Archi
In these Startup Profiles, we talked to the YSI SEA Fellows of the Innovation Programme 2020 and asked them about their startups, challenges and ideas for a more sustainable future.
Archi is converting bio material from coffee ground waste and other agriculture waste to consumer products such as cups, mugs, etc. for F&B and hospitality industries. Archi’s aim is to set a benchmark of innovation in Circular Economy. ☕
Archi is one of the startups in our Innovation Programme 2020. We talked to the YSI SEA Fellows behind Archi: Aneeq and Alex Tran.
.Watch the video below to see them talk about their startup (at 3:31) in greater detail! Scroll down for the rest of the interview.
Aneeq is originally from Pakistan, and has been working in the Philippines on various renewable energy projects. He has a bachelor in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Thermal Energy Engineering.
Aneeq’s passion is to innovate new means for effective utilization of bio-waste. His ambition is to spearhead the campaign for climate change in South East Asia region.
What made you interested in social impact?
In our society, there is a general absence of guidance; there is no framework, there is no physical infrastructure. Due to which, lots of our communities, especially in the developing countries... they may have no sense of how they can utilize their resources, and how they can really transform their societies in a sustainable way. This is something that makes me interested to be part of this change.
Can you share your biggest challenge?
I’ve been through so many different challenges, and I’ve faced challenges being a minority in Pakistan. I’ve faced challenges being a citizen from a country who does not have a good reputation in the world. I’ve faced those challenges being a student in China and in Malaysia. I really want to show the positive aspects of my culture, and I want to show it to all other nations
What lesson would you like to share with aspiring entrepreneurs?
Self-determination. If you really want to do something in your life, you need to be determined. You need to be a focused person.
Alex is a former deal advisory consultant at KPMG and current market consultant at ERAI Asia. Being immersed in the coffee culture in Saigon, Vietnam, this young professional has several years studying in Europe, further exploring the current situation of coffee waste.
Alex is working on making bio material from ground coffee waste, to be turned into cups and bottles for retail use.
What is your idea in one sentence?
The idea is to make consumer products from spent coffee grounds and agricultural waste.
Why did you choose this business or industry?
Spent coffee grounds caught my interest because they have so much potential to be a high profile material for consumer products. To me, social impact value; majority of attention is on eco-friendly products. In the end, what really wins their heart is premium quality, contemporary design and reasonable price. I love this challenge and I want to solve it in a sustainable way.
What is success to you?
Success to me is when I can sleep well, knowing that I’ve done something good that day. Every minor thing counts.
Catch Aneeq, Alex, and the rest of the 23 regional impact entrepreneurs at the YSI SEA Demo Day 2020!
