Frescue
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.
Frescue provides a food waste management infrastructure that redistributes the excess supply of food. 🥬
Frescue is one of the startups in our Innovation Programme 2020. We talked to the YSI SEA Fellows behind Frescue: Hera Cambal, Ferdi Lau, and Philippe “Tuti” Joseph Encinas.
.Watch the video below to see them talk about their startup (at 1:52) in greater detail! Scroll down for the rest of the interview.
Hera studied Management with a specialization in Sustainability, and is an Accredited Pollution Control Officer. She has previous retail startup experience, and is passionate about creating competitive companies that advance the overall social good.
What made you interested in social impact?
I used to work as a sustainability officer for an organization in the hotel and accommodation industry. Upon checking the waste characteristics, I realized that there were alot of food waste being generated. Although there were already redistribution practices in place, there was still a high amount of waste generated. As a business major who specializes in sustainability, I have an idea about the potential role of startups in social innovation. I figured that a business model can be tailored to address this food waste issue.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far in life?
The biggest challenge is trying to encourage people to support the sustainability projects that we implement, even if it may seem to require more from them at the start. Unfortunately, they are not yet aware of how big of a role they have, in terms of helping make a sustainable system successful. This will require more campaigns, to try and make them understand, to make them aware of the current situation.
We are running out of time, and changing people’s mindsets requires more time. Unfortunately, nature won't be waiting for us by then.
What lesson would you share with aspiring entrepreneurs?
You should surround yourself with like minded people. It can be quite daunting to address societal issues, and to think of ideas by yourself. By having a support system that understands sustainability and climate change impacts, and who are aware what may happen if this problem is left unsolved, can help wonders in terms of ideation and motivation. You won’t feel alone when solving problems.
Ferdi believes in the creation of more sustainable communities through the development of efficient infrastructures. An avid marketeer-entrepreneur, he has worked with MNCs and startups in various industries, and is currently working to build South-East Asia’s own hybrid rocket engine.
Can you describe your startup in one sentence?
It's a platform that will facilitate the redistribution of food waste to the relevant stakeholders at various levels.
What made you interested in social impact?
At one point in life, I was trying to figure out what I really wanted to do. I was taking part in a lot of hackathons, case competitions, and I was constantly meeting new people and attending conferences. I went to ask myself this question: “Do I really want to have a stable office job and do it for the rest of my life?”. The answer to that question was no. I wanted to try to create something to make an impact, to do something to make a difference.
What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Firstly, I think that entrepreneur is a big word. If I were to give advice, if you want to do something, if you strongly believe that you should do something, if there is something that you are passionate about, just go and do it. You don’t have to wait until you are completely ready, because, chances are, even the most successful people are not 100% ready. So if there is something you want to do, just go and do it now.
Philippe “Tuti” Joseph Encinas
Tuti is an architecture undergraduate with a passion for practical and disruptive innovations. He is the co-Head of the Floating Urban Garden Project under Engineers Without Borders-Diliman at the University of the Philippines.
Can you tell us more about your startup or idea?
In this programme, we are focused on the circularity of food and agriculture, more specifically cutting food waste and redistributing excess foods through studying and augmenting the food supply chain that will end up in a multi-stage food recycling solution.
What made you interested in this idea?
I became interested in this idea when I stayed and volunteered in a slum in Manila where I met a lot of families that are challenged to meet their daily food security. Also in this journey, I experienced how families get by in their daily lives by scavenging from piles of fast food chicken leftovers.
As we develop this idea, we aim to support the accomplishment of the global goal to end hunger.
What is success to you?
Success is a daily journey to truly learn myself, and use this knowledge for the attainment of my goals and also for the betterment of others.
Catch Hera, Ferdi, Tuti, and the rest of the 23 regional impact entrepreneurs at the YSI SEA Demo Day 2020!
