Validation Journey

 

As environmental concerns drive innovation in sustainable materials, bagasse-made cups have emerged as a possible replacement for standard single-use plastic cups. Bagasse, the fibrous waste that remains after sugarcane is crushed to produce juice, is a biodegradable and renewable resource for cup manufacture. However, assuring the quality and safety of these cups is crucial. Validation techniques are critical for ensuring that bagasse-made cups match industry standards, from material composition to durability and safety for consumer usage. In this blog, we will talk about  market validation for bagasse-made cups, looking at customer interviews, hypotheses investigated, outcomes discovered and decisions that is made along the way.

To begin the market validation process, we conducted interviews with prospective clients. During these interactions, we learned about their preferences, concerns, and willingness to switch from traditional plastic cups to bagasse alternatives. These interviews provided invaluable insights into our target audience's motives and expectations.

These are some of the interviews:

Interviewee #1

Interviewer: Hi! We’re a first year students from the college of agriculture, we are here to    introduced our venture product made from bagasse which is a waste product from sugarcane. We conduct a product that can be an alternative of plastic cups, by using this we reduce the use of plastic cups that is the main problem of the university. If we were able to produce this product, are you willing or interested of buying this product.

Interviewee: What is the cost of this product?

Interviewer: The product range from  5 -10 pesos depending on the size.

Interviewer: The main ingredient is bagasse which is given free from the Milling Factory considering it’s a waste for them.

Interviewer: Sure, I’m interested.

Interviewee #2

Interviewer: Hi! We’re a first year students from the college of agriculture, we are here to introduced our venture product made from bagasse which is a waste product from sugarcane. We conduct a product that can be an alternative of plastic cups, by using this we reduce the use of plastic cups that is the main problem of the university. If we were able to produce this product, are you willing or interested of buying this product.

Interviewee: I am hesitant to this change. What if this will not be a hit for our customers considering that we are selling drinks. Do you guarantee that your product can hold hot and cold drinks like the plastic ones?

Interviewer: Our product benefits the environment and since the university is now banning the single-used plastics this is one of the solution and alternative we see. Yes, we can guarantee that our product is sturdy and can hold hot and cold drinks.

Interviewee: I am still a bit hesitant but I’m kind of interested.

 

Interviewee #3

Interviewer: Hi! We’re a first year students from the college of agriculture, we are here to introduced our venture product made from bagasse which is a waste product from sugarcane. We conduct a product that can be an alternative of plastic cups, by using this we reduce the use of plastic cups that is the main problem of the university. If we were able to produce this product, are you willing or interested of buying this product.

Interviewee: We are interested but since we are just a franchise we do not have say in this matter. It is still the owners or the company’s decision to change our usual cups.

 

Based on feedback from customer interviews, we developed hypotheses to analyze the underlying value proposition of bagasse cups. We intended to determine the resonance of our bagasse-made cups through systematic validation, ensuring they not only met but exceeded the expectations of ecologically aware consumers looking for durability and functionality in their disposable dinnerware.

We expected that customers would appreciate bagasse cups' eco-friendliness and be willing to switch from plastic cups to help the environment. We tested this by conducting surveys and gathering feedback. The survey results confirmed our hypothesis, with a considerable proportion of respondents expressing a strong preference for environmentally friendly products. They saw bagasse cups as a promising option for reducing plastic waste. Customers praised the biodegradable nature of bagasse cups, viewing them as a great step toward minimizing plastic waste. One of our clients mentioned the durability of bagasse cups, and they are pleased with the cuo's strength and capacity to retain hot and cold liquids efficiently. A few consumers suggested that the pricing of bagasse cups be competitive with other choices to encourage widespread use. Despite all of the positive reviews, some potential buyers have stated that they are unsure whether or not to purchase because it is a franchise.

After all of this, our team resolved to pursue this idea despite any future hurdles that may arise. We examined numerous factors before making this selection, including the availability of materials, the manufacturer, and possible clients. We were first cautious, to the point where we pondered abandoning this idea, but we ultimately chose to continue because it will be a significant assist in eliminating the creation of plastic cups that harm the environment. Furthermore, we discovered that developing a product is not easy, but we persevered since we feel our product has a positive impact on the environment. Despite our reservations and hurdles, the importance of tackling the environmental impact of plastic cups became a motivation for us. Understanding resource availability and finding a reputable manufacturer were significant issues. We did research, contacted potential suppliers, and ensured a steady supply of supplies for our product. The choice to proceed was not made lightly; we considered the complexity of producing the product against its potential benefits. The realization that our solution could assist to minimize the production of harmful plastic cups fueled our determination. We grew from the hurdles and accepted the difficulty of product creation. It's a path that takes perseverance, adaptability, and resilience.