Executive Summary

Preserving and consuming for good

Shotej is an easily portable, solar powered, micro climate storage chamber that extends the shelf life
of fruits and vegetables in a cost-effective way.

Chosen Category: Environmental Challenge

 SCHRODINGER’S CATS

Md. Farhan Mashuk Aminul Islam Rahat Farhad Ebna Afjal

IBA, University of Rajshahi IBA, University of Rajshahi IBA, University of Rajshahi

Startup base: Jessore & Rajshahi

 Wasted vegetables in Vegetable demand of UK
Bangladesh [11.75 million tons] [10.8 million tons]

975,250 tons of Methane 83.87 million tons of CO2

Source
Problem

Wastage Wastage Wastage

Grower Wholesaler Retailer Customers
16.1% 8.6% 7%

Similar to most developing countries, in Bangladesh, food wastage is most prevalent

near production level. Key reasons being- lack of cold storage facilities and proper
preservation methods
Source
Need Analysis What’s stopping them from accessing to
proper preservation systems?
The Gap

Preservation Inaccessible
cold storage
[7-10 Days] – Usually located in a distant places
Harvest High market rate – Short-term rental is costly

Farmers need a preservation system for the Inapt

short window refrigeration
– No stable electricity source in rural
areas
If there was any preservation system,
– Requires high initial investment &
maintenance cost
75% 25% Improper
Reduced traditional methods
Increased
post-harvest
profit margin – Not compatible for large quantities or
wastage
harsh environmental conditions
Source
Product-Market Fit

We conducted a survey in Jessore and “Yes, this a significant issue

Rajshahi with 30 vegetables and fruit we farmers face every time
producers. when we harvest our crops”

- Tajul Miah (39), Jessore

90%
of them agreed to the problem being very
serious

50%
showed interest in having a solution like Shotej
“That would be lovely if we
get our hands on such a
solution”

- Korim Uddin (30), Rajshahi

 Our Solution
Key Features

Portable
Solar Powered
Easily assemble
Runs off the grid
anywhere

A solar-powered, miniature preservation system that

helps extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. It is
affordable, easily transportable and can be
assembled onto any appropriate surface or mode of
transportation.

Shotej allows farmers and kitchen market retailers in Low Cost Preserve up to 1000 kg
remote and rural areas to preserve their goods longer
Runs on green energy, Maximum freshness
while reducing the cost & food wastage and boost
their income.
zero maintenance up to 30 days
 Our Solution
Prototype How to Use Shotej?

01
Set up the tent and attach the
climate unit to the solar panel

02
Place perishable fruits and
vegetables inside and seal the tent

Solar panel Micro climate device Tent- (1.5*1.5*1)m

+ Battery (Sterilized high humidity creator) (Reflects sunlight, heat,

backup
contamination)
03
Reduce waste by storing longer
and maximizing profits
 How Shotej Works?

In Normal Conditions, Using Shotej,

Day 1 Day 7 Day 1 Day 7

Fresh cabbage Rotten Fresh cabbage Cabbage after weeks

Result: Only 2% weight loss.

Result: 40% water loss
Freshness and food value preserved

Fruits and vegetables are exposed to high Shotej creates a sterilized microclimate inside the
temperature from the moment they are tent that delays the food ripening and browning
harvested. It results in significant increase in the process thus increasing the shelf life of fruits and
ripening process and weight loss vegetables
Market Segmentation

Primary target group

Vegetable and fruit producers in rural 16.5 m

areas. Situated far away from local Farmers in Bangladesh
distribution points with unconventional
transportation facilities. And has no
easy access to cold storages.
1.7m (est.)
Minimum production quantity per Vegetable farmers
harvest: 250 kg

Secondary target group 150,000

Shotej targets
– Kitchen market retailers
– Retailers selling perishable goods
from mountable carts
Source
Initial Operation
Baneshwar Union

Operational Plan

Select major production hubs and prospective

kitchen markets

Affiliate with local organizations (UP, DAE, NGO, BADC)

Hoibotpur Union
Appoint & train representatives

Sell & provide post-sales service

Rationale
– Large vegetable and fruit production hubs
– 1000+ vegetable farmers
Operation
Sales Strategy

Direct sales to the farmers through local

sales representatives.

Affiliation with Bangladesh Krishi Bank to

introduce installment payment facilities
enabling Shotej to transfer financial risk.

Marketing Channels
– Sales representatives
– Word of mouth (special offers and
services)
– Strategic marketing (Agro. organization
& stores, mosque)
– Poster and banner placement
 Required Affiliation

& Union Councils

Seeking communication Offers installment payment
Offers tech support
channel and strategic support facility to buyers
Pricing Strategy 2.50%
4.50% 8%

5% Direct materials
Suppliers
Unit selling price Shipping

10,000 BDT Sales commission

Other variable costs

80%

Cost Per Unit

Gross margin
22% 7,800 BDT
(Cost plus pricing strategy)

Installments available
Farmer can pay through Bangladesh Krishi Bank & RAKUB
Financial Overview
Projected Sales Volume Yearly Expansion
253
5720
4850 174
District
Sales volume 113
2630 Hub
62
1280
10 14
360 2 5 7

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Projected Revenue (BDT)

Year 5 5394000
57200000

Year 4 5622000
48500000 Achieve break even at,

19 units
2280000 Net profit
Year 3 26300000 Revenue

Year 2 552000
12800000
per operation hub
-78000
Year 1 3600000
The Ask

To initiate manufacturing 100 Shotej units and to operate for 24 months in

2 operational hub (pilot phase)

Initial Investment Estimated Revenue Payback Period

9.06 Lakh (24 months)
1.81 years
10 Lakh
BDT
BDT

Seeking affiliation and technological support

Roadmap

Solar power based

Subscription based permanent and large
Expand to Expand to Shotej facilities at storage facilities
10 hubs 50 hubs distribution points

Short-term Mid-term Long-term

Integrate Shotej units Introduce IOT enabled Shotej transportation

into retailers Shotej unit for B2B system and MPS based
carts/vans supply services directly
to the end consumers
 ESG Alignment with BAT
Our Purpose

Reducing net greenhouse

gas emission by diminishing
food wastage, ensuring safe

E S G
and healthy food for
everyone & elevating the
livelihood of the farmers thus
Excellence in Delivering a positive Robust corporate creating A Better Tomorrow
environmental social impact governance
management • Health & safety • Business ethics
• Waste • Farmers livelihood
• Water

Reduce fruits and Uplift the way of living

vegetable waste by for 500,000 farmer
1 million ton by 2030 families by 2035
Impact
1 Shotej unit

Reduced
Reduced food greenhouse gas Improved farmers
wastage emission livelihood
(1000kg per year) (8.3kg Methane or 713.8 Carbon (Income increased by 25%)
di oxide equivalent)
Lean Canvas Model

Problem Solution Unique Value Proposition Unfair Advantage Customer Segment

– Inaccessible & expensive A cost-effective, easily Whereas other options require Self adaptive solution requiring Smallholder farmers & kitchen
storage options for accessible and portable an enormous investment, 24x7 close to zero maintenance market retailers.
perishable vegetables storage option that uninterrupted power supply and minimal operational
and fruits produces. preserves food value and and high operational cost and knowledge.
– Depreciating shelf-life quality of vegetables and maintenance, Shotej requires
forcing to sell at fruits. only a liter of water, runs on a
unfavorable market rates. small 20W solar panel and can
– Increasing greenhouse be assembled on any suitable
gas emission (Methane) means of place or
transportation. Preserve 500kg
vegetables and fruits up to 1-4
weeks.
Existing Alternative Key Metrics High Level Concept Channels Early Adopters

– Cold storage units – Periodic sales A portable, miniature Sell through sales Targeting vegetable and fruit
– Refrigeration and cooling – User satisfaction metrics preservation system. representatives by affiliating farmers in large production hubs with
– Chemical preservatives – Quality assurance with local agricultural unconventional transportation
organizations. facilities.

Cost Structure Revenue Stream

Manufacture, distribution and sales commission Sales revenue from direct sales. Cost plus pricing strategy keeping a 22% net
margin.