Sustainable Water for Plastic Reduction
Today, plastic permeates every aspect of daily life, including the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Single-use plastic products (SUPPs) may seem convenient, but the harm they bring to the environment and to human health through production, distribution, and litter, make them a serious danger, according to the UN Environment Program.
Additionally, the coronavirus pandemic sparked an extraordinary shift in consumer behaviour[1], particularly as a result of lockdowns leading to an uptick in online shopping and delivery services in all offices with high peope traffic.
In general, one effect of the production and consumption of SUPPs is the significant amounts of plastic garbage produced, which can jeopardize efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Plastic waste has long since raised significant concerns on a global scale, particularly the one that ends up in the oceans (Leal Filho et al., 2019[2]).
Yet, the manufacturing of plastic is expected to treble. From 234 million metric tons in 2000 to 460 million metric tons in 2019, the annual global production of plastics doubled. Under a status quo scenario, it is anticipated to quadruple to an estimated 1,231 million metric tons in 2060[3].
This has put further strain on developing nations that were already having trouble managing plastic garbage before the pandemic (Parashar and Hait, 2020). However, was further boosted by the volume of plastic used in e-commerce and takeaway food packaging (Parashar and Hait, 2020).
Beverage Bottles Alone
- The U.S. Container Recycling Institute estimates that in 2014, the US sold 100.7 billion plastic beverage bottles, or 315 bottles per person.
- 57.3 billion plastic water bottles were sold in 2014, accounting for 57% of those units. 3.8 billion plastic water bottles were sold in 1996, the earliest year for which statistics is available.
- Around six times as much water is needed to produce one bottle of water as there is in the bottle.
- Beverage containers account for 14 per cent of all trash. The number is larger when caps and labels are taken into account.
These and other instances show how the massive volumes of plastic garbage created have undermined efforts made around the world to reduce pollution from plastic waste.
Single-use plastics are materials used in packaging and other products that are meant to be used just once before being thrown away. Single-use plastics use a significant amount of energy, water, and natural resources to serve a client for only a few minutes, in contrast to refillable and reusable food ware.
The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration[4] emphasizes the need to eliminate pollution from plastic products. In many ways, plastic is a precious resource, yet it is being wasted unnecessarily and unsustainably by plastic pollution.
By emplacing the Vik-Sha machine and Ügua product in places with high consumption of SUPPs we provide a sustainable water alternative, eliminating single-use plastics, and reducing waste in research and manufacturing while promoting clean and healthier habits.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8799403/
[2] https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652618339799
[3] https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/41263/Plastic_Science_E.pdf
[4] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-reduce-impacts-single-use-plastic-products
Our solution is to place ten Vik-Sha machines, which produce Ügua, to reduce single-use, unnecessary plastic products and medical/hazardous waste in research and manufacturing by providing a sustainable alternative as well as a highly nutritional water supply safe for human consumption.
By using our Vik-Sha machines, which filter and enrich any water supply source, organizations can eliminate the need for single-use plastic bottles or containers commonly employed for drinking water. Thus, employers and employees will not need to purchase plastic bottles constantly and will have a long-lasting water source.
Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, averaging about 13 bottles per month for every person in the U.S.! That means, by using a reusable water bottle, we could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually.[1]
Also, Ügua, the nutrient-enriched hydrogen-emulsified water produced by the machine, can be safely consumed by researchers and manufacturing personnel, reducing the reliance on disposable plastic water bottles as well as increasing nutrients and hydrogen nanobubbles human health recovery effects to it.
This solution not only promotes an eco-friendlier approach and ensures access to clean, safe, and healthier water, but also significantly minimises waste from packaging and hazardous materials associated with traditional water provision methods.
According to NASA´s TRL rate, our Vick-Sha machines are at TRL 10 level, which means they´re already at a proven operation status, fully operational and ready to be deployed anywhere. Some of those machines are currently being used in homes, industries and hospitals.
Vik-Sha (NASA´s 10 TRL), is the first machine that improves water´s molecular composition through the injection of hydrogen particles which, combined with other minerals, reconfigure water molecularly to have nutritional, medical and chemical properties, thus, generating never seen benefits for mankind and the planet.
There are a few renowned Doctors in Colombia who are actually using Ügua as a complementary part of medical treatment in several medical treatments.
The machine has been shown to several international researchers, entrepreneurs and people dedicated to developing solutions with applied sciences, especially with hydrogen solutions. The international hydrogen centre has visited physically our offices in Bogota, recognizing the invention´s potential, and the outstanding contribution to the current use of hydrogen and sustainable solutions.
The international scientific community has shown absolute admiration and recognition for the scientific advances discoveries and applications that Best Planet has come with.
By partnering with us, MIT can help to implement a ground-breaking solution and product that could have a tremendous social-environmental impact in hospitals, research and manufacturing facilities and other places where daily water bottle consumption is of a high level, reducing it to zero.
With a vision to enhance people's well-being while prioritizing environmental sustainability, Best Planet Science strives to create eco-friendly products through scientifically-driven approaches.
Many professionals, including hospital staff, researchers, athletes, and individuals working in physically demanding fields, often experience high levels of fatigue due to the nature of their work. Common symptoms of fatigue among these individuals include physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion, reduced stamina, decreased performance, and persistent muscle soreness.
Scientific research has demonstrated that Natural Springs Mineral Water is highly effective in combating fatigue symptoms and enhancing overall bodily defenses and capacities. However, accessing this water is challenging and expensive.
To address this issue, Best Planet Science has developed Vick-Sha machines that replicate Natural Springs’s Mineral Water using advanced scientific methods. These machines not only produce water with the same properties as the natural resource but also enrich it with essential nutrients, minerals, and emulsified hydrogen nanobubbles.
These beneficial properties are maintained for extended periods thanks to the machine´s engineering process. Moreover, the machines offer these advantages at a significantly lower cost while simultaneously reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles to zero.
By providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution for fatigue recovery and overall health improvement, Tatiana Leon and Best Planet Science are revolutionizing the way people access and benefit from Natural Springs Mineral Water. Their innovative Vick-Sha machines aim to enhance the well-being of individuals in physically demanding professions and contribute to a healthier planet through eco-friendly practices like SUUPs for water consumption usage down to zero.
Bets Planet Science is a private company based on engineering and research in areas such as energy, biomedical, and nanotechnology. We use science and biomimetics to develop technology that improves our planet in four lines: Water, earth, fire and air. With those elements, we develop scientific low-cost solutions to democratize access to water, fertile soil and health supplies for the improvement of living conditions for people in need as well as protecting the environment.
Tatiana Leon, Best Planet Science´s CEO, is a highly experienced Colombian oil engineer with 30 years of industry expertise and two MBA degrees from Tulane University and the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Previously serving as the Technical Vice President and Facilities Engineering Manager for a prominent Latin American Gas and Oil company, she has contributed to the design of LNG, CO2, and Process Plants for utilizing Rich Natural Gas. She has also been involved in projects aimed at reducing emissions from burning natural gas in Africa, Colombia and internationally.
Currently, Tatiana leads our Research and Innovation Team, where she has leveraged her extensive knowledge of hydrogen to develop ground-breaking inventions. Her patented discoveries and understanding of hydrogen molecule manipulation serve as the scientific foundation for the company's solutions and products.
We use science and biomimetics to develop technology that improves our planet in four lines: Water, earth, fire and air. With those elements, we develop scientific low-cost solutions to democratize access to water, fertile soil and health supplies to improve the living conditions of people in need.
Our research work for the development of applied sciences has granted us to have 7 patents in registering process now, two of the most developed ones are in the production process and fully operational so as to contribute to mankind’s improvement.
The most advanced one is Vik-Sha (NASA´s 10 TRL), the first machine that improves water´s molecular composition through the injection of hydrogen particles which, combined with other minerals, reconfigure water molecularly to have nutritional, medical and chemical properties
that generate therapeutic, medical and nutritional results never seen in water before.
Through our machine, we can provide water with special components that significantly improve people´s health conditions and strengthen people´s physical recovery due to fatigue, invasive procedures or severe medical conditions anywhere in the world.
Furthermore, by having one of our Vik-Sha machines, any company could reduce the SUUPs for water consumption down to zero, as well as increase the health conditions of their employees to a considerable rate.
- Reduce single-use products, unnecessary plastics, and medical/hazardous waste throughout research and manufacturing.
- Colombia
- United States
- Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model that is rolled out in one or more communities
By partnering with key stakeholders such as MIT SOLVE, we aim to democratize access to clean, safe, nutrient-enriched, and hydrogen-emulsified water—basically, Natural Springs scientifically recreated water—for everyone.
With your generous contribution, we will be implementing these nutrient-enriched water supply machines in ten underserved rural areas and for vulnerable groups of people in Colombia, as well as in oncologic and general clinics, to help patients recover faster from complex medical treatments and surgical procedures. In the process.
We will also significantly reduce the consumption of SUUPs related to water consumption and use in those clinics, churches, and rural communities to zero by the end of 2023.
The prize will be used to:
- Deploy ten machines to the neediest populations in underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized rural communities in Colombia.
- Increase and enhance improvements in the machines' size, efficiency, and self-sustainability.
- Reduce the machine´s production costs to reach scalability and democratize access to its benefits.
- Discover new uses and benefits of our hydrogen-enriched water (Ügua).
- Raise awareness and good practices in the targeted communities related to hygienic habits, food preparation, waste disposal, water source protection and conservation, and SUUPs production and use reduction down to zero in a year.
- Empower community leaders and consolidate community capabilities and local networks for proper Vik-Sha machine management and free access to them. Strengthen community operational capabilities to ensure that the entire community benefits from the project and the water.
Some of our machines are currently being used in homes, industries, and hospitals, and even some of the most successful Doctors in oncologic treatments and fast recovery from post-surgery conditions in Colombia are actually using Ügua as a complementary part of medical treatment in several medical treatments.
Adopting this technology enhances access to safe, nutritious water, promotes sustainability, and improves public health in Colombia. Join us for a healthier, more prosperous future.
Our CEO, Tatiana Leon, is originally from a Small City in one of the most rural and underserved regions of Colombia.
She had to witness and endure the tremendous diseases bad water can cause to children and families. She also experienced firsthand how the environment is polluted and severely affected due to a lack of alternative SUUPs production and use. She has also seen how most of the time “progress” does not come with better living conditions for the marginalized, neglected ones.
Tatiana had to fight hard her way to where she is now, considering the fact of being a woman in a realm of male competitiveness and domination. She has been looked down upon many times for being a woman dealing with science, especially a complicated subject such as hydrogen nanobubbles research and production, in a world of egos and fighting for fame instead of inclusion and progress for mankind.
That´s why Tatiana left her role at an international company to found Best Planet Science and use her inventions and research for the well-being of mankind, especially for those without access to basic needs such as safe and nutritive drinking water, and to protect the environment, knowing how SUUPs and other waste generating materials harm our habitat and us for that matter.
The Colombian plastics industry is in the spotlight concerning the circular economy because it has failed to invest in science, technology, and innovation to reduce its ecological impact (CONPES, 2016). Colombia produces 12 million tons of garbage per year, and plastic comprises 10.78% of these, making it the second-leading group of solid waste and the first of interest in the circular economy.
The reason for this is that Colombia consumes about 1.2 million tons of plastic a year, of which 56% are PET containers (Procuraduría General de la Nación, 2019 - Attorney General of the Nation’s Office), more than 4,000 million PET bottles a year, and the country only recycles 31% of those (the worldwide average is 78%) (Diario La República, 2019; Ecoembes, 2019).
That is why Tatiana, through Best Planet Science, is trying to reduce this plastic waste production by reducing SUUPs use to zero as well as increasing human health conditions.
Ügua comes from the Vik-Sha patent, 100% designed, assembled and automated in Colombia, a machine capable of taking air from the atmosphere, or from ANY WATER SOURCE, purifying and molecularly restructuring it and adding important minerals for human health improvement.
And if there is no existing water source, we've got it covered: our system can capture atmospheric air and transform it into water with added highly nutritional value. We're fulfilling a basic human right through science and technology by nourishing populations with improved water quality and quintessential nutrients and reducing SUUPs production, usage and waste generation.
Ügua is structured water with hydrogen, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium. Our molecular structure is designed to transport and favour the fixation of nutrients such as Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc, Copper, Iron, and Hydrogen, which are important elements in deflation, reduction of cell death, and prevention of premature aging.
While there are air condensation and water purification systems on the market already, none of them replicates mineral water that contains six vital nutrients (calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and copper) alongside the addition of stabilized hydrogen nanobubbles. This is particularly crucial for vulnerable communities, as it aids the human body in fixing and absorbing nutrients.
Ügua is produced by our Vik-Sha machine, which allows the stabilization of hydrogen and other minerals in the water. It is one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the century. Our development in its current commercial version achieves higher hydration levels due to its structure, guarantees the transport of nutrients that the body needs, and enhances physical performance and muscle recovery.
In additional studies, still in progress, we are finding that the molecular structure of the water produced by our machine is the basis for derived products that could contribute to faster and better patients´ recovery from aggressive procedures such as oncological treatment, post-surgery injuries, turnover morbidity, and malnutrition.
Our main difference is that we are not a for-profit/commercial-oriented company, but a science-based one, focused on developing scientifically based solutions to benefit mankind and contribute to reducing global warming effects on the Planet. Based on that, our goals are not completely or uniquely commercial, but rather social and environmental impact.
In that regard, our goal for this year is to have more than 10,000 people in Colombia improve their health conditions by consuming Ügua. Also, reduce the SUUPs usage and waste in 15000 Christian Churches, hospitals, clinics, universities, and oncologic, post-surgery recovery centers.
Our goals for the next five years are oriented in several areas,
Positive Public Health Impact: The combination of improved water quality, access to nutritional water, and reduced use of SUUPs for water consumption will have a positive impact on 200.000 people´s public health, especially on children. Improving nutritional intake, and promoting overall better health outcomes are expected as a result of implementing the mass production ¿, deployment and placement of Vik-Sha machines in key areas, including underserved, underrepresented and marginalized rural communities in Colombia.
Enhance Nutritional Access: By incorporating nutrient infusion technology to water, we address nutritional deficiencies and provide access to highly nutritional water enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, promoting better health and well-being among our clients and beneficiaries.
SUUPs usage reduction to zero: By placing the Vick- Sha machines in key facilities and gathering places, and basically democratizing access to water, we will reduce or disregard the use of SUPPs usage for water consumption.
Sustainable Water Management Practices: The adoption of green power sources and efficient water production processes promotes sustainability in water management practices as well as the reduction of SUUPs usage and need.
This will lead to diminishing environmental impact, including decreased carbon emissions and minimized water wastage, contributing to the conservation of water resources and the overall sustainability of water management in Colombia.
Environment conservation: by using our green power sources, reducing carbon emissions, minimizing water wastage during the process, and reducing SUUPs production, usage and bulk waste we will significantly contribute to environmental conservation, at a very cost-effective level and in alignment with Colombia's sustainability objectives.
To align our efforts with the UN´s SDGs and contribute to reaching them we have chosen the goals and indicators that best pertain to our approach and aim with both Vik- Sha and Ügua.
- Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
- Target 6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- Indicator 6.1.1 Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
- Target 6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
-Indicator 6.4.2 Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
- Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Target 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
- Indicator 12.5.1 National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
-Target 12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
-Indicator: Number of companies that use Vik-Sha machines to reduce SUUPs waste generation.
-Target 12.a. Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
-Indicator 12.a.1 Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing countries (in watts per capita).
Theory of Change: By deploying ten Vik-Sha machines that produce Ügua, we aim to reduce single-use, unnecessary plastic products and medical and hazardous waste in research and manufacturing.
The deployment of these machines will provide a sustainable alternative for water provision, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles or containers.
This solution will promote an eco-friendlier approach, ensure access to clean and safe water, and minimize waste from packaging and hazardous materials associated with traditional water provision methods.
Goal: Reduce single-use, unnecessary plastic products and medical/hazardous waste in research and manufacturing.
1. Inputs:
- Ten Vik-Sha machines that produce Ügua, nutrient-enriched hydrogen-emulsified water.
- Deployment and installation of these machines in research and manufacturing facilities.
2. Activities:
- Deploy and install the Vik-Sha machines in the targeted facilities.
- Educate employers and employees about the benefits of Ügua and the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles.
- Provide training on operating and maintaining the Vik-Sha machines.
3. Outputs:
- Ten Vik-Sha machines operational in research and manufacturing facilities.
- Increased awareness among employers and employees about Ügua and the negative impact of single-use plastic bottles.
- Trained personnel capable of operating and maintaining the machines effectively.
- Reduction in the purchase and consumption of single-use plastic bottles by employers and employees.
- Minimization of plastic waste generated in research and manufacturing facilities.
- Improved access to clean, safe, and healthier water for researchers and manufacturing personnel.
- Increased adoption of sustainable practices in water provision.
- Significant decrease in the reliance on single-use plastic bottles in research and manufacturing.
- Reduction in the production of plastic waste and medical/hazardous waste associated with traditional water provision methods.
- Improved health and well-being of researchers and manufacturing personnel through the consumption of nutrient-enriched Ügua.
- Sustainable reduction in single-use, unnecessary plastic products and medical/hazardous waste in research and manufacturing.
- Establishment of a culture of sustainability and responsible consumption in these industries.
- Contribution to global efforts in reducing plastic waste and promoting environmentally friendly solutions.
4. Short-term Outcomes:
- Reduction in the purchase and consumption of single-use plastic bottles by employers and employees.
- Minimization of plastic waste generated in research and manufacturing facilities.
- Improved access to clean, safe, and healthier water for researchers and manufacturing personnel.
- Increased adoption of sustainable practices in water provision.
5. Medium-term Outcomes:
- Significant decrease in the reliance on single-use plastic bottles in research and manufacturing.
- Reduction in the production of plastic waste and medical/hazardous waste associated with traditional water provision methods.
- Improved health and well-being of researchers and manufacturing personnel through the consumption of nutrient-enriched Ügua.
6. Long-term Outcome:
- Sustainable reduction in single-use, unnecessary plastic products and medical/hazardous waste in research and manufacturing.
- Establishment of a culture of sustainability and responsible consumption in these industries.
- Contribution to global efforts in reducing plastic waste and promoting environmentally friendly solutions.
The core technology that powers the Vik-Sha machine is a combination of air condensation and water purification systems, along with the injection of hydrogen particles and other minerals, to reconfigure the molecular composition of water. This unique process allows the machine to generate mineral water that contains six vital nutrients: calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and copper, along with stabilized hydrogen nanobubbles.
And if there is a place where electricity does not work properly, it´s too expensive or non-existent at all. We have a version of Vik- Sha that uses a turbine propelled by hydrogen that does the trick and doesn´t need any power source but itself.
The machine utilizes advanced techniques to modify the molecular structure of water, resulting in water with enhanced nutritional, medical, and chemical properties. The injection of hydrogen particles, in combination with other minerals, plays a crucial role in this process. By reconfiguring the molecular composition of water, the Vik-Sha machine aims to provide never-before-seen benefits for both mankind and the planet.
The technology behind the Vik-Sha machine has been developed by the Best Planet Science Company, and it has garnered recognition and admiration from the international scientific community. The machine has undergone extensive research and validation, particularly in the field of health research. It has been rated at TRL 10 by NASA, indicating that it is fully operational, proven, and ready for deployment.
Currently, the Vik-Sha machines are being used in various settings, including homes, industries, and hospitals. In Colombia, renowned doctors have incorporated the water produced by the machine, branded "Ügua", as a complementary part of medical treatments. This further highlights the recognition and acceptance of the machine's potential in the medical field.
Overall, the Vik-Sha machine represents a significant advancement in water technology, utilizing a unique combination of air condensation, water purification, and hydrogen injection to produce mineral water with enhanced nutritional and medicinal properties.
- A new technology
The core technology that powers the Vik-Sha machine is a combination of air condensation and water purification systems, along with the injection of hydrogen particles and other minerals, to reconfigure the molecular composition of water. This unique process allows the machine to generate mineral water that contains six vital nutrients: calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and copper, along with stabilized hydrogen nanobubbles.
And if there is a place where electricity does not work properly, it´s too expensive, or nonexistent at all. We have a version of Vik- Sha that uses a turbine propelled by hydrogen that does the trick and doesn´t need any power source but itself.
The machine utilizes advanced techniques to modify the molecular structure of water, resulting in water with enhanced nutritional, medical, and chemical properties. The injection of hydrogen particles, in combination with other minerals, plays a crucial role in this process. By reconfiguring the molecular composition of water, the Vik-Sha machine aims to provide never-before-seen benefits for both mankind and the planet.
The technology behind the Vik-Sha machine has been developed by the Best Planet Science Company, and it has garnered recognition and admiration from the international scientific community. The machine has undergone extensive research and validation, particularly in the field of health research. It has been rated TRL 10 by NASA, indicating that it is fully operational, proven, and ready for deployment.
Currently, the Vik-Sha machines are being used in various settings, including homes, industries, and hospitals. In Colombia, renowned doctors have incorporated the water produced by the machine, branded Ügua, as a complementary part of medical treatments. This further highlights the recognition and acceptance of the machine's potential in the medical field.
Overall, the Vik-Sha machine represents a significant advancement in water technology, utilizing a unique combination of air condensation, water purification, and hydrogen injection to produce mineral water with enhanced nutritional and medicinal properties.
- Biotechnology / Bioengineering
- For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Our Colombian team comprises 27 men and women with expertise in applied science, including petroleum engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. Led by Tatiana Leon, Best Planet Science´s CEO, a seasoned oil engineer with 30 years of experience and dual MBA degrees, our team has contributed to projects such as designing LNG, CO2, and Process Plants for utilizing Rich Natural Gas, as well as reducing emissions from burning natural gas globally. David Herrera, a skilled Mechatronics Engineer, specializes in optimizing processes through automation, while Daniel Sanchez Plazas, a qualified Mechanical Engineer, excels in innovation, patenting ideas, and guiding research projects.
After leaving her position at a Gas and Oil company, Tatiana devoted herself to researching hydrogen as an eco-friendly resource. In 2018–19, she registered patents in the USA and developed products for Earth's recovery. Best Planet Science emerged, expanding to Best Planet Science LLC and Nikki Energy in the USA and Best Planet Science and Best Planet CO in Colombia. LLC handled patent registration, while Nikki explored hydrogen-based power solutions to combat global warming. Best Planet Science in Colombia applied Tatiana's inventions, and Best Science CO marketed their products. Achieving Unicorn Enterprise Status within five years, progress continues.
We have established a formal DEI policy outlining the company's commitment to DEI and setting clear goals and objectives. This policy emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusivity across all aspects of the organization's work.
1. Leadership commitment: Our leadership team is fully committed to DEI and demonstrates this commitment through their actions. Leaders promote an inclusive culture, prioritize diversity in hiring and promotion decisions, and allocate resources towards DEI initiatives.
2. Diverse hiring practices: We implement inclusive hiring practices to attract and retain a diverse workforce. This involves establishing diverse interview panels, using blind screening techniques to reduce bias, and actively seeking out candidates from underrepresented groups.
3. Employee training and education: We provide training programs and workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion to raise awareness, promote understanding, and develop inclusive behaviours among employees. These programs cover topics such as unconscious bias, cultural competency, and inclusive communication.
4. Inclusive workplace policies: We review and revise workplace policies to ensure they are fair, unbiased, and inclusive. This includes policies related to recruitment, promotion, pay equity, flexible work arrangements, and accommodation for employees with disabilities.
5. Employee resource groups: We encourage the formation of employee resource groups (ERGs) or affinity groups that provide a platform for employees from underrepresented groups to connect, support one another, and contribute to the company's DEI efforts.
6. Partnerships and collaborations: We constantly seek partnerships and collaborations with organizations and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. This involves participating in industry-wide DEI initiatives, supporting community organizations, and engaging in outreach programs to underrepresented communities.
It's important to note that our DEI is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and a commitment to learning and improvement.
Canvas Business Model for Ügua and Vik-Sha
Key Partners:
- Suppliers: Partner with trusted suppliers for high-quality raw materials.
- Distributors: Collaborate with distributors and retailers to expand product reach.
- Influencers and Ambassadors: Partner with social media influencers to promote the brand.
- Sustainable Initiatives: Collaborate with environmental organizations for conservation efforts.
Key Activities:
- Product Development: Design innovative and sustainable products.
- Manufacturing and Production: Produce products using sustainable practices.
- Marketing and Branding: Create brand awareness and engage with the target audience.
- Distribution and Sales: Establish distribution channels for product availability.
- Customer Support: Provide excellent after-sales service for customer satisfaction.
Key Resources:
- Sustainable Materials: Utilize eco-friendly materials for product manufacturing.
- Design and Innovation: Employ a skilled team for unique product designs.
- Manufacturing Facilities: Establish sustainable production facilities.
- Brand Reputation: Build a strong brand image through ethical practices.
Value Propositions:
- Sustainable Products: Offer eco-friendly products with reduced environmental impact.
- Ethical Sourcing and Manufacturing: Ensure fair labor conditions and responsible sourcing.
- Innovative Design and Quality: Provide high-quality products that combine aesthetics and functionality.
- Brand with a Purpose: Position as a brand that contributes to environmental causes.
Customer Segments:
- Eco-Conscious Consumers: Target environmentally aware individuals.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Appeal to nature lovers who prioritize sustainable products.
- Conscious Gift Buyers: Attract consumers seeking meaningful and sustainable gifts.
- Sustainability Advocates: Engage with individuals and organizations promoting sustainability.
Channels:
- E-Commerce Website: Directly sell products through a user-friendly online platform.
- Retail Partnerships: Collaborate with sustainable boutiques and stores.
- Social Media and Influencers: Utilize social media and influencers for brand visibility.
- Pop-up Shops and Events: Organize temporary shops and participate in sustainability events.
Cost Structure:
- Manufacturing Costs: Cover expenses for materials, production, quality control, and packaging.
- Marketing and Advertising: Allocate funds for digital marketing and influencer partnerships.
- Distribution and Logistics: Cover costs for distribution channels and shipping.
- Research and Development: Invest in product innovation.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Allocate resources for environmental and conservation efforts.
By focusing on sustainable products, ethical practices, and a strong brand image, Ügua and Vik-Sha can attract eco-conscious consumers, engage with key partners, and create a successful business model.
- Organizations (B2B)
For the financial development of Best Planes, the consolidation of business models based on the exploitation of patents, both directly and through licensing, is expected. The company has had and hopes to maintain in the future a strong vocation for research in applied sciences, for which business models will be built that allow sustaining investment in investment and development without diverting the organization from its central purpose. Currently, the company has two marketable products that already have all the conditions to be offered as final products, namely, Ügua and VikSha. Regarding Ügua, the brand of hydrogen-enriched water, there is a production and bottling plant to offer it, as well as the permits and patents required to protect the invention (some of its derivatives are still in the patent process). In the case of Vik-Sha, the machines that produce the enriched water are ready for commercialization; they have permits, and some of their components are finishing the patent granting process. With these products, the business is expected to achieve commercial development. Currently, the company requires 250k dollars a year in expenses to sustain itself, so the break-even point will be reached with sales close to 750.000 dollars a year. The resources to be obtained from external support will be dedicated to maintaining the scientific payroll, developing and improving products, and monitoring the medical and environmental impacts of Ügua.
The company has achieved revenues of 1 million dollars during its entire operation. These incomes have been distributed through consultancies and studies related to our scientific research, the sale of Vik-Sha machines, the distribution of hydrogen-enriched water, and manufactured water. The company has not received donations or any other type of incentive to date.
We have been contacting several funders and angel investors, and our marketing and sales departments have been creating business cases and stakeholders´ databases to reach out for more funds to expand our operations and research.
We are also applying for funds from several donors, cooperation agencies, governments, and private charities.
We have entered into talks with the 3 most important clinics and several big churches in Bolivia to be able to penetrate those markets.
Advancement and Fundraising Director