This project started during a collaboration between Industry and Academia in Aalto University in Finland. We were two groups, the one I was participating focusing on the development of a business model, and the other one focusing on the product development.
Ahlstrom, a big finnish company had developed a material capable of purifying water at low cost. Our challenge was to approach the Tanzanian market and come up with a hollistic win-win solution that could be desirable, and technically and economically viable.
During 8 months we have researched the case, we spent 20 days in Tanzania running a workshop and talking to potential users, customers and partners, and we have created a working prototype sustained by a highly profitable business model.
Seeing the potential, we participated in a Start-up competition, got 1st place in Finland and after that we have raised an investment. Now, part of the team is dedicated to improve the product.