. Partnerships on climate-resilient crops and cultivation techniques help farmers cope with rising temperatures and variable rainfall. Education imparted stresses the role smallholder producers can play in mitigating climate change impacts through organic methods. Income stability and food security strengthened by the model in turn builds social resilience to weather extremes. Advocacy and research alliances influence policy and investments prioritizing climate solutions.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

While it is a land-based business, Simply Chopped supports SDG 14 through environmental stewardship. By promoting sustainable farming practices that minimize runoff, the company helps reduce pollution of rivers and lakes harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Agricultural training covers maintaining wetlands and protecting watersheds vital to freshwater biodiversity. Infrastructural investments like harvest water-capture systems benefit both irrigation needs and stream flows. Market linkages established for nutrient-dense indigenous vegetable and fruit varieties grown in Zimbabwe have lowered pressure on overfishing as affordable, land-based protein alternatives. Advocacy encourages basin authorities to safeguard access to small-scale fishers as populations recover. Income stability through the cooperative model also decreases desperation driving illegal fishing in sensitive habitats. Overall, Simply Chopped enhances freshwater conservation through its integrated food systems approach.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

1. Supporting sustainable agriculture practices: By promoting regenerative farming techniques that don't involve deforestation or overuse of chemicals, we support the preservation of biodiversity and soil health. 2. Income diversification through mixed cropping: As farmers are not reliant on single commodity crops, pressure on ecosystems is reduced through more sustainable land-use that incorporates native species. By integrating environmental stewardship into their livelihoods model, Simply Chopped demonstrates how sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems can go hand in hand with improving community resilience, as envisioned in SDG 15 on life on land.

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

Simply Chopped embraces the ethos of partnership and cooperation across sectors to achieve sustainable development. Through collaborative research projects with educational institutions and NGOs, innovative solutions are found to pressing issues such as climate change, food loss and socioeconomic barriers. By forming multi-stakeholder groups together with farmers unions, government and private suppliers, policy advocacy is strengthened and community-led programs coordinated. Cross-border knowledge exchanges further catalyze SDG progress through South-South learning networks. Social enterprises in their network invest in one another's success through shared services. Overall, our inclusive, participatory model exemplifies how aligning partnerships around shared goals can maximize strengths and resources for maximum impact on people and the planet.

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

2

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.

4

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.

3

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.

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

Simply Chopped has identified a substantial unmet need for convenience within the healthy food space in Zimbabwe. As busy lifestyles persist, our pre-prepped veggies fill an important gap between fresh markets and processed snacks. By offering chopped vegetables with extended ambient shelf lives through chilling or freezing, we bend to consumer demand for quick, nutritious grab-and-go meals. No competitors currently serve this health-focused convenience segment at scale. Moreover, our focus on both individual and commercial clients like hotels and catering broadens our versatile customer reach. Few local agriculture businesses meaningfully engage the Zimbabwean diaspora market as we do either. Our unique supply chain coordination and sustainable packaging incentives also sets us apart environmentally. Our first-mover advantage within a market ripe for convenience positions us for superior growth by meeting unmet consumer and business needs for healthy solutions in a growing economy.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

- Other food processing companies that chop or package vegetables: If any enter the market offering pre-cut, packaged veggies. - Fresh food delivery services: Companies that deliver freshly harvested produce boxes could compete for customers wanting convenient fruits and veggies. - Grocery store salad/veggie bar sections: Places like supermarkets that sell pre-cut vegetables, though not with as a long shelf life. - Frozen food companies: Brands selling frozen chopped or whole vegetables could compete for the longer shelf life segment.

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

As the founder of Simply Chopped, I recognize the challenges many female farmers face in securing loans from traditional lenders. With less access to capital than their male counterparts, it is harder for women to scale operations. To help address this issue, I established a microfinance program that provides small, low-interest loans directly to female suppliers. This allows them to purchase improved seeds and tools that boost productivity and quality for a long-term buyer like Simply Chopped. In turn, a steady source of income helps the farmers repay loans on time to qualify for larger amounts over time. My leadership inspires other female entrepreneurs to pursue their agricultural dreams. The economic empowerment helps lift entire communities by keeping income within them. It also shows other businesses the value of inclusive, gender-sensitive support for a multiplier impact.