Cameroon - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Making healthy eating fun, accessible and affordable all while transforming public health and empowering the female economy in West & Central Africa!

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Yummy Greens is a virtual healthy food restaurant operating in Yaounde, Cameroon, aimed at empowering the female economy and enhancing public health through nutrition. We deliver nutritious, chef-crafted meals (salads, wraps, bowls, juices, smoothies) directly to customers. Our business supports local female farmers by sourcing raw materials and employs 90% women, offering training and development opportunities. We contribute to sustainable development goals related to health, economic growth, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.

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

In major African cities, escalating health issues like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are worsened by limited access to affordable and healthy food options. Traditional meals often lack healthy preparation methods, the widely available current fast food options are also unhealthy and international cuisines are prohibitively expensive. Yummy Greens addresses this gap by offering convenient, health-conscious meal options during peak lunch hours for busy professionals and students.

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

Health Impact: Meals are nutritionally optimized, providing a healthier alternative to traditional fast food and street food. Convenience: Utilizing a ghost kitchen and delivery model similar to Uber Eats, we ensure fast and reliable service directly to the customer's location. Community and Economic Empowerment: We support local female farmers and offer employment and training to women, fostering community development and economic empowerment.

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

Yummy Greens targets middle to upper-income, urban, health-conscious professionals, students, and families in Yaounde & Douala Cameroon. Our service caters to those who value nutritious, fresh, and convenient meal options, aiming to enhance their daily productivity and health without compromising on taste or time.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-08-30

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?

1

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

N/A

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

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

Yummy Greens contributes to the No Poverty goal by economically empowering female farmers and women in the workforce. We source our raw materials directly from local women-owned farms, ensuring a steady income and economic stability for them. This initiative helps lift these women and their families out of poverty by providing them with consistent business and growth opportunities.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Our startup addresses Zero Hunger by providing nutritious and affordable meals to urban populations in Cameroon. By making healthy food more accessible and promoting balanced diets, we help combat hunger and malnutrition.

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

Yummy Greens promotes Good Health and Well-Being through our health-oriented meal offerings. Our menu is designed by nutritionists to provide balanced, clean, and wholesome meals that contribute to the overall health and well-being of our customers, helping prevent diet-related ailments.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We support Gender Equality by prioritizing the hiring and training of women in our operations, from kitchen staff to management roles. Our business model supports female farmers, providing them with fair trade opportunities, which empowers them economically and promotes gender equality in the agricultural sector.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Yummy Greens fosters Decent Work and Economic Growth by creating job opportunities with fair wages and conditions. We invest in employee training and development, particularly for women, which contributes to economic growth while ensuring decent work standards.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our startup contributes to Reduced Inequalities by ensuring our services and employment opportunities are accessible to various socio-economic groups, particularly focusing on women and underrepresented communities in both urban and rural areas in Cameroon.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

Yummy Greens aligns with Responsible Consumption and Production by utilizing a ghost kitchen model that reduces waste and energy consumption. We promote sustainable sourcing by buying directly from local, small-scale female farmers, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. We also encourage customers to recycle their bowls for re-use.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We contribute to Climate Action by minimizing our carbon footprint through efficient delivery routes and using eco-friendly packaging. Our sourcing strategy supports sustainable farming practices that reduce environmental impact, helping combat climate change and its effects.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

N/A

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

2

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

2

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

N/A

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.

4

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

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.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Yummy Greens offers an innovative improvement to existing food delivery services by combining the convenience of on-demand access with healthy, locally-sourced meals that meet the dietary needs of urban, health-conscious consumers. While not a new technology or completely new product type, it stands out by effectively addressing unmet needs for nutritious, affordable, and quick food options in African cities. We extend existing service ranges by incorporating fresh ingredients directly from local female farmers, supporting regional employment and sustainability, and creating a socially impactful business model that significantly exceeds the standard food delivery service.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are organic boutiques and other food delivery services in Cameroon. We also face indirect competition from fast food chains, supermarkets, cafes, and full-service restaurants. What distinguishes Yummy Greens is our commitment to health, quality, and social impact. We focus exclusively on offering nutritious, chef-crafted meals prepared from locally-sourced ingredients, supporting female farmers and promoting sustainability. Our innovative use of a ghost kitchen and a mobile app for convenient ordering and fast delivery enhances our efficiency and customer satisfaction. These aspects, combined with our dedication to creating economic opportunities for women and maintaining environmentally friendly practices, set us apart in the fast-casual food segment, especially in a market with growing health consciousness.

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

Yummy Greens actively promotes the role of female entrepreneurs within the community by sourcing its ingredients directly from local female farmers. This initiative not only supports these women economically by providing them with steady business and fair trade opportunities but also empowers them by integrating them into the supply chain of a growing health-focused business. Additionally, Yummy Greens employs and trains women in various aspects of its operations, from kitchen staff to managerial roles, offering them career advancement opportunities in a sector that significantly impacts public health and local economies. Through these actions, Yummy Greens fosters an environment of economic empowerment and professional growth for women, contributing significantly to their development as entrepreneurs and leaders in the community.