PAAHTU'S BLOG
We are the winner of the 2024
FRUSH startup competition
PAAHTU: A Place Where Sustainability and Innovation Meet
We won the circular economy startup competition FRUSH in spring 2024
FRUSH served as a real kickstart for our business! After the win, we were absolutely stunned but incredibly grateful that the judges saw potential in Kahviklapi to tackle the challenges posed by the circular economy and climate change. After the competition, we began assembling a team and further developing Kahviklapi into an even more efficient product, so that everyone would have the opportunity to choose an ecological heating option for their fireplace or other heating source!
FRUSH is held annually at Forssa’s Kehräämö. The event features expert talks, panel discussions, and a marketplace where companies and organizations can showcase their activities and services. FRUSH culminates in a startup competition aimed at students.
The startup competition provides a platform for emerging companies and a chance to present future-oriented ideas related to the circular economy. FRUSH supports these startups by offering networking opportunities, mentoring, funding, and visibility. The winning companies often present innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
Each year, the competition launches new, innovative business ideas focused on the circular economy!
Our Journey in the Competition
We seized the opportunity to participate in FRUSH to showcase our vision for a more sustainable future and to reach a significant milestone in the early stages of our company.
Before entering the competition, we weren’t fully aware of how important and large the event was, so our preparation was honestly a bit incomplete. However, Bahez and Meryem were so inspired by the product they had developed that they managed to present Paahtu and Kahviklapi so convincingly that they won over the judges.
The jury was excited about our idea because it helps preserve nature and has the potential to significantly reduce waste in Finland. They believed our concept could best serve the environment and promote the circular economy; and thus, they chose Paahtu as the winner of the competition!
By turning coffee waste into Kahviklapi, we are not only reducing waste – we are also pioneers in developing a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional firewood!
What has happened since winning FRUSH?
As of writing this post, nearly 5 months have passed since our FRUSH victory, and a lot has happened since! The competition gave us tremendous visibility and served as an excellent springboard for the development of our business.
Right after winning the competition, we welcomed Tiia, a marketing intern from HAMK, (btw we gladly take interns, contact us if your interested!) to our team, and a few weeks later, we brought in Anita, a seasoned marketing expert. The first task under Anita’s leadership was to revamp our brand identity and completely overhaul our website. Previously, we had a single-page website, but we wanted to provide our customers with more information about our product and create an eco-conscious community around Kahviklapi.
We spent a few months working on the new website, learning and experimenting along the way. Our goal was to make the site give visitors a warm and inviting feeling when they arrive. And now, finally, as of early September, our new website is live!
In the summer, we were working full steam ahead
During the summer, we also worked on developing the packaging for Kahviklapi, and we are making great progress in that area. Additionally, we have been in negotiations with a new partner, and we can’t wait to announce this company. Information about our other partners will also be coming to the website later!
Originally, we planned to start the production of Kahviklapi this fall, but we had to revise the prototype, which has slightly delayed the start of production. We improved Kahviklapi’s recipe to ensure the product works even better, and it was made a bit larger than the original prototype.
Follow Our Journey
We are proud of the product, brand, and company we have developed, and we hope it has convinced you as well. You can follow our company’s journey here on the news & blog section, as well as on our social media channels.
Every burned Kahviklapi is a step toward a more sustainable future!
Best regards,
Paahtajat 🔥
