Ghana - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

MUSHPLUS adds value to nutritious but underutilized food commodities (such as oyster mushrooms). We produce mushroom-fortified (protein-rich) instant noodles and Protein-Care (mushroom-soya mix) to help curb protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in children.

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a health burden in Africa. As a silent killer, it leads to 2-in-100 under-five deaths in Ghana, according to the WHO 2022 report. Our market research and stakeholder engagement indicated that PEM is prevalent among children in both rural and urban communities in Ghana.  Therefore, MUSHPLUS envisioned boosting the protein content of the most consumed foods in these two geographical areas to meet the dietary needs of these two categories of children. We produce mushroom-soya mix (Protein-Care), which is ready-to-eat and can also be used as a protein supplement to enrich breakfast meals like porridge and others. This is focused on but not limited to children in rural communities. We also have mushroom-fortified (protein-rich) instant noodles, focused on but not limited to children in urban communities.

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

MUSHPLUS provides a solution to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) through our innovative food products. The FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO report on The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World in 2023 indicates that the world is far “off track” to achieve nutrition security by 2030. With specific mention of the situation in our continent, 281.6 million people are undernourished in Africa, most of whom are children. Despite several efforts made, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) remains a burden for the continent, and many children suffer from it. According to a 2022 World Health Organization report, PEM contributes to 45% of under-five deaths in Africa. The sad part of the problem is that children with PEM are more susceptible to infections, developmental delays, and chronic health problems. PEM becomes an important issue to tackle, especially when children keep consuming foods that are low in protein and fiber.

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).

1) From the nutritional analysis conducted at the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), our MUSHPLUS protein-care product has 15% more protein than its major competitor (Kokoplus). The MUSHPLUS instant noodle has 30% more protein and 60% more fiber than its major competitor (indomie). 2) Our products are categorized as instant foods that require a few minutes to prepare and eat. 3) Oyster mushroom is our magic ingredient, and its cultivation has become a source of livelihood for over 1,600 smallholder farmers in Ghana. The high perishable nature of the mushroom causes local farmers to lose 80% of their mushrooms when they do not get buyers within two days. So, patronizing our innovative products enables us to buy more mushrooms from these local farmers to contribute to their economic growth, raise their standard of living, and also help avoid the postharvest loss of their mushrooms due to a lack of ready market.

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

Our primary consumers are children (with their parents/guardians as our customers). Our secondary customers are health-conscious people, students, vegetarians, corporate workers, and instant noodle vendors.

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

01/05/2023

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 ?

3

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

2

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

1) Abigail Sume is serving as the sustainable production lead for MUSHPLUS She has two years of experience in mushroom farming and is also pursuing a BSc. in Agriculture at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Ghana. 2) Emmanuella Aryee is serving as the marketing and finance lead for MUSHPLUS. She has three years of working experience in business management and is also pursuing a BSc in business administration at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Ghana. 3) Isaac Assumang is serving as the research and development lead for MUSHPLUS. He has 3 years of experience in research design and implementation and is pursuing an MPhil. in Food Science and Technology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Ghana.

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://youtu.be/apRdl11MMS4?si=ar9zQDOid7glG2Wf

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

Produits de base (aliments, boissons, produits ménagers et personnels)

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

In the next 3 years, MUSHPLUS seeks to create employment for 30 production workers, 50 distributors, and 1,620 instant noodle vendors (of which 95% are women)

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

By using innovation to diversify underutilized food commodities (Oyster Mushrooms), MUSHPLUS ensures that food is accessible, safe, and meets the dietary needs of our target consumers. (Particularly children and people in special need)

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

MUSHPLUS produces ready-to-eat and nutritious foods that serve as a good source of protein, intending to combat protein-energy malnutrition among children.

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

3

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

As part of the company statutes, 95% of our indirect jobs (instant noodle vendors) will include women. This will maximize the economic capabilities of these women and make them relevant in various communities.

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

2

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

2

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

Our production capacity requires a huge amount of oyster mushrooms and soya beans, providing a ready market for smallholder farmers and increasing their daily sales.

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

6

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

MUSHPLUS is into the industrial application of oyster mushrooms in food product diversification to curb protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). We hope to become the leading contributor to Ghana's food industrial economy.

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

4

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

2

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

4

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

MUSHPLUS is helping to curb the postharvest loss of oyster mushrooms, which is a highly perishable commodity. The more we buy from mushroom farmers, the more they recycle organic waste into a substrate for their cultivation. This reduces carbon footprint, protects the climate, and contributes greatly to planetary health.

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

2

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

1 -pas du tout d'accord

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

2

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

We believe in system thinking, so we are working closely with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), Mushroom Growers, and Exporters Association of Ghana (MUGREAG), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and REECO PACK to succeed in our journey of impact.

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

6

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

3

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

3

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

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

6

06.08 Justification

1) Instant noodles are already in existence globally,, but we have developed a more nutritious variant (higher in protein, fiber, and minerals (like zinc, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) through the incorporation of oyster mushrooms. 2) There are protein supplements for breakfast meals like Kokoplus, milk, etc., but we have been able to produce a more affordable but highly proteinaceous alternative from local food materials like soybeans and oyster mushrooms to meet the daily protein requirement of the ever-growing population, especially in the rural communities of Ghana and beyond.

06.09 Analyse compétitive

1) From the nutritional analysis conducted at the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), our MUSHPLUS protein-care product has 15% more protein than its major competitor (Kokoplus). The MUSHPLUS instant noodle has 30% more protein and 60% more fiber than its major competitor (indomie). 2) Our products have local raw materials incorporated (oyster mushrooms) unlike our main competitor (indomie) that depends highly on imported wheat flour. 3) Our instant noodle contains no controversial additives like monosodium glutamate (which has health implications after continuous consumption) 4) Our products are in biodegradable (environmentally friendly) paper packages, unlike our competitors, who use plastic pouches for packaging.

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

On January 13 and 14, 2024, I organized soap production and entrepreneurship training for over 60 women in my rural community called Tepa-Mabang in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Kindly check out the evidence via: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anokye-joseph-the-innovator_africandevelopment-youth-impact-activity-7156609852042051584-ASgR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios