Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

Fibertext upcycles non fruity parts of banana into biodegradable packaging and liquid fertilizer.

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

Fibertext upcycles non-fruity parts of the banana into biodegradable packaging and liquid fertilizer. Fibertext is committed to making a significant contribution to environmental initiatives. The business does this through the production of alternative sustainable packaging, with banana fiber being the basic raw material. Through this the company makes an active contribution to the conservation of natural resources and applies circular economy principles to minimize waste. Like many green businesses which are often local businesses, the company sources and supplies goods and services within the local community. Therefore, Fibertext Enterprises Ltd creates supplementary income for local, small scale farmers as well as jobs for those working in the supply chain. This proximity further amplifies the reduction of their carbon emissions while still supporting the surrounding community.

01.02 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

The current problem we are solving currently is lack of sustainable packaging, the available packaging is from plastic and wood-based alternative making them not sustainable. The available biodegradable packaging is imported making them expensive and unavailable to most of the users. Wood based alternative contribute to the deforestation which is one of the major cause of global warning. For every ton of banana produced, four times biomass is normally created. This biomass is in most cases is dumped on the road or burned due to lack of awareness and waste management technology which in turn releases methane gas which is one of the GHC gas.

01.03 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service fourni par votre startup (au moins 3).

Environment-friendly packaging solutions using banana waste biomass, reducing the environmental impact of the paper and packaging industry and improving respiratory health outcomes. For every ton of paper produced we save 17 trees from being cut and reduce GHC emission through the waste. Fibertext sustainable packaging is -Biodegradable -UV, light and solvent resistant. -High tensile strength. The secondary product which is organic liquid fertilizer is good for plans due to its high nutrients from banana sap.

01.04 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adresse le produit/service de votre startup. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

The target customers are profiled as people located in the urban centers, peri urban centers. Demographic  Age – Business that serve a younger trend-oriented clientele. Above 20 years.  Education level & exposure – A clientele that is exposed on climate change and sustainability risks and therefore, have an appreciation for green products.  Income Levels – The end consumer is usually employed or runs a business. Psychographic  (Lifestyle)- retailers serving employed, young professionals living with propensity to spend

01.05 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

28/02/2022

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Oui

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

1

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, etc.).

Edwin wanjala-- Bachelor of commerce-- Finance option The skills he posses include: Accounting skills, communication skills, technical skills, problem solving skills, financial literacy skills, leadership and management skills, and critical thinking skills. He has 10 years experience in finance field.

01.10 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

https://fibertextgreenpaper.co.ke/

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Matériaux (agriculture, pêche, produits chimiques, matériaux de construction, conteneurs et emballages, métaux et mines, papier et produits forestiers)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Our organization is based in the rural part of Kenya which is mostly associated with poverty. Majority of the population are women who are peasant farmers. Through the circular economy principle Fibertext apply, farmers are able to earn more from the sell of banana waste after selling their fruit thus earning more income.

02.02.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

The organic liquid fertilizer we produce as our secondary fertilizer is a good foliar for our crops, encouraging crops to grow in a health way thus food for everyone. Additionally, we train and encourage our farmers to plant and grow bananas in that case we have enough raw material and enough food thus fighting hunger.

02.03.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

5

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

I believe we ensure well being of our farmers through additional income they get by the sell of waste relieves them from life expenses thus less stress.

02.04.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

5

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Through the program we conduct about how well we can grow our bananas. We also offer training to our employees before the work.

02.05.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

The majority of the top management are women Women own 80% of the shares of the company. 3/4 of the employees are females

02.06.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

4

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Providing clean water to employees while working.

02.07.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We do use briquettes for our heating during delignification process. The briquettes are made from the waste which remains during fiber extractions.

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

At Fibertext we provide decent jobs to all regardless of the religion, gender and race. We provide skills to unskilled before work.

02.09.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Sustainability and innovation are key to us. We are ever researching and innovating to find an effective way of working out or producing.

02.10.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Women have equal opportunities at Fibertext

02.11.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

5

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Through ensuring plastic free environment.

02.12.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

In our production we apply circular economy principle. We create value from waste, {banana waste}, optimizing input, maximizing utility and increasing durability. Our product that we do produce are durable, reusable and recyclable.

02.13.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

For every ton of the packaging we do produce, 17 mature trees are saved. We reduce GHC emissions.

02.14.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

5

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Through our sustainable packaging we reduce the use of plastics which in most cases end up in the seas and oceans

02.15.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

For every ton of the packaging we do produce, 17 mature trees are saved which is a habitat to many animals and insects.

02.16.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

4

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Fibertext has partnership with various organization.

06.01 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

5

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

6

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

4

06.06 Notre produit/service répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

06.08 Justification

Yes, there are similar product which our customers are using which includes plastic and wood based alternative packaging. With the current trends and knowledge about climate change people are shifting towards sustainable packaging which are majorly imported making them expensive and unavailable.

06.09 Analyse compétitive

The main differentiator of the company’s product is the green aspect making it biodegradable and safe for the environment. The bags produced by the company are primarily used for secondary packaging. The main competitors are therefore: -Sellers of plastic bags: despite the standing ban by the government for the use of plastic packaging for secondary packaging there exists a thriving black market for the same. -Traditional sisal woven bags (Kiondo): bags which many consumers migrated to after the ban of plastic bags. The market is majorly informal and spread throughout the country. The price point also tends to be significantly higher than alternatives. - Brown sugar bags for food vendors: This competitor group mainly targets the market for the small sized bags which are mainly used by food vendors. The competitive advantage for Fibertext being that their bags and naturally much heavier and therefore, heat resistant.

11.05 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes entrepreneurs ?

Yes. Leading by example. Encouraging women to take up management position.